Orange Juice and Your Health

Many of us mistakenly look to orange juice today as a dangerous source of highly concentrated fructose – simple “carbs” – without recognizing its profound medicinal properties. We sometimes think we can get the vitamin C activity oranges contain through the semi-synthetic ‘nutrient’ ascorbic acid, without realizing that an orange embodies (as do all whole foods) a complex orchestra of chemistries…  The ‘monochemical nutrient’ – ascorbic acid – is merely a shadow of the vitamin C activity that is carried and expressed through only living foods. The orange, after all, looks like a miniature sun, is formed as a condensation of energy and information from sunlight, and therefore is capable of storing and after being eaten irradiating us with life-giving packets of information-dense gene-regulating nutrition, by a mechanism that will never be fully reducible to or intelligible by the chemical skeleton we know of as ascorbic acid.

Given that thought, here are some of the evidence-based benefits of orange juice:

Orange Juice Improves “Good” Cholesterol: While it is debatable that lowering so-called “LDL” cholesterol is nearly as good for heart health as statin drug manufacturers would like for us to believe, raising “HDL” cholesterol does seem to have real health benefits. This is, however, quite hard to do with diet and nutrition, and impossible through medication. Other than taking high-dose fish oil, few things have been studied to be effective. Except, that is, orange juice.  A 2000 study found that the consumption of 750 mL of orange juice a day, over a 4 weeks, improved blood lipid profiles by decreasing the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio by 16% in patients with elevated cholesterol.

Orange Juice Boosts Bone Health: A 2006 animal study in male rats found that orange juice positively influenced antioxidant status and bone strength.

Orange Juice (mixed with Blackcurrant Juice) Reduces Inflammation: A 2009 study in patients with peripheral artery disease found that orange and blackcurrant juice reduced C-reactive protein (11%)  and fibrinogen levels (3%), two concrete measures of systemic inflammation. A 2010 study found that Orange juice neutralizes the proinflammatory effect of a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal and prevents endotoxin induced toxicity.

Orange Juice Boosts Weight Loss: A 2011 study found that children who regularly drank orange juice consumed an average of 523 calories a day more than children who did not drink orange juice regularly. Yet surprisingly, there was no difference in the weight levels between the orange juice consumers and the non-orange juice consumers.

Orange Juice May Dissolve Kidney Stones: A 2006 study found that orange juice consumption was associated with lower calculated calcium oxalate supersaturation and lower calculated undissociated uric acid, two indices of lowered urinary calcium stone formation.

Orange Juice Extract Suppresses Prostate Proliferation: Despite the fructose content, a 2006 study found a standardized extract of red orange juice inhibited the proliferation of human prostate cells in vitro.

The Peel of the Orange

The peel of the orange contains a broad range of potent, potentially therapeutic compounds.  These include pectin and flavonoid constituents, such as hersperiden, naringin, polymethoxyflavones, quercetin and rutin, various carotenoids, and a major odor constituent known as d-limonene, which makes up 90% of the citrus peel oil content, and is a compound that gets its name from the rind of the lemon, which contains a significant quantity of it. It is listed in the US Code of Federal Regulations as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), and is commonly used as a flavoring agent.  D-limonene has been studied to have potent anti-cancer properties, including against metastatic melanoma.

The whole peel extract has been studied to have a wide range of benefits:

 Orange Peel exhibits Anti-Arthritic Properties: A 2010 study found that orange peel extract significant suppressed vaccine adjuvant-induced arthritis in a preclinical model.

Orange Peel (Flavonoids) Exhibit Anti-Cancer Properties:  A 2007 study found that orange peel extract inhibited tumorigenesis in a preclinical mouse model of adenomatous polyposis and increases programmed cell death.[i]  Two additional 2007studies found that orange peel extract has anti-breast cancer properties. The first, by exhibiting chemopreventive properties against mammary tumor lesions in an animal model. The second, by inhibiting breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Additionally, a 2000 study found that flavanone intake is inversely associated with esophageal cancer risk and may account, with vitamin C, for the protective effect of fruit, especially citrus fruit, on esophageal cancer.  

