Honey, the pure, complete and natural food. It is truly one of nature’s best food. This deliciously sweet liquid provides healthy nutrients, gives us energy and does wonderful things for our skin.
Gathering
Who would imagine that all these wonderful benefits come from bees? They begin the process of making honey by collecting flower nectar from all kinds of flowers. The species of flower determines the color and taste of the honey. Once they collect and digest the flower nectar, it’s regurgitated and turned into simple sugars that are deposited in honeycombs for storage. As bees hover in the honeycomb, they fan the honey by constantly moving their wings and moisture evaporates leaving a syrupy liquid, honey.
Collecting
Honeycombs, found in beehives, have to be extracted and cleaned. Bees create waxy seals on all the honeycomb openings to prevent leaking. This wax is removed, then honey is extracted by spinning the honeycombs in machines until the liquid settles in the bottom where it can be collected. This extraction process is typically done by beekeepers who tend the hives. Protective clothing and masks are worn to prevent bee stings while dealing with large numbers of bees.
Medicinal Background
Honey has a long medicinal history. The ancient Egyptians not only made offerings of honey to their gods, they also used it as an embalming fluid and a dressing for wounds. On that last point, at least, they were on to something.
Today, many people are drawn to honey for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Holistic practitioners consider it one of nature's best all-around remedies.
But outside of the laboratory, claims for honey's healthfulness are unproven -- except in the area of wound care and, to a lesser extent, cough suppression.
Here's the truth behind the claims about honey's health benefits -- and an important warning.
Honey is natural and considered harmless for adults. But pediatricians strongly caution against feeding honey to children under 1 year old. "Do not let babies eat honey," states foodsafety.gov, a web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
That's because of the risk of botulism. The spores of the botulism bacteria are found in dust and soil that may make their way into honey. Infants do not have a developed immune system to defend against infection, says an MD who is a Georgia neonatologist who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Nutrition.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy foods to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Do you like to do positive things that help you live a better life and live longer as well? Well, we all know the saying you are what you eat. There is new research conducted by the University of Huddersfield, a public university located in West Yorkshire, England, that suggests a chemical compound found in pomegranates can slow degenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia occur when brain cells become inflamed, causing them to lose their ability to function and communicate. The cells eventually die off, causing irreversible changes in the brain. Alzheimer's affects more than 44 million people globally, and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with a diagnosis typically live an average of eight years; however, some people can live up to 20 years after diagnosis depending on their condition.
Nearly everything that is known about this debilitating disease has been learned over the past 15 years, but a cure does not yet exist. Doctors can only treat Alzheimer's patients by prescribing medicines intended to help curb symptoms and impede the progression of the disease.
However, the results of a two-year study led by Dr. Olumayokun Olajide could offer new hope for those suffering from a variety of illnesses including cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia and other neurological diseases.
Dr. Olajide specializes in the study of herbs and other natural products. He attributes his interest in natural health to his childhood.
"African mothers normally treat sick children with natural substances such as herbs. My mum certainly used a lot of those substances," said Dr. Olajide. "And then I went on to study pharmacology!"
Along with four PhD students from the Department of Pharmacy, Dr. Olajide isolated brain cells from rats in order to test their findings, and what they discovered is that punicalagin, a polyphenol found in pomegranates, can slow inflammation in specialized brain cells known as microglia.
Polyphenols, the most abundant antioxidants in our diets, were rarely studied before 1995, but today, evidence suggests that polyphenols greatly contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancers, osteoporosis and diabetes.
Pomegranate's anti-inflammatory properties are found in its rich pigmented skin
Decreasing neuroinflammation helps slow memory loss in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for short-term memory. According to Live Strong, this section of the brain is responsible for "temporarily storing and manipulating information needed to carry out cognitive tasks such as learning," which tends to be most affected by Alzheimer's.
Similar to blueberries, the healthy antioxidants in pomegranates are stored in their skin, not the inner soft part of the fruit. Dr. Olajide and his team of researchers are unsure of how much of the pomegranate's antioxidants are required to be effective, but they are confident that producing compound derivatives of punicalagin could be the basis of a new orally administrated drug designed to treat neuroinflammation.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy food to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Some dogs fetch or roll over on command. Others can sniff out drugs or track the scent of a rabbit. And then there's Klinker. Her talent is a bit more unusual. Klinker, a black Labrador retriever, is the only certified dog in the United States that can sniff out a specific bacteria that is killing our bee populations.
