Italian Orange Duck Recipe

Orange Duck is a classic Italian dish in which a duck is roasted and served with an orange sauce. The Italians claim it migrated from Italy to France. Italian poet Antonio Caccitore detailed his first encounter with duck à l'orange outside of Italy.

Ingredients: 

For 6 servings

    1 duck, 4 to 5 pounds, cleaned and gutted
    3 navel orange, fresh and with a thick cut zest
    3½ ounces butter
    salt and pepper to taste
    ½ cup Grand Marnier liqueur

Directions

Season the inside cavity of the duck with a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of butter. Also rub the skin with butter and a pinch of salt.

Place a buttered pan over high heat.

Place the duck in the pan and, once the butter has melted, slightly brown the duck. Cover the pan and place in oven to braise slowly at 320° F.

After 1 hour and a half, remove the duck from the pan and hold it over the pan to let from cooking liquid drip off. Set duck aside and keep warm. The meat should be slightly pink.

Peel an orange with a very sharp pairing knife to make 2-inch long strips. Be careful not to remove the white part of rind.

Boil the skins for 6 minutes, drain, then cool. Cut lengthwise into very thin matchsticks. Makes about 1 tbsp.

Soak the strips of orange peel for a couple of hours in the Grand Marnier.

With the same sharp pairing knife, peel oranges in the other two oranges. Make sure to remove the entire peel, white part included.

Then cut into sections. Be sure to remove the membrane on either side of each piece.

Put the pan juices from the duck in a saucepan and place over high heat. Stir and cook until the juices have reduced by 2/3.

At this point, add the orange peel and Grand Marnier from the marinade diluted with the orange juice. Let reduce by half over high heat.

Detach the legs and wings of the duck, without removing the skin. Remove the skin from the breast and cut into fillets. Arrange the duck meat on a warm serving dish with the breast pieces on top.

Cover the duck with hot orange sauce. Garnish with orange sections and serve.

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:

Sunburst Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

Cara Cara Navel Oranges Are Ready

Hand-selected California Cara Cara Navel,Oranges direct to your home and family!

Similar to a Navel orange, but with red-tinged flesh. Contains lycopene (the same phytochemical nutrient present in tomatoes) which gives the pulp its red-orange color. Easy to peel and section; basically seedless.

Less acidic than most Navels; tropically tangy, yet still sweet with notes of cherry, raspberry and cranberry.

Flavor is also markedly affected by mostly the same climatic factors. The natural sugar and acids in citrus and the ratios of the two determine the intensity of flavor. Mostly the arid, semitropical climates produce stronger richer flavors than the semitropical and tropical areas. The reverse can be true with some high acidic varieties such as kumquats and some mandarins as well as the bitterness of most grapefruit.

his definition of variety is from Howard B. Frost, a pioneer in citrus breeding and genetics whose 40 years of services at the University of California provided much of our current basic knowledge of citrus genetic behavior, reads: 

Irrespective of mode of origin and method of reproduction or multiplication, a horticultural variety (cultivar) consists of a named or otherwise designated group of plants representing one of the many genetically different kinds of any given cultivated plant species or botanical variety. 

In citrus, as with most other fruits, a horticultural variety traces back to a single parent tree or individual mutant branch, now called a ‘clone’. Citrus varieties or cultivars are therefore clonal varieties.

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:

Sunburst Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

Fresh Navel Oranges From Out Tree To Your Table

For over 30 years we have been a part of the fresh-squeezed orange juice industry. Sunburst  Oranges offers its services and knowledge to provide the OJC (Orange Juice Connoisseur) the best orange available, at any given time of the year, to make the finest, premium, freshly-squeezed juice possible.

Three steps to home squeezed orange juice...

1. Pick Box Size - 3 sizes to choose from:

 • USPS Medium box of juice oranges – $23.35delivered

(enough to make approximately 10 glasses of juice)

• USPSLarge box of juice oranges – $34.50 delivered

(enough to make approximately 18 glasses of juice)

• FedExLarge box of juice oranges – $49.00 delivered

(enough to make approximately 30 glasses of juice)

2. Pick Shipping Frequency

• One time • Every 2 weeks • Once per month

3. Pick Shipping Period

Every 2 weeks - 15% discount

Once per month - 10% discount

Varieties of oranges will vary during different months of the year. Each box contains a variety description, origin, hints to achieving the best flavour profile for that particular variety as well as a standard guide to sanitation and storage to best protect and preserve your work.

