tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59089434279247457002024-03-14T20:16:33.193-07:00Florida Fruit ShippersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13901110327668782127noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-65835336204940381452024-03-14T20:01:00.000-07:002024-03-14T20:16:00.721-07:00The Luck of the Orange-ish<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vZcFOf545REeIWWkgszRtKAogItWPFuXlEXbjhTKCx0QYlEd9Gz0Hma0YFO9_0hBu3gu48cHBOp5c4AZ089CcT89WdOjJp02x-b2FH835za1627lBL7IH7jbw5cDDzj4QhB9cZ75TyXZi2A2RdwOz0L3zpR82rcOpJoPi3Dh0oc0s_EeWbLp9VDj/s799/saintpattysorange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="799" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vZcFOf545REeIWWkgszRtKAogItWPFuXlEXbjhTKCx0QYlEd9Gz0Hma0YFO9_0hBu3gu48cHBOp5c4AZ089CcT89WdOjJp02x-b2FH835za1627lBL7IH7jbw5cDDzj4QhB9cZ75TyXZi2A2RdwOz0L3zpR82rcOpJoPi3Dh0oc0s_EeWbLp9VDj/w188-h188/saintpattysorange.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Ahh, Saint Patrick's Day approaches, laddies! It's a time when we can all be Irish for a day and revel in the luck o'the leprechauns. The tradition we are all familiar with is to wear green--lest ye get pinched--for good luck, and to follow the rainbow to its end for a pot o' gold. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But did ye know that in Ireland, green isn't the only color associated with Saint Patty's Day. Saint Patrick himself actually wore blue, and as such blue was the original color associated with the holiday. The Irish flag boasts three colors: Green, white, and orange. These colors represent harmony between Ireland's two major religions--Catholic and Protestant-- and as such it is not uncommon to see the color orange worn during the month of March, and not just sported as orange leprechaun beards. While this might not be the case for some regions of Ireland where the intended religious harmony is not yet realized, orange can be a fun main or accent color for Saint Patrick's celebrations in other areas. That goes for foods as well: in addition to "green-ifying" dishes and even beer, we can also serve orange-colored foods, and Irish eyes will be a-smiling.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiBoFQtFK_Q91aRBJct2HYJcblWsJYzLoL3i_tmYwLeeD7yIo0_yjI-dWmfZZZtDKR84dfJEbGoHrRQjbtoIIZ3I3pO-ojqwmHSs0fL-784mCB6mX4hAmdeM6miD49O_MZ1-Udouz3rFb3d10hgws_oj9RvLZUOaYTMlAxe1CcH6MDlLljRRfj6aS/s2000/Irish%20Flag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2000" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiBoFQtFK_Q91aRBJct2HYJcblWsJYzLoL3i_tmYwLeeD7yIo0_yjI-dWmfZZZtDKR84dfJEbGoHrRQjbtoIIZ3I3pO-ojqwmHSs0fL-784mCB6mX4hAmdeM6miD49O_MZ1-Udouz3rFb3d10hgws_oj9RvLZUOaYTMlAxe1CcH6MDlLljRRfj6aS/w320-h192/Irish%20Flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Eating the Rainbow</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the most famous traditions associated with Saint Patrick's Day is to "follow the rainbow" to find a pot o' gold. What if the "gold" you are seeking is in the rainbow itself? You can use an assortment of <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">citrus fruits </a>to cover the red, orange, and yellow parts of the rainbow color spectrum and then fill in the green and blue with other types of fruits. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquz0WO56oHiaq4WeYEX-FQVk2O_xNLVehUT1tziYMGHnuwR8-r9seXPiQ5LrmLxzAV7coJUoUVDvIZVfut4RP3AU0FefX6GU2VfdRzR6VvttL7LIQQZjdTKjP729NpOy9s_sZgCPUy2a9RLkU32eTo4XStXm7O2MTo_55i2ThmYHkdKmU0qX_jEpV/s1104/saintpattysfruitrainbow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquz0WO56oHiaq4WeYEX-FQVk2O_xNLVehUT1tziYMGHnuwR8-r9seXPiQ5LrmLxzAV7coJUoUVDvIZVfut4RP3AU0FefX6GU2VfdRzR6VvttL7LIQQZjdTKjP729NpOy9s_sZgCPUy2a9RLkU32eTo4XStXm7O2MTo_55i2ThmYHkdKmU0qX_jEpV/s320/saintpattysfruitrainbow.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Where's the gold, you ask? Easy: it's your good health, the greatest treasure of them all. And since we are talking edible sources of gold here, here's a creative St. Patrick's Day decorating idea: Take a leprechaun-styled pot, fill it with juicy tangerines and voila! You have a pot o' gold!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers to Your Health</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another famous tradition associated not only with Saint Patrick's Day but also the Irish spirit in general is, well, spirits. Fun drinks enjoyed in moderation exemplify the camaraderie and warmth of the Irish culture, made famous by pubs and live music. What better citrus-based drink to enjoy during this time of the year than the Drunk Leprechaun or its liquor-free version the Green Leprechaun? While the drink itself may be green, its delicious flavor comes primarily from orange juice, and it is garnished with a juicy slice of <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel orange</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shakedrinkrepeat.com/drunk-leprechaun/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiC0ymgXy9dr1T-8uCpx9nmebUOc9QH29FW2hwd0jOpqCmBhvOPRkYIkAuF-eYC5weqGbzSGgPzx6uD4BuolIVxYVaTVi12r0777-UI9LTZHhzesKJg4Nv3XysrhDRW2B2be81sKdd0AlquSDBCBXuOdLxDG59ab3JDchCbP_8MppWFiYEm-DAQI8/w160-h240/Drunk-Leprechaun-683x1024.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To make it, simply mix equal parts orange juice and grape juice (alcohol-free version) or orange juice with vodka and blue curacao, stir, and garnish with a juicy slice or three of navel orange (and maybe a maraschino cherry). Slainte! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Orange Is the New Green</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Most oranges are, well, orange, but some varieties in Asia have green skin even when ripe, and all citrus starts out as a green-skinned fruit on the tree. While the flesh of oranges and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruits</a> can be yellow, green, or pink, a popular St. Patrick's Day tradition is to dye foods green. A healthy way to do this is with another superfood: spinach! Simply puree fresh spinach with water, strain out the pulp, and soak your citrus pieces or slices in the green liquid for a couple of hours. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDG7BB1qmwpiUzgZkUawNHRMSoqggx92PqcmQU5OkE3L3CoGQJu73y9hat3yz4EgZuDoFRNgjYmWtjYuYw3XUy4jLyxvcD_pGciMW_lTk5J6TYP9otiK1b6NSTl1yitCybvvB9Fc_Li66EwGM8i2hGAYHF3j46xpKpgRPLzmmRCyaIIgBzApW1ZBQ/s2400/greenorange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2400" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDG7BB1qmwpiUzgZkUawNHRMSoqggx92PqcmQU5OkE3L3CoGQJu73y9hat3yz4EgZuDoFRNgjYmWtjYuYw3XUy4jLyxvcD_pGciMW_lTk5J6TYP9otiK1b6NSTl1yitCybvvB9Fc_Li66EwGM8i2hGAYHF3j46xpKpgRPLzmmRCyaIIgBzApW1ZBQ/w248-h165/greenorange.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Move over, green eggs and ham: here come green oranges and grapefruits!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers.</a></span></div></div><p style="text-align: left;">Sources: </p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.distractify.com/p/why-do-some-people-wear-orange-on-st-patricks-day">Why Do Some People Wear Orange on St. Patrick's Day? (distractify.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/wearing-orange-on-st-patricks-day/">Why Some Wear Orange on St. Patrick's Day (Facts) (theirishroadtrip.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.shakedrinkrepeat.com/drunk-leprechaun/">Drunk Leprechaun - Shake Drink Repeat</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/blue-curacao-what-is-it-what-does-it-taste-like-and-more/#What%20Is%20Blue%20Cura%C3%A7ao?">Blue Curaçao - What is it, What Does it Taste Like and More - The Kitchen Magpie</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/diy-natural-food-dyes-4140390">DIY Natural Food Dyes (thespruceeats.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://plantscientist.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/why-is-my-orange-green/">Why is my orange green? | Plant Scientist (wordpress.com)</a></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-41574090319783759932024-02-25T17:22:00.000-08:002024-02-25T17:25:51.594-08:00From Citrus Scraps to "Scent"-sational!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Mmmmmm.... there's nothing quite like a delicious <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/" target="_blank">orange</a> or <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">tangerine</a>, always at the ready for peeling and eating. There are few things in nature besides citrus fruits and bananas that come "prepackaged" and ready to eat in one, hand-sized, quickly peel-able serving. We typically peel them quickly, and then deposit the thick and protective rinds in the trash or--better yet--the compost bin. But wait! Before tossing the peel, consider this: citrus peels have many uses that will not only cut down on food waste, but enrich both your home and health as well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSk64N15UeKNRF9FJ9Iij20geuOZ7MUeajX7YxaXpXWUlnWshse8AAaFS6XVrkPFlSUaQbqN2SjTuVpHB92t18bzmGDAQI5QjVWp4xrUjGDfw1DnDIDGIikaZln6FW3LBCei7xiMIeyGEmm8s815_y0uKlUpsAEZcI3efsgNeR4HF7d6JMxZoJ0iJ/s6016/orange%20peel%20pieces.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSk64N15UeKNRF9FJ9Iij20geuOZ7MUeajX7YxaXpXWUlnWshse8AAaFS6XVrkPFlSUaQbqN2SjTuVpHB92t18bzmGDAQI5QjVWp4xrUjGDfw1DnDIDGIikaZln6FW3LBCei7xiMIeyGEmm8s815_y0uKlUpsAEZcI3efsgNeR4HF7d6JMxZoJ0iJ/w177-h265/orange%20peel%20pieces.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Just Eat It</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember that Michael Jackson hit "Beat It" from the eighties? Weird Al Yankovic released a spoof of that song called "Eat It" that was accompanied by a hilarious video showing him eating, well, just about everything. While we don't generally recommend this approach to food consumption, it's worth noting that the rind or peel of citrus fruits are not only edible; they are extremely nutritious! In fact, they contain three times more vitamin C than the pulp itself, coming in at 14% of your daily recommended allowance in only one tablespoon. The pithy part of the peel also contains a high concentration of polyphenols and limonenes, those powerhouse compounds clinically proven to reduce inflammation and cancer. Bonus: chewing citrus peel makes your breath smell good!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHseaMl1ckuXbX0eVVYpnVpBYtrhyuGi7mT8-8t5ZQRhQ-VxZAW08ElJE0oWQ2aOErrob3_BRe-1m_otxn_Wo2yNR1UgUKB8vXz7ltwSphGNDPXVC4eVAdrH5j0S7RVNwrHrjbuwLKSDKUz93tD4UZfI9nhfnDN0Ie6BDdYVl_UY2t9Hs-v0X6J1a9/s4751/EatingOrangePeel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4751" data-original-width="3167" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHseaMl1ckuXbX0eVVYpnVpBYtrhyuGi7mT8-8t5ZQRhQ-VxZAW08ElJE0oWQ2aOErrob3_BRe-1m_otxn_Wo2yNR1UgUKB8vXz7ltwSphGNDPXVC4eVAdrH5j0S7RVNwrHrjbuwLKSDKUz93tD4UZfI9nhfnDN0Ie6BDdYVl_UY2t9Hs-v0X6J1a9/w191-h287/EatingOrangePeel.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However, just because something is good for you, doesn't mean more is better. Orange and tangerine peels can be bitter-tasting and contain a lot of fiber, which in turn can cause stomach upset. As such, less is more: enjoy the peel on a single slice of fruit, as in the picture above, or finely grate it into what's known as "zest" and add a tablespoon of zest and/or thinly sliced strips of peel to salads, yogurts, cottage cheese for a nutritious and colorful condiment. You can also use slices of oranges as creative, edible garnishes on drinks, and their peels help keep them firmly on the side of the glass. With smaller servings, you'll still reap all of the nutritional and breath-freshening benefits. Just make sure to thoroughly wash your citrus fruit in hot water before slicing and consuming the peel.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Odor-Busting Tips</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to freshening your breath, citrus peels are champion household fresheners. In fact, go ahead and throw a few peels in the bottom of your garbage can: their essential oils will naturally neutralize any rotten trash odors. You can also throw some fresh peels into your bathtub, where the essential oils have a similar odor-busting and mood-boosting effect. While we're at it, toss some peels in some vinegar in a spray bottle and wait a week: you'll get a wonderful cleaner that smells bright and cleans great! Those citrus essential oils are cleaning powerhouses: you can even use an orange peel to scrub greasy pots, pans, and dishes.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpb6hfcpVajMcuB1BpZaRsxem5HdP1CviWy13hr3TVpyVsBBh8IprukwhCTk_7gKnMiQzBQLn5ZwcaThr7xg6D3GQ87iRV4BTihXq3lj3ieJqiwoHMsM5xZqvch2URFrdsofbUSA_yeaajrQSC3OHweeCItsOCbwsvGlhPugNM77i40qESTbdIo-v/s483/orange%20cleaner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="483" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpb6hfcpVajMcuB1BpZaRsxem5HdP1CviWy13hr3TVpyVsBBh8IprukwhCTk_7gKnMiQzBQLn5ZwcaThr7xg6D3GQ87iRV4BTihXq3lj3ieJqiwoHMsM5xZqvch2URFrdsofbUSA_yeaajrQSC3OHweeCItsOCbwsvGlhPugNM77i40qESTbdIo-v/w258-h191/orange%20cleaner.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dry Them and Try Them</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peels can be easily dried by cutting them into strips and laying them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper in an oven set to 180 or 200 degrees. It will likely take them about two to three hours to dry completely. If possible, leave the oven door open slightly to allow moisture to escape and maximize drying. You can also microwave them on a paper towel for five minutes at fifty percent power, and then leave them on the kitchen counter for several days to finish drying out. Alternatively, you can place them on a drying rack or mesh outside in full sun for about a week. Once dried, they can be stored in airtight containers and used for up to a year. You can eat them right out of the jar if you wish, and also enjoy the following uses for dried citrus peels:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Place them in your dresser drawers to freshen your clothes</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Grind them with salt and pepper for a tasty seasoning</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Grind them with sugar or salt, mix with almond oil, and use as an energizing hand and body scrub</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Add them to a hot cup of tea along with a stick of cinnamon</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Use peels as kindling for a nice smelling campfire!</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Make potpourri: combine your dried peels with cinnamon sticks, pine cones, cloves, nutmeg, dried flowers, and essential oils if desired. Mix well and store in mason jars.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5bczrs2Ap-qHHmx6j2_zi3CxQvvGozvJRJs99YEBto6th5HHX-Y3xIEL8sOs-h0tLrGDS7Wu5pP6DSoHOemydh9SU0fnI-zywmp6OxvGVkU6G0JIr-A4tGFyEEEC1i4YSbZRV56Xk9yl6991WoJyGsnug2VLOZ6r5JF049mNIOfWHMMqhqLi43tM/s4496/peelandpinecone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4496" data-original-width="3000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5bczrs2Ap-qHHmx6j2_zi3CxQvvGozvJRJs99YEBto6th5HHX-Y3xIEL8sOs-h0tLrGDS7Wu5pP6DSoHOemydh9SU0fnI-zywmp6OxvGVkU6G0JIr-A4tGFyEEEC1i4YSbZRV56Xk9yl6991WoJyGsnug2VLOZ6r5JF049mNIOfWHMMqhqLi43tM/w184-h275/peelandpinecone.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, as you can see, enjoying the whole citrus fruit--pulp and rind alike--has a lot of a-PEEL. With spring right around the corner, we here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> wish you a scent-sational experience with your premium citrus! </span></div></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/can-you-eat-orange-peels#benefits">Can You Eat Orange Peels, and Should You? (healthline.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/uses-for-citrus-peels/">12 Surprising Uses for Citrus Peels You’re About to Throw Away | Well+Good (wellandgood.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://onedelightfullife.com/5-ways-to-use-leftover-orange-peels-to-improve-your-home/">5 Ways to Use Leftover Orange Peels to Improve Your Home - One Delightful Life</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://theawesomedaily.com/30-uses-for-orange-peels-you-never-knew-possible/">30 Uses For Orange Peels You Never Knew Possible (theawesomedaily.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2017/10/06/how-to-dry-orange-peel/">How to dry orange peel – Sun Sentinel (sun-sentinel.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://dryingallfoods.com/how-to-dry-citrus-peels/">How to Dry Citrus Peels (Preserving the Flavor and Health Benefits) - Drying All Foods</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://insteading.com/blog/make-homemade-potpourri-citrus-fruit-peels/">Homemade Potpourri From Leftover Fruit Peels (insteading.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.gardenguides.com/13412053-how-to-make-orange-peel-potpourri.html">Garden Guides | How to Make Orange Peel Potpourri</a></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-63756664874956168082024-02-09T17:15:00.000-08:002024-02-09T17:29:32.713-08:00 Creative DIY Citrus Valentine's Gifts and Decor<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Will you be my "Bellentine?" With Valentine's Day around the corner, it makes sense that <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybells</a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Golden Honeybells</a> are at the peak of their season. Likewise, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">Cara Cara </a>red navel oranges are ripe and ready to enjoy; their signature red pulp is custom made for the holiday of Love. What better gift for your beloved than fresh, seasonal <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">citrus</a>? A nice fruit-filled heart-shaped bowl like the one pictured below is the perfect centerpiece. But why stop there? How about some creative gifting and decor to really convey the Valentine's mood?