Monday, November 30, 2015

Puerto Rico's Citrus Industry On The Edge

After years of being under siege by a devastating bacterial disease known as "citrus greening," Puerto Rico's citrus industry and its harvest of orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime produce are about to be wiped out. 

At stake is an industry that generated about $11 million in sales in past fiscal years, representing 34% of the agriculture sector's total contribution of $32.6 million to the local economy, according to former Agriculture secretary Javier Rivera Aquino. Late last year the citrus production on the island had decreased by about 80% because of citrus greening. 

According to the 2012 census released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the citrus segment in Puerto Rico is dominated by orange crops, comprising 8,750 acres and 1,979 farms. By the same token, the island has 220 grapefruit farms comprising 228 acres; 221 farms growing lemons and limes extending over 300 acres; and 213 farms specializing in an orange/grapefruit hybrid, on 315 acres. The industry also employs about 530 farmers. 

The bacteria that are laying waste to the whole industry came from China, known by its original name Huanglonbing, which means "Yellow Dragon Disease." The bacteria's main method of transmission is through jumping plant lice, also known as psyllids, which feed on citrus plants. As the psyllids bite through the leaves and branches, the bacteria enter the tree, where it can wreak havoc for years without being detected. 

"With citrus greening, it's a twofold step, especially with plants that are already infected. The plants struggle because their root mass is decreased by about 30% to 50% during the first few years of infection," Shaw added. "All of that is prior to seeing the leaf change—when the nutrients are no longer being absorbed, the leaf loses color." 

"The farmers feel helpless," said Héctor Rivera, general manager of Prico Produce, a retail produce supplier. "They have tried a thousand different ways to get rid of citrus greening, but they haven't seen any tangible results." 

Enter Ergofito, an agricultural biotech company based in Italy, with additional facilities in South Africa. The firm recently launched a line of environmental remediation products that is touted as the last hope of the citrus industry in Puerto Rico and elsewhere, being capable of strengthening citrus plants to the point in which they can successfully withstand the harmful effects of citrus greening. 

"Completely eradicating citrus greening is extremely difficult," Shaw said. "The best we can hope for is to build up the plants' resistance and in that situation, the Ergofito line is proving very successful." 

The product, made up of a proprietary mix of microbes, is used in a similar way to fertilizer, but the similarities end there. "It treats the soil so that the plant doesn't have to stress to find the nutrients in the water. The microbes help to more or less bridge the gap between the root and the soil, and it's basically spoon-feeding the plant," Shaw explained. "By doing that, the plant can then dedicate its energy to building stronger cells and a better immune system." 

As a result, psyllids find it tougher to chew on the tree. Plants treated in such a manner also secrete substances that make them unappetizing to bugs. The next step for the group is to obtain support from the Puerto Rico government, in the form of a $2 million allocation set aside to help the sector. Last August, Gov. Alejandro García Padilla declared a state of emergency in the citrus industry and ordered the local Agriculture Department to manage the funds. 

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

Friday, November 27, 2015

Orange Blosson Honey For Holiday Recipes

Sunburst Oranges is proud to bring you this fine orange blossom honey from the heart of the California citrus belt. Enjoy the delicate nuances of orange in all your favorite recipes. Savor the essence of sweet citrus while relaxing with your favorite morning tea.

A perfect compliment to our favorite tea or lemonade – it's light and fragrant characteristics are sure to please the palate. 16 oz. glass jar made in the USA. $8.00

Most people have used honey to sweeten foods and beverages, but few realize that it’s a powerful food, beauty aide and a topical antibiotic. Honey naturally contains 18 amino acids, plus small amounts of a many vitamins and minerals. The old wives’ tales we hear are actually often based in truth, as honey has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Not only can honey soothe and lubricate a sore throat, but because of its nutrient-rich profile, it has been used internally and externally for a variety of other benefits.

Please see our Honey page: www.sunburstoranges.com/#!local-honey/cp92

Are you 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

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Have A Happy Thanksgiving Celebration

Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among almost all religions after harvests and at other times. The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.