Get the freshest juice possible – click on link of your choice of size above to get started

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:

Sunburst Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

February Is National Cherry Month

You may associate cherries with late spring and summer -- ahh, nibbling on cherries by the pool ... we can't wait! But February is indeed National Cherry Month, and since they're super tasty and super good for you.

You may associate cherries with late spring and summer -- ahh, nibbling on cherries by the pool ... we can't wait! But February is indeed National Cherry Month, and since they're super tasty and super good for you, there's no reason life can't be, well, a bowl of cherries right now!

We all know the story of cherries and George Washington. The story goes that a young George Washington was about six years old when he was given a hatchet that he enthusiastically used to chop at just about anything in sight. One morning, he even chopped at a cherry tree, eventually cutting it down. When confronted about it by his father, George hesitated but told his father, “I cannot tell a lie.” He admitted to the crime. Rather than punishing George for chopping down the tree, his father said that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees. It’s meant to be a story that’s a lesson in integrity, and shows one of Washington’s many supposed virtues. But is there any truth to the tale?

First published by the biographer Parson Weems in 1809, ten years after Washington’s death, the story reportedly came from an old, unnamed neighbor who’d supposedly known Washington as a boy. However, it is the only historical source of the story, and as a legitimate source, it isn’t very credible.

Cherries are packed with antioxidants. Tart cherries, also called sour cherries, are rich in antioxidant compounds including anthocyanins and quercitin, which may play a role in reducing total body inflammation as well as fighting free radicals.

They soothe sore muscles! Tart cherries have been getting a lot of attention lately based on new research suggesting that they may speed recovery and relieve muscle aches and pains after working out. In one study, one group of participants drank 12 ounces of tart cherry juice, two times per day, seven days before running a long race, while another group drank a placebo cherry-flavored drink. The group that drank the tart cherry juice reported significantly less pain following the race.They're packed with antioxidants. Tart cherries, also called sour cherries, are rich in antioxidant compounds including anthocyanins and quercitin, which may play a role in reducing total body inflammation as well as fighting free radicals.

They soothe sore muscles! Tart cherries have been getting a lot of attention lately based on new research suggesting that they may speed recovery and relieve muscle aches and pains after working out. In one study, one group of participants drank 12 ounces of tart cherry juice, two times per day, seven days before running a long race, while another group drank a placebo cherry-flavored drink. The group that drank the tart cherry juice reported significantly less pain following the race.

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

Bubbling Cherry-Orange Pie Recipe

To help honor George Washington's birthday we chose to add oranges to cherry pie. 

Try it with your family and tell us what you think.

Ingredients

For 8 Servings

Crust
    1⁄2 cup finely ground almonds
    1 3⁄4 cups white flour
    1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar
    1⁄2 cup unsalted butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, chilled and cut into small pieces
    1 large egg, lightly beaten

Filling
    1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
    2 tablespoons orange liqueur or 1 tablespoon orange extract
    1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

(Note: If time is short you can use refrigerated pie dough.) 

For the Crust: Place almonds, flour and sugar in the work bowl of a food processor, fitted with a metal blade. Scatter butter on top of the mixture and pulse just until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and process just until dough gathers in a ball. Divide the dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other, and shape into 1-inch-thick discs. Wrap the dough pieces separately in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 375º Fahrenheit.
    
For the Filling: Combine the cherry pie filling, orange liqueur and orange zest in a medium bowl and mix until thoroughly blended. Place the larger dough on a lightly floured board and roll out into an 11-inch circle. Press the dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and trim the edges. Roll the smaller dough into a 10-inch circle and cut into 10, 3/4-inch-wide strips. 

Spoon filling onto the pastry dough in the tart pan and spread to an even thickness. Arrange the dough strips in lattice pattern on top of filling. Gently press the ends into pastry shell and seal with the fingertips. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until pastry is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove the ring of the pan and cool.
    