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMLmf93IoKo0PDxs8tlqIjtFf_1MGjLrrsLLsmcfCB9OsNCUvpc4Phqht6qV2w7zd0oQp7ERoGgilN0KMvnnGL7lxBEO_2_z6JYTrMF7NSH9dWOfWCy00vq6obi5RgYpHWbv53ScUg92UPsfhQlfcupCNIVjZoVpL931TgiOEtXEDQG0wTzVz9SJp/s700/valentinebowl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMLmf93IoKo0PDxs8tlqIjtFf_1MGjLrrsLLsmcfCB9OsNCUvpc4Phqht6qV2w7zd0oQp7ERoGgilN0KMvnnGL7lxBEO_2_z6JYTrMF7NSH9dWOfWCy00vq6obi5RgYpHWbv53ScUg92UPsfhQlfcupCNIVjZoVpL931TgiOEtXEDQG0wTzVz9SJp/s320/valentinebowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Say I "Heart" You with Multicolored Citrus</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fortunately for us, citrus comes in a variety of colors, inside and out. No need to buy expensive decorations or sugary snacks: simply slice a few varieties of your favorite citrus types and use a paring knife to shape them into little hearts. These can be added to fruit salads, green salads, used as a garnish on a main dish, or simply served up alone as a fun snack! The picture below shows a multicolored assortment of <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel</a>. <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">red navel</a>, and<a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/babyoranges/index.cfm"> babybell</a> oranges.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFBxJ2tl9oMwZEasttkSCct5gxxe3ZINeFeiK7MudM_dt-0nCdp11DDm8RybmeRqnjJJyCpLzFBXvc2MeqRKwWhqLFw5yj4NsFtIWGCnbspcCczpxWq-W9RaihrxVNuXnaAG4xLLv5apG5CRszhiAX5NqUUc29gJugGnNtF2Lp9XXWkJ0ihNQHWfE/s564/valentinecitrushearts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFBxJ2tl9oMwZEasttkSCct5gxxe3ZINeFeiK7MudM_dt-0nCdp11DDm8RybmeRqnjJJyCpLzFBXvc2MeqRKwWhqLFw5yj4NsFtIWGCnbspcCczpxWq-W9RaihrxVNuXnaAG4xLLv5apG5CRszhiAX5NqUUc29gJugGnNtF2Lp9XXWkJ0ihNQHWfE/s320/valentinecitrushearts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Let's Just be Friends </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There's simply no room for heartbreak this Valentine's Day: here's an easy and fun craft your kids and you can give to others to let them know how much you love being their friend. Is someone crushing on you? This gift is also a gracious way to let that someone down easy. Simply take your citrus of choice, place it in a gift bag, and print or hand-design a card that says: "Orange you glad we're friends?" Tie the card onto the bag and voila: the perfect Friendentine!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmasJFISXSqrFuvLka6sUFli5m_xA_oEqgH90AFkyYxmittaLk-Uq1MDNBUezcZLqNey7t0TLxZyUl_D7xCmDNP5ijss-EL4lUqTlU_FbafCgNaOZIaKNmMGQ7Tyip3oD2gXw3_BzQnGg6SjtGlg591TWkAZw4YovbLAUD06cHf3qvzumiLXET1EzT/s711/valentinefavors.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmasJFISXSqrFuvLka6sUFli5m_xA_oEqgH90AFkyYxmittaLk-Uq1MDNBUezcZLqNey7t0TLxZyUl_D7xCmDNP5ijss-EL4lUqTlU_FbafCgNaOZIaKNmMGQ7Tyip3oD2gXw3_BzQnGg6SjtGlg591TWkAZw4YovbLAUD06cHf3qvzumiLXET1EzT/s320/valentinefavors.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Something for Your Main Squeeze</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now here's a clever gift idea for your pun-loving beloved: give them some delicious <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">citrus</a> and attach a hand juicer with a card that says "I just want to give you a big SQUEEZE for Valentine's Day!" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jacolynmurphy.com/2016/01/valentines-for-your-main-squeeze.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OaE6u6Ss2msMpCAQq-hP1EIznHaHVhl90BccG0sJKzESEmCvSc1oZ9AXzlWJKp4Q3R9idz-fprc2xlFdn7XpA6G5xEg3hJU0umQHJtKB-FWnUOObIkH30lCdSX2_6e77runVxjBsA__p_aM0TH6WDQQ7nRqufy1KDLKWJzBAczzINoGnrAkpaJPE/s320/valentinesqueeze.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Getting Romantic</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Worried about setting a romantic mood for the big V Day? Citrus is here to help once again!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While not traditionally recognized as one of the "aphrodisiac" foods like oysters and chocolate, more recent research has shown that the high vitamin C content of all citrus fruits increases blood flow and libido. Furthermore, the bright aroma of oranges and grapefruits is energizing and as such can counter fatigue that can get in the way of romance. You can bring these love-boosting qualities right into your home with a glowing citrus <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-clementine-candle-video-1453" target="_blank">candle</a> and a tasty cocktail <a href="https://bygabriella.co/winter-citrus-bourbon-cocktail-recipe/" target="_blank">recipe</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknYnCast0t6SbvrCY0_wbqyESvVd6pc-yd0xUPWwtQtEyb8U5OYrKXOA-vzH2O4JsSdOYkp7s9QdCAqqElg-cILGjhEJGmWqH2siU6bL509nIGaEHsjagfu7F0vA9s0zGfD7B1AEc5H1QDFGw4oy-1vmAwDuQrV-SRhYeA_If1vzsmRWIzCNrfm0o/s1024/clementinecandle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1024" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknYnCast0t6SbvrCY0_wbqyESvVd6pc-yd0xUPWwtQtEyb8U5OYrKXOA-vzH2O4JsSdOYkp7s9QdCAqqElg-cILGjhEJGmWqH2siU6bL509nIGaEHsjagfu7F0vA9s0zGfD7B1AEc5H1QDFGw4oy-1vmAwDuQrV-SRhYeA_If1vzsmRWIzCNrfm0o/w292-h202/clementinecandle.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhXr0abBDilvzogiESE64g6Bi8a33XKdtoDoNEZXjGEuWOCdn8sMEXTCnVMtcGB1iZ-9y1tcdHqEODew-hEtCcjhJjGjnH9_jSuPEHAMEeL_0Xyzue-rKgehGLUPwZr1Du5liYWLScysk69VfAvDoKS1f2DYJMuvH5tND99n6Y2J9e1zzDZCDIAPt/s2707/ValentineWinterCitrusBourbon_3-e1486433606661.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2707" data-original-width="1800" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhXr0abBDilvzogiESE64g6Bi8a33XKdtoDoNEZXjGEuWOCdn8sMEXTCnVMtcGB1iZ-9y1tcdHqEODew-hEtCcjhJjGjnH9_jSuPEHAMEeL_0Xyzue-rKgehGLUPwZr1Du5liYWLScysk69VfAvDoKS1f2DYJMuvH5tND99n6Y2J9e1zzDZCDIAPt/w162-h244/ValentineWinterCitrusBourbon_3-e1486433606661.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There's so much to love about citrus! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers!</a></span><a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank"> <br /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Sources:</p><p><a href="https://www.yourtango.com/experts/cory-couillard/5-sex-super-foods">10 Aphrodisiac Foods That Increase Libido & Improve Your Sex Life | Cory Couillard | YourTango</a></p><p><a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-clementine-candle-video-1453">How To Make a Clementine Candle | Apartment Therapy</a></p><p><a href="http://www.jacolynmurphy.com/2016/01/valentines-for-your-main-squeeze.html">Jac o' lyn Murphy: Valentines for your Main Squeeze - Healthy and Pretty DIY (jacolynmurphy.com)</a></p><p><a href="https://bygabriella.co/winter-citrus-bourbon-cocktail-recipe/">Winter Citrus Bourbon Cocktail Recipe | By Gabriella</a></p></div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-26310860075622201692024-01-25T19:14:00.000-08:002024-01-25T19:14:16.324-08:00Citrus: In Good Taste<p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's late January, when most of the country is only dreaming about warm weather and the delicious enjoyment of eating freshly picked produce. Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> it's the peak of citrus season, with many varieties of <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruit</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybells/index.cfm" target="_blank">honeybells</a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm">tangerines</a> all ripe for the harvest and ready to be savored! These varieties differ in appearance, color, texture, and most importantly, taste. Overall, grapefruit is considered to be on the sour side, while oranges generally classify as sweet. But what is "taste," really? how does it compare to "flavor?" And how many different tasty flavors can citrus really have?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh59NM-SrnhPj1-nCmvaacdJyVfisYKh_bSrOnu_4d9YqXtsHJWJ7nTfiSGWC7RmTqYfQixFaswAzBjNI1_qed0gdn-26bXij6Aoa17pC76e-2BSyqMEez4nryo2BtBbRZoPolNlkJlZzy7jMlyD8BsYzkSDOB8MpwqVCa2GQTy2CDSD89rNnmYxS/s3888/engin-akyurt-b6CCEsofl90-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh59NM-SrnhPj1-nCmvaacdJyVfisYKh_bSrOnu_4d9YqXtsHJWJ7nTfiSGWC7RmTqYfQixFaswAzBjNI1_qed0gdn-26bXij6Aoa17pC76e-2BSyqMEez4nryo2BtBbRZoPolNlkJlZzy7jMlyD8BsYzkSDOB8MpwqVCa2GQTy2CDSD89rNnmYxS/s320/engin-akyurt-b6CCEsofl90-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taste and the Many Flavors of Citrus</b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are receptors on our tongue's taste buds for five broad categories of taste: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory. Of these, citrus covers three of them: sweet, sour, and bitter. The <i>flavor</i> of something is the combined effect of its taste and odor, so to maximize your enjoyment of eating your citrus of choice, take a nice whiff first, an intentional and mindful bite, and then proceed to chew slowly so that your olfactory receptors can continue to take up the citrusy notes along with your taste buds. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6S2-OdhiMrFzzNtifIxx4o4riR-rSg0FCovroVt6e1ArcJNerXqTpQacKQMCnJyc-UHsPkTKrXybWrMPxjExVwCt95VAAgds5YuiRbXzvzQrpxGxTrieFZjgxZC5Sz0Hw70j0e2fyKC5RxQ4om77vIKQpFlAW5HRDcQ9eHsgHh8LaUVr2_gAsoLk/s509/smellingorange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6S2-OdhiMrFzzNtifIxx4o4riR-rSg0FCovroVt6e1ArcJNerXqTpQacKQMCnJyc-UHsPkTKrXybWrMPxjExVwCt95VAAgds5YuiRbXzvzQrpxGxTrieFZjgxZC5Sz0Hw70j0e2fyKC5RxQ4om77vIKQpFlAW5HRDcQ9eHsgHh8LaUVr2_gAsoLk/s320/smellingorange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Numerous adjectives are used to describe how something tastes beyond the five main categories. <i>Imbibe, Inc.</i> has identified thirty-six key flavors in the foods that we eat and smell, and of these, seven can be used to describe citrus fruits in varying degrees: acidic, candy-like, clean, delicate, piquant (exciting), tangy, and tart. Let's examine some of the January fruits and get to know their flavors a bit better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Oranges</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Raleway; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="400" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVKOkC2CLq4TT5PMdiQi8Wy_NAPG-y7a7QjnyXM_zF9-0xyAqNW-iBRM2-9RseHTxQhSU8jSgv-Qo6MX_hYD8SM0ZceUjr42DtY4x_zCvd7GRCNQlzmkt1rHxg_sFA82lSqdN1b8bv_s7PcJz-d4ReJt6HG3i1lsW9Hv4Dq3CW9d8HEvv5zeHq7fu/w250-h216/red_navel_orange%20(1).jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Raleway; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Raleway;">There are two main orange varieties ready for the picking right now: </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" style="font-family: Raleway;" target="_blank">navels</a><span style="font-family: Raleway;"> and </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" style="font-family: Raleway;" target="_blank">cara cara</a><span style="font-family: Raleway;"> red navels. Going for the classic "orange" taste? Navels are the poster child of oranges, with the low acid, just-sweet-enough flavor that oranges are known for. Cara cara red navels (pictured above), by comparison, are a bit more complex in flavor. While they also have the low-acid sweetness characteristic of their navel cousin, that deep red flesh also carries delicate floral hints of cranberry and rose. </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/templeoranges/index.cfm" style="font-family: Raleway;" target="_blank">Temple oranges</a><span style="font-family: Raleway;"> are a tangerine-orange cross that will become available at the very end of January and remain in season only for a few weeks. They are clean-tasting, piquant and tart, and have a spicy-sweetness that offsets the tartness perfectly.</span></span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Grapefruit</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5Ajam93YINW7azbJaU6FLB65_03_N13pzInN1JYE-IeE7FiJwpOdKYFyQpqeyF8_Pw6xKUUunNmawKEc455uVc4dz_-TmLVOAaYGWFIgfv-XDeW6RFx2J6VtVPVSetlhT4pE71IrogfOd8JRX4UiMWf_09A681yPwae5Gd4eRzh_i3CIU3ZuSmxx/s320/RedGrapefruit.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grapefruit is the one type of citrus that is available for most of the harvesting season, as early as November. <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">Ruby red grapefruit</a>, pictured here, can be obtained all the way through May. While it certainly sports the classic sour grapefruit tang to the delight of all grapefruit lovers, it also has a distinctive sweetness that is a trademark of the red-fleshed citrus varieties. By comparison, the seedless Marsh <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/whitegrapefruit/" target="_blank">white grapefruit</a> has that well-loved clean and classic grapefruit taste, with just enough sweetness to bring out the joy in your pucker. Marsh white and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/deep_red_grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">deep red</a> grapefruits are only available through February. The cooler temperatures seem to make the deep reds a perfect combination of sweet and sour. While "juicy" is not an adjective for taste per se, the juiciness of the deep reds certainly serves to enhance its flavors!</span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tangerines</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Raleway; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLo_tU3o3gb3DHV6ObHfwUxReH1BEQWADGBf9_QkmkwLkoi8feGpgoXSOBc0PfFphq-IazUtsEc1T3BgSAl9o9H-ZIFBMi2l18t_TKMNItvP9THi3nje5JrwHV1KwoRakhyphenhyphenWaGZsSHWANNXUi_8pM59nFjDlphvnCI1v0OhOqL-oYSLyviT55DEOk/s400/fallglo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="400" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLo_tU3o3gb3DHV6ObHfwUxReH1BEQWADGBf9_QkmkwLkoi8feGpgoXSOBc0PfFphq-IazUtsEc1T3BgSAl9o9H-ZIFBMi2l18t_TKMNItvP9THi3nje5JrwHV1KwoRakhyphenhyphenWaGZsSHWANNXUi_8pM59nFjDlphvnCI1v0OhOqL-oYSLyviT55DEOk/s320/fallglo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Raleway;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tangerines are available all season long, from November through May. They tend to be sweeter and less acidic than oranges, with a lightly tart flavor that is balanced out with a honey-like sweetness. If you get any of the pith of the fruit, you may also taste a stronger bitter flavor, as tangerines in general have a stronger taste, smell, and overall flavor compared to other citrus varieties.</span></span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Honeybells</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.66em; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Raleway; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos/index.cfm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="300" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloxb9NJ_-ipMJieirf6uSS4_FjfD_XtqxzzBOVRv0TztQUhv1X405W3uXNni15QrNRCCXoObp2NbLyHIUnNAUsgy8yUk9nzgcpc3jdzk3Cg6s8eGVK1Sc5pfFTVMhFJKVvtt2uzI_RFjhfB_TXqzCFfOj9RHTKwuIVxwqIywr20OTLvjrwXXDNNqF/s1600/hbells300.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Raleway;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-tangelos-5208738" target="_blank">Honeybells</a>, with their distinctive "bell" stem, are a unique tangerine/grapefruit hybrid with a flavor that has been described as "vivid." With their parentage, it can be expected that the fruits are tart and tangy; the surprise is that they also have a honey-like sweetness from which the name "honeybell" is derived. Like grapefruits, their juiciness only serves to enhance their taste and flavor. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Raleway;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Raleway;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether you prefer sweet, sour, bitter, or any combination of these, citrus fruits have you covered! One thing we can say for sure: no matter which citrus types you choose to enjoy this season, you have excellent taste. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">SOURCES:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-taste">Types of Taste: What to Know About Taste and Flavor (healthline.com)</a></span></p><p><a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/meal-planning/understanding-tastes-and-food-flavors">Understanding Tastes and Food Flavors | American Heart Association</a></p><p><a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/complete-guide-to-citrus-fruits-4780326#:~:text=Citrus%20fruits%20do%20some%20heavy%20hauling%20for%20three,that%27s%20as%20sour%20as%20a%20lemon%2C%20for%20example.">A Complete Guide to Citrus Fruits (thespruceeats.com)</a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://imbibeinc.com/food-and-beverage-industry-media/blog-postings-from-the-drink-tank/36-key-terms-describing-taste-flavor">36 Key Terms for Describing Taste and Flavor – Imbibe (imbibeinc.com)</a></span></p><p><a href="https://www.foodmeetsflavor.com/what-do-tangerines-taste-like/#:~:text=Tangerines%20have%20a%20vibrant%20flavor%20that%20is%20both,is%20often%20used%20in%20perfumes%20and%20essential%20oils.">What Do Tangerines Taste Like? (foodmeetsflavor.com)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-are-honeybell-oranges.htm">What are Honeybell Oranges? (with pictures) (delightedcooking.com)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-tangelos-5208738">What Are Tangelos? (thespruceeats.com)</a></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-31313793400492959082024-01-13T19:23:00.000-08:002024-01-14T08:57:02.096-08:00New Year, New Citrus: Spotlight on the Golden Honeybell<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ring the bells; it's a new year! With 2024 off to a good start, many of us are well underway with our New Year's resolutions: a new fitness program, a new diet, a new language, s new hairstyle, a new attitude. How about a new citrus variety? Introducing: <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Golden Honeybells</a>!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjegsL3u-DeV0eI5wtZ_ROkTby4xXy5axU-HQiiL-04JXuAzsLnJWK76NOlTllyhu5r6-h4hgZPuiXvIzAp7TUzuqVcBShxZD9k9aBx3-jy2JyGLbNQQBLJagU4ITjIqOPY2tLJ9V2W4JgGh64APFHPOgPc60T7p0NdV0VttiXxW7_sRdCygyJexb/w250-h250/golden_Honeybells_400x400.png" title="Golden Honeybells" width="250" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Is a Honeybell?