Are you looking for chocolate 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

November Is Sweet Potato Month

Did you have sweet potatoes for your Thanksgiving dinner?

Health Benefits Of Sweet Potatoes:

Antioxidants
Beta-carotene gives the sweet potato its deep orange color. One medium potato also provides us with over 200% of our Daily Value of vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a key role in the health of our eyes, skin, skeletal and soft tissue, and even our teeth!

Anthocyanin lends the purple sweet potato its unusual violet hue. Purple sweet potatoes contain antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties similar to red wine.

Blood Sugar Regulation
The high fiber content of sweet potatoes slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream, helping to keep blood sugar steady.

6 New Ways to Enjoy Sweet Potatoes

Wash and peel sweet potatoes; cut into long 3/4-inch-wide strips; toss with olive oil and cayenne pepper. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes for crispy sweet potato fries with a kick! The fat content of the oil will help with absorption of the beta-carotene in the sweet potatoes.

Purée cooked sweet potatoes with bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon. Top with chopped walnuts. The healthy fat in walnuts also helps with beta-carotene absorption.

Sweet Potato Pancakes:
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 1 cup store-bought pancake mix
    • 1 small pinch ground nutmeg
    • 1 small sweet potato, boiled, peeled and mashed

Cook batter according to pancake mix directions.

Make your own baby food by puréeing cooked sweet potato, adding water for correct consistency.

Microwave a medium-sized spud on HIGH for 4 to 6 minutes. Cut off the top fourth of the potato and scoop out the flesh. Blend the inside of the potato with a splash of skim milk, a spoonful of maple syrup and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Stuff the mixture back into the potato shell and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Grill them! Wash, leave peel on and cut into wedges. Marinate with bottled low-sodium teriyaki sauce and grill until tender.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to 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

California Sweet Navel Orange Gift Packs

Medium Super Citrus Saver
24 California Sweet Navel Oranges delivered to your door at no additional shipping costs. $29.95

Large Super Citrus Saver
36 California Sweet Navel Oranges delivered to your door at no additional shipping costs. $44.95

We will ship anywhere in the US including Military Bases...........Send a little Sunshine to Support Our Troops.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? 

A quick visit to 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

'Suzanne' and 'Tea And Oranges'

The Story Behind The 'Tea And Oranges' In Leonard Cohen's Song 'Suzanne'

In the summer of '65, Leonard Cohen, the great poet-singer who died last week, spent many happy hours in a warehouse by the St Lawrence River in his hometown, Montreal. As he watched the boats go by, his friend, a young bohemian dancer named Suzanne Verdal, whose warehouse it was, served him tea and oranges that came all the way from China.

Photo By: By Gorupdebesanez

Or so he famously sang in his 1967 debut single, "Suzanne." The haunting ballad would launch Cohen's musical career, taking him from a minor poet and novelist to one of the great songwriters of our time. Tinctured with melancholy, the song touches on love, longing, redemption and faith. It has a mystical quality, but Cohen insisted it was pure journalism. He had simply reported what had happened in that warehouse and set it to music.

So did Suzanne really serve tea and oranges? In more than one interview, Cohen was asked what exactly was meant by those fragrant lines:

"and she feeds you tea and oranges
that come all the way from China"

His answer never varied: "She fed me a tea called Constant Comment, which has small pieces of orange rind in it, which gave birth to the image."

He was in fact referring to a store-bought tea manufactured by the Connecticut firm, Bigelow Tea Co. All Cohen had done was deconstruct it into its component parts and whimsically garnish it with a China connection.

Disappointingly prosaic? It might have been, except that Constant Comment has an origin story infused with all the romance of the American entrepreneurial spirit. A child of the Great Depression, this tea would be the founding product of what is one of America's leading specialty tea companies today.

It was created by Ruth Campbell Bigelow, the grandmother of the company's current CEO, Cindi Bigelow. Ruth was a successful interior designer till the Great Depression dealt a body blow to her business.

