Chocolates You Won't Hand Out On Halloween

When you want to give the very best in healthy gifts chocolate can be at the top list.  When it comes to chocolates taste is king and Sunburst Oranges' Chocolates have the very best in taste.  But even better than a plate of vegetables we have really decadent tasting selections of your favorite chocolates. 

Taste of the Valley
Our Taste of the Valley box includes the signature items of the Santa Ynez Valley. The box contains Dark Chocolate Red Wine Truffles, Dark Chocolate Lavender Truffles, our very own Ooey Gooey Bites, and our homemade Sea Salt Caramels. 1/2 pound box of Mixed Milk, Dark and White Chocolates

English Toffee
Our English Toffee is handmade using only the best all natural ingredients. This rich crunchy buttery toffee is hand dipped and then rolled in a bed of chopped golden California almonds. 1/2 pound bag Mixed Milk, Dark and White Chocolate

Nuts and Chews
Choose from a variety of our organic crunchy nut clusters including Spanish peanuts, California walnuts and fresh roasted almonds. Our creamy caramels are hand crafted from scratch using only the freshest ingredients. 1/2 pound box of Mixed Milk, Dark and White Chocolate

Chocolate Hedgehogs
These extremely popular and cute animals make for a great gift for kids and a fun surprise for adults. 1 pound Mixed Milk, Dark and White Chocolate

Assorted Truffles
These decadent truffles have a sweet creamy ganache center infused with either Santa Ynez Valley red wine, or feature other elegant flavors ranging from Mocha Espresso to French Lavender. 1/2 pound box of Mixed Milk, Dark and White Truffles

Are you looking for the perfect healthy gift for family, business associate or  a special friend? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh and sweet 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

Seven Things You Don’t Know About Chocolate

You may know some of these, but, do you know all of these sweet treats. Can we call them tricks of the trade?

M&Ms The Snack For NASA Astronauts
First packed on the space shuttle in 1981, M&M's have now flown in space more than 130 times. NASA, which does not endorse commercial products, calls them "candy coated chocolates." M&M's have shown an ability to stay in one piece in very extreme conditions and are a favorite for "acrobatic microgravity dining feats," NASA says.

Chocolate Makes You Feel Good
The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which triggers relaxation.

Massachusetts State Cookie – Chocolate Chip
Recognizing that the cookie was invented at the Toll House restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts, in 1930, the state designated it as its official cookie in 1997. Massachusetts is one of only three states with official state cookies -- the others being New Mexico and Michigan, whose Michigan Treasure Cookie also contains chocolate chips.

Chocolate Bar That Weighed 6 Tons
In 2011 Thorntons, a Derbyshire, United Kingdom, candy company, created a chocolate bar that weighed more than 12,770 pounds and set a Guinness World Record. It took workers 10 hours to pour liquid chocolate into the mold that measured nearly 13 feet long. Afterward, it was broken into bits and sold to raise money for charity.

The Aztecs Considered Chocolate To Be An Aphrodisiac
Their emperor Montezuma reportedly consumed some 50 cups of xocolatl, a chocolate beverage, every day to help fuel his sexual trysts.

Eating Chocolate Can Be Heart Healthy
Eating dark chocolate every day reduces the risk of heart disease by one-third.

$260 For A Chocolate Bar
In the pantheon of fine chocolates, there are gourmet boxes, handmade bonbons and now: a $260 handcrafted bar that you eat with wooden tongs (no finger contamination). It's from To'ak Chocolate, and it's handcrafted from Ecuadorian cacao beans. It also is the most expensive chocolate in the world, according to To'ak Chocolate co-founder Jerry Toth.

Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy chocolates 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

October 28th Is National Chocolate Day

National Chocolate Day is observed annually on October 28.  While there are many specific chocolate related holidays throughout the year, National Chocolate Day celebrates all things chocolate.  As America’s favorite flavor, chocolate is well deserving of it’s own day of honor and celebration. 

Canada seems to be having a very special burger on National Chocolate Day

It seems that US peanut butter is jealous that they don't live in Canada. 