The bacteria is called American foulbrood, and it's responsible for a whole lot of bee damage out there. The USDA calls this bacteria one of the most widespread and most destructive of the honeybee brood diseases. Yikes.
But Klinker is here to save the bees' day (and ours too!). She's been trained to detect it — and she's better at it than any human out there. Her sniffing skills are in high demand. Bee populations are in rough shape.
Greenpeace reports a 40% loss of all commercial honeybees in the United States in the last 10 years. That's so many. And that's why it's great that Klinker can inspect up to 1,000 bee colonies a day.
Klinker's ability to detect the disease early on prevents mass destruction of bee colonies. And it saves some serious cash, too.
Usually, when the American foulbrood bacteria is discovered, it's too late to save the bees. The beekeeper often has no choice but to burn the whole colony down (with a sad, sad fire) to keep it from spreading. This is costly. Not to mention pretty sad.
But Klinker can detect the bacteria before that,saving her state of Maryland money and bees at the same time.
Klinker, who is 18 months old, is the department's fourth bee dog. She replaced Thorne, an 8-year-old yellow Labrador retriever who retired recently. Troup said Klinker is doing a good job, and she has been rewarded with squeaky toys and head pats. During one of her first inspections, in January, Klinker found a diseased colony that a human inspector had missed.
You can see more of how awesome she is in this National Geographic clip. https://youtu.be/rtYVhej-9bY
This pup is efficient, economic, and helping to save an insect we desperately need if we want to to keep living life the way we all do.
Now we just need more dogs like her!
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy food to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
I made this chicken the other night, only my recipe was tripled to serve at least twelve. It was a test with both Thanksgiving and Christmas in mind. I found that the seeds in a pomegranate are called arils. The aril is simply the seed pod inside a pomegranate. It is truly one of nature’s most unique types of fruit. The clear, ruby-colored fruit surrounds a tiny, crisp seed, and the whole aril is edible and oh so good for you.
Ingredients
2 cups rice
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1 pound), cut into quarters
Salt and pepper
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 large onion, halved and sliced
1 clove garlic, smashed
3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup sesame seeds
1 cup pomegranate juice
Seed one fresh pomegranate (see demo http://www.wikihow.com/Seed-a-Pomegranate)
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring the rice and 2 1/4 cups water to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until the water has evaporated and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. If you have a dedicated rice cooker so much the better.
Meanwhile, season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until browned, about 7 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the onion, garlic and walnuts to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon, scraping up any browned bits. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan, add the pomegranate juice and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes; transfer the chicken to a warmer.
Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 3 minutes; stir in the parsley.
Divide the rice among plates or bowls. Top with chicken and veggies and then sprinkle with sesame seeds and pomegranate arils.
Satisfy your family's appetite with dinners for less.
Makes: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy food to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Pomegranates have been cherished for their exquisite beauty, flavor, color, and health benefits for centuries. From their distinctive crown to their ruby red arils, pomegranates are royalty amongst fruit. They are symbolic of prosperity and abundance in virtually every civilization. Fortunately, this treasure’s versatility and possibilities are as abundant as the juicy arils bursting forth from within.
Pomegranates are a super food that provides a concentrated source of antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect your heart, brain and body. The edible capsule around the seeds also provides vitamin B6, Vitamin C and lots of potassium.
Research:
The following is only a small selection of a plethora of research that has been conducted and is continuing to be carried out on the medicinal potential of Pomegranates:
High Blood Pressure
A 2013 pilot clinical trial presented evidence that acute blood pressure was improved with a single dose of pomegranate juice in certain individuals with high blood pressure. The group stated, “The hypotensive properties of pomegranate juice could be ascribed to the promising antioxidant properties of phytochemicals present in this complex juice.”
The same group also conducted a trail on the effects of a 2-week intake of pomegranate juice. According to their findings, the results implied a significant reduction in blood pressure, confirming results of previous studies. The group also was able to attribute results of two previous trails that did not find significant reductions in blood pressure as due to differences in inclusion criteria of the individuals selected for those studies.
They also note, “…evidence has indicated that diets rich in natural antioxidants are associated with a reduced risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular events.” In the group’s conclusion of their study they remark that while their study should not be interpreted as proof, it is motivational for further large-scale investigations. “Consumption of pomegranate juice could be considered in the context of both dietary and pharmacological interventions for hypertension.”