Constant Comment creator Ruth Campbell Bigelow with her husband David. She developed the formula in the kitchen of her New York brownstone.
Courtesy of Bigelow Tea

"My grandparents literally had no money," says Bigelow. "They had to move to an inn for some time. Those years were very hard."

In 1945, Ruth chanced upon an old colonial tea recipe to make tea in stone containers, flavored with orange peel and sweet spices. She disappeared into the kitchen of her New York brownstone on 50th Street — they'd bought the dilapidated apartment cheap — and began experimenting. She worked at it for weeks. Finally, when she served it to her friends, she was so pleasantly taken aback by the flood of warm comments, she decided to call it Constant Comment.

Photo By: By Gorupdebesanez - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31038363

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

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

The House of Orange

The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau, pronounced [ˈɦœy̯s fɑn oːˈrɑɲə ˈnɑsʌu̯]), a branch of the European House of Nassau, has played a central role in the politics and government of the Netherlands — and at times in Europe — especially since William I of Orange (also known as "William the Silent" and "Father of the Fatherland") organized the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule, which after the Eighty Years' War led to an independent Dutch state.

Several members of the house served during this war and after as governor or stadtholder (Dutch stadhouder) during the Dutch Republic. However, in 1815, after a long period as a republic, the Netherlands became a monarchy under the House of Orange-Nassau.

The dynasty was established as a result of the marriage of Henry III of Nassau-Breda from Germany and Claudia of Châlon-Orange from French Burgundy in 1515. Their son René inherited in 1530 the independent and sovereign Principality of Orange from his mother's brother, Philibert of Châlon. As the first Nassau to be the Prince of Orange, René could have used "Orange-Nassau" as his new family name. However, his uncle, in his will, had stipulated that René should continue the use of the name Châlon-Orange. History knows him therefore as René of Châlon. After the death of René in 1544 his cousin William of Nassau-Dillenburg inherited all his lands. This "William I of Orange", in English better known as William the Silent, became the founder of the House of Orange-Nassau.

The House of Nassau
1544 - "Orange-Nassau" symbolized by adding the "Châlon-Orange" arms in an escutcheon to the "Nassau" arms

The Castle of Nassau was founded around 1100 by Count Dudo-Henry of Laurenburg (German: Dudo-Heinrich von Laurenburg), the founder of the House of Nassau. In 1120, Dudo-Henry's sons and successors, Counts Robert I (German: Ruprecht; also translated Rupert) and Arnold I of Laurenburg, established themselves at Nassau Castle with its tower. They renovated and extended the castle complex in 1124.

The first man to be called the count of Nassau was Robert I of Nassau (Ruprecht in German), who lived in the first half of the 13th century (see family tree below). The Nassau family married into the family of the neighboring Counts of Arnstein (now Kloster Arnstein). His sons Walram and Otto split the Nassau possessions. The descendants of Walram became known as the Walram Line, which became Dukes of Nassau, and in 1890, the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg. This line also included Adolph of Nassau, who was elected King of the Romans in 1292. The descendants of Otto became known as the Ottonian Line, which inherited parts of Nassau County, and properties in France and the Netherlands.

William the Silent, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch War for Independence, and stadholder of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht.

The House of Orange-Nassau stems from the younger Ottonian Line. The first of this line to establish himself in the Netherlands was John I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg, who married Margareta of the Marck. The real founder of the Nassau fortunes in the Netherlands was John's son, Engelbert I. He became counsellor to the Burgundian Dukes of Brabant, first to Anton of Burgundy, and later to his son Jan IV of Brabant. He also would later serve Philip the Good. In 1403 he married the Dutch noblewoman Johanna van Polanen, and so inherited lands in the Netherlands, with the Barony of Breda as the core of the Dutch possessions and the family fortune.[2]:35