So, because the world is great, The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro is introducing a confection worthy of clogging all your arteries just in time for National Chocolate Day.

The Canadian burger chain introduced us to the burger called the "Reese PBC" last week and it's been making us salivate ever since.

This burger is basically a party with its Reese Peanut Butter Cups, beef patty, crispy onion strings, and strips of smoked bacon. It's the perfect marriage of savory and sweet.

Now, we know what you're thinking: That Sounds Amazing! (If you're not thinking that, well, you probably need to broaden your horizons. Also, isn't it shocking that this wasn't made in America?!)

Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree.  Cacao, which has been cultivated for at least three millennia, is grown in Mexico, Central America and Northern South America.  The earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds is from around 1100 BC.  The cacao tree seeds have a very intense, bitter taste that must be fermented to develop the flavor.

Once the seeds have been fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned and roasted.  After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs.  The cacao nibs are then ground into cocoa mass, which is pure chocolate in rough form.   The cocoa mass is usually liquefied then molded with or without other ingredients. At this point of the process it is called chocolate liquor.  The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Some other sources designate July 7, September 15 or December 28 as “Chocolate Day” or “International Chocolate Day” That seems OK as you can’t have too many days for Chocolate.

Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy chocolates 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

Citrus and Pumpkin Soup For Halloween

Here is a perfect treat for dinner on Halloween night. This is a very different spin on the tasty favorite of pumpkin soup. You can choose either oranges or lemons.  The lemons will add more of a tangy taste to the soup while the orange juice will be a bit sweeter and of course the great touch of orange pumpkin flavor.

 Ingredients

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

2 teaspoons packed brown sugar

1 can (14 1/2 fluid ounces) chicken broth

8 oranges or lemons to get 1/2 cup of juice (depending on size)

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 can pumpkin puree

1 12 ounce can evaporated milk

Directions

Melt the butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and sugar; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until soft. Add the chicken broth, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and evaporated milk. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Transfer mixture to food processor or blender; process until smooth. Now add your citrus juice to the mix and blend briefly. Return to saucepan. Reheat till warm, if necessary. Serve your pumpkin soup in a great Halloween party setting. Special bowls make a great treat.

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

A Big Part of the Average American Diet Causes Cancer

That headline isn’t really new news. “A Big Part of the Average American Diet Causes Cancer” has been said many times before.  This time, however, it is coming from a prominent organization and is in a bit stronger language.

The research division of the World Health Organization has announced that bacon, sausage and other processed meats cause cancer, and that red meat probably does too. The report by the influential group stakes out one of the most aggressive stances against meat yet taken by a major health organization.

One component, nitrates, have been linked as a cancer risk for years. How many times have you heard that a well-balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables is better for you than one that is rich in meats, let alone highly processed meats?

The fiber and nutrients from fruits and vegetables are good for all aspects of your overall health. The fact that they are many times anti-cancer in nature is also a big plus.

Yes, many folks love the taste from eating many different types of meats. But overall research has shown that your diet should be heavy in the beneficial aspects of a diet that supports heart health and doesn’t raise your cancer risks. 

The WHO conclusions are based on the work of a 22-member panel of international experts that reviewed decades of research on the link between red meat, processed meats and cancer. The panel reviewed animal experiments, studies of human diet and health, and cell mechanisms that could lead from red meat to cancer.

But the panel's decision was not unanimous, and by raising lethal concerns about a food that anchors countless American meals, it will be controversial. The $95 billion U.S. beef industry has been preparing for months to mount a response, and some scientists, including some unaffiliated with the meat industry, have questioned whether the evidence is substantial enough to draw the kinds of strong conclusions that the WHO panel did.

The research into a possible link between eating red meat and cancer - colorectal cancer is a long-standing area of concern - has been the subject of scientific debate for decades. But by concluding that processed meats cause cancer, and that red meats "probably" cause cancer, the WHO findings go well beyond the tentative associations that other groups have reported.