In the English tradition, days of thanksgiving and special thanksgiving religious services became important during the English Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII and in reaction to the large number of religious holidays on the Catholic calendar. Before 1536 there were 95 Church holidays, plus 52 Sundays, when people were required to attend church and forego work and sometimes pay for expensive celebrations. The 1536 reforms reduced the number of Church holidays to 27, but some Puritans wished to completely eliminate all Church holidays, including Christmas and Easter. The holidays were to be replaced by specially called Days of Fasting or Days of Thanksgiving, in response to events that the Puritans viewed as acts of special providence. Unexpected disasters or threats of judgement from on high called for Days of Fasting. Special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving. For example, Days of Fasting were called on account of drought in 1611, floods in 1613, and plagues in 1604 and 1622. Days of Thanksgiving were called following the victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and following the deliverance of Queen Anne in 1705. 

Here in the US, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly, but not universally, traced to a sparsely documented 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. Pilgrims and Puritans who began emigrating from England in the 1620s and 1630s carried the tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanksgiving", including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Puritan holiday in Boston in 1631. According to historian Jeremy Bangs, director of the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, the Pilgrims may have been influenced by watching the annual services of Thanksgiving for the relief of the siege of Leiden in 1574, while they were staying in Leiden. Now called Oktober Feesten, Leiden's autumn thanksgiving celebration in 1617 was the occasion for sectarian disturbance that appears to have accelerated the pilgrims’ plans to emigrate to America. In later years, religious thanksgiving services were declared by civil leaders such as Governor Bradford, who planned the colony's thanksgiving celebration and fast in 1623. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.

Thanksgiving proclamations were made mostly by church leaders in New England up until 1682, and then by both state and church leaders until after the American Revolution. During the revolutionary period, political influences affected the issuance of Thanksgiving proclamations. Various proclamations were made by royal governors, John Hancock, General George Washington, and the Continental Congress, each giving thanks to God for events favorable to their causes. As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God".

In modern times the President of the United States, in addition to issuing a proclamation, will "pardon" a turkey, which spares the bird's life and ensures that it will spend the duration of its life roaming freely on farmland.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

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

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

What Do You Know About The Cornucopia

They are two symbols that are so common to Thanksgiving that seeing them leaves little doubt as to their meaning. While not everyone does eat turkey for Thanksgiving it is the most popular symbol. For Fall or Thanksgiving the cornucopia is the second most popular icon. Here is some interesting information about this popular feature of the holiday.
Fun Facts About The Cornucopia
Here are some more facts about cornucopias that are entrenched in today's culture:

Cornucopias are made from all types of materials including metal, wood, ceramics, stone and, most commonly, wicker for baskets.

Cornucopias are sold at garden centers, gift shops, and craft stores and can also be found at garage sales and thrift shops.

Today a cornucopia may contain fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and breads, or leaves, flowers or even cattail.

It is used today as a symbol on the Peru, Wisconsin and Idaho flags

There is a mushroom named for its "Horn of Plenty" shape called Craterellus Cornucopiodes, otherwise known as the Black Trumpet.

There is an indulgent wine and food festival named Cornucopia (after its abundance of lavish food and wine tastings), that occurs every November in Whistler, British Columbia.

The "waffle cone" was named the St. Louis World's Fair's Cornucopia back in 1904 for its conical/horn-like shape.

A Thanksgiving Toast
Over the years, the cornucopia has been symbolic of prosperity, good fortune, fertility, and abundance of resources and Nature's gifts. Whether it is through art, history, religion or culture, this emblem has been depicted as much more than a simple but bountiful decoration at Thanksgiving time. It has become a symbol of American's thankfulness for all of the good things life has brought to them. Next time you are toasting to good health and fortune on Thanksgiving Day, you may just want to have one close by for good luck!