A noble's power was often based on his ownership of vast tracts of land and lucrative offices. It also helped that much of the lands that the House of Orange and Nassau controlled sat under one of the commercial and mercantile centers of the world (see below under Lands and Titles. The importance of the Nassaus grew throughout the 15th and 16th centuries as they became councilors, generals and stadholders of the Habsburgs (see armorial of the great nobles of the Burgundian Netherlands and List of Knights of the Golden Fleece). Engelbert II of Nassau served Charles the Bold and Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, who had married Charles's daughter Mary of Burgundy. In 1496 he was appointed stadtholder of Flanders and by 1498 he had been named President of the Grand Conseil. In 1501, Maximilian named him Lieutenant-General of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands. From that point forward (until his death in 1504), Engelbert was the principal representative of the Habsburg Empire to the region. Hendrik III of Nassau-Breda was appointed stadtholder of Holland and Zeeland by Charles of Ghent in the beginning of the 16th century. Hendrik was succeeded by his son René of Châlon-Orange in 1538, who had inherited the principality of Orange and the title Prince of Orange from his maternal uncle Philibert of Chalon. René died prematurely on the battlefield in 1544. His possessions, including the principality of Orange and the title Prince of Orange, passed by his will as sovereign prince to his paternal cousin, William I of Orange. From then on, the family members called themselves "Orange-Nassau.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to 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

Decadent Chocolate Dipped Orange Segments Recipe

Yes, we know you can buy a chocolate confection in the shape of an orange, but we think dipping fresh juicy oranges into warm chocolate is even better. In fact much better!

So you can prepare your very own home made Chocolate Dipped Orange Segments here is today’s tasty recipe.

Ingredients and needed consumables:

2 large Sunburst naval oranges, peeled and segmented

4 cups dark chocolate chips

2 teaspoon of vegetable oil

Redmond Utah sea salt (you can substitute other brands of sea salt) 

Parchment paper sheets

Directions:

In a double boiler melt the chocolate chips. 

Alternate Microwave method:  cook on medium setting for 30 second intervals, repeat as needed, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. 

Then, stir in the vegetable oil and continue mixing until smooth and well combined.

Dip the (with rotation) orange segments, to the halfway point, into the melted chocolate mixture. Then place the dipped orange segments on parchment paper. Sprinkle (to taste) with the sea salt before cooling.

Let the chocolate dipped oranges set in your refrigerator for 1 hour or until the chocolate coating is firmly set.

Prep and Process Time:

1½ hours, this includes prep, cooling and chocolate set time.

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

Chocolate and Navel Oranges What A Match!

Even with the theme “Chocolate and Oranges,  The Perfect Match” we don;t have Chocolates on our website sunburstoranges.com any longer.

But, we have the finest Navel Oranges!

If it is good for you we need to understand what Dark means. Dark chocolate is also known as "bittersweet" or "semisweet" chocolate. It contains a high percentage (> 60%) of cocoa solids, and little or no added sugar. Dark chocolate has a rich, intense flavor, and is found in chocolate bars, candies and baking chocolate.

There is some good news for the chocolate lovers out there: a new study carried out by researchers from Northern Arizona University reveals that the intake of dark chocolate with at least 60 percent cacao could be the key to improving attention and alertness and get you through the afternoon slump.

"Chocolate is indeed a stimulant and it activates the brain in a really special way," said Dr. Larry Stevens, a professor of psychological sciences at Northern Arizona University. "It can increase brain characteristics of attention, and it also significantly affects blood pressure levels."


The study was published in the journal NeuroRegulation and sponsored by American chocolate manufacturer the Hershey Company. The study is actually the first of its kind to investigate the influence that chocolate has on brain activity and attention using the electroencephalography (EEG) technique. With EEG, it is possible to take images of the brain's activity while performing cognitive tasks.