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

Rhubarb Shows Beneficial Anticancer Properties

Rhubarb has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times and today it 
is still present in various herbal preparations. In this blog the toxicological and anti-neoplastic potentials of the main anthraquinones from Rhubarb, Rheum palmatum, will be highlighted. It is interesting to note that although the chemical structures of various anthraquinones in this plant are similar, their bioactivities are rather different. 

The most abundant anthraquinone of rhubarb, emodin, was capable of inhibiting cellular proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and prevention of metastasis. These capabilities are reported to act through tyrosine kinases, phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), NF-kappa B (NF-k B), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. Aloe-emodin is another major component in rhubarb found to have anti-tumor properties. Its anti-proliferative property has been demonstrated to be through the p53 and its downstream p21 pathway. Our recent proteomic study also suggests that the molecular targets of these two anthraquinones are different. However, both components were found to be able to potentiate the anti-proliferation of various chemotherapeutic agents. Rhein is the other major rhubarb anthraquinone, although less well studied. This compound could effectively inhibit the uptake of glucose in tumor cells, caused changes in membrane-associated functions and led to cell death. Interestingly, all three major rhubarb anthraquinones were reported to have in vitro phototoxic. This re-evaluation of an old remedy suggests that several bioactive anthraquinones of rhubarb possess promising anti-cancer properties and could have a broad therapeutic potential.

Most of the water-soluble components of rhubarb are readily absorbed after ingestion. This 
medicinal plant is generally considered low in toxicity, but intoxication could result from over 
dosage, especially of the fresh herb. Toxic symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal colic, and jaundice. Although no recent study has been conducted on the long-term effects of anthraquinones present in rhubarb, an earlier study suggested that they could lead to liver cirrhosis and hypokalemia.

A number of studies have demonstrated that the main anthraquinones of rhubarb, emodin, aloe-emodin, and rhein, inhibit the growth and proliferation of various cancer cells. Emodin has been reported to inhibit proliferation in breast, lung, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers cells. After comparison with other anthraquinone derivatives, such as emodin 1-O-b-D-glucoside, physcion, and physcion 1-O-b-D-glucoside, C1 and C3 position of emodin is believed to be important for the anti-tumor function. However, emodin can evoke a less or no cytotoxic effect in several normal cells, including HBL-100 cells derived from normal human breast tissue, human fibroblast-like lung WI-38 cells, and three primary cultured rat normal cells. It has also been demonstrated that emodin displays over 25-fold differential cytotoxicity against ras-transformed bronchial epithelial cells to the normal human bronchial epithelial cells. These data suggest that normal cells are more resistant to emodin-induced cytotoxicity than cancer cells. Such specificity of emodin towards malignant cells might be due to its effect targeting on some oncogene signaling transductions, which are constitutively active or amplified in cancer cells.

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

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Nothing light hearted today. Just a reminder of one of the nation’s major health issues. 

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer (skin cancer is number one) among women in the United States. But millions of women are surviving the disease thanks in part to early detection and recent improvements in treatment.

The American Cancer Society is actively fighting breast cancer by helping women get tested to find breast cancer earlier, and helping them understand their treatment options and cope with the physical and emotional side effects. We also fund research to help prevent, find, and treat breast cancer.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Medicine has made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and needs your help!

The American Cancer Society has played a role in nearly every breast cancer breakthrough in recent history. Our staff of full-time researchers produce detailed analyses of breast cancer trends and investigate the links between lifestyle and breast cancer. We also fund external researchers dedicated to finding better ways to prevent, detect, and treat the disease, and improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients and survivors.

Join the fight against breast cancer. Your support helps us raise awareness and funds that help people reduce their risk of cancer; provide free programs and services for breast cancer patients; and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. Your participation also helps our advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, make sure breast cancer remains a priority issue for elected officials.

Whether you’re worried about developing breast cancer, making decisions about treatment, or trying to stay well after treatment, there is help.

Staying at a healthy weight, being physically active, and limiting how much alcohol you drink can help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Regular screening can often find breast cancer early when treatments are more likely to be successful.