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Golden Honeybells belong to a general category of citrus collectively known as <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybells/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybells</a>. True to their name, they are exceptionally sweet (hence the prefix "honey") and have a distinctive bulbous, almost pear-like shape (hence the suffix "bell"). Traditional honeybells are not oranges at all, but rather a vibrant, dark orange cross between a Darcy tangerine and a Duncan or Bowen grapefruit, which is a sweeter and very seedy variety of grapefruit. The result, thankfully, is a seedless tangelo that is incredibly juicy and easy to peel, and which does not have any contraindications with some prescription medications as grapefruit might. Traditional Honeybells are quite large, and they are so juicy that it would take only two regular-sized Honeybells to fill up a glass! There is also a much smaller, more snackable variety called the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/babyoranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Baby Bell</a>. Both of these Honeybell versions are in season only for a few weeks and are available from mid-February through mid-April. Because of their unique shape, they must be very carefully hand-picked or hand-clipped so as not to damage the "bell."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RZdPgtH-pp7ASOopcf-gRpwWXWJy7ay_EgCOCS5TJ_OF3bZpDU1FPoKVR1daEy6RwxX15mTG-hFckZSxcls_p3iHrrzC1Me5LGpYngz4C7spV-gAV94F2vdLGyi3UQ_Rc40IdTJqlgWyixJYSpsPv8yt67CgjEXZ8ivS3_UfY-Pfpj5ikzgQb8BS/s900/mandarinhybrids.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RZdPgtH-pp7ASOopcf-gRpwWXWJy7ay_EgCOCS5TJ_OF3bZpDU1FPoKVR1daEy6RwxX15mTG-hFckZSxcls_p3iHrrzC1Me5LGpYngz4C7spV-gAV94F2vdLGyi3UQ_Rc40IdTJqlgWyixJYSpsPv8yt67CgjEXZ8ivS3_UfY-Pfpj5ikzgQb8BS/w190-h237/mandarinhybrids.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So What Makes a Golden Honeybell Different?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Slide over, Honeybells and Baby Bells: there's a new Bell in town! <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Golden Honeybells</a> are still considered to be in the "bell" family because of that distinctive bell-shaped head and sweet flesh. Genetically, Golden Honeybells are lighter in color and are a mandarin hybrid. They are large with a bumpier rind than traditional Honeybells. Best of all, they are available as early as January 1 with an overall longer season that extends into late March.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Golden Honeybell Chess Pie</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While the main thing one would do with most any citrus variety is to peel and eat it, Honeybells are ideal for juicing. Upon further research, however, this blog author discovered a very original Chess Pie recipe using....Golden Honeybells! Chess pies are a southern specialty, and are usually lemon or chocolate flavored. As it turns out, Golden Honeybells (and regular Honeybells) are a terrific take on tradition.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZdh7Av8dyJKTnFyPENfpMc0XNW6W_XRF_rXEhHUIU_zOJP7iB7tsKOsE9o3UOjlL_ENo7AX8n6JOyU407XGGGANLjIPUd09IW7V2-lKwIFG_Q6abJWGfCyKvEDDPfvtjIkzqpKlg6O1Ta6dIjQL3oYQXa0dyz2Kjbma6mCcfHYGSZg42NgS9xF5M/s640/Honeybell%20Chess-2%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZdh7Av8dyJKTnFyPENfpMc0XNW6W_XRF_rXEhHUIU_zOJP7iB7tsKOsE9o3UOjlL_ENo7AX8n6JOyU407XGGGANLjIPUd09IW7V2-lKwIFG_Q6abJWGfCyKvEDDPfvtjIkzqpKlg6O1Ta6dIjQL3oYQXa0dyz2Kjbma6mCcfHYGSZg42NgS9xF5M/s320/Honeybell%20Chess-2%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Golden Honeybell Chess Pie<br /></b>*Adapted with permission of Nancie McDermott from <i>Southern Pies</i> (Chronicle Books, 2010).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pastry crust for a 9-inch single-crust pie<br />2 cups sugar<br />2 tablespoons cornmeal, preferably stone ground<br />1 tablespoon all-purpose flour<br />¼ teaspoon salt<br />4 eggs, beaten well<br />¼ cup butter, melted<br />¼ cup freshly squeeze Honeybell juice (or other flavorful orange)<br />¼ cup evaporated milk<br />3 teaspoons grated Honeybell zest</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch pie pan with crust and then crimp the edges decoratively.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, cornmeal, flour and salt. Stir with a whisk to blend. Add the eggs, butter, melon juice, evaporated milk and zest. Using a fork or whisk, mix well, stirring and scraping to combine everything evenly into a thick, smooth filling.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pour into the piecrust and place the pie on the bottom shelf of the oven. Bake until the edges puff up and the center is fairly firm, wiggling only a little when you gently nudge the pan, about 45 minutes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff6f0; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Place the pie on a cooling rack or a folded kitchen towel and let cool to room temperature. </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Divas of the Citrus World</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZSAGh9ndjQUDsus0MQAnIDZwn-kDmKMbeqIYMkEp-U3UQ2zXrhmr1nWNBjjNKoTA323Qi1JXh1v1ZjN2HJZQ9FBULFhfOn-BM4pKISIH3l4dU97I-Gby1HQkY3H9s9-aYG6YqSrOjFut4eOPBK5b-YUa902KG35r2VlRQ7XbfeXD8F2VKvr6_ELm/s7198/diana-polekhina-Ic8J65HU3zs-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="7198" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZSAGh9ndjQUDsus0MQAnIDZwn-kDmKMbeqIYMkEp-U3UQ2zXrhmr1nWNBjjNKoTA323Qi1JXh1v1ZjN2HJZQ9FBULFhfOn-BM4pKISIH3l4dU97I-Gby1HQkY3H9s9-aYG6YqSrOjFut4eOPBK5b-YUa902KG35r2VlRQ7XbfeXD8F2VKvr6_ELm/s320/diana-polekhina-Ic8J65HU3zs-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Regardless of what type of Honeybells you enjoy and whether you like to eat, drink, or make pie out of them, the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Golden Honeybell</a>, traditional <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybell</a>, and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/babyoranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Baby Bell</a> varieties are limited due to their special growing and harvesting conditions. They grow best in certain "orange belt" regions of California and Florida, with variations from year to year based on precipitation conditions (Honeybells don't like exceptionally damp environments). Because of the unique growing factors, harvests are smaller than other citrus varieties. That, plus the fact that they require extra hand-picked care during harvesting, truly make these rare fruits the "Bell" of the winter ball!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/buyers_guide/index.cfm">Buyers Guide to Why create this guide? (orangesonline.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.yarden.com/blog/facts-on-about-honeybell-oranges/">Facts About Honeybells (Honeybell Oranges) - Yarden</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-are-honeybell-oranges.htm">What are Honeybell Oranges? (with pictures) (delightedcooking.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.gardenzeus.com/4787-2/">A Brief Guide to Mandarins and Their Hybrids (gardenzeus.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://eatingmywords-jwl.blogspot.com/2014/02/lets-lunch-go-for-gold-with-honeybell.html">Eating My Words: Let’s Lunch: 'Go For the Gold' with Honeybell Chess Pie (eatingmywords-jwl.blogspot.com)</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-chess-pie/">What Is Chess Pie—And How Did It Get Its Name? (allrecipes.com)</a></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-20655389797054002342023-12-26T18:04:00.000-08:002023-12-26T18:04:17.949-08:00How a Box of Navel Oranges Saved Christmas Dinner<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every December, my kids and I load up our family car in sunny, warm Florida and point north to the wintry cool beauty of my mother's country log home in the Great Smokey Mountains. This year, I proudly packed a fresh box of juicy Florida Fruit Shippers <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Navel Oranges</a>, excited to present them as a gift of Florida Sunshine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXsMzXuJRiuKq9XJACN-Q_ouQD-MDkafJGyWi6UXDN7sfeeEVF4SGrWJf0TCJiu1f1N_sKR97esKeb5Pcxv2mtv8zST-X4zH5z2G029C4RDNL8oe0Hl0htFVWwfk5qgJNWM15tQowyQ25F6fFjvupIdnKkJT9XT7VjZ7Ao0JIznzdneg6NahC8KDJ/s320/Box%20of%20Navels.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">To my surprise, the navels proved to be much more than a creative gift. They ended up being a critical part of nourishing nine hungry family members and saving the Christmas feast! We spent most of Christmas Day cooking the holiday supper, and here's what our table looked like when everything was set out. Can you spot the oranges?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflNc7ZEEtl7V7DU0lENvbbuJuate9YzqEYLMEWCoFemkoxEhR05oLfLRTzEsJd-v39zqo9fpwaWj-TIJ69tkLCZh0A2l1AXCfm60pE1Q-htSlOd45FuTOSPsuMytMZKawn9ucj3oF6n4YLfieVAWdKhdqNp8vSiVbOFB0Cp34dL2TP3vW17GCtJvp/s4032/HolidayTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflNc7ZEEtl7V7DU0lENvbbuJuate9YzqEYLMEWCoFemkoxEhR05oLfLRTzEsJd-v39zqo9fpwaWj-TIJ69tkLCZh0A2l1AXCfm60pE1Q-htSlOd45FuTOSPsuMytMZKawn9ucj3oF6n4YLfieVAWdKhdqNp8vSiVbOFB0Cp34dL2TP3vW17GCtJvp/s320/HolidayTable.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you found the small bowl of juicy orange wedges in the center of the table, you got only part of it. As it turns out, we used oranges for not one, but four of our dishes.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Peace Table</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We created a multicultural "Peace Table" this year, featuring foods from several different traditions. In addition to the standard traditional fare of ham, macaroni and cheese, and coleslaw, we also made a cranberry sauce cooked with fresh squeezed orange juice and pulp. We also made a Middle Eastern lentil and fruit dish which featured orange zest and juice from two navels. Here I am grating the zest after juicing, having forgotten my own advice from a previous <a href="https://blog.orangesonline.com/2021/11/thanksgiving-recipes-are-better-with.html" target="_blank">blog</a> about how it is much easier to zest first and juice second. In this case, I had to be very careful with the grater while zesting after squeezing out all of the juice:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCV2NXXqNEsxW8hg7WyU9rg9p4jZ7OC4ZuZ8Xzsbi27DS7YkhpQKAqAtnBXmexQRauhJabxQCiJKoNSj8gBn4NUu6ySSGzwyfPcdLg5H8sFix1dbbvyiy181557WcazlkeO10bncmQfnck3Hi_iUNEZ57KBNkwooHt2TG13ySfNZZ-kBqCT6Fq-EQ/s1599/GratingOrange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1599" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCV2NXXqNEsxW8hg7WyU9rg9p4jZ7OC4ZuZ8Xzsbi27DS7YkhpQKAqAtnBXmexQRauhJabxQCiJKoNSj8gBn4NUu6ySSGzwyfPcdLg5H8sFix1dbbvyiy181557WcazlkeO10bncmQfnck3Hi_iUNEZ57KBNkwooHt2TG13ySfNZZ-kBqCT6Fq-EQ/s320/GratingOrange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgk4ELZORHvqOTOSU3uKKS8vYHzqcZ4QqvhLNO4JZpRqiZV9L4Kq_pSa2fid2vc954lXfUtcHMvfKnup0SRawHpW26JqJM7wOiBpZ3owEf49-Ro2dlT27CHP__4ibPXvrqWCR1pC5rH1kIolR_dcedrCeVlT7y6FBnm6oWJ3Eztyklz7fBkLzCpkr/s1599/GratingCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1599" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgk4ELZORHvqOTOSU3uKKS8vYHzqcZ4QqvhLNO4JZpRqiZV9L4Kq_pSa2fid2vc954lXfUtcHMvfKnup0SRawHpW26JqJM7wOiBpZ3owEf49-Ro2dlT27CHP__4ibPXvrqWCR1pC5rH1kIolR_dcedrCeVlT7y6FBnm6oWJ3Eztyklz7fBkLzCpkr/s320/GratingCloseup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Oranges Cross Many Traditions</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to the traditional American cranberry sauce dish (which actually has its origins as an un-jellied version in Native American cuisine) and the Middle Eastern lentil and fruit bake, we also made baked sweet potatoes with orange pecan glaze in honor of Yule and Native American traditions, and Jewish/Ukrainian latkes (potato pancakes) with an orange juice-sweetened applesauce. On my plate, below, you can see everything except the latkes. Only the macaroni and cheese and broccoli were not cooked with our <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> oranges!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNTh2vtV76Ra837N40WIc9Tf4VLwblKVQ0Kb9I0iBRufElqhDmvAjDOrPcbLKubOVt5lifYiBKuCW6SJ5W4WaZQwsT66f9PnuOz2vogumvN9lD71BNdldMvNhILU-sySiEsBXvYiAG714I6sMRG1ppPwq2i2aufu3d5Cyoav3iWG9aRQ4egRZqCDg/s4032/DinnerPlate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNTh2vtV76Ra837N40WIc9Tf4VLwblKVQ0Kb9I0iBRufElqhDmvAjDOrPcbLKubOVt5lifYiBKuCW6SJ5W4WaZQwsT66f9PnuOz2vogumvN9lD71BNdldMvNhILU-sySiEsBXvYiAG714I6sMRG1ppPwq2i2aufu3d5Cyoav3iWG9aRQ4egRZqCDg/s320/DinnerPlate.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oranges can be found in most culinary traditions around the world. In Cuba, a citrus-based mojo sauce is a key condiment. In Haiti, oranges are used to clean meat before cooking, as a way to remove any gamey smell and assist in tenderizing. In northern Italy in February, the famous "Battle of the Oranges" is heralded as the "largest food fight in the world." Oranges have a prominent place in Italian cuisine, particularly in desserts. And anyone who loves Chinese food is familiar with orange chicken, though this particular dish has largely been Americanized. In Asia, it is more likely that you will find oranges as part of a salad dressing, sauce, or <a href="https://steamykitchen.com/20007-asian-orange-ginger-vinaigrette-recipe.html" target="_blank">vinaigrette</a>, or simply as a delicious garnish to clean the palate between courses or to complete a meal. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Good for the Gut</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXJX-0Ntmzx2fgM0unv13S2TmdnClLtadJLn2YT40Q5BEvt5mSam4AmuNsoJaC2lR8fjTDGWqLGVrT087W1sb_rtNopf1z6ayxCpzudrIV8b7uE9DMu3zZOKxNtdwBpoQFGWa69dEBNl38jpOsfE1xw5P34A_1HqHs36m6mTZO735Y6yoOwdbKd0Q/s2854/alicja-gancarz-HjkLtClcl2k-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2854" data-original-width="2089" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXJX-0Ntmzx2fgM0unv13S2TmdnClLtadJLn2YT40Q5BEvt5mSam4AmuNsoJaC2lR8fjTDGWqLGVrT087W1sb_rtNopf1z6ayxCpzudrIV8b7uE9DMu3zZOKxNtdwBpoQFGWa69dEBNl38jpOsfE1xw5P34A_1HqHs36m6mTZO735Y6yoOwdbKd0Q/w178-h243/alicja-gancarz-HjkLtClcl2k-unsplash.jpg" width="178" /></a> </div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We ate a lot for the holidays, so when my health-conscious daughter said she wanted to eat a simple orange from the box of navels versus yet another helping of rich leftovers, I looked into what her body was trying to tell her. Sure enough, oranges aren't just versatile recipe allies and vitamin-packed snacks. They are rich in water, keeping your digestive tract well hydrated to function optimally, and their fiber content helps to improve both nutrient absorption and bowel regularity. Need a little extra relief after overtaxing your digestive capacity? Try eating orange wedges--peel and all--doused with cinnamon and a sprinking of cayenne. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the New Year upon us, there is lots of great citrus to enjoy. Early January is the perfect time to enjoy the unique flavors of <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybells/index.cfm" target="_blank">honeybells </a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/index.cfm" target="_blank">Sol Zest</a> mandarins while they are still in season, as well as the more familiar varieties of <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges </a>and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruits</a> through spring. Whether you want to eat healthier, help the planet, get more creative in the kitchen, or a combination, eating citrus an easy and affordable way to stick to a few New Year's resolutions all at once.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy New Year from all of us at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</span><p></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/why-we-eat-cranberries-on-thanksgiving-2017-11">This Is Where the Tradition of Cranberry Sauce Comes From (insider.com)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/italys-largest-food-fight-is-battled-with-oranges/29qojgsi1">Italy’s largest food fight is battled with oranges | SBS Food</a></p><p><a href="https://steamykitchen.com/20007-asian-orange-ginger-vinaigrette-recipe.html">Asian Orange Vinaigrette With Ginger • Steamy Kitchen Recipes Giveaways</a></p><p><a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/431717-does-an-orange-help-digestion/">Does an Orange Help Digestion? | livestrong</a></p><p><a href="https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8017902/does-eating-an-entire-orange-peel-and-all-really-help-you-poop/">Does Eating an Entire Orange—Peel and All—Really Help You Instantly Poop? Here's What a Dietitian Has to Say (eatingwell.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-91419024764592705492023-12-16T17:33:00.000-08:002023-12-18T07:49:38.584-08:00The Twelve Days of Citrusmas<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the first day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Some delicious easy-peel <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">tangerines</a>!