You can purchase Cornucopia baskets at a variety of places, including gift stores, crafts shops, flea markets, garage sales, and garden centers. After obtaining a Cornucopia, cleanse and consecrate it as you would any newly acquired ritual tool. One way to do this is by blessing it with tools of each of the Elements of Nature: Touch it with a bit of salt or soil (Earth). Annoint it with spring water (Water). Smudge it with incense (Air). Pass it over a candle flame (Fire). And, finally, using a quartz crystal, blessing wand, or other tool of Spirit, dedicate it to its intended purpose and align it with your spiritual practice and the form(s) of the Divine you work with.

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

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Slow-Cooker Orange Flavored Sweet Potatoes With Bacon

Thanksgiving is a very special family day. We all know what we are serving for main dishes, but what about our side dishes? 

Here is an easy one and it is quick too. Pop this sweet potato mixture into your slow cooker on Thanksgiving morning. It will be ready to serve as soon as everyone sits down to dinner. 

This sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. The very best part? It's made in the slow cooker, so you're saving valuable stovetop space and it is easy cleanup. Enjoy!

Ingredients

4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch-thick slices
4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled 
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
½ stick melted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar 
2 teaspoons Real salt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons cornstarch 
1 tablespoon cold water 
½ cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon orange zest 
2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions

Place sweet potatoes in a 6 quart slow cooker. Stir together orange juice and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over sweet potatoes, tossing to coat.

Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 to 6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Transfer potatoes to a serving dish, using a slotted spoon. Increase slow cooker to high. Whisk together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth. Whisk cornstarch mixture into cooking liquid in slow cooker. Cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Spoon sauce over potatoes.

Stir together parsley, orange zest, and garlic. Sprinkle potatoes with parsley mixture and the crumbled bacon.

Makes: 8 servings
Total time: 6 Hours

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

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

Monday, November 23, 2015

You Can Learn To Be More Thankful

“Cultivate the habit of being thankful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every so often you have a day, one of those special days. Things go as planned or even better and you bounce from meetings to tasks to your private life and you feel wonderful on the inside. Then there are the other type of day. Where it seems nothing can go right. Perhaps the simplest and certainly one of the most effective ways to turn such a day, week or month around into something more positive and better is in my experience to turn your focus to gratitude.

You can enjoy the small and free pleasures of life.
Be Thankful For;

A sunrise.
A relaxing walk in the woods.
A cool swim in the ocean.
A crisp Autumn day when the trees are filled with leaves of vibrant and spectacular colors.
The sun warming my face after many days of the sky being filled with dreary, gray clouds.
For the love, support, kindness and all the fun that they offer and I get to offer them.

Appreciate the simple kindness in the rest of your daily life… when people let you skip ahead of them in the checkout line in the store when you only have a few items. When they stay for a few seconds and hold up the door for you too. Or let you into their lane when you drive.

You are here now. You have this moment and day and hopefully many days still to experience and live your life. Appreciate this simple fact.

Show you are thankful by passing a kindness on to others. If you do a kindness for others you are doing business not kindness. Help without expecting anything in return.

You are one of a kind.  You are lucky enough to have something that makes you different from everyone else.  Embrace your individuality.  Self-worth comes from one thing: thinking that you are worthy.  So appreciate what it feels like underneath your own skin.  You are amazing just the way you are. Be thankful.

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

Friday, November 20, 2015

We Have The Best Juice Oranges

Juice Oranges might not be perfect or beautiful on the outside, but it's really what's on the inside that counts. Cartons can be purchased by a 20lb box or a 40lb box.

Why make your own fresh squeezed orange juice?

What happens with Industrially-produced orange juice, is after the oranges are squeezed, the juice is stored in giant holding tanks and the oxygen is removed from them.  This allows the liquid to keep for up to a year without spoiling. This makes the juice completely flavorless. Then the industry uses “flavor packs” to re-flavor the juice.

Fresh squeezed orange juice can be a good source of vitamins and other nutrients. Squeezing your own at home would be about the only way to get the real flavor and these nutrients.

40lb Carton Sunburst Juice Oranges perfect for home juicing.