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

Pumpkin Bread and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing with a Touch of Orange

Orange scented pumpkin bread is great on its own but even better when slathered with a cinnamon spiced cream cheese icing. This is a great tried and true, recipe whenever you need anything pumpkin.

This recipe is so good I make often. It can also be made into a sheet cake, muffins or bread. I’ve made it studded with chocolate chips or just left it plain. It is great with cream cheese icing. This is my go to pumpkin recipe for good reason, no matter how you bake it, you end up with a delicious treat

Ingredients

    The Cake:
    4 eggs
    1- 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
    4 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice – reserve orange for zesting
    1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
    1/2 cup vegetable oil
    1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 cup chopped walnuts
    
    Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:
    8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
    4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
    1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    1 pound box powdered sugar, sifted
    pinch salt
    1-2 teaspoons milk (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare pans with butter and flour or spray with cooking spray; set aside.

In a medium bowl sift flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin puree, orange juice, sugar, oil, applesauce and vanilla. Mix well with wire whisk. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and with a wooden spoon mix just until combined. Stir in chopped nuts if using. Pour batter into pans and bake until done. Let cool on rack for 10-15 minutes and then remove from pans and cool entirely before frosting. Cooking times: 9 x 13: 40-45 minutes, 11 x 18: 30 minutes, large loaf pans: 40 minutes, small loaf pans: 25 minutes.

To make frosting, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer with an electric beater.

Add orange zest, cinnamon and vanilla.

Add powdered sugar to taste I usually use ½ to 3/4 of the box and mix until thoroughly combined and smooth. Add salt. Use milk in necessary to make frosting desired consistency.

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

Why Elephants Dodge The Cancer Bullet

Monday is a day we normally talk about how eating citrus is a very healthy thing to do.  Today we are taking a slight detour. Why do Elephants have enhanced defenses against cancer that can prevent tumors from forming?

Scientists are trying to explain why the animals have lower levels of cancer than would be expected by their size. There is a train of thought that says every cell can become cancerous so the more of them you have, the more likely you are to get cancer.

So if an elephant has 100 times as many cells as a person then the trunk-swinging mammals should be 100 times more likely to have the disease. And yet the analysis, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed only 5% of elephants die from cancer compared to up to 25% of people.

Cancer is caused by mutations in a cell's DNA that produce faulty instructions leading to rampant growth as the cell spirals out of control. But animals also have "smoke alarms" that detect the damage and either lead to the cell being repaired or killed.

One of these alarms is called TP53, and while humans have one TP53 gene, elephants have 20. As a result, elephants seem far more keen to kill off cells on the cusp of going rogue. Dr Joshua Schiffman, one of the researchers and a pediatric oncologist, said: "By all logical reasoning, elephants should be developing a tremendous amount of cancer, and in fact, should be extinct by now due to such a high risk for cancer.

Environmental causes along with the rise of unhealthy, cancer-causing behaviors, such as obesity and sunbathing seem to be triggers for humans. Keep in mind you have never seen an elephant smoke! 

In an evolutionary sense "success" is judged by the number of descendants you have rather than how long you live. Elephants have the greatest reproductive success towards the end of their lives, while humans can live for decades after the menopause. It means there is little evolutionary pressure in humans to develop ways of preventing cancer in old age.

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

Let Sunburst Oranges Bring You Satisfied Employees and Happy Customers

Happy employees mean higher productivity. Yes, It really is that simple.

Employees are your most valuable resource. Is it about time to give ‘em some motivation. For every bright idea, money saving recommendation, or act of selflessness done in betterment of your company the employees should be rewarded. Use rewards to promote a culture of increased employee engagement and recognition.

If rewards work for employees think how they can affect customer retention.  The size of your customer account can give you a profitable guide to the size of their reward.

Sunburst can give you a very different type of reward from the typical gift that other companies may be giving out.

We are all familiar with the old adage that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach applies to people everywhere.

Yes, food is one of the ways you can show someone (like your customers and employees) that you care for them. But is food the only way to a man’s heart? 