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNMpzfIae1e56DmA0lItAMB6AZoj7To3DOqmibcgTcIOK4ZJx57ZwQ1YTPD4onLE6Xf91nNf_M-sJUeARt596W7xXQ7gU93226H1TjndvA-znrlJLQWlgK6UHWlfvpat6O2yK0523J_tjuXC2hGe80rYz_Uk7MpDCKrF5a0cGxzZC5_jcaL0SkX0y/w225-h171/fallglo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the second day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Two <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges_with_chocolate/index.cfm" target="_blank">Oranges with chocolate</a> and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges_with_chocolate/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="400" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-OR6JoWtgYOY22Gbfe8SkpAX-LYrdh5h8j67bifYf40ktomG4iMKCvjX4_PFJ5OcYmkDfNfWBLWgKdual9AehZaFk7sUPrC7UeBJcxPY9iB7CIB9CZL2Iv3BDDYSm-yvmawi8jA9RWJz9z_bBaaiKHNHuDMrMPkupUOdMQs_ofBrZTeNqPmBzM0t/w246-h203/oranges_with_chocolate_400x330.png" width="246" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the third day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: </span><span style="text-align: right;">a Grapefruit <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit_triple_play/index.cfm" target="_blank">Triple Play</a>, two oranges with chocolate, and </span><span style="text-align: right;">some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit_triple_play/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="400" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMecxID4wYgdmeI_Vq5NXwwgWMdbKyc3gZiqPQUkUxDZy4vsMBQleG5A7wO1S_2QwBju8VIju1f7KI5QOee_zIegm80cz4MUdBSYV4lIPwRZ-2iczH8dmi_9Ir3ixxmVIFeSJDq0pBmvLtnOQJZee6coIq5rsLnmqhy5QrUD7aCsqoZ9qiZGIiKScB/w270-h224/grapefruit_triple_play_400x330.png" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the fourth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/fabulous_four_ships_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Fabulous Four</a>, a grapefruit triple play, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/fabulous_four_ships_free/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="400" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7XKwwpqfBEwoRD1vgtUnENMGqnwMzBoRIRTPDmweZCOoOFgmQ1RyGKxPJjSD6ahuLdvzQ-zso1Ro6w9GoDtVSgInnd3NcXJFTN-1INjpOeswZJ4EGJlc4VMW_BkmGpIKDsDfTO5pA4hECNvTV0GMZDfRGc9lTZfR3ofKab3G6E2DGqYhg_GepnV8/w245-h195/fabulous_four_fs_400x318.png" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the fifth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: Fiiiiiive Goooolden <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybells</a>!</span></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3hh9IX5PXj6Uid8QuOip26Q7MTfxKxlPn-uVTuzMl6caKTpfUfg81LUatoE48LKdDcTVakvYMXoSGYWvgx5l1HdpTK0EMn8QQDvwmN9PG2XGLzNDI_dVoTCp_LGzwOxx0l73jJJJGzfNCwr7vWS4eGzMovSARIuStDx-qF-AP7QHwRNCuxBTvGVs/w236-h236/golden_Honeybells_400x400.png" width="236" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Fabulous Four, a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the sixth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: Six <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/orange_explosion/index.cfm" target="_blank">orange explosions</a>, fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/orange_explosion/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="400" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-slXIxLc5J9OMJwXbzyQRA25488CVz8N8Ai54rfgZVplRICw2OnlRBrPcIyUeRd_kv0vlMnNW-JV9VggBk5JmQiTjeaK1E7ol7zdETbCLyQZuL1C4RS58tCQqreF6Vx2BKkF7HEp4FxMpINT1jL549P0BRCZVAS_jvVzXKt1eZlerMAuVjQwmk9Q/w236-h205/orange_explosion_400x347.png" width="236" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the seventh day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/heavenly_seven/index.cfm" target="_blank">Heavenly seven,</a> six orange explosions, </span><span>fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/heavenly_seven/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="400" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4_ucj54Hfqs0kz95VmjFBmGG4UOftKEeVBRH6BZ4ts2btm4gBhqcx1C8dSWX8nnCUL8oSrvfkAIcdzZQZHEhqFFhwU2pm0PDO6AJE8dhRzg36MgUw-qyDHATrilIRQGqPNwjS-vkVQwNCYjHD95yFJ8hzuQ6O9XuOBrLoUQM79LQhsEBFWZQ5jOm/w277-h216/heavenly_seven_400x312.png" width="277" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the eighth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: eight white seedless <a href=" https://www.orangesonline.com/whitegrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruit</a>, Heavenly seven, </span><span>six orange explosions, </span><span>fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/whitegrapefruit/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="400" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNLl15Zctj5p7m1UWzLqcrVhLl8gg-_iNNNtRF_9Y54ERqz3ww3LzOKUUgtHGE45T8ffQbpfNWC4ELIq110jrW6BaBDd488FJuAE6SaMC5KbQYRn_bkB-LLhAmgDdyjw5blbZ_HLMihHMtoreaXbuP1B5uWWJpPXNowxHTmYyx9ciOPTi0aUei0Uj/s320/marshwht.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the ninth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: Nine<a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/fruit_lovers/index.cfm" target="_blank"> Fruit Lover's Assortment</a>, eight white seedless grapefruit, </span><span>Heavenly seven, </span><span>six orange explosions, </span><span>fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/fruit_lovers/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_lv9DEil1cjTy_EADYZOxhKzZOsdhQd7Y1hX4sqq_Yx2wFr3tgXoXaRA2-mVkxKS7N3QWv5ilo286eg-k6G1p18EU3RqRP9vnLLa4FaDyZ5W3z9o_eVay1e3k-Z1EiXGP34l0xDbOGRHGk6n2REr3rkH2jXe4lJURNgGdDvwlMZTQZtwuk4CFOXD/w306-h213/fruit_lovers_assortment_400x279.png" width="306" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the tenth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: ten <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">ruby reds</a>, nine Fruit Lover's Assortment, </span><span>eight white seedless grapefruit, </span><span>Heavenly seven, </span><span>six orange explosions, </span><span>fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="300" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9jcRuMmKHtfqQ5Uty1SQNEDsFaMM8gqutnxiMJMsRle0lClZYkhfjFvZrBkqPQbzyJuOhoDxqH-AYGnE6viJWlLSenoecwsJDTgUxenAnz6cZfgV27-3O1hg46dAqc7fOYiuTca5BNYuImkU1gJ9pfzKW53gJoW9ouWs2iPOtX06_pfd6SLMJzAL/s1600/ruby300W.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the eleventh day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: eleven <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel oranges</a>, ten ruby reds, </span><span>nine Fruit Lover's Assortment, </span><span>eight white seedless grapefruit, </span><span>Heavenly seven, </span><span>six orange explosions, </span><span>fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="400" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv5zXbv9ttKIQ0mEZS4Cd21KD-d1gVm-G4cv-Rv8rczNYStiY4gFko9q_s5VX8z2ZirKttFH8nOh3YJtSDveV2Dg8tfTA_9LWz8QjZjpC_VKdXOoLIqZcurB7L6Tcqnls9uY2NzD3jQaNGDhWs7aaBMcTcNNoQoajr29J1DXtcuXglQzvEjm_6Wif/w295-h229/navel_oranges_400x310.png" width="295" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>On the twelfth day of Citrusmas, my true love gifted me: a Free Shipping <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshine_deluxe_free_shipping/index.cfm" target="_blank">Deluxe Box</a>, eleven navel oranges, </span><span>ten ruby reds, </span><span>nine Fruit Lover's Assortment, </span><span>eight white seedless grapefruit, </span><span>Heavenly seven, </span><span>six orange explosions, </span><span>fiiiiive golden honeybells! Fabulous Four, </span><span>a </span><span>grapefruit triple play</span><span>, two oranges with chocolate, and some delicious easy-peel tangerines!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshine_deluxe_free_shipping/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggl5BBXQJrCs07S74SUsGdgVPl3yhNjVAkUQpHxvrHlH8hjhSM1-2Xnt64GzZ_3sM2lxAgzRR2UUI5CNzAqk-llzaGsaA0AFY9TnWOsQHhiNwoxOk6sHK5pD2kYgg8IGG90DnHG-PZHhLjPa8HTpeoLMA8igoPT7rRNUCqatMGClfG91NzX_ayK2IV/s1600/Deluxe-Grapefruit-and-Navel-Free.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season, from all of us at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>!</span><p></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-12232995669994349942023-11-30T11:38:00.000-08:002023-11-30T11:38:23.332-08:00Florida, Texas, and California: Partners in Working with Climate Change<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ajcfSNxzUa-6fK6j7LTjPJWubJx3ArO98kkyuOnr-yV9evTmEf1_MuprZV3-2kXdOK6cIDX2MGYc8Vsf3pvLX9cVEmLH_Tj-fHeQAfrV8w7TFy72QSKT_iZmYHP6e0ojmBaV4-ZGdQ0GeZlFy5_cSRWPzxHe6fldCqDQkbcDV-fNVIfGjsJ9yw94/s320/oranges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Who doesn't love juicy, delicious citrus right off the tree? Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, it is our number one priority. Year after year, we work closely with local, sustainable growers in the fertile soils of central Florida to make sure you are receiving the freshest produce available. Lately, the climate has been more unpredictable than in the past, with climate change accounting for bigger and more damaging storms during the summer months, longer periods of freezing in the wintertime, saltwater intrusion, and changing, uneven weather patterns. Climate change is a global reality, so what can we do about it?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVXs35lTPX2xRUooHYTm1u3sHQuz8hAkgbDNorqcwM4_ZxpxNLg4Mo4RpySBhrF1YpLPhWw1g8pIQBSg2RDYr60-65WeQ6v5vyYIbamVoj2NJ2YxOGvq2oQMziZ4GookyV_ZP5GxI8h4P-nRv-L0LJiLzY5KxzAb34OCSxWbEpzW8f0Ran55J-2pm/s1080/carbon-footprint_Lead.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVXs35lTPX2xRUooHYTm1u3sHQuz8hAkgbDNorqcwM4_ZxpxNLg4Mo4RpySBhrF1YpLPhWw1g8pIQBSg2RDYr60-65WeQ6v5vyYIbamVoj2NJ2YxOGvq2oQMziZ4GookyV_ZP5GxI8h4P-nRv-L0LJiLzY5KxzAb34OCSxWbEpzW8f0Ran55J-2pm/s320/carbon-footprint_Lead.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A Small Carbon Footprint</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Agriculture is one of the most impactful ways in which humans can affect the environment. Add to this fact that by 2050, there will be a dramatic increase in the need to feed people. Fortunately, of all of the foods produced globally, citrus has the very lowest carbon dioxide emission per kilogram, with an emission value of only 0.39. Compare that to beef, which comes in at a whopping 99.48! So, we can be reassured that citrus growing is a sustainable industry, and one that has not added to nor contributed fuel to the encroaching fire of climate change. Furthermore, the citrus industry is currently being used as a model for sustainably feeding people well into the future, when the demand for nourishing food is expected only to increase.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wea.3512" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="500" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcmBgNSg6L6JuJXRT3zh-BCbjHX4Y6qEBWCVsqQ0-GbfI3TY9i-aBQoVqxl08mmKbBiEwVIdJql4trgGcgyq11JAl_MlLtv8eGEE1tW-X74m5xTzCWb31qk-22N0V-g16l5iAZXFTtwrZJUAHLaNF6xwEE-sy77NzX_2pAJlgEDZ7lC2dEHyJedUc/w253-h236/Hurricane%20Tracks.png" title="Florida's Hurricane Alley" width="253" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Climate Effects on Citrus Growing</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">While it is good to know that citrus growing is not adversely affecting the environment, climate change-induced weather events have the increasing potential to adversely affect the citrus groves. As such, we must diligently work to counter these effects by modifying our approaches. The Florida Citrus Belt, as it is known, is located right in the crosshairs of both hurricane tracks (see diagram above) and the southern reaches of cold fronts. As both of these events increase in intensity with climate change, the effects are noteworthy: crops can be lost to too many nights of exposure to freezing temperatures, citrus greening and infestations by psyllid insects due to excessive heat and moisture can destroy whole groves, and saltwater intrusion can kill trees at their roots.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Working in Partnership</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">California and Florida have long influenced each other when it comes to growing citrus, as both states have climates that make them the top producers of most of the varieties that we eat. Texas comes in as a close second. While in past years that influence has mostly been in the form of sharing research and management techniques, with the onset of climate change, growers in all three states are now cross-pollinating (pun intended) to share their harvests nationally. In the interest of keeping the carbon footprint low and the citrus quality, accessibility, and variety high, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">we have now expanded our groves to include California and Texas--the "national citrus belt," so to speak. This way, we can all access some really delicious fruit such as<a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos/index.cfm" target="_blank">Golden Honeybells</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">, </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos/index.cfm&source=gmail&ust=1701457170668000&usg=AOvVaw2vow5SGWLRTOaH9UKzW0LJ" href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos/index.cfm" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 18px;" target="_blank">classic Honeybells</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> and late season <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Navels</a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">Tangerines</a> through January, even after the Florida season when the western fruits hit their flavor peaks. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYvRmSkp1NwNLwbOObaua75jAjWetT-P424VPhw_RQZTFNFPMaxkd2O_g2t-enZnh3TcWYQ2o8OHI9bXff8XnHTWYIfSpyXa0NvOVgAcg9k2BiNk24MtrUD_gFRIM6A7TUQ9Gbt8YV8tl-JI7h_fy6uCYPLQpdCRUDt6QRSRbYFtMgJD0MtjyK-N-/s194/ManHoldingOrange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="122" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYvRmSkp1NwNLwbOObaua75jAjWetT-P424VPhw_RQZTFNFPMaxkd2O_g2t-enZnh3TcWYQ2o8OHI9bXff8XnHTWYIfSpyXa0NvOVgAcg9k2BiNk24MtrUD_gFRIM6A7TUQ9Gbt8YV8tl-JI7h_fy6uCYPLQpdCRUDt6QRSRbYFtMgJD0MtjyK-N-/w193-h307/ManHoldingOrange.jpg" width="193" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So rest assured: you can enjoy and gift all of the varieties of citrus we offer at different times of the year and know that you are also nourishing both your health as well as the health of the planet.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sources:</span></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/stats_feed/status/1720026905078800716?t=OH3SZHCWZCsSa0doRJeGsg"><span style="font-family: arial;">World of Statistics on X: "The environmental impact of foods </span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.wusf.org/environment/2022-02-28/florida-is-already-seeing-climate-change-new-global-report-says-it-could-worsen"><span style="font-family: arial;">Florida is already seeing climate change. New global report says it could worsen | WUSF</span></a></p><p><a href="https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10175516"><span style="font-family: arial;">Modeling the carbon footprint of fresh produce: effects of transportation, localness, and seasonality on US orange markets (nsf.gov)</span></a></p><p><a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wea.3512"><span style="font-family: arial;">How historical trends in Florida all‐citrus production correlate with devastating hurricane and freeze events - Ferrarezi - 2020 - Weather - Wiley Online Library</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.nl/inside-floridas-citrus-groves-where-growers-are-working-to-solve-devastating-disease-and-a-climate-related-shortage-to-save-americas-oranges/"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inside Florida's citrus groves, where growers are working to solve devastating disease and a climate-related shortage to save America's oranges (businessinsider.nl)</span></a></p><p><a href="https://citrusindustry.net/2022/10/31/california-citrus-industry-follows-in-floridas-research-footsteps/"><span style="font-family: arial;">California Citrus Industry Follows in Florida's Research Footsteps - Citrus Industry Magazine</span></a></p><p><br /></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-23115205903446452422023-11-16T10:20:00.000-08:002023-11-16T10:20:44.560-08:00Ten Reasons to be Thankful for Citrus!<span style="font-size: medium;">As is the tradition during this season of gratitude, we have been contemplating all of the reasons we are thankful for citrus fruits. Here are the top ten:</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTnpWXeVPvUX9Pv7MM-p4y2UFDiHhroUyH3fjshHe6GNZ7mWKgdiE8pDLWmwexGKmNXAZUWzdrfSKxTbQwq3AvDr_t4O33ribvtkdAa-t6WO6qq6bt4-b69zl0B7sQ9RY2OwRPTLCMCW3Dspv6F85m0lSL6CkEOivN2ofZzrEDKm5aQUUI1f0iDBV/s1920/CountingGrapefruits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1920" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTnpWXeVPvUX9Pv7MM-p4y2UFDiHhroUyH3fjshHe6GNZ7mWKgdiE8pDLWmwexGKmNXAZUWzdrfSKxTbQwq3AvDr_t4O33ribvtkdAa-t6WO6qq6bt4-b69zl0B7sQ9RY2OwRPTLCMCW3Dspv6F85m0lSL6CkEOivN2ofZzrEDKm5aQUUI1f0iDBV/s320/CountingGrapefruits.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1: It's Available All Winter Long!</span></b></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many other nutritious fruits such as berries, grapes, melons, peaches, and plums go dormant in the wintertime, leaving us to expensive and environmentally unfriendly versions imported from long distances, frozen packages, or no availability at all. Thankfully, there are many varieties of citrus fruits that are prime for the picking through the coldest months. <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> is well versed in which citrus varieties are available when, as different varieties ripen at various times throughout the colder months. For a guide, see the chart below:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjvr7rKrXcMNZTuE8wAVD_v9zqTKL2AU8rm_f3uVfvZj8RwMSTBWvtTncez10io27fOKSnfdTL2YbJbgRJOzAw6H5ND2O7kbrfmPjXT5OWBqLm41X7qPcEyoftxow-45HD-p7qM42wh9X2cDMXxyxvmybxt9DjONA4HMKBi72ESNx39SaAgzGfLSS/s428/fruitAvailabilityCalendar_428x281.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="428" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjvr7rKrXcMNZTuE8wAVD_v9zqTKL2AU8rm_f3uVfvZj8RwMSTBWvtTncez10io27fOKSnfdTL2YbJbgRJOzAw6H5ND2O7kbrfmPjXT5OWBqLm41X7qPcEyoftxow-45HD-p7qM42wh9X2cDMXxyxvmybxt9DjONA4HMKBi72ESNx39SaAgzGfLSS/w379-h249/fruitAvailabilityCalendar_428x281.png" width="379" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2: It Keeps You Healthy During Cold and Flu Season!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">True to nature's perfect design, it figures that these vitamin C-packed fruits would be available when we need immunity boosting the most. There's a reason they call this "cold season": in addition to the temperatures being colder, there is an uptick in flus and colds as</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> people become more sedentary and indoor-oriented. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3: Vitamin C, Baby!