Carton contains approx. 80-113 oranges  $20.00

20lb Carton Sunburst Juice Oranges perfect for home juicing.

Carton contains approx. 40-56 oranges  $10.00

Are you 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 have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.



Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Help Arizona Family and Pet Rescue

This very timely Holiday story is brought to you courtesy of Sunburst Oranges.

It is about that time of year again. We gather with friends and family, thankful for all the blessings and good fortune in our lives, we gather to feast and watch parades and football games. Some of us even take the time out of our busy holiday schedules to remember those less fortunate and drop non-perishable food items off at our local food kitchens. Unfortunately being hungry and homeless tends to be more of an annual predicament, not just a seasonal one.

For many who see the homeless, labels spring to mind, drug users, alcoholics, and mentally ill. Rarely do you stop to think Veteran or lost job. In a society where many families have to survive paycheck to paycheck, the loss of a job or a sudden illness can mean the loss of their home and life on the streets. And do we ever stop to consider, what happens to the fur kids when the humans lose their homes. The four legged family members are a staple of American life, but shelters don't take animals in along with their families. Many people choose to remain on the streets or live in their cars to keep all of their family intact, including the furry ones. Anyone who has lost an animal or had to surrender one due to unforeseeable circumstances knows the depression and pain that comes with it. The loss of a pet can ultimately be detrimental to the recovery of a family. That is where Kyle Lugenbeal comes in.

With shelters closing and laws forbidding people to feed the homeless, Kyle Lugenbeal is all too familiar with the reality that faces many of our people stranded on the streets. In an answer, he has started a resource known as AZ family and Pet Rescue. The resource not only attempts to find shelter for families and individuals who need assistance, but also seeks to partner theses families with foster families for their dogs and cats. These volunteer foster families allow those struggling to concentrate on getting their feet under them and back into a stable situation.

AZ Family and Pet Rescue is only a few months old, but despite the infancy of this resource it is already being bombarded with requests from those who need assistance.

Music Venues

In September a music venue was organized to assist AZ Family and Pet Rescue. 100% of the donations went to homeless families and their pets.  Specifically, two families were placed in hotels as well as 3 pets were able to be fostered, due to the generosity of the people who attended the concert. Like AZ Family and Pet Rescue on Facebook to keep up to date with any future music venues.  http://www.facebook.com/AZFamilyRescue

Help Needed

Mr. Lugenbeal cannot do this on his own. It is only through continued community support that these families and their pets can attain a stable and safe living environment. Unfortunately due to current laws prohibiting the feeding of homeless individuals, AZ Family and Pet rescue cannot accept human food donations. However, foster families are sorely needed. If your household is able to provide a temporary, safe and loving environment for a pet in need, please contact AZ Family and Pet Rescue via their Facebook page. Money donations are always accepted, but items such as socks, bottled water and pet food can go a long way in helping those who are without shelter. 

As Mr. Lugenbeal says "These people need a hand up, not a hand out."

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391
http://sunburstoranges.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The Science Behind Yokohama's Orange Oil Tires

The Yokohama AVID Ascend is a Grand Touring tire that offers remarkable tread wear with, the company says, little or no sacrifice in grip. They are also made using orange oil and represents Yokohama's first foray into the mass production of fresh-squeezed tires.
Three years ago, Yokohama introduced a tire called the dB Super E-Spec, which offered a 20 percent reduction in rolling resistance without the usual corresponding drop in traction. The key: new technology using oil derived from orange peels to displace some of the petroleum that's typically used in tires.

Tires, like any manufactured product, are a compromise. In this case, the compromise is between traction, tread life, and rolling resistance. According to Yokohama engineers, tiremakers have always had to "pick one, blend two, or average three." But orange oil allows engineers to make the tire better in all three categories.