Nutritional Information Per Serving: 

Calories 370; Total fat 16g; Saturated fat 8g;Cholesterol 55mg; Sodium 25mg; Total carbohydrate 52g; Fiber 2g; Protein 5g; Vitamin A 10%DV; Vitamin C 6% DV; Calcium 4%DV; Iron 10%DV *Daily Value.

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

How Do You Honor Washington’s Birthday?

Or Should I Say Presidents' Day? 

The Library of Congress says that as stated in the introduction, the federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February is not officially called Presidents' Day. Instead, it is Washington's Birthday. There was an attempt in 1968 to officially name it Presidents' Day. However, this suggestion died in committee. Many states, however, choose to call their own celebration on this day "Presidents' Day."

We know that with banks closed, no mail service and most government offices closed this day sure feels like a federal holiday. Well, officially it is. Today official holiday is the celebration of Washington’s Birthday and is not called President’s day.

So why do you find that nearly every store is having a President’s Day celebration or sale? Stores are always looking for any reason to have a sale and accuracy isn’t a strong suit when it comes to advertising.

Washington's Birthday was celebrated during his lifetime.

Many across the newly formed United States celebrated Washington's Birthday in the 17th century while George Washington was still alive. However, it wasn't until 1885 that Chester Arthur signed the bill that made it a federal holiday.

Cherries, Cherries, and More Cherries 

Traditionally, many celebrated and continue to celebrate Washington's Birthday with desserts made with cherries. Cherry pie, cherry cake, bread made with cherries, or just a huge bowl of cherries are often enjoyed on this day. Of course, this relates to the apocryphal story that Washington would not tell a lie when asked if he cut down a cherry tree.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is not a Federal Holiday

Even though many states celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday concurrently with Washington's birthday, it is not a federally designated holiday.

The Reading of Washington's Farewell Address

On February 22nd of almost every year since 1888, Washington's Farewell Address has been read in the US Senate. While this does not happen on Presidents' Day, it is an annual celebration of Washington's Birthday that stems from 1862 when the Address was read as a way to boost morale during the Civil War.

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

Does Anything Rhyme With “Orange”?

The statement that the word orange doesn’t rhyme with any other word is incorrect. It is correct that colloquial English does not contain a rhyming word for orange.

If we look a bit beyond that here are two examples. Orange rhymes with Blorenge  (a mountain in Wales) and sporange (a technical word for a sac where spores are made). Of course, if you want to write a rhyming poem or lyrics about oranges, the scientific or geographic research involved might be more than just a little tough.

Perhaps this why the word orange doesn't feature in any love songs or poems. While flowers are used in many songs fruits are seldom used. 

Here is an excerpt from a 60 Minutes Interview, October 11, 2010, where Eminem made a claim about the word "orange." “People say that the word orange doesn't rhyme with anything ... I can think of a lot of things that rhyme with orange," said Eminem, seated behind a mixing board at his private recording studio, before effortlessly conjuring an on the spot rap about putting an “orange, four-inch, door hinge in storage" and having "porridge with Geo-rge.”  You can judge for yourself if you think that is really a rhyme with the orange in question.

Another word with few rhyming possibilities is silver.

The Oxford English Dictionary even weighs in on the subject.

Orange has almost no perfect rhymes. The only word in the 20-volume historical Oxford English Dictionary that rhymes with orange is sporange, a very rare alternative form of sporangium (a botanical term for a part of a fern or similar plant). Silver is another word for which it is almost impossible to find a perfect rhyme: the only candidate is the rare word chilver, which the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary defines as 'a ewe-lamb' (i.e. a female lamb). Both orange and silver do have half-rhymes, though: the Oxford Rhyming Dictionary gives lozenge as a half-rhyme for orange, for example, and salver as a half-rhyme for silver.


What's the difference between a full rhyme and a half-rhyme? A full and stressed rhyme (e.g. hand / stand) or even an unstressed rhyme (such as handing / standing) contain vowels that are common to both words, while a half-rhyme like orange / lozenge or silver / salver has obvious differences between the vowels in certain syllables. The technical term for a half-rhyme is 'pararhyme'.

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

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

How Does Orange Peel Pop a Balloon?