For the study, Stevens and his team recruited 122 volunteers aged between 18 and 25. They were all given one of the following options: chocolate with high cacao content (60 percent), chocolate with low cacao content (0 percent), high cacao chocolate with added L-theanine (the amino acid found in green tea), high-sugar water, low-sugar water, or just plain water. They examined the EEG activity, mood and blood pressure of all participants before and after consuming one of the six options while performing certain cognitive tasks. Both the group that ate the chocolate with 60 percent cacao and the one with added L-theanine outperformed the groups that did not eat dark chocolate at all.

Here at Sunburst Oranges we pride ourselves on having the very finest Navel Oranges. Our Citrus is grown in the richest soils of California in the San Joaquin Valley. 

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

We Honor Our Veterans

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

All Things Orange: Sheep, Yes Sheep

A frustrated farmer in Troutbeck, Cumbria, sprayed his entire flock of sheep orange to stop thieves stealing them. Pip Simpson was forced to drastic measures after crooks stole 300 of his livestock in the past four years. This farmer, in northwest England, has gone to extreme lengths to make sure his sheep will stand out from the crowd. He turned the entire flock orange.

Simpson, 50, hopes the Tango-ing will deter rustlers or make the sheep easier to find if they are stolen. He decided to dye his 800 strong flock after 300 were taken over the past four years. He said: “The only solution was to make them completely different to everybody else’s. They’re literally luminous orange. The tint was a really bright color that nobody else had done, so it was just a case of trying to be different.

“There’s no harmful chemicals. It won’t harm them  at all.” “They’ve been sprayed luminous orange. “It’s as if they’ve been Tangoed” “Sheep theft is a massive problem.” The spray paint lasts about 12 months, and doesn't hurt the sheep.

"We’re hoping this will deter thieves because if they did get pinched they’re bright orange and somebody is going to wonder where they’ve come from. So yeah, we've had to try and stop that for a starter. I'm hoping that whoever is pinching them wouldn't be able to hide them, because they are luminous orange, he said. A recent National Farmers’ Union report found that rural crime cost farmers in the north-west of England millions a year. No mention was made of how this affects the use of the wool.

Cumbria Police have admitted there has been a recent increase in the number of sheep thefts. A recent National Farmers’ Union report said rural crime cost the north-west 6.5 million dollars in 2015.

This is not the only animal that was dyed bright orange. Recently, a seagull which looked like it had a spray-tan, was found beak-to-foot in orange after falling into a vat of chicken tikka masala. 

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:

Sunburst Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

What Do We Get From Oranges?

Although oranges are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the United States, they were once considered an expensive delicacy in most regions of the country. With the advent of commercially produced orange juice in the 1940s, oranges became one of the most important national fruit crops, according to the book “Wellness Foods A to Z.” While the majority of oranges are processed into various juice products, the fruit itself is an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidant compounds, and a good source of dietary fiber, potassium and several B vitamins, including folate.

Vitamin C

Arguably, oranges are most renowned for their high levels of vitamin C, a multifunctional nutrient essential to healthy eyes, skin, teeth and bones, as well as numerous processes in the body. Vitamin C boosts immunity by stimulating the production of antibodies and significantly enhances your body’s absorption of iron from foods of plant origin. In addition to its functions as a nutrient, vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage. Small-, medium- and large-sized oranges provide approximately 85 percent, 116 percent and 163 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, respectively, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

Antioxidants

Oranges are rich in several important phytonutrients, including flavonoids, carotenoids and other powerful antioxidant compounds. The primary flavonoid in oranges is hesperetin, a compound that significantly increases the antioxidant potential of vitamin C, according to “The Color Code,” a book about the health benefits of colorful foods. After vitamin C destroys a free radical, hesperetin acts to regenerate the vitamin back to its active antioxidant form. Flavonoid also helps slow the replication of certain viruses, including polio, influenza and herpes. Other research indicates that hesperetin helps diminish inflammation, reduce high blood pressure and promote healthy cholesterol levels.