Lung Cancer
A 2006 study “hypothesized that PFE [pomegranate fruit extract] may afford chemopreventive as well as cancer-chemotherapeutic effects against lung cancer.” The study was conducted in the laboratory and the researchers state, “Based on the present study it is tempting to suggest that PFE and its associated antioxidants have strong potential for development as a chemopreventive and possibly as a chemotherapeutic agent against lung cancer. Thus, these could be important observations that may be useful for devising strategies for the management of lung cancer.” They concluded in depth studies were warranted as their research demonstrated the lung cancer cells were highly sensitive and growth inhibited by pomegranate juice extract.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The consumption of products containing extracts of pomegranate by arthritis patients has been increasing. However, the effectiveness of using pomegranate juice and extract for anti-inflammatory and joint damage suppression is not fully known. A 2008 laboratory study was designed to evaluate a standardized preparation of pomegranate extract on rheumatoid arthritis.
Results of the study ‘potently’ delayed the onset and reduced the incidence of the laboratory induced rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers were able to conclude, “[pomegranate extract] or compounds derived from it may be a useful approach for the prevention of onset and severity of inflammatory arthritis.”
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy food to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
What are cara cara navel oranges? Cara cara navel oranges, are a variety of navel oranges. They were first discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela and later introduced in Florida and then in California during the 1980s.
This special orange is juicy, lower in acidic taste, seedless, and, some say, has a berry like flavor. The name “cara cara” means “beloved” in Italian.
When selecting cara cara navel oranges, make sure the fruit is firm, heavy for its size, and has a pleasant sweet smell. Scars or imperfect coloring do not reveal anything about the fruit’s flavor. When storing, keep in a cool, well-ventilated place. They can last 3 to 4 days at normal room temperature and up to two weeks in your refrigerator.
While you can get oranges year round in the grocery store, and even at many farmers markets, Winter is the peek season for California’s cara cara navel oranges, and many other citrus – like blood oranges, pomelos, mandarins, and oro blanco grapefruits.
From the major growing regions, South African Cara caras are ready for market starting in August, Venezuelan fruits arrive in October and Californian fruits make their seasonal debut in late November and are available through April.
These beautifully colored beauties are bursting with vitamin C just when the cooler and damp weather has us shut up indoors and more susceptible to getting sick. Just one Cara Cara orange provides 150% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C and 30% of vitamin A. Because our bodies cannot store vitamin C, it is important for us to regularly consume it. Oranges are also an important source of fiber, especially when eaten whole.
In addition the cara cara orange is a good source of folate and potassium, and a natural source of Lycopene, the disease-fighting antioxidant that may be helpful in preventing some cancers and protecting against cardiovascular disease. Lycopene, in fact, gives the fruit its dark, rich coloring.
On a rare occasion, the trees will yield multicolored-leafed twigs instead of their usual green leaves. If the twigs are left to grow and fruit, they can sometimes produce fruits with a striped rind.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh oranges to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
As our regular readers know we cover all things Orange and Orange Festivals are usually very fun and help raise awareness as related to eating oranges. Yes, we know they occur all over the world but here is one that even surprised us…the Himalayan Orange Festival. The second annual one is coming up in December of this year or early in 2016, the date is a bit up in the air yet.
The 1st Himalayan Orange Festival & Rural Tourism Bazaar was held in Kolkata during January, 2015. The Festival was organized by ACT (Association for Conservation & Tourism) in collaboration with City Centre, Salt Lake.
The entire Rural Tourism communities from Darjeeling Hills, Dooars, adjoining Eastern Nepal and adjoining Southern Bhutan took active participation in the event. This was the first of its kind of event being inaugurated by Chief Guest. Bhikku Bodhipala, Guests of Honour, The Consulate Generals of Nepal and Bhutan, Special Guests, Madhu Neotia and Shekhar Das. There were several happenings with orange as the core area of interest. The event was initiated at Kolkata with the 100 years Birth Anniversary of Maitreyi Devi, the then lady from the Cinchona Plantations of Mungpoo organized to send two baskets of oranges to the ailing Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at Calcutta (Kolkata), who described them as the best gifts of his life. Hence, this was a gift from the people in the hills to the people of Kolkata.