At first, Yokohama was slow to embrace this emerging technology; it offered the Super E-Spec in just four sizes. A racing slick that used orange oil followed, but the market was still quite small. Then, earlier this year, the company debuted the AVID Ascend, a new orange oil tire. The big difference now is that the AVID Ascend is available in 45 sizes and will probably fit your car. Here is a little primer on the tech to help you decide if these new tires are right for you.

The idea of using alternative oils instead of or in addition to petroleum in tires is not a new one. Yokohama has been doing so for 20 years and does it for different reasons depending on the application. In its ENV-R1 and ENV-R2 racing slicks, the company uses orange oil because it allows the tires to maintain a steady stickiness over more laps, resulting in a more predictable eventual breakaway. (In other words, the tire is more resistant to continued high temperatures.) The orange oil helps to stabilize the interaction of the natural ingredients in the tire with the synthetic stuff.

Should you look into the AVID Ascend when you go to buy your next Grand Touring tire? Yes, we definitely think so. These tires might not wipe your global conscience clean, or even smell citrusy fresh at your local mall, but they do drive well. They're very quiet on the highway and there's no indication of them being rock hard to get those remarkable tread wear numbers. Grip is there in the corners, and the steering feel is precise and weighty, without tramlining or any notable susceptibility to tracking in road ruts.

Tires, who knew that they would someday be using oranges to make improvements to them.

Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy products 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

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

No Cooking Fresh Orange Cranberry Relish

This a very tasty treat and one of my favorite things to make for Thanksgiving and the holidays is raw cranberry relish. There’s no cooking involved, just using a grinder or a food processor to grind up and mix together raw cranberries, tart green apples, large seedless navel oranges, and sugar. It’s amazing how good it is! Sumptuous with your roast turkey, or for leftovers with or on the turkey sandwiches.
Ingredients:

One 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
2 Sunburst Navel Oranges, peeled
2 tart apples
1 to 2 cups sugar (see directions)
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

First you need to quarter the apples and discard the seeds. With a pairing knife carefully peel the apple skin away from the apple flesh. Using a food processor, pulse the cranberries, the apples sections and oranges. Be careful not to over-pulse! Or you'll have mush instead of relish. You can also just chop very finely by hand, but that's difficult, especially with the cranberries.

Use the sugar to balance the natural tartness of the raw cranberries, and helps the mixture macerate, releasing juices that bind everything together. The recipe is as sweet as you want it to be. 2 cups of sugar will yield a very sweet result. 1 cup much less so.

Add in the cinnamon. Stir in the sugar. (Start with 1/4 cup and keep adding 1/4 cups until you reach your desired level of sweetness.) Let sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. To keep them crunchy add the finely chopped pecans right before serving.

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

Monday, November 16, 2015

Seven Health Benefits of Oranges

We have all heard that oranges are good for you but do you know some of the highlights of what eating oranges can do to help you to stay healthy. 
Oranges are full of vitamin C which protects cells by neutralizing free radicals. Fewer free radicals means overall better long term health. Their abundant folate reduces levels of homocysteine, the cardiovascular risk factor, which can build up in our blood.

Reduces Risk of Liver and Other Cancers
According to two studies in Japan eating mandarin oranges reduces the risk of liver cancer. This may be due in part to vitamin A compounds known as carotenoids. Oranges are rich in citrus limonoids, proven to help fight a number of varieties of cancer including that of the skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.

Helps Lowers Cholesterol
Since they’re full of soluble fiber, oranges are helpful in lowering cholesterol. As a side benefit dietary fiber stimulates digestive juices and relieves constipation.

Improves Heart Health
Oranges are full of potassium, an electrolyte mineral is responsible for helping the heart function well. When potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia.

Oranges Are Full Of Smart Carbs:
Oranges like all fruits have simple sugars in them, but the orange has a glycemic index of 40.  Anything under 55 is considered low. This means as long as you don’t eat a lot of oranges at one time, they won’t spike your blood sugar and cause problems with insulin or weight gain.

Helps Protect You From Viral Infections
Studies show that the abundance of polyphenols in oranges protects against viral infections.