Dietary Fiber

Oranges generally qualify as good sources of fiber, meaning they supply between 2.5 and 4.9 grams of fiber per fruit. Small oranges fall just shy of this classification with about 2.3 grams of fiber per fruit. Medium- and large-sized oranges, however, supply more than 17 percent and 12 percent of the daily value for fiber, respectively, according to the USDA. Oranges are highest in soluble fiber, the type associated with regulating blood glucose levels and reducing high LDL and total cholesterol levels. The fruit’s fiber content gives it a nutritional advantage over its extracted juice. Although a serving of freshly squeezed orange juice is a more concentrated source of both nutrients and calories, it provides roughly 85 percent less fiber than the whole fruit.

Additional Nutrients

Oranges are a significant source of potassium -- a large fruit supplies almost 10 percent of the nutrient’s daily value. The adequate intake of dietary potassium can help both prevent and treat hypertension. A large orange also provides nearly 14 percent of the daily value for folate, a B vitamin essential to cell production and maintenance. Because of its role in making red blood cells, getting enough folate can help prevent anemia. Oranges are a good source of vitamin A, a nutrient that promotes good vision and helps form and maintain healthy skin, bones and teeth. One large orange provides 8 percent of this vitamin’s daily value. Oranges are also a good source of vitamin B-6, thiamine, pantothenic acid, calcium and magnesium.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to 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

Crispy Orange Beef Recipe

Crispy Orange Beef refers to a westernized version of a Chinese dish made from beef and orange juice. 

The ingredients of orange beef can depend on where it is featured, but the western version generally consists of deep fried strips of beef coated in a dark sweet sauce that is reminiscent of other Asian sauces based on vinegar and sugar. 

It also contains flavors of oranges, garlic and hot peppers, and is commonly served with a small amount of julienned carrots and onions in the sauce

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds beef top sirloin, thinly sliced
2/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup long grain rice 
2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons orange zest
3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
8 broccoli florets, lightly steamed or blanched
2 cups oil for frying

Directions 

Lay beef strips out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow to dry in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, rice vinegar, orange juice concentrate, salt and soy sauce. Set aside.

Meanwhile, combine rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Add more water at the end if necessary.

Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Toss dried beef in cornstarch to coat. Fry in the hot oil in small batches until crispy and golden brown; set aside. Drain all of the oil from the wok except about 1 tablespoon.

Add orange zest, ginger and garlic to the remaining oil, and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok, bring to a boil, and cook until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes. Add beef, and heat through, stirring to coat. Serve immediately over steamed rice, and garnish with broccoli.

1 hour 5 minutes 6 servings 500 calories

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to 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

We Are Getting Ready To Ship Navel Oranges

I have to admit that the title of this blog isn’t the whole truth. Sunburst Oranges – Has Fresh Navel Orange Gift Baskets.  Sunburst does have fresh navel oranges. In point of fact Sunburst Oranges sunburstoranges.com has the finest in fresh navel oranges. What we are missing is the baskets part of that.  Our oranges come in United States Postal Service Priority boxes and not in baskets.

Why do we do it that way?  That is a very simple answer… to save you money.  Yes, we could have a basket ($) with fancy tissue paper wrapping every orange ($) placed in a gift wrapped box ($) and shipped in even a bigger and heavier shipping box (even more $).  But ask yourself if you are looking to buy the very best in fresh navel oranges what is it you really want… the fancy packaging or the sweet juicy (run down your chin as you eat) orange?

So here is an idea if you just must have the extra “fluff” with your oranges we have a plan for you.

Step Number One; go to our website sunburstoranges.com and order those fresh ripe juicy navel oranges at a great price and delivered quickly by USPS Priority mail. Shipping included in the price.

Step Number Two; go to your local Michaels Craft Store (actually any good craft store will work) and buy a nice gift basket and some fancy green cellulose grass, green tissue and stuffing. Head back to your home and get ready to arrange your gift basket.

Step Number Three; (and I might add the most important) open our Sunburst Navel Orange USPS box and enjoy the fresh Sunburst Navel Oranges.

Step Number Four; What you do with the leftover, unused gift basket is up to you.  You could keep it and use it again for your next order of Sunburst Navel Oranges. Being from California we think recycling is important.