The Rural Tourism community leaders, who were there at the festival as individuals, travel companies, Destination Associations and NGOs decided to get together in the platform of ACT and formed the first Community Tourism Council called the Himalayan Orange Tourism Council, in short the ACT-HOT Council on the 8th of January, 2015 at a meeting hosted by Jaldapara Jungle Camp at Madarihat.
Finally, in a meeting at Chota Mangwa, near Takdah, held on the 7th of February, 2015 and hosted by Darjeeling Blossoms, the final shape to the Governing Committee was made possible with the Pillar Organizations.
A documentary film on Lohagarh, a destination in India Terai was released at the 2nd HOT council meet at Chota Mangwa. There was a community based Tea Tourism connectivity which was made by Council member, Shankar Mandal and a community meeting with the presence of the HOT council members, who helped in the launching of Lohagarh Friends of Environment, along with the first Homestay on 22nd February 2015. This was the first Homestay in Indian Terai.
So if you are looking for an orange related reason to visit the Himalayan area you have one now.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh oranges to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
If you are looking for a great fresh summer salad with a clean citrus taste we have one for you to try at your next family meal night.
Fresh oranges are peeled, thinly sliced crosswise, and then tossed with onions, olives and a fragrant vinaigrette made with cumin, curry, cilantro, and mint. The result is a startlingly colorful first course that is sure to jazz up any weeknight meal.
Ingredients
6 oranges (about 2 1/2 inches wide, 2 ½ pounds total; see note)
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
Spice blend (see below)
1 mild red onion (6 ounces), peeled and sliced (see note)
1/2 cup finely slivered fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Real Salt to taste
About 1/2 cup black olives such as kalamata
Fresh mint leaves and fresh cilantro leaves, rinsed
Note: Juice-orange slices hold together better than those from navel oranges. If you are using a hot onion, put slices in a bowl and mix with 4 cups cold water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt; gently squeeze the slices, separating the rings. Let stand 10 minutes, then drain, rinse, and drain again.
Spice Blend: Combine 3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds or ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon paprika or mild ground dried chili, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns or 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, 1/4 teaspoon curry powder, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; if using whole spices, whirl mixture in a grinder or small food processor to a powder.
Directions
With a small, sharp knife, cut peel and white membrane from oranges. Slice the oranges crosswise 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and discard seeds.
In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons vinegar with olive oil and sugar. Stir in the spice blend.
In a wide, shallow bowl, gently mix orange slices, onions, slivered mint, and chopped cilantro. Pour in dressing and mix gently. Taste and add salt and more vinegar if desired.
Scatter olives, mint leaves, and cilantro leaves over the top. Spoon salad and dressing onto plates.
Serve promptly.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh oranges to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
It is well know that Navel oranges are one of the most common varieties of sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis). They are sweet, seedless, and have thick pebbly skins. Both the skin and the flesh of navel oranges are good for you.
The many health benefits navel oranges offer are linked to their high concentration of antioxidants and other health promoting nutrients including vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hesperidin, limonene, narirutin and beta-cryptoxanthin that are abundant in these oranges. The health benefits of navel oranges range from anti-cancer and anti-asthma effects to the ability to support healthy collagen formation. Collagen is what gives skin a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance. All navel orange varieties provide more or less the same benefits, so pick the one that you feel tastes best. Common navel orange varieties include Late Lane, Becks, Fukumotos, Cara Cara, Barnfields, Chislets, Washingtons, Newhall, Fisher, and Atwood.
Oranges Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
Almost all citrus fruits contain hesperidin, a health promoting flavonoid, but sweet oranges such as navel oranges are particularly rich in hesperidin. Hesperidin is known to act as a strong antioxidant, protecting the skin from free radical assault. People following an anti-cancer diet plan should also pay attention to this powerful flavonoid: it has also been shown to provide protection against some cancers, including human breast cancer and androgen-dependent prostate cancer, by suppressing cancer cell proliferation.
Dietary Fiber
Oranges generally qualify as good sources of fiber, meaning they supply between 2.5 and 4.9 grams of fiber per fruit. Small oranges fall just shy of this classification with about 2.3 grams of fiber per fruit. Medium- and large-sized oranges, however, supply more than 17 percent and 12 percent of the daily value for fiber, respectively, according to the USDA. Oranges are highest in soluble fiber, the type associated with regulating blood glucose levels and reducing high LDL and total cholesterol levels. The fruit’s fiber content gives it a nutritional advantage over its extracted juice. Although a serving of freshly squeezed orange juice is a more concentrated source of both nutrients and calories, it provides roughly 85 percent less fiber than the whole fruit.