Isn’t that cool?  The juice from an orange peel causes a balloon to pop.  When I first saw this effect I immediately thought to myself, “what is the chemistry involved in this experiment?” After quickly searching the web, I found several claims that a compound in orange peels called limonene (Figure 1) is responsible for this effect.  Limonene is a hydrocarbon, which means that molecules of limonene are composed of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.  Limonene is responsible for the wonderful smell of oranges, and it is a liquid at room temperature.

Figure 1:  Chemical structure of limonene
Because limonene is a hydrocarbon and hydrocarbons are non-polar molecule, one would expect limonene to be non-polar.

So what does all this chemical information have to do with balloons popping when squirted with orange peel juice?  Well, balloons are made primarily of rubber.  Like limonene, rubber is a hydrocarbon, so it’s non-polar as well.  It is well known by chemists that non-polar substances dissolve well in other non-polar substances (we like to say that “like dissolves like”).  Therefore, when the limonene oil contacts the surface of a balloon, some of the rubber balloon dissolves in the limonene.  This weakens the balloon, causing it to pop. 

Chemical structure of rubber (chemical name: cis-poly isoprene).  The pattern of atoms seen here is repeated hundreds of times over to make a very long molecule called a polymer.   

We wanted to test this claim that limonene oil is responsible for balloons popping.  So we extracted some limonene oil from orange peels using a procedure published in the Journal of Chemical Education (link is external).  Sure enough, limonene placed onto a balloon causes it to pop:

Interestingly, we have observed that not all balloons pop when squirted with an orange peel:

Why is it that some balloons pop in this experiment, while others do not?  It has to do with chemistry, of course!  The cis-poly isoprene molecules in rubber are very long molecules called polymers.  In natural rubber, these long molecular strands can readily separate from one another.  Because of this molecular property, it is easy to get rubber to break into pieces or to dissolve in various solvents.  This property of rubber can be changed through a process called vulcanization.  During vulcanization, rubber is treated with sulfur.  Vulcanization causes polymer strands to become connected by sulfur atoms in what is called a cross-link.  While the chemistry involved is more complex than indicated in the figure, the effect of vulcanization on rubber makes it very difficult for polymer molecules to separate from one another.  Because of this, vulcanized rubber is tougher to break apart and more difficult to dissolve than normal rubber.   

Simplified structure of cross-linked rubber.  The red arrow identifies a cross-link between two polymer strands.

Now that you know a bit about the chemistry of balloons, I think you might be able guess which balloons pop when squirted with the juice from an orange peel, and which balloons do not.  Most balloons are made of vulcanized rubber1, presumably to keep them from breaking easily when stretched.  When a balloon made of vulcanized rubber is squirted with limonene or an orange peel, it doesn’t break.  Water balloons are not made of vulcanized rubber1, because people generally want these balloons to be somewhat breakable.  Because of this difference in its chemistry, a water balloon pops when squirted with limonene or orange peel juice!

We are interested to learn what types of easy-to-find, non-polar liquids can be used to cause balloons to pop.  Curiously, we have tested acetone and found that it does not cause the balloons to pop.  If you find some fluids that cause balloons to pop, please let us know.  Also, if anyone has comments on our interpretation of the chemistry presented herein, we welcome your insights! 

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

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

Bucatini With Pesto and Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Packed with delicious vegetables and pesto, this easy pasta dish can be ready in under half an hour. Sound like something you want to share with that special someone in your life.

Ingredients

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cup torn kale, collards, or mustard greens
½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 ounce grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoon lemon zest, plus 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
12 ounce bucatini

Directions

Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit Toss together potato, onion, and 2 tablespoons oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Bake, stirring once, until potato and onion are tender, 24 to 26 minutes
    . 
Meanwhile, place kale and parsley in a food processor. Pulse until chopped, 4 to 5 times. Add Parmesan, garlic, lemon zest, and juice. Pulse, scraping down the sides as needed, until finely chopped, 10 to 12 times. With the machine running, slowly add remaining 1/3 cup oil through the feed tube. Season with salt and pepper.
    
Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water before draining. Toss pasta with roasted vegetables, pesto, and pasta water.
    