Helps Regulate High Blood Pressure
The flavonoid hesperidin found in oranges helps regulate high blood pressure and the magnesium in oranges helps maintain blood pressure.

Oranges Help Alkalize The Body
While oranges are acidic before you eat them, they contain alkaline minerals that help to balance out the body after they are digested. In this respect, they are similar to lemons which are one of the most alkaline foods available.

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

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Essential Citrus Oils May Help Prevent Liver Cancer

A new study published in the journal Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics suggests that the scent of citronella can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including cancer of the liver. Researchers from the Ruhr University Bochum, say terpenes, a main component of essential oils, can prevent or slow cancer cell growth.

A team of scientists analyzed the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cell growth is slowed, using citronellal, the primary chemical compound responsible for giving citrus its distinctive lemon scent. Their experiment identified the olfactory receptor OR1A2 as being crucial for stopping cancer cell replication.

Large amounts of plant matter are needed to extract just a tiny bit of essential oil, explaining the product's markup on store shelves. Used for centuries by many cultures around the world, essential oils offer many health benefits and have been used to treat a variety of ailments including asthma, bronchitis, HIV, heart strokes and many others. Essential oils help protect you from bacteria, viruses and fungi

Aside from improving your health, essential oils can help make your skin more beautiful, as well as assist with relaxation and sleep. There are more than 90 essential oils, all of them having their own unique benefits. You can reap the benefits of essential oils by applying them directly to your skin, through inhalation or by using a diffuser.

This latest experiment involving essential oils zeros in on the power of scent, unlocking the key to our bodies' sense of smell and how that relates to fighting disease. Due to their many benefits, essential oils are being widely researched for their antiviral, antibacterial and fungicidal properties. Terpenes, which are produced by a variety of plants, were thought to influence cancer cell growth; however, how that actually worked was not well understood until recently.

Scent receptors exist all over the body including the bladder, gut, skin tissue, spine and even sperm

In 1991, scientists learned that there are more than 1,000 genes involved in generating scent receptors, a discovery that earned a Nobel Prize.

Because these receptors exist all over the body, scientists wondered if terpenes would have an impact on cancer cells. To test this theory, Dr. Hatt and his team utilized a cellular model of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver tumor; about four in five cancers that start in the liver are hepatocellular carcinoma.

Scientists exposed the cells to a subset of terpenes with varying concentrations, and then monitored their reactions.

The results found that two of the eleven terpenes, citronellal and citronellol, tested prompted a significant increase in calcium concentration in the cells. A follow-up analysis focusing on citronellal scanned for a receptor that the terpene would fit into like a key fits into a lock.

Natural oils found in plants trigger signaling pathways in cells. Scientists were able to demonstrate that the olfactory receptor OR1A2 occurs in liver cells and is responsible for detecting the citrus scent and the following cellular reaction. When researchers removed the cell's option for producing OR1A2, they no longer reacted to the terpene.

Researchers were successful in tracking the signaling pathway that is used by the terpene compounds to increase calcium concentration inside cells, thus reducing cell growth.

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

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

What Does November 11th Mean To You?

World War I. known at the time as “The Great War”, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

An Act  approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97, which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

From All Of Us At Sunburst... Thank For Your Service!

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

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Orange Rosemary And Chicken Sausage Stuffing

This orange, rosemary and chicken sausage infused bread stuffing works for poultry as well as pork roasts and tenderloins. It is that time of year where we are all planning our holiday dinners.  This is a stuffing recipe that will go a long in making your Thanksgiving meal that much more special.

Ingredients

8 ounces chicken sausage cut into small cubes (mild or hot)
½ cup butter
1½ cup chopped onions
1½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped carrots
2 oranges juiced and save pulp
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
Real Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups day‐old wheat bread

Directions

Saute chicken sausage cubes in large frying pan till done, remove and set aside. Drain oil and wipe pan. 

Melt ½ cup butter in same pan over medium heat. Add onions, celery and carrots; saute until soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Raise heat and add the orange juice; cook until most of the liquid has reduced. Add the grated orange zest, broken up orange pulp, fresh herbs, sausage, salt and pepper to pan and mix well. 