Beyond The C
Oranges are a significant source of potassium -- a large fruit supplies almost 10 percent of the nutrient’s daily value. The adequate intake of dietary potassium can help both prevent and treat hypertension. A large orange also provides nearly 14 percent of the daily value for folate, a B vitamin essential to cell production and maintenance. Because of its role in making red blood cells, getting enough folate can help prevent anemia. Oranges are a good source of vitamin A, a nutrient that promotes good vision and helps form and maintain healthy skin, bones and teeth. One large orange provides 8 percent of this vitamin’s daily value. Oranges are also a good source of vitamin B-6, thiamine, pantothenic acid, calcium and magnesium.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh oranges to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Yes, It is Lemonade Season! Where better to get the very freshest Lemons?
Lemonade KitContains: Reed Family lemonade recipe, 6 Sunburst Lemons, a cutting board, hand squeezer and 1-16 oz. jar of Sunburst Orange Blossom honey w/wooden honey dipper. $45.00
Lemonade Refill BagContains 12 Sunburst Lemons (makes approx. 2 batches of Lemonade) $19.95
Lemon Garnish BagContains: 6 Sunburst Lemons. Keep lemons on hand for your tea, gourmet foods or drinks. $10.95
"Sunburst Lemon Summer Special"A box of lemons shipped directly to your home every two weeks. You will receive an email when it is time to re-order, 2 weeks after your first shipment. Contains approx. 24 lemons per box. $30.00
From lemonade to your favorite recipes, purchase lemons for any occasion just by selecting the amount you need by visit to http://sunburstoranges.com or calling 559-561-3391. You can also purchase them in bulk, with our "Sunburst Lemon Summer Special" and have them sent directly to your home every two weeks. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:Sunburst Oranges180 South “E” StreetPorterville, CA 93257559-561-3391
Although lemons may not be what you would choose for an afternoon snack, we consider them as powerhouses when we want to bring out the flavor of other foods. While they are available throughout the year, lemons are in the peak of their season around May, June and August.
Lemons are oval in shape and feature a yellow, texturized outer peel. Like other citrus fruits, their inner flesh is encased in eight to ten segments.
They can be either sour or sweet depending on the variety; however, sweet lemons are not readily available in the United States.
Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed their belief.
There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances, notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene, that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit.
It is thought that the lemon was first created as a cross between a lime and a citron, and all three grow on evergreen shrubs. The Arabs introduced this small citrus fruit to the Europeans, who then brought them to Spain in the 11th century.
Along with other fruits and vegetables, Christopher Columbus brought lemons with him on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, and they have been growing in Florida since the 16th century.
Lemons are considered one of the most alkalizing foods you can eat. This may seem counter-intuitive, as they are acidic on their own. However, in the body, lemons are alkaline; the citric acid does not create acidity once it has been metabolized.
The minerals in lemons actually help to alkalize the blood. Most people are too acidic, and lemons reduce overall acidity, drawing uric acid from the joints. This reduces the pain and inflammation which many people feel.
Most people fall far short of the 20 to 38 grams of fiber recommended daily. Without proper fiber, however, you can easily become constipated or develop hemorrhoids. Consuming adequate fiber has been shown to reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and diverticulitis.
In fact, the American Diabetes Association includes lemons on their list of superfoods because of their high fiber content. In addition, the pectin fiber in lemons can help keep you from getting hungry and overeating.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
As most of you regular readers know that on Wednesday we tend to publish the fun and unusual side of life’s events. A quick search on Google “the lighter side of lemons” returns tons of low cal recipes using lemons. I guess that proves you just have to careful what you search for.
So here are a few Lemon jokes and sayings that are about or use the “lemon” word.
Lemons are healthy fruits, rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, used in a myriad of wonderful products and recipes from lemonade and lemon meringue pie to cleaning agents. So, why do we call crappy cars lemons?