So while you need to handle the “Gift Basket” part of our blog title we are there to handle the Fresh Navel Orange side of our title.

Our largest Gift Pack (and most economical, I might add) is the Large Super Citrus Saver which comes with 24 Sweet California grown Navel Oranges delivered to your door by USPS at no additional shipping costs for just $29.95.

So I guess we need to set the record straight.  The correct title of this blog should have read:

Sunburst Oranges – Has Fresh Navel Orange Gift Packs

The difference between “Basket” and “Pack” is an important one and we always want to get it right so please know we are selling sweet navel oranges and it is Michaels Craft Stores that sell the gift baskets.

Fresh Navel Oranges hand-picked from our orange trees and quickly delivered right to your home.

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

Sunburst Oranges Begins Thinking Navel Oranges For November

If you are new to healthy eating and you have pledged to eating more fruits you can’t do any better than eating navel oranges.

I don’t know about you but Navel Oranges are my favorite among oranges. The great news is that Navel Orange harvesting will be begin in just few weeks. 

There are numerous health benefits to navel oranges, and these go beyond just the obvious. The obvious and most well-know benefit of navel oranges is of course Vitamin C. This is arguably the most well-known benefit because navel oranges are a citrus fruit, and every citrus fruit has some kind of Vitamin C content to it. Though the amount of C content can vary amongst all the citrus fruits, the amount in navel oranges is definitely high. But again, this is not the only benefit of navel oranges, just the most obvious.

Another great health benefit of navel oranges is beta carotene. This is an antioxidant that helps prevent and repair cell damage. This cell damage can be due to any number of things like illness or free radicals, which are everywhere and which the body also naturally produces free radicals as a byproduct of digestion. Getting rid of these using the beta carotene in navel oranges can greatly improve your health and vitality.

Most dieticians will tell you that it is better to get these vitamins and minerals out of your food rather than a pill. And since navel oranges are low in calories, fat and cholesterol free and high in fiber and other nutrients, it is a good way to get your daily dosage of these things. It is also juicy and delicious, and available all through the winter. 

What is better than a sweet and delicious citrus fruit like navel oranges to get you through the chilly fall and icy winter? They will remind you of spring and summer even as the snow outside is gathering. Indeed, navel oranges can make you appreciate the sun of spring and heat of summer that much more when they return.

Calcium is another benefit of navel oranges that you may not have thought of. Often, you can find calcium enhanced juices in the dairy case, but many times if you eat a varied diet and consume navel oranges, you may not need that extra calcium. The rest is simply extra that will go unprocessed by your body.

In the store choose oranges that have smoothly textured skin and are firm and heavy for their size. These will have a higher juice content than those that are either spongy or lighter in weight. In general, oranges that are smaller will be juicier than those that are larger in size, as will those that feature thinner skins. Of course you can let Sunburst Oranges choose the very best for you. We will have Navels in just a few weeks.

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

Medicinal Properties of Oranges

The Juice of the Orange

Many of us mistakenly look to orange juice today as a dangerous source of highly concentrated fructose – simple “carbs” – without recognizing its profound medicinal properties. We sometimes think we can get the vitamin C activity oranges contain through the semi-synthetic ‘nutrient’ ascorbic acid, without realizing that an orange embodies (as do all whole foods) a complex orchestra of chemistries…  The ‘monochemical nutrient’ – ascorbic acid – is merely a shadow of the vitamin C activity that is carried and expressed through only living foods. The orange, after all, looks like a miniature sun, is formed as a condensation of energy and information from sunlight, and therefore is capable of storing and after being eaten irradiating us with life-giving packets of information-dense gene-regulating nutrition, by a mechanism that will never be fully reducible to or intelligible by the chemical skeleton we know of as ascorbic acid.