Serve topped with Parmesan and pine nuts.

Nutrition information Per Serving: protein: 17 g; fat: 30 g; carbohydrate: 80 g; fiber: 6 g; sodium: 289 mg; cholesterol: 12 mg; calories: 657.

Ready in under 30 minutes, this deserves a spot in your weeknight dinner rotation come 

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

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

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14. It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.

Several martyrdom stories associated with the various Valentines that were connected to February 14 were added to later martyrologies, including a popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome which indicated he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae). Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred in 269 and was added to the calendar of saints by Pope Galesius in 496 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. The relics of Saint Valentine were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which "remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages until the relics of St. Valentine were transferred to the church of Santa Prassede during the pontificate of Nicholas IV". The flower-crowned skull of Saint Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. Other relics are found at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.

The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). In Europe, Saint Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart", as well as to children, in order to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine's Malady). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church.[9] Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrate Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna.

 Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

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

Our Cara Caras and Navels Are Ready

For over 30 years we have been a part of the fresh-squeezed orange juice industry. Sunburst  Oranges offers its services and knowledge to provide the OJC (Orange Juice Connoisseur) the best orange available, at any given time of the year, to make the finest, premium, freshly-squeezed juice possible.

Three steps to home squeezed orange juice...

1. Pick Box Size - 3 sizes to choose from:

 • USPS Medium box of juice oranges – $23.35delivered

(enough to make approximately 10 glasses of juice)

• USPSLarge box of juice oranges – $34.50 delivered

(enough to make approximately 18 glasses of juice)

• FedExLarge box of juice oranges – $49.00 delivered

(enough to make approximately 30 glasses of juice)

2. Pick Shipping Frequency

• One time • Every 2 weeks • Once per month

3. Pick Shipping Period

Every 2 weeks - 15% discount

Once per month - 10% discount

Varieties of oranges will vary during different months of the year. Each box contains a variety description, origin, hints to achieving the best flavour profile for that particular variety as well as a standard guide to sanitation and storage to best protect and preserve your work.

Get the freshest juice possible – click on link of your choice of size above to get started

Are you looking for Lemons to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:

Sunburst Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

2017 Random Act Of Kindness Week

This Week Feruary 13th through the 18th is this years Random Act Of Kindness week. The Day designated as Random Act Of Kindness day is the 17th. Just so you know there is even a Random Acts of Kindness Foundation at https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/.

Are You Ready to Spread your very own Random Acts of Kindness all week? Would you like to know the What and the How of this special Random Acts of Kindness Week / Day is a time when citizens all across the globe are challenged to do something kind for a friend or stranger for no reason at all. Originally started by Megan Singleton, Josh de Jong and Marshall Gray, Random Acts of Kindness Week continues on thanks to the efforts of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a really terrific nonprofit organization founded upon the powerful belief in kindness and dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness.

How You Can Participate?

Any way you want – you just have to do something nice for someone else. It can be as easy as holding a door open or lending someone a dollar for a cup of coffee. Or you can take it a step further and volunteer. But the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation encourages you to start however you can.

How Else Can You Take Part?

If you work in a school, you can take it a step further. Check out these free activities you can download and work on with students during the week. They’ll have fun – and learn how important it is to respect and be kind to others.

And, no matter who you are, make sure you join the social media effort around Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Use the hashtag #RAKWeek2016 to encourage your friends and networks to join in.

The Foundation willll be posting around the week on Facebook and Instagram too. Follow them from links on their site, retweet and repost – and tell them how you’ll spread a little kindness this year.

Are you looking for great Citrus 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 

Making Biodegradable Plastic From Orange Rind

That's the idea behind a new technology developed by British scientists that uses microwaves to turn plant-based waste, such as orange rind, into eco-friendly plastic.

Researchers have created a partnership with the juice-making industry and have launched the Orange Peel Exploitation Company to demonstrate the technology on a large scale.

"There are many, many million tonnes of orange residue in the world. For every orange that's squeezed to make juice, about half of it is wasted," said James Clark, professor of green chemistry at the University of York in the U.K., and developer of the new approach. "What we've discovered is that you can release the chemical and energy potential of orange peel using microwaves."