The Online Etymology Dictionary indicates that there are several possible origins for ‘lemon’ being used to refer to an inferior product. One possibility is that it came from early 20th century American slang, where a ‘lemon’ referred to "a person who is a loser, a simpleton," as a lemon. Another possibility is that the term originated from British pool hall slang, where a ‘lemon game’ was a game played by a hustler. It seems most likely that that the use of a ‘lemon’ as a bad car came from another British slang term from the early 1900’s in which “to hand someone a lemon” was "to pass off a sub-standard article as a good one."
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Lemons suggest bitterness, while lemonade is a delicious sweet drink.
The phrase was initially coined by Christian anarchist writer Elbert Hubbard in a 1915 obituary he penned and published for dwarf actor Marshall P. Wilder. The obituary, entitled The King of Jesters, praises Wilder's optimistic attitude and achievements in the face of his disabilities: "He was a walking refutation of that dogmatic statement, Mens sana in corpore sano. His was a sound mind in an unsound body. He proved the eternal paradox of things. He cashed in on his disabilities. He picked up the lemons that Fate had sent him and started a lemonade-stand."
Another “Lemon” quote that fits well into today’s topic. “We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.” I might add that from Sunburst Oranges you can get some great fresh Lemons to make your lemonade.
Lemons come to the rescue of sailors. Treatment by fresh food, particularly citrus fruit, was periodically implemented, as it had been since antiquity. However until the 1930s, treatment was inconsistent, with many ineffective treatments used into the 20th century. It was a Scottish surgeon in the Royal Navy, James Lind, who first proved it could be treated with citrus fruit in experiments he described in his 1753 book A Treatise of the Scurvy, though following a failed trial with extracted lime juice, it would be 40 years before effective prevention based on fresh produce became widespread.
Or "When life gives you melons, you just may have dyslexia."
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Coating cod with nuts and baking it is an easy, foolproof way to cook it elegantly. And it is especially nice with a mild white fish like cod. The spinach gets a bit yellowy because it’s cooked with the acid from the lemon juice, but what you lose in the color is more than made up for in great flavor.
Ingredients
Zest and juice of 1 fresh lemon, divided
1/2 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 1/4 pounds cod divided into 4 portions
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound baby spinach chopped
Lemon wedges for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine lemon zest, almonds, dill, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Place fish on the prepared baking sheet and spread each portion with 1 teaspoon mustard.
Divide the almond mixture among the portions, pressing it onto the mustard.
Bake the fish until opaque in the center, about 7 to 9 minutes, depending on thickness.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not brown, about 30 seconds. Stir in spinach, lemon juice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; season with pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the spinach is just wilted, 2 to 4 minutes. Cover to keep warm. Serve the fish with the spinach and lemon wedges, if desired.
Nutrition
Per serving: 249 calories; 13 grams fat (1 gram sat, 8 g mono); 46 mg cholesterol; 8 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 28 g protein; 4 g fiber; 496 mg sodium; 1025 mg potassium.
Tip: Over fishing and trawling have drastically reduced the number of cod in the U.S. and Canadian Atlantic Ocean and destroyed its sea floor. For sustainably fished cod, choose U.S. Pacific cod or Atlantic cod from Iceland and the northeast Arctic.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy fresh lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
I don’t know about you but when summer rolls around my thoughts turn to an icy cold glass fresh squeezed lemon-aide. Well summer is winding down but there is still time to have more sweet tangy lemon-aide. More than just a great summer drink lemons have many uses are on top of the great flavor they are downright good for you.
Lemons Are Really Good For You
Lemons first achieved their healthy claim to fame onboard the ships of early explorers to help treat scurvy, a then-common disease among the sailors. In 1747, James Lind found that lemons and oranges were extremely effective at treated the disease, which we know was caused by a vitamin C deficiency from months at sea without any fresh produce.
Lemons are rarely consumed as a stand-alone fruit due to their intense sour flavor but are extremely popular when used in smaller quantities and in combination with herbs and spices to lend a wonderful and dynamic flavor to many sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks and desserts.
Saying that lemons are a superfood is an understatement. Not only do they add abundant flavor to a variety of dishes, but they also boast a ton of health benefits. The flavonoids within the juice are said to contain antioxidants, which is why lemons are useful in treating so many ailments and conditions.
Vitamin C:
With 44.5 milligrams of vitamin C, a whole, fresh lemon supplies more than half of the 75 milligrams of this nutrient that women need each day and half of the 90 milligrams men need. Vitamin C plays a major role in the health of your immune system and helps prevent infections as well. You also need vitamin C to support healthy skin, teeth, gums and blood vessels.