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Citrus is famous for being loaded with vitamin C, and vitamin C is famous for being nature's most effective immune system vitamin. Since your body does not produce vitamin C, it is very important to make sure you are consuming adequate amounts of it daily. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C works by strengthening your T cells and helping to make more immune cells. Adults need 75-90 milligrams of vitamin C per day; a typical orange or grapefruit contains around 70-80 grams, thereby covering most of your recommended daily allowance. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vo19fhyphenhyphencZ262aIxsWqm0Aey6BqQ4xK5ngz0KoMlcuhbWYP7SNcnayN_w6v7fTFAJpin0xrfxLYxCE5HD_3pcdRrSmSp8GBBkAakHbDam537jrb2kTejtRYC4ZpezoKWK_j41HGIv8tjKN5LzKmqq8rYTgLU2jqbj8HF8Xq19Aa4wUF91IC7ya4px/s2400/tangerine-newt-w9QdAC1f8-0-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1920" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vo19fhyphenhyphencZ262aIxsWqm0Aey6BqQ4xK5ngz0KoMlcuhbWYP7SNcnayN_w6v7fTFAJpin0xrfxLYxCE5HD_3pcdRrSmSp8GBBkAakHbDam537jrb2kTejtRYC4ZpezoKWK_j41HGIv8tjKN5LzKmqq8rYTgLU2jqbj8HF8Xq19Aa4wUF91IC7ya4px/w216-h270/tangerine-newt-w9QdAC1f8-0-unsplash.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4: It Lowers Cholesterol!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Starting your day with an orange, grapefruit, or freshly squeezed orange/grapefruit juice has been clinically proven to reduce total and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels. In males, this reduction was reported at 23%, which is statistically significant. That being said, if you have been prescribed a statin to reduce your cholesterol levels, please check with your doctor before eating grapefruit, as grapefruit can interfere with the efficacy of some (but not all) statins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5: Bring On the Flavonoids!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to Vitamin C, citrus fruits are loaded with a class of compounds called flavonoids, which account for the vibrant colors in many fruits, flowers, and vegetables. "Eating the rainbow" is great advice, because flavonoids are known for their anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Not surprisingly, all citrus types are loaded with flavonoids. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6: Potassium and Iron!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Who would need a multivitamin when citrus is in their diet? In addition to vitamin C and flavonoids, citrus is chock full of potassium, which is so important for blood pressure regulation. In addition, the vitamin C in these remarkable fruits boosts the bioavailability of iron, which can be particularly important for vegetarians.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj0wVBsa7XHHqUEtedb51rzjsXfDqRc1u7qUsXcm7wrrRTwJHgoMVNIai0yNOqR1VSCmZOLrZ_WVOlw_mskTgqYP481U_ZHhtwSqIy2lTi7Mwby6FvfdCLQHjaQIElK85CWXAE_3xx53mrLpMeYPTTkGFQAM3nC4MeYkZ2nYhrq_X5aBnCZD7kYD8/s306/child%20eating%20orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="203" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj0wVBsa7XHHqUEtedb51rzjsXfDqRc1u7qUsXcm7wrrRTwJHgoMVNIai0yNOqR1VSCmZOLrZ_WVOlw_mskTgqYP481U_ZHhtwSqIy2lTi7Mwby6FvfdCLQHjaQIElK85CWXAE_3xx53mrLpMeYPTTkGFQAM3nC4MeYkZ2nYhrq_X5aBnCZD7kYD8/s1600/child%20eating%20orange.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7: It's Portable and Packable!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There aren't too many foods that come in their own packaging, have a long shelf life, are hardy for transporting without being damaged easily, and don't require any extra utensils or tools to access the delicious fruit inside. Enter citrus: nature's original portable snack! For kids, try some of the easy peel options like <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerinetime/index.cfm" target="_blank">Florida Fallglo tangerines</a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/index.cfm" target="_blank">Sol Zest</a> mandarins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>8: It's Youth-Boosting!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In a time when expensive anti-aging products are everywhere you turn, the humble citrus fruit offers an affordable, natural, option. It hydrates skin from the inside out, is full of fiber which helps the body eliminate toxins that dull the complexion and lower energy, and that wonder vitamin C helps boost collagen production to keep skin elastic and supple. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLFEa9iqhixn_uvJ1Pq_SnBTdQRBt6ItWUUwnccbnqjdxcQ_6w3bBxfpkvl0oFy1h_ymcL_9lKe5pddRfy1sUbvy8Rh5NchzVY_Qf6Z9CxP7Ai5hVYZFLsoCSjYv_YBbWOU8GKT4Rewt7lVtKe76cZd-DVCdjtlbHcRjw36dmQGN12MOoOe1Kx6vn/s3474/oladimeji-odunsi-br7vCg8693o-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="2779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLFEa9iqhixn_uvJ1Pq_SnBTdQRBt6ItWUUwnccbnqjdxcQ_6w3bBxfpkvl0oFy1h_ymcL_9lKe5pddRfy1sUbvy8Rh5NchzVY_Qf6Z9CxP7Ai5hVYZFLsoCSjYv_YBbWOU8GKT4Rewt7lVtKe76cZd-DVCdjtlbHcRjw36dmQGN12MOoOe1Kx6vn/s320/oladimeji-odunsi-br7vCg8693o-unsplash.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9: It's an Affordable and Unique Gift!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This time of the year, it can be challenging and stressful to find gifts for friends, loved ones, and colleagues that are affordable, meaningful, and unusual. Enter citrus! A bonus: by ordering directly from<a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank"> Florida Fruit Shippers,</a> you don't have to go to the store, wrap anything, or stand in long lines at the post office. Just make sure you check the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/shippinginfo/index.cfm" target="_blank">shipping deadlines</a> for your region so you know your gift will arrive in plenty of time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10: It's DELICIOUS!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether you like sweet, sour, or a combination of the two, citrus provides! Fresh picked fruits are so delicious that you can enjoy all the varieties and never even guess that it's incredibly good for your body, too. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources: </span></div><div><a href="https://www.verywellfit.com/seasonal-guide-when-fruits-are-in-season-4104468">What Fruit Is in Season When (verywellfit.com)</a></div><div><a href="https://nutritionbymia.com/reasonstolovecitrus">10 Reasons to Love Citrus - Nutrition By Mia</a></div><div><a href="https://www.health.com/nutrition/citrus-fruit-health-benefits">9 Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits</a></div><div><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/can-vitamin-c-really-help-boost-your-immune-system-against-covid-19-here-s-how-much-you-need-per-day/638071">Vitamin C | Can Vitamin C really help boost your immune system against COVID-19? Here’s how much you need per day | Health Tips and News (timesnownews.com)</a></div><div><a href="https://www.eatthis.com/best-fruits-to-help-lower-cholesterol/">5 Best Fruits to Help Lower Cholesterol, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That</a></div><div><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/grapefruit-and-statins">Why You Shouldn’t Mix Grapefruit and Statins (healthline.com)</a></div></div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-43769209580726695642023-11-08T06:06:00.005-08:002023-11-08T09:23:42.105-08:00'Tis the (Picking) Season!<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, late October and early November are an exciting time of year. After the lull of the hot summer, when citrus trees in our groves are growing green and lush in full sunlight, certain varieties of citrus such as <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruits</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel oranges</a>, and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">tangerines</a> ripen to their full glory and become ready for harvest in the autumn. Meanwhile, other varieties continue to mature and sweeten through the cooler months so that they can be picked and enjoyed well into winter and the new year. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdYQF289fh22oQ02L08qrIdZaRIDJjjLFMKCWSBthEaLPJR9gb7AZ4g4NpexFXB5kC8YskuFFO1bEjZurJYgi1UQs6SNGAZLMOngTGpQ_q2jC4Fsh_GkrqTv3orbp2PpFTu-uu4W1Df122CnJqU6cYOg0B434E62JVszDwoJ_fYC5ZY5OidtFSiV2/s5472/wendy-aros-routman-pickingorange-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdYQF289fh22oQ02L08qrIdZaRIDJjjLFMKCWSBthEaLPJR9gb7AZ4g4NpexFXB5kC8YskuFFO1bEjZurJYgi1UQs6SNGAZLMOngTGpQ_q2jC4Fsh_GkrqTv3orbp2PpFTu-uu4W1Df122CnJqU6cYOg0B434E62JVszDwoJ_fYC5ZY5OidtFSiV2/w320-h213/wendy-aros-routman-pickingorange-unsplash.jpg" title="Photo by Wendy Aros-Routman https://unsplash.com/photos/person-holding-yellow-round-fruit-" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Wendy Aros-Routman </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>What is a Citrus Growing Season?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In what is known as the "Citrus Belt," the subtropical part of the United States that includes <span style="background-color: white;">southern California, parts of Arizona and Texas, and Florida, citrus can grow year-round. As such, it's always "citrus growing season" in these areas, and despite variations in fruit harvesting seasons and a dormant period during colder winters, citrus trees are always in a stage of growth and fruit development. For those of us who are most interested in eating the delicious fruits, however, we are more interested in "harvest" or "picking" season versus "growing season." Harvest season varies according to the type of fruit and various latitude, soil, and climate change-induced factors such as temperature variability, water availability, storms, diseases such as citrus greening, and other dynamic conditions. Generally, however, there is a pattern that we can rely on from year to year across the collective citrus belt, climate change factors notwithstanding. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Drop and Give Me Three</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn1wx8pktRW9gqRXfw6LQQmPczR6VrhkGSgxxCw4cMwy_tPs8nLajwcEqKIiLO5Y1OlWL_ggMgcW6aaoVM2BUO_bUT5l2GdiBRyumr0jnL4EqDYKVS_xM7KT8J1ARip1GrL2g2vw6mV00BpGml4XrJe-Fyf5KsD6mIYPZwiB330sbKQV9wB44q9Mw/s1024/Orange%20blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn1wx8pktRW9gqRXfw6LQQmPczR6VrhkGSgxxCw4cMwy_tPs8nLajwcEqKIiLO5Y1OlWL_ggMgcW6aaoVM2BUO_bUT5l2GdiBRyumr0jnL4EqDYKVS_xM7KT8J1ARip1GrL2g2vw6mV00BpGml4XrJe-Fyf5KsD6mIYPZwiB330sbKQV9wB44q9Mw/w205-h273/Orange%20blossom.jpg" width="205" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVibGi2neL6fYB1b7Msi8JWo_dkqEMHJI8dophmiIub-TsYgWg6m9YLpeIKVMTlmOJB1Do6UdVkEeLoAjRgFccKbGJkz7P_6q3SSCuHGFxzt2eG2uAxoTparPefjIPtewntnq5mQiAOcXY2ygkZ1glHY8nPc8kIWAUiKkP-SEnYvcHz_N_rCO8tEj/s1920/green-orange-on-the-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVibGi2neL6fYB1b7Msi8JWo_dkqEMHJI8dophmiIub-TsYgWg6m9YLpeIKVMTlmOJB1Do6UdVkEeLoAjRgFccKbGJkz7P_6q3SSCuHGFxzt2eG2uAxoTparPefjIPtewntnq5mQiAOcXY2ygkZ1glHY8nPc8kIWAUiKkP-SEnYvcHz_N_rCO8tEj/w202-h269/green-orange-on-the-tree.jpg" width="202" /></a></div></div></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Drop three stages, that is, of citrus fruit development! In Florida, mature citrus trees typically bloom after the winter dormant period, producing a lovely fragrance reminiscent of gardenias, jasmine, honey, and citrus-scented essential oils. After blooming, the first phase leading to fruit production is the dropping of unpollinated flowers, which can be up to eighty percent of the total blossoms on each tree. The second drop stage occurs when the tree releases marble-sized green fruits, and a third drop stage occurs for almost-ripe fruits that didn't quite "make the cut." This is simply nature's ingenious way of ensuring that all of the tree's energy is focused on the best possible fruit outcome. It is interesting to note that, unlike some other types of fruits, citrus will not ripen once separated from the tree, so fruit must be picked at its peak of ripeness to be enjoyed. In the groves, we do our best to support this natural design by providing the most nourishing conditions for these cycles to occur and picking them at their peak ripeness, thereby naturally harvesting the most delicious fruit!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Ripe for the Picking</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvqDS9pigZBI5QDoZLW_hUS47wuegzW_LDKW_w7nEZXSWByUPh7qLwS7puD1QHlOHoWZoBgN84vpYY0VcPcYdVsJkOfs-ptdn-8vyW-ZcK1u2-fN-BxnMhnF7txTuuE31rfOBcW1yLoz08aBaxVhFZ8o57jot00RBHHRSGVfKciLTZl0UOJXDDGHf/s400/grapefruit_triple_play_400x330.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="400" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvqDS9pigZBI5QDoZLW_hUS47wuegzW_LDKW_w7nEZXSWByUPh7qLwS7puD1QHlOHoWZoBgN84vpYY0VcPcYdVsJkOfs-ptdn-8vyW-ZcK1u2-fN-BxnMhnF7txTuuE31rfOBcW1yLoz08aBaxVhFZ8o57jot00RBHHRSGVfKciLTZl0UOJXDDGHf/w320-h265/grapefruit_triple_play_400x330.png" title="Grapefruit Triple Play" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, it follows that the larger the citrus variety, the more months it takes to ripen, and so each type of citrus tree will blossom, drop, fruit, and ripen at different times of the year-- depending on variety, latitude and growing conditions--to allow for these various gestation periods. <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">Grapefruits</a>, being the largest, likewise usually take the longest, and we get to reap the benefits of a long ripening period that starts in early spring as one of the first citrus fruits of the season--and in three delicious varieties! The other first citrus of the season is the much smaller but equally delicious <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">tangerine</a>, which despite its small size has a rather long ripening period that also begins in the springtime. <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerinetime/index.cfm" target="_blank">Florida Fallglo Tangerines</a> are a special and very tasty variety, only available in November, that have become the benchmark fruit to mark the beginning of the citrus harvest season. <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Navel oranges</a> are also ready this time of year.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, as we embark on this festive season of "Season's Greetings," we can also greet the new citrus harvest with mouthwatering anticipation. Enjoy!<br /></span></p><p>Sources: </p><p><a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/citrus-blooming-season.htm">Citrus Flowering Season: When Do Citrus Blossoms Bloom (gardeningknowhow.com)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/winter-fruits-2217203">Winter Fruits: It's Harvest Time for Sunshine Citrus (thespruceeats.com)</a></p><p><a href="https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/media/crecifasufledu/extension/extension-publications/2011/2011_Dec_factors_citrus.pdf">2011_Dec_factors_citrus.pdf (ufl.edu)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.almanac.com/plant/citrus-lemons-oranges-and-limes#:~:text=Early%20spring%20is%20the%20best%20time%20to%20plant,a%20spring%20frost%20is%20no%20longer%20a%20threat.">Citrus Trees: How to Grow Lemons, Oranges, Limes, and Other Citrus Fruit | The Old Farmer's Almanac</a></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-33242327380029356222023-03-29T20:39:00.001-07:002023-03-29T20:39:09.029-07:00The Delicious Flavors of Spring Citrus<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WBfkJBYL-SqgS_6UyNH59M3qrK1m6qZAGl4fy6CCz1TzVH3UfJ1ggvnpmraiwP5LgUNwxf5Tlw1eYLR_K3N4j_3nov_2QQlB4BSJlkfeEqPKkSlPQ10QsC1IqdO9DHBQEHwCWmQ-Wg1TkDuoRHQ467hQnlpIxDcDlt8r4_D5ETB2JwzzImboaA/s4032/Fruit%20Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WBfkJBYL-SqgS_6UyNH59M3qrK1m6qZAGl4fy6CCz1TzVH3UfJ1ggvnpmraiwP5LgUNwxf5Tlw1eYLR_K3N4j_3nov_2QQlB4BSJlkfeEqPKkSlPQ10QsC1IqdO9DHBQEHwCWmQ-Wg1TkDuoRHQ467hQnlpIxDcDlt8r4_D5ETB2JwzzImboaA/w252-h189/Fruit%20Salad.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ahhh, spring! Temperatures are warming and the air is pleasant. Here in Florida, we are enjoying bug-free warm days and cool evenings, and a lack of hurricanes. The orange and jasmine blossoms are popping out, wafting sweet scents into the air. Both Easter and Passover are right around the corner, and so are the final weeks of citrus season until the Fall. Here at <a href="http://orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, we wanted to make sure you get the best of the season's final picks for spring: <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">Cara Cara Red Oranges</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Navel Oranges</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">Easy Peel Tangerines</a>, and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">Ruby Red Grapefruit</a>. It's fruit salad time! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cara Caras</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMPWkO-up6bA4DTO85f9ZcZhkSY4KzyybRhipJVESFRuQek_43cGqiC-iRs8R6slg03-SdlJnQ8yhSdwKnHVrBy413ylDMv-kU5NKMxOEfkv8NO7fVUN3C29MTvPVIyQCB6MqsCgmm4UWRrCRbopLtt8x1O-A83olefK6VR2ESX2IeJmKqPGnjA/s400/red_navel_orange%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="400" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMPWkO-up6bA4DTO85f9ZcZhkSY4KzyybRhipJVESFRuQek_43cGqiC-iRs8R6slg03-SdlJnQ8yhSdwKnHVrBy413ylDMv-kU5NKMxOEfkv8NO7fVUN3C29MTvPVIyQCB6MqsCgmm4UWRrCRbopLtt8x1O-A83olefK6VR2ESX2IeJmKqPGnjA/w246-h212/red_navel_orange%20(1).jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Want to make your dishes pop with color? The <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">Cara Cara</a>, also known as the Ruby Red or Scarlet Navel Orange, is your citrus of choice. They were first discovered in the 1970's in Venezuela at a place called Hacienda Cara Cara, and are now grown in Florida and California. Their bright red-orange flesh carries notes of strawberry and cranberry, and the extra carotenes that give the pulp such a deep hue carry a whole lot of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. In fact, regular consumption of high-lycopene foods has been shown to help prevent heart disease, prostate cancer, and vision loss. If you "cara cara" about your health, this seedless, easy-to-peel, delicious orange is for you! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Navel Oranges</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="400" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwnfkPUvCWSgeZwJ3yKmti0n32SRG9pPp_tOxKYtGyiqfkOYflYjhrrg9FXBD1z5U5yHsVfoSV9DIvFLTjbAURhvLVPoGVl4C_eFOOSj0VdVfWMfbf9MRQk8jQRaXu9lWigZ65E7qaEJHoes1VzAqFjKtu-w2JainZwrc2takYeiIKztAzWBbDw/w291-h226/navel_oranges_400x310.png" width="291" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Navel Oranges</a> have recently been the subject of a study by the University of Florida as research is developed to grow the best, healthiest, and sweetest fruit in their growing regions. It was discovered that the unique sweetness of this fruit is due to the higher organic content of the soil in the navel orange groves of both Florida and California, with the latter oranges having the longest season, through late May. So what is that "navel," anyway? As it turns out, the navel oranges we eat today are exact clones of a single mutated orange that was discovered on a sour orange tree in Brazil by a Presbyterian missionary in the mid nineteenth </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">century. The missionary was so intrigued by this odd and delicious orange with a tiny "baby" orange inside (the navel) that he propagated some little trees from a cutting. Over time, as more and more were propagated throughout growing regions in the Americas, navel oranges became a household standard.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Easy Peel Tangerines</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="400" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFG86Cb8_D0uBSJyFVMawrf80xVTBrhZMqJWuhUWImUMlzdTXOdHuuYtraTzV9CHW7IDxcuhEK_hajc18GA6cj9kD_4PGfssyitSstWCHDaDQXmtrhZ2RgPNdf0y5re62_PaO11Npohdt6g3Wq6jAxZ9egTo03RM2LCPjnd9zVmn21wVfAYlTTA/w272-h207/fallglo.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While all citrus fruits are perfect for on-the-go snacking that comes in self-contained packaging, nothing can beat a variety that is easy to peel! It doesn't get easier than our tangerines, whose season continues through May. This particular type of tangerine--the FallGlo--is larger in size than most other varieties, though still identifiable by their distinct tangerine shape. This is because they are actually a genetic cross that is 5/8 tangerine, 1/4 orange, and 1/8 grapefruit! In addition to easy snacking, these tangerines are easy to juice and have a richer flavor than traditional orange juice. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ruby Red Grapefruits</span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="405" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWIA2KqVywv_VVwfNYrRKFEASnHZYPkjcL08R66F3MyhMHK8Ao_Ujh129drEamt7gDxiar7UugdaJgYJwbzX4Oqc6Hgb4nGwjR00TMSuljUXZF-g72Zt_J35LJC0-p3SyLOLm-QKmBv3K8OgRHv3Rbp6SCcYjadWpm4D7D-sR6INPqZPlQiht0Q/w262-h275/RedGrapefruit.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nature creates mutations all the time. In the case of citrus, "spontaneous mutations" are particularly common and very natural due to the fragile genomes of these unique fruit types. Lucky for us, some of the yummier and more colorful citrus mutations in our history were discovered and propagated, such as the Navel Orange and the Ruby Red Grapefruit. In the 1800's, yellow and white grapefruits were grown in Florida and Texas, but were considered by most to be too sour. In 1929, a sweet mutation was discovered with red flesh, which was then propagated (via grafting a cutting onto another type of citrus tree) to create a regular supply of the beloved, sweeter Ruby Red Grapefruit that people enjoy regularly today. Best of all, unlike their white counterparts the Ruby Reds have a very high lycopene content and have been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels in humans.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So stock up on your end-of-season citrus and enjoy their health benefits and deliciousness through the spring!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Sources:</u><br />https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/recipes/2013/02/in-season-cara-cara-oranges<br />https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/media/crecifasufledu/extension/extension-publications/2021/2021_august_navel.pdf<br />https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103250589<br />https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CH075</div><div style="text-align: left;">https://uscitrus.com/blogs/citrus-delight-blog/mini-history-lesson-how-the-ruby-red-grapefruit-gave-us-the-rio-red</div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-19178898758573699522023-03-18T15:35:00.005-07:002023-03-18T18:37:14.350-07:00Daylight Savings Got You Down? Try Citrus!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyogoRmNzmDAdZK3Mt8_oSjovb3d8atxoiaV2P8hKv3slJSFaf2vghnP1oOmr48Tatx7apzhaUHSfLPJzsKy4aRgm-IRBAhXCRmfr8A6mxc-WbUrocIKbAsPpPYqQu4SDKPQMqf_REI69_xVTIjgZD21tM3pFErgKRt92wWGZEd_vCMLptYD9gIA/s496/ManGrapefruit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="496" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyogoRmNzmDAdZK3Mt8_oSjovb3d8atxoiaV2P8hKv3slJSFaf2vghnP1oOmr48Tatx7apzhaUHSfLPJzsKy4aRgm-IRBAhXCRmfr8A6mxc-WbUrocIKbAsPpPYqQu4SDKPQMqf_REI69_xVTIjgZD21tM3pFErgKRt92wWGZEd_vCMLptYD9gIA/s320/ManGrapefruit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just last week, we were beginning to adjust to the longer days coming out of winter. But then, wham! Daylight Savings Time (DST) required us all to "spring forward"--aka set our clocks ahead--by one hour. If you're like the rest of us, you may still be adjusting to the jetlag-like effects of having our whole routine thrust one hour ahead, complete with the noticeable change in the times of sunrise and sunset. Combined with the ever-lengthening days as we greet the Spring Equinox, this adjustment may take awhile. Fortunately, we at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> have some citrus-based solutions to help make your "DST Effect"--the jetlag you experience with the sudden time change--a little easier, so that you can once again sleep well at night and feel energized with the new time of the rising morning sun.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">DST Effect Versus Jetlag</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1mZhWN_OQZggk_eYrQbdKHToM7r5ecQ3fIsiaHZF8AutLfyL_3dbX_T2z6k88iYeiCrDFAzugQbXvb4TmzxIR7fXuV5DnKT58BA5rsAifoJzyUxsjM9wtwk5cmm1HNGRVPtE_Q4lExAEY0eC-6X8igRRIhX17DtNM58v3Y2Tn3CXmVAYpmY2IA/s416/sleepy%20woman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1mZhWN_OQZggk_eYrQbdKHToM7r5ecQ3fIsiaHZF8AutLfyL_3dbX_T2z6k88iYeiCrDFAzugQbXvb4TmzxIR7fXuV5DnKT58BA5rsAifoJzyUxsjM9wtwk5cmm1HNGRVPtE_Q4lExAEY0eC-6X8igRRIhX17DtNM58v3Y2Tn3CXmVAYpmY2IA/s320/sleepy%20woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We all know what it feels like to wake up from a poor sleep: despite getting a few hours in, the whole day feels difficult to meet, and we often feel sluggish and compromised at work. While the DST (Daylight Savings Time) Effect is often called "social jetlag," it is actually different than jetlag because in the latter case, our bodies recognize the natural cues of the sun, thereby allowing us the ability to adapt in a more natural way. In the case of the DST Effect, we are being asked to keep our schedules the same while the time of sunrise and sunset are offset by a full hour in either direction. Research has shown this effect to be more stressful on the body than jetlag, as it forces us to adapt to unnatural rhythms. Hence, we experience more nights of poor sleep and more days of sluggishness, reduced concentration, lack of energy, and even--in some cases--depression.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bring On the Tangelos</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9366Spsf8TsTwqJj9P1Zizkv3LFD99qdDlz3XgQGCwNBgoNIMl4N8g7MLZ1BrfpDYAQasvkJemf_AJxNyVvDXDJCyi86Jun3wZrDraH-o6LqAWoYzwg7NwsOu8gFCWDzKAG1LKo38yX_HVWJEEv-17raSamb2wPXm87DskNC_bS8ZeoyPKxXmw/s400/spring-tangelos-ship-free_400x296.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9366Spsf8TsTwqJj9P1Zizkv3LFD99qdDlz3XgQGCwNBgoNIMl4N8g7MLZ1BrfpDYAQasvkJemf_AJxNyVvDXDJCyi86Jun3wZrDraH-o6LqAWoYzwg7NwsOu8gFCWDzKAG1LKo38yX_HVWJEEv-17raSamb2wPXm87DskNC_bS8ZeoyPKxXmw/s320/spring-tangelos-ship-free_400x296.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">It's a good thing that <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Spring Tangelos</a> are in season, because contained in these palm-sized, easy-to-peel fruits is a powerhouse of DST Effect-busting nutrition! Tangelos are a unique cross between tangerines and grapefruits, and as such they are loaded with all the things a compromised, tired body needs: hydration, vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals. They can also increase the amount of melatonin in our body by 47 percent, and contain B vitamins which help you sleep by reducing depression and anxiety, readjusting the sleep/wake schedule, and aiding in the production of the main sleep-inducing hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Combined with their anti-inflammatory and gut-cleansing properties to help offset the physical stress of the DST Effect, eating a couple of tangelos per day will, amazingly, help you feel more energized during waking hours and better able to sleep at the sudden "new" time instigated by Daylight Savings.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What About Other Types of Citrus?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://orangesonline.com" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj7L29ROnGsQJO40L-d_ez-jIkPzPLl1oMMAvRWbPKfLNs492KcRcrkzHad0FP0kW-QJXRIzU2gdXo5MH-VjYxrpY5Fq_FRqR5AAG266k7VzOLgJypE9fgbr1u-5sGbOJgigUCEF4CLfvpo-gKVRMGXyo46f0HJvM6SEZrOAyT_6Lv0AIx6IJWg/s320/citrusplate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Typically, in-season citrus fruits like <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Spring Tangelos</a> are the most nutrient-dense, namely because they are fresher and more packed with fresh-off-the-tree hydration and bioactive compounds. That being said, other types of citrus such as <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">ruby red grapefruits</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel oranges</a>, and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">tangerines</a> are still available, and <a href="http://orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> would never ship any fruit that isn't fresh from the groves! If you want to maximize the DST Effect counteracting powers of your fruits and eat fruits with the most concentrated nutrition in general, avoid grocery store citrus that has been subject to more transportation and time in boxes and on the shelves. This scenario amounts to more time away from their source trees and the resulting weakening of their bioactive compounds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The clock may be springing forward, but you can spring back from the DST Effect with a little help from Florida citrus!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SOURCES:</b><br />https://www.gardenbetty.com/sleep-promoting-fruits-and-vegetables-that-help-you-spring-forward-easier/<br />https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-reasons-eat-oranges#<br />https://www.insider.com/best-worst-foods-for-jet-lag-2021-12<br />https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-11-06/recipe-a-smoothie-that-will-cure-your-jet-lag</div><div style="text-align: left;">https://sleepeducation.org/resources/daylight-saving-time</div><div style="text-align: left;">https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-seasonal-eating</div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-51756319615149434522023-02-24T10:39:00.001-08:002023-02-24T10:39:11.483-08:00Here's the SCOOP on Citrus Rinds!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJpxszyqHmMb24OMC5AVKsg50UZJjCJoWoyG5o5PSvM2rZ5V0FLQ_-pWmuUZLnqT3FOIqOSFihHilke8dZZlE2kbE6pAp3TQpZp073B5PLmaGWBi4QwjEKuzxPYfLmhszZM9APwLhed7pKzjdisd3UlMvxv4CH6otFQ6U7oGPuZtbogYUKnixbA/s612/rind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJpxszyqHmMb24OMC5AVKsg50UZJjCJoWoyG5o5PSvM2rZ5V0FLQ_-pWmuUZLnqT3FOIqOSFihHilke8dZZlE2kbE6pAp3TQpZp073B5PLmaGWBi4QwjEKuzxPYfLmhszZM9APwLhed7pKzjdisd3UlMvxv4CH6otFQ6U7oGPuZtbogYUKnixbA/s320/rind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">We all love to eat oranges and grapefruits, and there are many different ways of getting to the tasty insides: we can peel them with our fingers, peel them carefully with a knife, cut the fruit into quarters or wedges, cut the fruit in half and pare out each individual section, etc. No matter what methods we use, the common goal is to get past the rind to get to the "good stuff": the delicious pulp inside. Typically, the rind ends up in the garbage or compost bin. But wait! With <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm;jsessionid=67F95E7882A78C8B9D6388AA45C74154.cfusion" target="_blank">Spring Tangelos</a> being picked and getting ready for <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/freeshipping/index.cfm" target="_blank">free shipping</a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruits</a> fresh off the trees, we here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> have the "scoop" on maximizing your fruit to the fullest, and that includes the rinds. So don't toss those peels!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This blog is the first of two installments on how to best use your rinds. This first one will hone in on the natural bowl that is created when you cut your fruit in half, allowing for a number of creative and useful household solutions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fruit That Will Bowl You Over</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMa2n-QCP5cinSrQeDV1HwV6aic56wgJvQZGe1oQo0BN3MdIiAS4z1131YVQ_bf6c-MlWes8jTuTTrb7h3Es89r7xSmbqIHfuTb9wpOdHo4pzZBZ_BVtBoh8K3v3-WyHhU2BqRQCCfHBwTAwSe6JYNEoF0r16vcYmO2DeVPWiKKhV3URfFY-2uQ/s555/Orange-Fruit-Cups-for-Entertaining-%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="555" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMa2n-QCP5cinSrQeDV1HwV6aic56wgJvQZGe1oQo0BN3MdIiAS4z1131YVQ_bf6c-MlWes8jTuTTrb7h3Es89r7xSmbqIHfuTb9wpOdHo4pzZBZ_BVtBoh8K3v3-WyHhU2BqRQCCfHBwTAwSe6JYNEoF0r16vcYmO2DeVPWiKKhV3URfFY-2uQ/w255-h221/Orange-Fruit-Cups-for-Entertaining-%20(2).jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spring is about to be sprung, and with that comes the onset of fruit salad season. Traditionally, fruit salad is a straightforward process: slice up a variety of fruits and toss them together in a mixing bowl, distribute to smaller bowls or cups, and serve. While any combination of fruits will do, make sure you have oranges and/or grapefruits mixed in well as the ascorbic acid that occurs naturally in citrus prevents the other fruits from browning. But what if the bowl is a fruit too? With one extra easy step, the only serving ware you will have to worry about is the cutlery, or you can eat with your fingers! Simply slice your orange and/or grapefruit (for a slightly bigger bowl) in half and scoop out the pulp carefully. Voila: the remaining rind is a perfect one-serving-sized bowl for your fruit salad. Toss your fruits together in a mixing bowl and distribute to your citrus rind bowls. Serve with a side of cream or dollop of yogurt, a sprig of mint, and compost your bowl when you are done. Or, if your bowl is still in good shape, rinse it well and use it for the next tip:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Freshen Up Your Refrigerator</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gmwwAyvhpmlLLZX16QvQ9H4kosX9Kd197Lc8Rh6O2gARXHULSsCvJs7Hd2o_ccBxVvNvEGkAhs542xmVpRg-CNKHu2RCQ7BGOUoc8o_iSw8qABDuExTLVavoLjvOYVzV-1SFRysbDWRJjCFOvo9Pe_PQTIY_ldf9QTlc1EinloHBgRZ6QcYUHg/s479/refrigerator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="479" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gmwwAyvhpmlLLZX16QvQ9H4kosX9Kd197Lc8Rh6O2gARXHULSsCvJs7Hd2o_ccBxVvNvEGkAhs542xmVpRg-CNKHu2RCQ7BGOUoc8o_iSw8qABDuExTLVavoLjvOYVzV-1SFRysbDWRJjCFOvo9Pe_PQTIY_ldf9QTlc1EinloHBgRZ6QcYUHg/s320/refrigerator.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oranges are natural air fresheners. They do a wonderful job of neutralizing garbage and old food smells, and a common trick is to throw some orange peels and ice cubes in your garbage disposal and turn it on. In additions to odor neutralization, the rind "bowls" we talked about can also be used as refrigerator deodorizers. After you make your orange rind bowl and enjoy the pulp, fill the bowl with household salt and tuck it away in the back of your fridge. Any lingering food odors will be neutralized and your refrigerator and its contents will smell fresh and inviting every time you open the door. This tip is actually used by the national house cleaning service, <a href="http://www.merrymaids.com" target="_blank">Merry Maids</a>.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Light Up Your Life</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aHPdEIjQ_jdA9AanuvK8BByB9XFtzGfUP_ywnQMCHkxUZaVTXlXyM0l_eKZLZLwsIzvKEgEondMjS0ApvQJ2oEt6D7H25jq6-G8yCnPw6cIAqYJvS12NaPDMnq1eKAYB3jBQE7GZ-aKuIsS7CTmU5UmL-6CDlvWQjBlESajKL24YCXArE6hxMg/s480/Candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aHPdEIjQ_jdA9AanuvK8BByB9XFtzGfUP_ywnQMCHkxUZaVTXlXyM0l_eKZLZLwsIzvKEgEondMjS0ApvQJ2oEt6D7H25jq6-G8yCnPw6cIAqYJvS12NaPDMnq1eKAYB3jBQE7GZ-aKuIsS7CTmU5UmL-6CDlvWQjBlESajKL24YCXArE6hxMg/s320/Candle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Oranges and grapefruits are popular scents for candles, lotions, and essential oils because they have uplifting, energizing, and comforting aromatherapy benefits. They can also be pricey, which is ironic because citrus rinds can actually serve as candles themselves! For this DIY use of a rind bowl, you will need to be very careful to not scoop out the center stem piece, as that will serve as the wick. Fill the bowl with olive oil or vegetable oil, and light the "wick" (the center stem piece). It may take a bit longer to catch the flame than on a traditional candle. Once lit, your citrus bowl candle will burn for four to five hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Citrus is the perfect spring fruit. It makes you feel healthy inside and out, and every bit of the fruit can be used for healthy living, inside and out. Next week, we'll explore even more springtime uses for citrus rinds, including ways to revitalize your taste buds and brighten your home, so that you can enjoy your fruits with maximum "a-peel."