Or does it simply make the man notice her? Does food have the power to decide the future course of a relationship? How could food be the only deciding factor? It is one of them, maybe. But obviously, a man has to like so many other things in a woman before he falls in love with her.

If for a moment I believe that this archaic adage is true for a moment, does it mean that the day the meal is not up to the mark, the man will shun the provider? 

If this was indeed true, then all men would only want to marry women who are chefs. And when a man goes to meet a girl for the first time, instead of asking her “Tell me a little about yourself,” or “What are some of your likes and dislikes?” he will produce a long list of dishes he wants his prospective bride to prepare. Maybe a reality show will spring out of it: Cook for a Husband, where prospective brides will cook for a man in a series of culinary tests and the winner gets to marry the guy and continue to cook for him the rest of his life.

But, a gift that comes from your company that is delicious will be appreciated by your customer and employee alike. Sunburst Oranges has all the great items that will be a gift that will keep you top of mind.

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand."
  ~ Mother Teresa

If you are looking for the perfect gift for 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

Oranges Are Healthy Snacks For Halloween

Juicy and sweet and renowned for its concentration of vitamin C, oranges make the perfect snack and add a special tang to many recipes; it is no wonder that they are one of the most popular fruits in the world. Oranges are generally available from winter through summer with seasonal variations depending on the variety.

Oranges are round citrus fruits with finely-textured skins that are, of course, orange in color just like their pulpy flesh; the skin can vary in thickness from very thin to very thick. Oranges usually range from approximately two to more than three inches in diameter.

When a snack recipe calls for an orange most cooks grab Valencia or navel.

But there are less obvious choices, from extra-sweet Cara Cara to dark-pigmented blood oranges, also called Moro. And these lesser-known varieties have so much more to offer. This fall and winter, expand your orange knowledge by trying varieties with different flavors and hues. The high season for oranges begins this month and runs through March. For optimal flavor and freshness, select oranges grown in California or elsewhere in the country.

How Many Orange Varieties are There?

The sweet orange (Citrus aurantium var. sinensis) is not to be found in the wild. It is a hybrid, although of which two types there is much conjecture. Most sources seem to settle on the marriage between the pomelo (Citrus maxima) and the mandarin (Citrus reticulata).

There are two basic categories of orange: the sweet orange (C. sinensis) and the bitter orange (C. aurantium).

Sweet Orange Varieties

Sweet orange is divided into four classes, each with distinct characteristics:

Common orange – There are many varieties of common orange and it is widely grown. The most common varieties of common oranges are the Valencia, Hart’s Tardiff Valencia, and the Hamlin, but there are dozens of other types.

Blood or pigmented orange – The blood orange consists of two types: the light blood orange and the deep blood orange. Blood oranges are a natural mutation of C. sinensis. High amounts of anthocyanin give the entire fruit its deep red hue. In the blood orange category, varieties of orange fruit include: Maltese, Moro, Sanguinelli, Scarlet Navel and Tarocco.

Navel orange – The navel orange is of great commercial import and we know it well as the most common orange sold at the grocers. Of the navels, the most common types are the Cara cara, Bahia, Dream navel, Late Navel and Washington or California Navel.

Acid-less orange – Acid-less oranges have very little acid, hence little flavor. Acid-less oranges are early season fruit and are also called “sweet” oranges. They contain very little acid, which protects against spoilage, thus rendering them unfit for juicing. They are not generally cultivated in large quantities.

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

Giving Healthy Snacks As Halloween Treats

As you have already noticed the stores have the Halloween season in full swing. Many choices exists for decorations and candy based treats.

Some folks, think dentists and nutritionists may cringe when seeing all the sugary candy on display.  Other folks go so far as to hand out healthy snacks.

What to give. Gift certificates to McDonalds were popular a few years back. But what can you give that can be eaten when the kids get home?

What about apples and oranges? While they may not be quite as popular as a candy treat they are both tasty and healthy and a lot easier to carry than a plate of steamy broccoli. And no I’m not thinking of a caramel apple. Yes they do have them individually wrapped style but I think the sweet coating outweighs the healthy side of the apple.