Now add 4 cups of day‐old wheat bread cut in ½ to ¾ inch cubes to the onion mixture and toss to mix. Adjust seasoning and stuff into turkey, chicken, or duck.

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

Monday, November 9, 2015

Learn More About Our Plucky Brand

Our Plucky Brand is very proud to be part of the ever-growing social media family. Doing good for people and pets in need of help is our 'soul purpose' in life. Utilizing Facebook and Shopify goes hand-in-hand with that mission. We want to say a Big Thanks for taking the time to visit our pages and read about our “Doins”.

American Liver Foundation

Join Sunburst Oranges and Orange is the New Liver to raise funds for the organization that helps the most important organ in your body – the Liver.

The American Liver Foundation's Mission is to...
“Facilitate, advocate, and promote education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.”

Gobena - Great Coffee. Great Cause

In the summer of 2007, Steve and Danae traveled to Ethiopia to adopt their little girl, Eva. The contrast in cultures was amazing. The Ethiopians they met lived in poverty, but were rich in their sense of community and in the closeness of their relationships.

Gobena’s sense of community inspired Steve and Danae to start this coffee ministry where 100% of the net profits were reinvested in the lives of orphan children throughout the world. In 2012, Lifesong accepted the challenge of growing Gobena… where each bag of coffee sold blesses the lives of children.

So invite friends over for coffee and "Go Make a Difference" by choosing Gobena Coffee.

Decorate, Garnish & Cook with Citrus

Let your imagination run wild with a delightfully decorative yet sensibly simple way to bring the atmosphere of autumn indoors for your seasonal gatherings and meals. Featured here are some pictures for inspiration. Get into the spirit of the season now...grab a box of oranges plus one of lemons and start squeezing, garnishing and decorating with citrus!

What We Do Now

We have lifetimes of experience growing, packing, and selling citrus. But now Sunburst has something more important - helping all who want and need to know how important Liver Disease Education is to the over 30 million men, women, and children inflicted with disease of the liver. That's one out of ten, and it is not about drinking too much alcohol. Visit our efforts at https://www.facebook.com/orangeisthenewliver/timeline

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

Thursday, November 5, 2015

In the News Honeybees and Celebrities Helping Them

When we talk about oranges or honey for that matter we think of honeybees and as you know the plight of the honeybees is trending in the news right now.  We have featured a dog that helps out the bees by sniffing out the disease that affects them but today how about the people that are helping them as well.
Albert Einstein said “If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live.”

Why? Einstein said this because the survival of human beings and honey bees is intimately interconnected. According to National Geographic, a full 1/3 of the food in our grocery stores is created with the help of pollinators, most of which are bees. Every time you eat a slice of apple pie, cut up a tomato for a salad or drop a slice of lime into your drink, you are enjoying a produce item that would quickly go extinct if bees disappeared from the farms and gardens of the world. And agriculture would not be the only area to suffer from a shortage of pollinators. Honey bees are also a key factor in the procreation of native plant and flower pollutions throughout the world, which, in turn, support entire ecosystems.

However, as Richard Branson points out in his blog, the distressing decline of honey bees has sparked worldwide action and fueled a movement which may be able turn the situation around. Branson points out that “[i]n the US a native bee species was spotted this week for the first time since the 1990s and conservation efforts are underway. Back in Europe, a two-year moratorium on three neonicotinoid pesticides was announced recently the European Parliament after more than 2.5 million people signed a petition.” As celebrities, leaders and policymakers continue to join forces and raise awareness and support for this issue, we can only hope that change will come in time to save this amazing little creature.

Statistically one in three bites of food you put into your mouth today is the result of the hard working yet humble honeybee. Sadly, bees are dying off at a rather alarming rate. People all over the world have done what they can, from planting flowers that bees like to visit, petitioning their governments to stop using pesticides that kill bees, and even keeping bees themselves.