Fiber:
Though you need between 20 and 38 grams of fiber per day, the average person's diet falls short of that goal. Getting enough fiber is a healthy way to boost your digestive health so that you're less likely to become constipated or develop hemorrhoids. When you include enough fiber in your diet, you're also less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. A medium-sized, whole, fresh lemon contains 2.4 grams of dietary fiber.
Anticancer Properties:
Studies have supported the anticancer activity of citrus liminoids, compounds that protect your cells from damage that can lead to the formation of cancer cells. The limonoids can inhibit the growth of tumors in the mouth and the growth of additional cancerous cells once a tumor has already formed.
Are you looking for wholesome and healthy fresh lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
The type of nut you eat isn't that important, although some nuts have more heart-healthy nutrients and fats than do others. Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, you name it, almost every type of nut has a lot of nutrition packed into a tiny tasty package. Remember, making nuts part of your everyday diet is the important thing to keep in mind.
Nuts have always been underrated as nutritious snacks, particularly raw tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and more, which are linked to lower cholesterol, better heart health, weight control, and even a lower cancer risk.
Want to add years to your life? Go nuts! The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a study that showed people who ate a handful of mixed nuts on a daily basis were 20% less likely to die from heart diseases, cancer or other ailments. The New England Journal of Medicine study showed that as little as a handful (approximately one ounce) of nuts per day could be the difference between living to 80 and living to 90. It doesn’t matter what type you eat, but consider mixing them together or alternating which you eat to avoid boredom. Boredom is often the killer of trying to eat a more healthy diet.
Walnuts
The fountain of youth may not be full of water, but walnuts!
Look at this list of anti-aging benefits: Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which significantly boost memory and recall. They reduce inflammation and promote more relaxed, dilated blood vessels, which can turn back the time on heart disease. Walnuts make endothelium dysfunction (a condition of the inner arterial layer that instigates heart disease progression) more functional. They also lower your cholesterol and make your blood less likely to clot.
Peanuts
That perennial favorite baseball snack, the peanut, is an anti-aging grand slam. These tasty legumes contain resveratrol (also found in red wine and dark chocolate), which is a potent antioxidant known to help slow aging and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Peanuts also contain folic acid and vitamin E for improved brain health. Prefer your peanuts in butter form? Go ahead and indulge in the all-natural variety (look for “no added sugar” on the label) and enjoy a spread rich in vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese. Who knew PB&J was a superfood.
Pecans
Pecans are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, magnesium, iron, zinc and vitamin E. They also contain around 3 grams of fiber per serving. Make sure you eat your pecans plain and not as part of a pie if you're concerned about calorie control. On the other hand, pecan pie does provide more fiber and other nutrients than other high-calorie desserts, such as fudge cake.
We could go on and on but if you are looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy nut gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
As our readers know we are talking about nuts this week and we thought we would look at the whole wide world of nuts this Wednesday.
Is a Coconut really a nut? Botanically speaking, a coconut is a fibrous one-seeded drupe, also known as a dry drupe. However, when using loose definitions, the coconut can be all three: a fruit, a nut, and a seed. Botanists love the classification of things.
Can I be allergic to Coconuts? If you have a nut allergy, you need to talk to your doctor about what foods to avoid. Even though a coconut isn't a nut, some people who are allergic to tree nuts (like almonds, cashews, and walnuts) are also allergic to coconut. But others are not.
So talk to your doctor to see if coconut is OK for you. Until then, avoid coconut.
Almonds are not nuts. In fact, an almond is the seed of the fruit of the almond tree. This tree bears fruits with a “stone-like” seed within.
Fruits with these characteristics are called “drupes”. Specifically, a drupe is a fruit that has an outer fleshy part surrounding a shell that contains a seed. Other drupes include fruits from walnut trees and coconut trees.
Walnuts are rounded, single-seeded stone fruits of the walnut tree commonly used for the meat after fully ripening. Following full ripening, the removal of the husk reveals the wrinkly walnut shell, which is usually commercially found in two segments (three-segment shells can also form). During the ripening process, the husk will become brittle and the shell hard. The shell encloses the kernel or meat, which is usually made up of two halves separated by a partition. The seed kernels – commonly available as shelled walnuts – are enclosed in a brown seed coat which contains antioxidants. The antioxidants protect the oil-rich seed from atmospheric oxygen, thereby preventing rancidity.