With record numbers of children now overweight or obese, does it make sense for adults to hand out the traditional handfuls of Halloween candy? That’s the question posed by many doctors and health departments, as this suggests some healthier alternatives when costumed characters come calling.

We have spoken to several families and from what we heard, candy will be offered in high quantities throughout the country, which will keep the tradition of candy alive and kicking. Some parents may just try handing out oranges and apples this year. 

Parents can control the sugar intake of their trick and treating children by considering some simple strategies:

Before the door-to-door activities begin, make sure your child has a balanced dinner.  With a full tummy, he or she is less likely to want to eat a big portion of the treats before coming home.

Limit time going to door-to-door so the amount of candy collected is reduced. 

When children come home, inspect treats to make sure they have not been tampered with and then stash them out of reach to be issued one or two at a time in the upcoming days. This will extend the holiday fun and provide an important lesson about not overeating sweets.

Consider buying back candy from your children – a few pennies a piece – so they can purchase something they want with their own earned money. 

Instead of door-to-door treating, consider hosting a party where food is not the center of activities. That could provide double rewards of a healthier and safer night, away from traffic and well-intentioned candy givers.

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

Orange Pumpkin Pie Recipe

It is that time of year again.  Most people think this is fall but some others think of it as the first of the last three big holidays. Halloween! Wow great food and costumes what could be better. Pumpkin pie is a holiday favorite and seems to have a season of its own that runs from October to the first week in January.

Since it is both fall and we are getting ready for Halloween we thought this great Orange Pumpkin Pie would be perfect for today’s recipe. It is a wonderful snack and incredibly tasty when served while it is fresh baked and still warm.
    
Ingredients

Flaky Pie Crust Dough
1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons dark rum
2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit as. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Fold overhang under and crimp decoratively. Pierce dough all over with fork. Freeze 15 minutes. Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 12 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake until crust begins to color, pressing with back of fork if crust bubbles, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer crust to rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350° Fahrenheit.

Whisk pumpkin and brown sugar in medium bowl to blend. Add all remaining ingredients and whisk until blended. Pour filling into crust. Bake pie until filling is set in center, about 1 hour. Transfer pie to rack; cool 30 minutes. Chill uncovered until cold, at least 3 hours.

Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Baking Time: 90 minutes
Ready In: 4 hours 45 minutes

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

In The News Juggling Oranges In Space

We think oranges are important and very good for everyone. We weren’t surprised when we heard the ISS (International Space Station) had oranges on board.  What did surprise us is when we heard that the astronauts were using them for juggling.  You read that right, juggling.

Everyone know that based on the orbit of the space station their environment is one of weightlessness.  Well at least just micro-gravity.  To be able to juggle you need gravity or the balls, oranges, chain saws or whatever don’t come back down so you can catch them and toss them back up again. At least when I think of juggling I think toss up – catch on the way down – toss again.

So I double checked and looked up the definition of juggling.

Juggle - verb

gerund or present participle: juggling

continuously toss into the air and catch (a number of objects) so as to keep at least one in the air while handling the others, typically for the entertainment of others.

cope with by adroitly balancing. -  "she works full time, juggling her career with raising children"

organize (information or figures) in order to give a particular impression.

"defense chiefs juggled the figures on bomb tests"

Just what were the astronauts up to we asked.  Were they putting their oranges in order? What would be out of order with their oranges that they needed juggling?

So we went in search of more information and sure enough we found a YouTube video that shed some light on the subject.

Yes even in space there are answers for everything. What will you do with your Sunburst Oranges?

Here is a link to an orange juggling YouTube video run in slow motion and done right here on terra firma. Enjoy your juggling.

https://youtu.be/BbI_MlSjJVg

Did you know that the average orange is almost perfect for practice juggling. Now just find three the same size and weight.