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SOURCES:</b><br />https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/surprising-uses-for-oranges/<br />https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-a-Candle-Out-of-an-Orange/<br />https://diythrill.com/2018/02/04/orange-peel-candle-diy/<br />https://gigglesgalore.net/orange-fruit-cups</div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-57538461822652036522023-02-07T15:31:00.003-08:002023-02-07T15:37:37.575-08:00Hair's Some Great Advice: Use Oranges!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgO9hfeFqKfv4z3Ph7wdQhLNt3bF1lVEYfdAFro12PwoyIH0pLMZ5FXFcPUmy8nklhk3o-FgyqtngaRcjwR_1EpDEBzZQtUfj1WhL6Bs1mV5n-gMbdvgpwac_SlNUyiuu_xV0TQrFo-WRcMw71yjc__vDoMZejhV6VWmkmpds0GNxf6FC7ELpHw/s1125/Aliyah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1125" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgO9hfeFqKfv4z3Ph7wdQhLNt3bF1lVEYfdAFro12PwoyIH0pLMZ5FXFcPUmy8nklhk3o-FgyqtngaRcjwR_1EpDEBzZQtUfj1WhL6Bs1mV5n-gMbdvgpwac_SlNUyiuu_xV0TQrFo-WRcMw71yjc__vDoMZejhV6VWmkmpds0GNxf6FC7ELpHw/s320/Aliyah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">We all know that <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a> are wonderful to eat, but did you know they are also a top shelf beauty product? We spoke with Aliyah, a 23-year old from Tampa Bay, about her hair care journey and how she came to discover that <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">oranges</a> were the answer to practically all of her hair challenges! </span><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About Aliyah</span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Aliyah (pictured here) is a warm, energetic, and outgoing young woman, described by her friends (myself included) as a "ray of sunshine." She has a gift for storytelling and making people laugh out loud. She is also a Brazilian samba and belly dancer who works as the "studio godmother" at the very successful <a href="https://hip-expressions.com/" target="_blank">Hip Expressions Belly Dance Studio </a>in St. Petersburg, Florida. She loves nature, and time and again has turned to natural solutions for health, beauty, and wellness. Growing up in sunny Florida, citrus is very familiar to her, and she even had an orange tree in the backyard of her family home. <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> conducted this "juicy" interview to learn more about her "mane" beauty secret: <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a>!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ncBjL8UfnSlmcQlKwozYsTgEqLkSGFMgUum8LqDBo38LLHW8MM1OIxlHihGaLs2eVy67pMXPKxavM07pdfrNusQ-_AqtCYA3in1i_gcANY_yu_-yZI_YnPPDyCqVrcWev5UmsE1CuIik8gVeSQG5KVnTuAUXW1-PtAzq9rRd3tSebG3Uf1PiQg/s1501/Aliyah2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="860" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ncBjL8UfnSlmcQlKwozYsTgEqLkSGFMgUum8LqDBo38LLHW8MM1OIxlHihGaLs2eVy67pMXPKxavM07pdfrNusQ-_AqtCYA3in1i_gcANY_yu_-yZI_YnPPDyCqVrcWev5UmsE1CuIik8gVeSQG5KVnTuAUXW1-PtAzq9rRd3tSebG3Uf1PiQg/s320/Aliyah2.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FFS</b>: Thanks for doing this interview, Aliyah!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aliyah</b>: (upbeat laughter) Sure!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FFS</b>: Can you please tell us about your hair type?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aliyah</b>: I have what's called category 3C hair. Not super tight coils, but not loose at all, either. It's an awkward in-between type. I have really low porosity so it's hard for my hair to retain moisture. I've also had a lifelong battle with anemia which causes dandruff and really dry hair and skin because I'm not getting enough blood flow to my body. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FFS</b>: What are some challenges with taking care of your hair? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aliyah</b>: Dryness is the main thing. I can grow my hair, but dandruff and hair loss have been big problems. I spent a lot of time navigating medicated and natural hair products that are very expensive, and they only helped a little. At a certain point I started doing things myself, starting with using mayonnaise on my hair. It worked pretty well, so I thought: "Huh! Food can be really great for my hair!" So then I made an avocado mask with berries and essential oils. That was pretty good too. One day when I was about seventeen, I got a trim from my hairstylist and I told her about my experimenting with food on my hair. She told me that she uses <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a> to help her grow her baby hairs and it really worked...and it's also good for the dry hair and dandruff. So I gave it a try and it got me results!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FFS</b>: How do you use them? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aliyah</b>: So I went and bought oranges, and sliced them up. I do this hair washing process: two shampoos, conditioner, deep conditioner, then a leave in conditioner. My hairstylist recommended that I do the orange slices directly on my scalp after the first shampoo. I part my hair into four sections and work the oranges in by scrubbing them into my scalp. Then I rinse and do the second shampoo. She said oranges are also a natural conditioner so I could theoretically leave out conditioning steps, but I still condition. I used them on a regular basis starting in high school and really noticed a difference: my dryness improved and the dandruff totally ended. It became part of my routine and now my beauty supplies are fruits! Also, your hair smells amazing afterwards and lasts most of the day. I seal my moisture in with coconut oil, which also holds in the orange fragrance. I always get compliments when I do this routine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FFS</b>: How about your skin?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aliyah</b>: I also use Vitamin C on my face for skin care, and make sure I eat foods rich in Vitamin C. Once I made orange oil right from fresh <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a>. Orange juice is my daily juice with my eggs in the morning.It helps with my minor B12 deficiency and overall health. And of course I eat <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a> too! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Proof is In the Pulp. And the Peel.</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPegXlVRLkXMPtItaCbION_U5RW4wW8XElpDXSwL9vZG_iuFRCWW6WQLZTgUMm6QshXAPQ20d7VJKrPnb4EYblZqC4KaVG2T-AbCEN9SGly_1Aw8Sr7hAc-HVykq00IwMOgrPX2O0m9RD2aFBbJ7e96GHPpxC3Qwlzv52V24NTF13tIQ1MNVqdzw/s320/spring-tangelos-ship-free_400x296.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Aliyah's success with oranges is no surprise when it comes to the biochemistry of these wonder fruits. Vitamin C, rich in the pulp that Aliyah scrubs directly onto her scalp, is a powerful antioxidant that has the power to increase collagen production and moisture in the skin and hair. In addition to Aliyah's routine, you can also save your orange peels and boil them to make an infusion. Let it sit for one day, and then use it as a final rinse for your hair and even your skin after bathing. If you wish, you can add apple cider vinegar for extra shine. To combat dandruff, you can also add a cup of plain yogurt to the infusion, blend well, and let it sit on your hair and scalp for up to several hours before rinsing.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For best results, use premium oranges, including the delicious and easy-to-peel <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Temple Oranges</a> that are shipping free this month from <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, to get glowing skin and hair, inside and out!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Sources:</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.hindustantimes.com/health/from-fighting-dandruff-to-aiding-hair-growth-4-glorious-things-oranges-can-do-your-mane/story-rkWsUT5RirUbkjgceTYAYP.html</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.onlymyhealth.com/how-to-use-oranges-for-hair-1473064381</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.worldwithmaria.com/how-to-use-oranges-for-skin-and-hair/</span></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-88132126989235599272023-01-18T19:17:00.004-08:002023-01-19T08:21:36.840-08:00What Is Your Citrus Zodiac?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_63qkJTVpQn3y0LbWJPvBhleRv_JKjpbnx9S34EiklKmql9HaObJPPn_7D3yWnyM_FYI-o_CW9-6rQlA3gJ_MAc1ipHYWMpk4HEY0l8A5AgBGeHXCg4GHgojAuuigLPWS3srr2nJJZbph8UekcZzPDIETD0LqlgdTAp5xwi8FCLHULI-PVBtLA/s3380/citrusslicesky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3380" data-original-width="2535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_63qkJTVpQn3y0LbWJPvBhleRv_JKjpbnx9S34EiklKmql9HaObJPPn_7D3yWnyM_FYI-o_CW9-6rQlA3gJ_MAc1ipHYWMpk4HEY0l8A5AgBGeHXCg4GHgojAuuigLPWS3srr2nJJZbph8UekcZzPDIETD0LqlgdTAp5xwi8FCLHULI-PVBtLA/s320/citrusslicesky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you love horoscopes? How about a citrus horoscope? For today's blog, we thought we'd help you "squeeze the day" with a "juicy" take on the horoscope: your citrus zodiac sign!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Citrus with the Stars</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No, this is not a play on "Dancing with the Stars"...we are referring to literal stars, as in the bright vortexes of light energy and planets in the sky. Since the times of the ancient Greeks, the alignment of the stars and their influence on our lives and characteristics have been a source of wonder, fascination and extensive study. What we know today as western astrology was probably born about 1,800 years ago, when the mathematician and astronomer Ptolemy published something called the Tetrabiblos. It documented various constellations according to one's position on the Earth in thirty degree sectors. The field of astrology was based on the principle that one's life can be directly influenced by the relative alignment of these celestial bodies at the time, date, and location of your birth. In addition to your main astrological sign, known as the sun sign, everyone also has a moon sign and a rising sign.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not surprisingly, since all factors play into astrology and your horoscope, the foods you eat are related to your sun, moon, and rising signs. Since the citrus we grow here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> is filled with sunshine, we have hand-picked (pun intended) the best type of citrus fruit for your astrological sun sign! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Your Citrus Zodiac</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2vZnDrCfzooQbPERCP2k_SmUfEnOgiPKW4Mp-VB4Vt51kc9lDtFMX6kGFCjm3qRfEVi7tkoLi1O7vKyMBJG9KmgqJD2rYaFqOYygMd8Go6O59BVeQNkfoxGFq6n-p9DxbYevF4aB_n4iVshn8c_EeDJc1T5AoujR36eedtMsFfAu_F24GaaZjw/s509/outer%20space.jpg" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2vZnDrCfzooQbPERCP2k_SmUfEnOgiPKW4Mp-VB4Vt51kc9lDtFMX6kGFCjm3qRfEVi7tkoLi1O7vKyMBJG9KmgqJD2rYaFqOYygMd8Go6O59BVeQNkfoxGFq6n-p9DxbYevF4aB_n4iVshn8c_EeDJc1T5AoujR36eedtMsFfAu_F24GaaZjw/w269-h179/outer%20space.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.028em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Aries: Red Grapefruit</b></span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRLA19Ak2XJklHIjJo9Aw1YwBCo_cDoMUCuzz4AjYfirUx6QsDW4UkTLFOBTBAw7D3uF7zlwdEw_sNI8bCQuYrbtBjtikg7h5SispY8H3K7YABRJKS9aNMTbIQPI9JffL2ySIk2jGKZrMGXF6URBt1ahEDLxvNBR7y25UCaUF21h7xpDgHwOLXg/s425/RedGrapefruit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="405" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRLA19Ak2XJklHIjJo9Aw1YwBCo_cDoMUCuzz4AjYfirUx6QsDW4UkTLFOBTBAw7D3uF7zlwdEw_sNI8bCQuYrbtBjtikg7h5SispY8H3K7YABRJKS9aNMTbIQPI9JffL2ySIk2jGKZrMGXF6URBt1ahEDLxvNBR7y25UCaUF21h7xpDgHwOLXg/w160-h168/RedGrapefruit.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aries (born March 21-April 19) is the beginning of the Zodiac calendar, and a fire sign. Their symbol is a ram, and as such they tend to take on new projects and challenges head-on. Aries tend to be full of life, and love to start the day with good energy and zest. As such, your best citrus fruit is the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rubyredgrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">red grapefruit,</a> with its juicy red pulp, immune-promoting polyphenols, and energy-boosting Vitamin C levels. </span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><b>Taurus: Honeybells</b></span></p><h2 style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.028em; line-height: 1.214; margin: 2.29068em 0px 0.540791em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 2em; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="300" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qaLh0O6EiuPcWZYi64CQmi2WV8w0nKHq_ADPnAtYk7s1b20U_Gk7CPecjPEUZE5mY-IfLWPAcdw1NdSUGgj1J1JK-DV3anftM_IEJ6vHxUx_51wBDf6mioLVh-8y-xyO8jnNLRoQHKz3E8HsOqSOS-uZk10Eheo3iHwRwcdNL8njFv5VZdyDtA/w188-h176/Honeybells%20Free%20Shipping.jpg" width="188" /></a></div></span></h2><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="color: #150604; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px;">Taurus (born April 20 to May 20) is an earth sign that was recognized as a constellation even by the ancient Mesopotamians, about 4,000 years ago. Its symbol is the bull. Due to their bull nature, Taurus folks can be a bit stubborn and late to ripen, but when they do, there are many rewards. As such, your fruit is the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybell,</a> which has ripened late this year due to the storms and cold weather this year in Florida, and as such the fruits (and you) are sweeter than ever this year!</span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="color: #150604; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gemini: Navel Oranges</span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="400" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaY9uJEqvASFGioefJiKXTthgEwo87oN-76jBkvHDeeQxo5Ae8OYUfky6yYjyd9YugOCde2JLeR1Lxf4Wwx5BxsR-TivOMJSKPlecAHWsX15keqtsk8rjbHBZGgEqftTRKmasxSg5CV1fAyGbRrG8hyq6WU5EbSIHmst5rX1M4cnCsWql2ESUsQ/w241-h187/navel_oranges_400x310.png" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gemini (born May 21 to June 21) is an air sign that hearkens the beginning of warmer days. Its symbol is the twins. Geminis tend to be able to adapt to most situations, and are flexible and adaptable. What better way to acknowledge versatility and adaptability than with the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel orange</a>? Like their human counterparts, you can take them anywhere and they fit in well.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cancer: Temple Oranges </b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcJfe22ED9HQyi6KkP-_s--zx90MM-PyIWG440Inb97gkcusN9njNgJbkSmnmRPlTkkunIIzZmAJB8vpBZEU-aXTZdzzc7Nf97kllR1Q3yMi5BdvjANCdmR_yWRkIaju0vU8cmTtuZt0tghra2zO6co2PJU_sEJvTw-qBFXOIqHG3pnDetJA_HQ/s278/temple.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="278" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcJfe22ED9HQyi6KkP-_s--zx90MM-PyIWG440Inb97gkcusN9njNgJbkSmnmRPlTkkunIIzZmAJB8vpBZEU-aXTZdzzc7Nf97kllR1Q3yMi5BdvjANCdmR_yWRkIaju0vU8cmTtuZt0tghra2zO6co2PJU_sEJvTw-qBFXOIqHG3pnDetJA_HQ/w130-h111/temple.jpg" width="130" /></a></b></span></div><p></p><img alt="original zodiac" class="size-medium wp-image-55127 alignleft" height="201" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" src="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Cancer-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Cancer-214x300.jpg 214w, https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Cancer.jpg 285w" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; display: inline; float: left; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; height: auto; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin-right: 1em; max-width: 100%;" width="143" /><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #150604; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; text-align: center;">Cancer (born June 22 to July 22) is a water sign whose symbol is the crab. By their very nature, those with this sign tend to be nurturing and caring, and can have a healthy but slightly corny sense of humor. Crabs have a shell and a soft, sweet center, just like the easy-to-peel rind of the </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/templeoranges/index.cfm" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">temple orange</a><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #150604; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; text-align: center;">.</span></div><div><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div style="color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Leo: Cara Cara<br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" style="font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="400" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxurIMVcM4NP3CjohVCUIoTE5j249F3jDCUqvC3S0F65EQPR1_b-26PNWSPEbZtoo8V-vpUpedrwqQWlN7_nSoXHhmk_Ek-UE3xxxles8k7eVyIOdy70FDrzr2PIesuwMSoXzrDA-Es9gNcOSNSz7lc-gwfyCLtr04nJkFCMxMTGLKsFBBMGByg/w204-h176/red_navel_orange.jpg" width="204" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leo (born July 23 to August 22), is another fire sign represented by the lion. Leos are bold and passionate by nature, so what better citrus fruit to represent them than the fiery <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">red navel orange</a>, also known as the scarlet navel orange or <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">cara cara</a>? While Leos can be dramatic, like the cara cara they have a sweet, soft, flavorful center.