And of course we all know the story of the peanut. Peanuts actually grow underground, as opposed to nuts like walnuts, almonds, etc. that grow on trees (and are sometimes referred to as "tree nuts"). Peanuts, along with beans and peas, belong to the single plant family, Leguminosae. Legumes are edible seeds enclosed in pods.
So what makes a nut a “nut?” A nut is defined botanically as a fruit composed of a hard shell and a seed, where the shell does not open to release the seed (indehiscent). In a culinary context, a wide variety of dried seeds are often called nuts, but in a botanical context, only ones that include the indehiscent fruit are considered true nuts.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy nut gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Normally on Tuesday we feature a recipe that is related to one of our product lines. This week it would be easy to pick out a favorite and present it here. But, we thought we would add more reasons to add nuts to your favorite recipe. Or just sprinkle them over and into almost any dish, snack or salad you serve to your family or yourself.
Nuts can be the heroes in our diet. As the more research evolves, the more we see how these tasty and plentiful food sources, when eaten even in small amounts, work almost like magic.
While they provide plenty of quality protein and fat for easy snacking, these nutritional powerhouses are also some of our favorite pantry ingredients. They’re great for everything from flour to fillers to mix-ins and more.
Add Good Fat Content
Nuts have different amounts of fat, of course, but, roughly speaking, a quarter-cup of any nut contains about 20 grams of fat. The fat in nuts, however, is highly monounsaturated, the same form found in abundance in heart-healthy olive and canola oils. Nuts are also rich in polyunsaturated fat, the other form known to lower cholesterol levels. They contain relatively modest amounts of artery-clogging saturated fat. So the fat you're getting is quite different than the kind found in, say, red meat.
Add Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Like tuna, salmon, and other cold-water fish, nuts tend to be high in omega-3 fatty acids. This complex biomolecule has been shown to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Add Nutrient Density
Nuts are jam-packed with micronutrients such as vitamin E, Folic acid, niacin, copper, magnesium, and potassium. They're also rich in arginine, which the human body uses to make a potent natural vasodilator. And don't forget the abundant flavonoids and isoflavones, the most recently discovered "guardian angel" compounds now thought to help ward off cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Snacking on a handful of nuts or eating a muffin with is like eating a whole pharmacy, but so much tastier.
The Bottom Line
A healthier diet that includes regular nut-noshing and cooking with nuts, give the recipes below a try, can help improve your cholesterol profile. And despite the high fat content, you just might shed a few pounds, an effect some researchers suggest can be explained by the full feeling effect of nuts, which results in less eating overall.
Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy nut gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
Are you looking for a nutritious, quick snack? Well I have great tasty news for you. Nuts (raw, organic and in moderation) are a near perfect option for your snaking plans. With healthy fats, fiber, plant sterols and many vitamins and minerals, nuts pack a powerful nutritional punch, all wrapped up in a tiny bite-sized package. In fact, a recent epidemiologic study revealed that nuts offer many benefits for your health, even reducing your risk of serious chronic disease. What more could you ask from a tasty snack?
A recent study involving more than 13,000 people, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, set out to do just that.
Those who ate nuts gained numerous benefits compared to non-nut eaters, including:
Decreased body mass index and waist circumference
Lower systolic blood pressure
Lower weight
Less likelihood of having two risk factors for metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure and lower HDL (good) cholesterol (for nut consumers)
Less likelihood of having four risk factors for metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose and a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (for tree nut consumers)
The researchers concluded that nut consumption was associated with a decreased prevalence of selected risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Other research has further proven that nuts, such as almonds, confer superior heart health benefits to complex carbs like whole-wheat muffins; a study in the journal Circulation found people with abnormally high level of lipids, such as cholesterol, in their blood, were able to significantly reduce their risk factors for coronary heart disease by snacking on whole almonds. Those who snacked on whole-wheat muffins received no such benefit.
Here at Sunburst Oranges we offer the Naked Nut. They seek out the best of what California and the local San Joaquin Valley has to offer... wrapping it up for you with a smile.
These all Natural Raw 8 ounce packages of Nuts and Dried Fruit are available for purchase to enjoy all the health benefits they provide.
If you are looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy gift for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.
Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