Morgan Freeman Converted His Ranch Into A Bee Sanctuary

Morgan Freeman is no different. His concern about the bees led him to convert is 124 acre ranch in Mississippi into a bee refuge complete with bee friendly plants like fruit trees and clover, magnolia trees and lavender, all spanning over many acres.

“There’s a concerted effort to bring bees back onto the planet…We do not realize that they are the foundation, I think, of the growth of the planet, the vegetation…”

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

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Truth You Know… That Isn’t True

We all know that the things we have heard in our lives that are true… you know like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the list goes on.  Just how many old wives tales are you carrying around that aren’t true?

Bulls Get Angry When They See Red
This has nothing to do with the color red. Bulls are colorblind and it's the waving movement of the cape that annoys them.
Don't Go Out With Wet Hair
There is no connection between stepping out with wet hair and falling ill. You'll probably feel chilly if you skip the blow-dry on a cold day but you won't fall sick. Flu and cold are caused by viruses, not low temperatures.

Carbohydrates Make You Gain Weight
It’s a common belief that cutting down on carbs helps you lose weight. But before you eliminate carbs from your diet completely, listen to what the experts have to say. According to Jean Harvey-Berino, head of the department of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Vermont, there is nothing inherently fattening about carbohydrates. Complex carbs in grains, fruits and vegetables provide energy to the body and thus are very important. The carbs to be avoided are the simple or refined ones present in foods made of white flour or with a high sugar content.

We Use Only 10 Percent Of Our Brain
On those days when you can't recall a name or phone number, it's tempting to wish for more brain power. Only we're using all that we have, just not all at once, says Dr. Marie Pasinski, staff neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, faculty member at Harvard Medical School and author of “Beautiful Brain, Beautiful You” (Hyperion, 2010). "Think of your brain as a computer with special programs and software to allow it to perform an amazing array of tasks," says Pasinski. At any given time, not every single application is in use. When we are focused on a specific task, the parts of the brain needed for that task become more active.

Einstein Failed At Math
Many generations of students have consoled themselves for poor mathematics skills believing that even Einstein failed in the subject at school. But this is not true. He not only excelled in Maths but had mastered differential and integral calculus before he was 15. Einstein, however, failed to crack the entrance exam of the prestigious Federal Polytechnic School (or Academy) in Zurich, Switzerland at 16 years because he did not fare well in non-science subjects, especially French.

Dogs Sweat By Panting Or Salivating
Most of the sweat glands in dogs are located in the paws or footpads and none on the tongue. Panting and salivating is a way of regulating their body temperature as it causes evaporation from the moist lining of their lungs.
All Oranges Are The Same
Not true many variables go into how sweet an orange is and how it tastes. Try ours... Sunburst Oranges are the very best.

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

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Orange Blossom Honey Glazed Turkey

Sunburst Orange Blossom Honey Glazed Turkey, that is. You may prepare the stuffing ahead of time, refrigerate and then stuff the turkey when ready to roast. This has such a wonderful sweet glaze it is just outstanding.

Ingredients:

1 12 – 13 pound turkey

Stuffing:
5 cups soft bread crumbs
1 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash black pepper
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
3 teaspoon fresh squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon Sunburst Orange blossom honey

Glaze:
2 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoon Sunburst Orange blossom honey

Directions:

Rinse turkey inside and out. Pat dry. Reserve giblets and neck for broth. Make stuffing: Mix bread crumbs, green pepper, onion, chicken broth and spices. Add orange peel and orange juice. Spoon stuffing into cavity of turkey. Close openings with skewers.

Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow pan. Insert meat thermometer in thickest part of thigh. Roast turkey, uncovered, at 325° Fahrenheit for about 1 hour.

For glaze combine butter, orange juice and the orange blossom honey. Brush turkey several times with glaze and pan drippings and roast it for another 1 1/2 to 2 hours until thermometer registers 160° Fahrenheit Remove turkey; keep warm. Slice and serve.

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