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

Make Your Carved Pumpkin Last Longer

They are big and orange and some talented people make wonderful art with them. If you are a hard working pumpkin carver and want to make your last longer here are some interesting tips on pumpkin preservation.

A bit of Halloween magic with household items will make your Jack-O-Lantern last longer!

Did you carve a great pumpkin last year only to have it rot days before Halloween? Here's how to preserve and protect it!

What causes your pumpkin to decay?

There are several primary causes heartbreak of "pumpkin rot"

The intact skin of a pumpkin protects it until you carve it.  But then various organisms (fungi, bacteria, molds, fungi, protozoans, insects - scientifically know as "those little buggers!") can get inside and start to break it down.

Oxygen in the air can also easily enter and break down the pumpkin (oxidation).

Dehydration will begin the moment the pumpkin is carved.

All of this will turn your carved young happy pumpkin face into a sad old man in several days time!

Here Is How To Stop Pumpkin Aging

Sterilize the pumpkin's carved surfaces (to kill fungi, mold, bacteria, bugs)

Keep the pumpkin cool to slow bacteria growth and reduce drying

Keep the pumpkin hydrated

Essentially, we're going to embalm your Jack-O-Lantern, just like the ancient Egyptians did their mummies! 

Follow These Steps

Remove dirt: Wipe the exterior surfaces of the pumpkin clean using a damp cloth.

Make a bleach solution of1 tablespoon of bleach (typical brand name "Clorox) per quart of water and put it in a spray bottle.

Spray the pumpkin inside and all cut areas of the pumpkin with the solution.  This will kill much of the surface bacteria and mold that cause rotting.

Let it penetrate and dry for about 20 minutes

Drain any excess liquid out of the pumpkin

Now, keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight and try to keep it as cool as possible (but above freezing!) and you should get at least a week's enjoyment out of it! 

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

Delicious Citrus Pumpkin Nut Bread Recipe

Since it is both fall and we are getting ready for Halloween we thought this great Citrus Pumpkin Nut Bread would be perfect for today’s recipe. 

It is a wonderful snack and incredibly tasty when served while it is fresh baked and still warm.

   

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups white sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree

2/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup chopped Sunburst Oranges walnuts

Directions

Grease and lightly flour three seven x three inch pans. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

   

Measure flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and spices into a large bowl. Stir to blend. Add pumpkin, orange juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and nuts. Beat until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake for approximately 1 hour.

Tip: Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

Preparation Time:

10 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour

Ready In:

1 hour 10 minutes

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

Orange Juice Consumption Improves Cognitive Function Compared To A Control Drink

According to a study that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition drinking orange juice improves cognitive function.

As we all know the population is ageing rapidly across the world. Estimates suggest that the number of persons aged 60 or over could triple by 2,100. It's therefore imperative that we explore simple, cost-effective ways to improve cognitive function in old age.

The study saw a group of 37 healthy adults (mean age 67 years) consuming 500 ml of orange juice daily over an eight week period. At the beginning and end of the eight weeks their memory, reaction time and verbal fluency was measured.

These were then combined into one overall score known as 'global cognitive function'. The adults showed an eight percent overall improvement in global cognitive function after orange juice consumption compared to a control drink given during the study period.

Orange juice is a major source of flavonoids -- being particularly rich in a sub-class of flavonoids, known as flavanones.

Recent studies have shown that flavonoids may improve memory through the activation of signaling pathways in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is associated with learning and memory.

This study is thought to be one of the first to show that regularly consuming orange juice flavanones could have a positive effect on older people's cognition.

"Small, easily administered changes to the daily diet, such as eating more flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables, have the potential to substantially benefit brain health," said study co-author Daniel  Lamport said.

"This is an important discovery which strengthens the growing body of evidence that flavonoid rich foodstuffs could play a big role in tackling cognition decline in old age," he concluded.

Previous research has shown that other flavonoid rich foods such as blueberries are beneficial for cognition.

While the researchers are not recommending that people drink 500 ml of orange juice every day, they believe these findings show that the constituents of orange juice could play an important role in providing brain-boosting nutrients as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

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