The technique works by focusing high-powered microwaves on plant-based material, transforming the tough cellulose molecules of the plant matter into volatile gases. Those gases are then distilled into a liquid that researchers say can be used to make plastic. The process works at 90 percent efficiency, and it can be used on a variety of plant waste beyond orange peels.

Orange Peels To Plastics

Orange peels are particularly good for this technique because they are rich in a key chemical, d-limonene, which is also an ingredient in many cleaning products and cosmetics.

"The unique feature of our microwave is that we work at deliberately low temperatures. We never go above 200 (degrees Celsius). You can take the limonene off or you can turn limonene into other chemicals," he said. "It works really well with waste paper. It can take a big range of bio-waste material," Clark said.

The environmental benefit of this technology goes beyond developing a more biodegradable plastic. It also recycles plant waste which is normally discarded. Farmers, factories and power stations that deal with a lot of excess biomass could be a few of the beneficiaries.

"We are talking to farmers who are already concentrating a lot of biomass for palletizing before going to power stations about the possibility of locating a facility in one of these centralized units," Clark said. 

Are you looking for great Citrus 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 

Avocado-Grapefruit Relish On Roast Turkey

The spice crust for the turkey cutlets is based upon a Berber blend from North Africa. The honeyed grapefruit relish provides a lively contrast to the richly spiced turkey. 

Ingredients 

3 large seedless grapefruit
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup mild chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ pounds turkey cutlets (about ¼ inch thick)
2 teaspoons canola oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the skin and white pith from grapefruit with a sharp knife and discard. Cut the grapefruit segments from the surrounding membrane, letting them drop into a bowl. Add avocados, onions, cilantro, mint, vinegar and honey. Toss well to combine and set aside. 

Stir together chili powder, cloves, allspice, cinnamon and salt in a shallow dish. Dredge turkey cutlets in the spice mixture, shaking off the excess. 

Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cutlets and cook, shaking the pan, until they begin to brown on the outside, about 1 minute. Turn the cutlets over and transfer the skillet to the oven. 

Bake until the turkey is no longer pink in the center, 4 to 6 minutes. 

Arrange the turkey cutlets on a platter or individual plates and spoon the avocado-grapefruit relish on top.

Are you looking for great Citrus 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

February Is National Grapefruit Month

During the month of February, get your fill of the ruby reds, marsh, pomelo and oroblanco because it is National Grapefruit

These citrus fruits range from white to red and sweet to tart but adds a brightness to the tongue that will make anyone perk up. High in vitamins C and A, grapefruits also pack in the potassium.  They contain no cholesterol or sodium and only 52 calories per serving.

Grapefruits are grown in many areas throughout the world including here in the United States, Israel, Spain, Greece, Brazil and Cuba. However, the United States is the world's number one producer. Grapefruits grow on trees in clusters, just as grapes – it is believed that is where they got their name!

The evergreen grapefruit trees usually grow to around 16 – 20 feet tall, although they can reach 43 – 49 feet. The leaves are glossy dark green, long (up to 6  inches and thin. It produces 2 inches white four - petaled flowers. The fruit is yellow-orange skinned and generally an oblate spheroid in shape; it ranges in diameter from 4 – 6  inches. The flesh is segmented and acidic, varying in color depending on the cultivars, which include white, pink and red pulps of varying sweetness (generally, the redder varieties are sweeter). The 1929 US Ruby Red (of the Redblush variety) has the first grapefruit patent.

An early pioneer in the American citrus industry was Kimball Chase Atwood, a wealthy entrepreneur who founded the Atwood Grapefruit Co. in the late 19th century. The Atwood Grove became the largest grapefruit grove in the world, with a yearly output of 80,000 boxes of fruit.[14] It was there that pink grapefruit was first discovered in 1906

The Best Way To Observe

Try one of the several varieties of grapefruit until you find one you like and use #National Grapefruit Month to share on social media.

The History Of National Grapefruit Month

Online research did not identify the original source or history of National Grapefruit Month.

There are over 1,200 national days. Don’t miss a single one. They is a great resource for these celebration days and other information. Celebrate Every Day using National Day Calendar!  http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/

Are you looking for great Citrus 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