Given that thought, here are some of the evidence-based benefits of orange juice:

Orange Juice Improves “Good” Cholesterol: While it is debatable that lowering so-called “LDL” cholesterol is nearly as good for heart health as statin drug manufacturers would like for us to believe, raising “HDL” cholesterol does seem to have real health benefits. This is, however, quite hard to do with diet and nutrition, and impossible through medication. Other than taking high-dose fish oil, few things have been studied to be effective. Except, that is, orange juice.  A 2000 study found that the consumption of 750 mL of orange juice a day, over a 4 weeks, improved blood lipid profiles by decreasing the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio by 16% in patients with elevated cholesterol.

Orange Juice Boosts Bone Health: A 2006 animal study in male rats found that orange juice positively influenced antioxidant status and bone strength.

Orange Juice (mixed with Blackcurrant Juice) Reduces Inflammation: A 2009 study in patients with peripheral artery disease found that orange and blackcurrant juice reduced C-reactive protein (11%)  and fibrinogen levels (3%), two concrete measures of systemic inflammation. A 2010 study found that Orange juice neutralizes the proinflammatory effect of a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal and prevents endotoxin induced toxicity.

Orange Juice Boosts Weight Loss: A 2011 study found that children who regularly drank orange juice consumed an average of 523 calories a day more than children who did not drink orange juice regularly. Yet surprisingly, there was no difference in the weight levels between the orange juice consumers and the non-orange juice consumers.

Orange Juice May Dissolve Kidney Stones: A 2006 study found that orange juice consumption was associated with lower calculated calcium oxalate supersaturation and lower calculated undissociated uric acid, two indices of lowered urinary calcium stone formation.

Orange Juice Extract Suppresses Prostate Proliferation: Despite the fructose content, a 2006 study found a standardized extract of red orange juice inhibited the proliferation of human prostate cells in vitro.

The Peel of the Orange

The peel of the orange contains a broad range of potent, potentially therapeutic compounds.  These include pectin and flavonoid constituents, such as hersperiden, naringin, polymethoxyflavones, quercetin and rutin, various carotenoids, and a major odor constituent known as d-limonene, which makes up 90% of the citrus peel oil content, and is a compound that gets its name from the rind of the lemon, which contains a significant quantity of it. It is listed in the US Code of Federal Regulations as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), and is commonly used as a flavoring agent.  D-limonene has been studied to have potent anti-cancer properties, including against metastatic melanoma.

The whole peel extract has been studied to have a wide range of benefits:

 Orange Peel exhibits Anti-Arthritic Properties: A 2010 study found that orange peel extract significant suppressed vaccine adjuvant-induced arthritis in a preclinical model.

Orange Peel (Flavonoids) Exhibit Anti-Cancer Properties:  A 2007 study found that orange peel extract inhibited tumorigenesis in a preclinical mouse model of adenomatous polyposis and increases programmed cell death.[i]  Two additional 2007studies found that orange peel extract has anti-breast cancer properties. The first, by exhibiting chemopreventive properties against mammary tumor lesions in an animal model. The second, by inhibiting breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Additionally, a 2000 study found that flavanone intake is inversely associated with esophageal cancer risk and may account, with vitamin C, for the protective effect of fruit, especially citrus fruit, on esophageal cancer.  

Are you looking for chocolate 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

Greens With Fresh Oranges and Pecan Salad Recipe

Are you looking a unique and tasty salad recipe for your upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner? Let oranges do double duty: Use the juice in the dressing, and slice segments into this light and refreshing crispy greens with orange and pecan salad.

How about one that is also fast and easy? Sound like something you are looking for? Well this one is exactly what you are looking for.

Ingredients

    1/2 cup California pecans
    3 seedless Sunburst Navel oranges
    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    3 tablespoons virgin olive oil 
   Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
    1 head Boston or Bibb lettuce, leaves torn (about 6 cups)
    1 head Endive, leaves torn (about 8 cups)

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing once, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool, then roughly chop.

Squeeze the juice from 1 of the oranges. Peel and cut the other 2 oranges into segments.

Whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the orange juice, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the lettuce, endive, orange segments, and pecans and toss to combine. Plate and serve immediately.

Are you looking for chocolate 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