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Virgo: White Grapefruit</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkAbf_cU0rhbegbHJEwezzpzsJcIkL9AT7c-r1i-3j7gj5piIiJH8NQPl-G5ZInsZHyZK2FgvSZN-0_U0ndePrBDNSCI6j5zTkA6yd1U-ul5I3cEikTc8NGKkWS5g6hR8PyhFmUlAZLPfdRxpHAlRULm_rAfFo8P4gPC71I5p1J-BsfKo5kf1Jg/s400/white%20grapefruit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="400" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkAbf_cU0rhbegbHJEwezzpzsJcIkL9AT7c-r1i-3j7gj5piIiJH8NQPl-G5ZInsZHyZK2FgvSZN-0_U0ndePrBDNSCI6j5zTkA6yd1U-ul5I3cEikTc8NGKkWS5g6hR8PyhFmUlAZLPfdRxpHAlRULm_rAfFo8P4gPC71I5p1J-BsfKo5kf1Jg/w208-h143/white%20grapefruit.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><img alt="the beginning of astrology" class="size-medium wp-image-55136 alignleft" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" src="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Virgo-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Virgo-214x300.jpg 214w, https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Virgo.jpg 285w" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-right: 1em; max-width: 100%;" width="214" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Virgo (born August 22 to September 23) is the only feminine Zodiac sign, represented by a maiden. Virgos are organized and tend to prefer the tried and true, and as such your best citrus fruit is the reliable <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/whitegrapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">white grapefruit.</a> The golden rind of this variety of grapefruit is apt as well, as it is believed that the maiden of the Virgo sign will return and bring humanity a "golden age."</span></p><h2 style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.028em; line-height: 1.214; margin: 2.29068em 0px 0.540791em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Libra: Spring Tangelos</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="400" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l4AoTJeDfMyQeDu0wNL0GoOE4DGntrxJKwiFiLXBt87DkLuMLKw0VdT9fUHGLPoyMY58zKf2VSHX4wmLV-j2akkAoXUMAMYeYdHt-dJoAc8Xe1hbqGJcrfwCRMk1CUtesV_ugUf40i2LeLCNz2JljgklRcOsUibRzTBNaP315_7bsG_MpBp9bA/w242-h179/spring-tangelos-ship-free_400x296.png" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Libra (born September 23 to October 23) is an air sign represented by a scale. Not surprisingly, their main trait is a quest for balance, justice, and fairness. For this reason, spring tangelos are your fruit: they are the patient result of a careful cross-breeding between tangerines and grapefruit, which provide a perfect balance of flavor.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scorpio: Oranges with Chocolate</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px;">Scorpio (born October 24 to November 21) is a water sign represented by a scorpion. Sometimes, it is also associated with a snake or eagle. In either case, Scorpios are known to be both dark and mysterious, much like the sweet and tangy </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges_with_chocolate/index.cfm" style="font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px;" target="_blank">oranges with chocolate</a><span style="font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px;"> box.</span></p><br /><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="Scorpio (born October 24 to November 21) is a water sign represented by a scorpion. Sometimes, it is also associated with a snake or eagle. In either case, Scorpios are known to be both dark and mysterious, much like the sweet and tangy oranges with chocolate box." style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="400" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pWd84_sp8L7b1WG7hxdtdGuBos_05THlUAjnjJPnTQBaNrlxv8YqX9C_R8GDttyQIa6Cf97imOrBjIFgerXrfsR8_uspTOHKOAIvb6_i_84c__AbIVOh-9w4Jy8Try-O8wKSs9boNCoFyzqwbQjZ2bOdKnMXINniG2JsSTHHT1Hq9mPTmUBg_w/w262-h216/oranges_with_chocolate_400x330.png" width="262" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Sagittarius: Sol Zest Mandarin</b></span><p></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><img alt="ancient zodiac sign" class="alignright wp-image-55133 size-medium" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" src="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Sagittarius-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Sagittarius-214x300.jpg 214w, https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Sagittarius.jpg 285w" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin-left: 1em; max-width: 100%;" width="214" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sagittarius (born November 22 to December 21) is a fire sign represented by an archer or arrowsmith, but can also take the form of a centaur. Sagittarians have a "life is short" attitude. With the onset of the Winter Solstice, the Sagittarian citrus fruit is the rare <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/index.cfm" target="_blank">Sol Zest mandarin</a>, available only during the shortest days of the season.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Capricorn: Double Bells</span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSoTa-gbcvZxIOExThDy1PVYW3q5c6X8zm2FkfjzDuJoLmQ-0uHPXUVeBCUFsRieTIKbF712cNAjpc9ADJ7sD03VTRGexrZMufb-4QsZ394OXCqdJAb0x8FjdFLvbXx_YGqkk28KYlRZOJC9FMJThwoAa68YKVAo85Y1MEca4pZRaQgd3oafNow/s400/firstlastbells.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSoTa-gbcvZxIOExThDy1PVYW3q5c6X8zm2FkfjzDuJoLmQ-0uHPXUVeBCUFsRieTIKbF712cNAjpc9ADJ7sD03VTRGexrZMufb-4QsZ394OXCqdJAb0x8FjdFLvbXx_YGqkk28KYlRZOJC9FMJThwoAa68YKVAo85Y1MEca4pZRaQgd3oafNow/w202-h202/firstlastbells.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Capricorn (born December 22 to January 21) is an earth sign represented by a goat or sea goat. Capricorns like to keep very busy, so they need a citrus snack that will sustain them. As such, Capricorns are best matched with <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/1stlastbells/index.cfm" target="_blank">double honeybells,</a> especially during their birthday when life gets extra celebratory and they may have a tendency to do too much.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Aquarius: Fallglo Tangerines</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><img alt="horoscope origin" class="size-medium wp-image-55126 alignright" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" src="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Aquarius-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Aquarius-214x300.jpg 214w, https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Aquarius.jpg 285w" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin-left: 1em; max-width: 100%;" width="214" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aquarius (born January 22 to February 20) is an air sign that is often confused with a water sign, as its symbol is "the water bearer." Aquarians are considered wise and resilient. For that reason, their best citrus are the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">easy peel tangerines</a>, which grow for the longest season under a wide variety of conditions. </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" style="font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="400" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGsPqdmLzo0g9PptHcQHoyIxS2j0yOoRC1XPcV9oq6SmAyWi3WESRITmuREdeW7G8vk0BkjDbYCAKNdxBwxPo2i8QEgAKjwXumNo-Ku6CGZpTtvTMu4a_HGzT2RpTmAE_-8IHyhAowEA8bn8SF8U1u7bt5y3n3xfTDst1JW7oVgdqBeVDqB4f7g/w256-h194/fallglo.jpg" width="256" /></a></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.028em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pisces: Deep Red Grapefruit</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><img alt="how did the zodiac signs get their symbols" class="size-medium wp-image-55132 alignleft" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" src="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Pisces-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Pisces-214x300.jpg 214w, https://replogleglobes.com/app/uploads/2022/05/horoscope-origin-Pisces.jpg 285w" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-right: 1em; max-width: 100%;" width="214" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last astrological sign in the Zodiac calendar is Pisces (born February 20 to March 20). This is another water sign, whose symbol is a pair of fish swimming in opposite directions. Pisces are creative and free-thinking, but can also have an edge. As such, their best citrus is the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/deep_red_grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">deep red grapefruit,</a> which is fresh and sweet and also a bit tangy: delicious! </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/deep_red_grapefruit/index.cfm" style="font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="400" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKTLabL1axlIhBujVlm8ZSqvCPwMRLCZEsdTgs4ed7oeAaYOgd1oCt4X4bs7hW21saEro2n174blGJa7fKAQI3Enh5OJHmwnaf2nkSAeE0VEMFb0KEyqpdcdanY8gguc-zeA4i7S-OwYX-rxYJzpam8pQEG5EcsgHJ1g32fyiPxbp_tx-gamtew/w175-h148/deep_red_grapefruit_400x339.png" width="175" /></a></p><p style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #150604; font-size: 17.6px; letter-spacing: -0.4928px; margin: 0px 0px 1.118em;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While you can enjoy all of the delicious fruits from <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> at any time of the year, consider treating yourself to your citrus zodiac when you need a little extra boost! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://replogleglobes.com/blog/the-origin-of-zodiac-signs-symbols</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://bestlifeonline.com/fruit-zodiac-sign-news/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/sun-moon-rising-sign-meaning</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><br />ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-83724444908549432412023-01-03T15:06:00.003-08:002023-01-03T16:04:41.554-08:00A Chilly New Year Brings Sweet New Citrus!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TSbKHfxtin4SmbwmrSLnAN0YTcruFEL8nG1z5kIu48y7aXThO8G38vAYj3jiMpI1gEVazvfccogAlpZW9VieYX23cpOX-KBCAjEp9KCfXbroDmhcGdtqg-SnQFOAef_-CJ42KFWvj54RivLwUE_mdUx-z6uwy-65srSz9bAOSNPCyFRJi28Hvw/s508/icicles.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TSbKHfxtin4SmbwmrSLnAN0YTcruFEL8nG1z5kIu48y7aXThO8G38vAYj3jiMpI1gEVazvfccogAlpZW9VieYX23cpOX-KBCAjEp9KCfXbroDmhcGdtqg-SnQFOAef_-CJ42KFWvj54RivLwUE_mdUx-z6uwy-65srSz9bAOSNPCyFRJi28Hvw/s320/icicles.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brrrrr...even here in Florida, folks felt the effects of winter storm Elliott right down to our rarely-worn socks. Baby, it was COLD outside! Sometimes, hard freezes can be tricky business for growers, as citrus in general is a warm weather fruit family that thrives when temperatures linger between sixty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit. There are some exceptions: satsuma mandarins and kumquats do just fine down in the fifteen degree range, and some varieties of grapefruits can withstand longer freeze periods. As a general rule, however, any citrus can be damaged if exposed to hard freeze conditions for more than four hours. Fortunately, our growers are well-versed in caring for trees during these occasional cold blasts, and since citrus actually tastes <i>better </i>when exposed to non-extreme cold temperatures, the fruits coming out this winter post winter storm Elliott are exceptionally sweet and delicious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cold Weather Is Sweet for Oranges</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Generally speaking, there are two types of citrus: sweet and acid. Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, we specialize in the sweet types: oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines/mandarins. Florida is an ideal climate for sweet citrus fruits because we get just enough cold weather to sweeten the sweet fruits even more, but not enough to damage them. Cold weather can be a positive or negative stressor to many types of fruits. When they are stressed a little bit by the chill, it acts as a "positive stressor," breaking down the cells just slightly so that more sugar is produced as a stress response. Only when the temperature plummets below freezing for an extended period does it become a "negative stressor," permanently damaging the fruit and even the whole tree. Fortunately our growers are well versed in hard freeze care, and one bite into our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybells</a> coming out right now for their short season will prove that the results are truly delicious!<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3X9XTYRPRt4GL6yhh2RFMyZBYYeXXeWE47BYWJm0ji2O7fkI8e8dwMlYhx1NGziIhI0V79aDIbRnH-7ZsTWBdamp4yj5NAOii2h5mFEF1KDu_YWAKxpOxa3h5xkNQ_-JWcBahNtdFXAXBYszXl-aXWajh71v-8mnxhoebYEBTl3INLAK5j_11g/s300/Honeybells%20Free%20Shipping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="300" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3X9XTYRPRt4GL6yhh2RFMyZBYYeXXeWE47BYWJm0ji2O7fkI8e8dwMlYhx1NGziIhI0V79aDIbRnH-7ZsTWBdamp4yj5NAOii2h5mFEF1KDu_YWAKxpOxa3h5xkNQ_-JWcBahNtdFXAXBYszXl-aXWajh71v-8mnxhoebYEBTl3INLAK5j_11g/s1600/Honeybells%20Free%20Shipping.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">How Do Growers Protect the Fruit?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Citrus growers are aware that a cold snap can either make or break the fruit harvest, depending on just how cold it gets and for how long. With the extreme conditions of winter storm Elliott spanning several days, while the rest of us were warming up hot chocolate and cueing up movies, they worked hard for several sleepless nights, putting their freeze-savvy techniques into action. Here are some of the things that farmers can do so they could chill out about the chill instead of get frosted about it:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>More Ice Please:</b> Even though it may seem counterintuitive, one of the most ingenious ways to offset subfreezing temperatures is simply to keep the plants from freezing--by freezing them! When a hard freeze is forecast, farmers irrigate the trees with water. As the temperature plummets, this water freezes but also releases heat into the environment. This heat is often just enough to prevent the actual fruit from totally freezing, so it can get busy generating cold-response sugars for our benefit!</span></li></ul><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Decorate for the Holidays:</b> Wrapping trees in incandescent Christmas tree lights can offer well-balanced warmth throughout the leaves and branches, and will not damage the tree due to their low heat level. If trees are to be covered, lights can be strung and plugged in first.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Create a Cover-Up:</b> Trees can be staked so the plastic frames can be constructed around them. Alternatively, trees can be wrapped in burlap, blankets, or other frost-resistant cloth.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Health Benefits of Cold-Sweetened Fruits</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="516" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvLsUBOU-cvzWiR2QyQpnck79JiT0qcqXcaR57CbrqV8uYRnd7P_cRr25mvVS861u0xxlztSPr8l6xwrO-Qe3sM4D7-H72_c1aIDXRIOgwmYuuYRMnO3pYuhH0qHqSPeSkYiXLhEPYHV2DE8-hAsdXxnQO1A5cb7zL5wyancR7erBIjmtd6MwYw/s320/lady%20with%20orange%20halves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We often hear that sugar is bad for us. While that's the case for refined sucrose, which can cause blood glycemic levels to skyrocket, sugars from whole foods are another story completely: those cold-sweetened citrus fruits are loaded with nutritional goodness, and their relative sugar content and glycemic index are still very low. Pair this with the incredible nutrition benefits of eating citrus during the more sedentary winter months, and you've got a win! Consider:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">*When temperatures are low and we become more housebound and sedentary as a result, the temptation to eat sugary, processed foods can become magnified. Super sweet citrus fruits are just as easy to eat, and take care of that sugar craving, without packing on extra pounds.</span></li></ul><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">*Winter can also be a low energy time when folks tend to catch more colds than usual, both as a result of being inside more. The Vitamin C in citrus is revitalizing, energizing, and immune-boosting.</span></li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">*The fiber, Vitamin C, and flavonoids in citrus fruits are an excellent aid to weight management and loss. Add to that that they pack a lot of flavor, nutrients and satisfaction into way less calories compared to a cupcake or other processed snack of comparable size.</span></li></ul></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;">Just as cold weather can bring out the warmth in our hearts, so can it bring out the sweetness in our fruits. So bring on the cold...our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/honeybelltangelos_ship_free/index.cfm" target="_blank">Honeybells</a> (and other delicious January <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/freeshipping/index.cfm" target="_blank">citrus fruits</a>) are cool with it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://hgic.clemson.edu/cold-tolerance-in-citrus/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/01/a-bit-of-cold-weather-the-sweeter-the-orange</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://autos.yahoo.com/central-florida-citrus-farmers-ice-043517907.html?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://wxguys.ssec.wisc.edu/2013/02/25/how-do-citrus-farmers-battle-the-cold/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/home_garden/how-to-protect-citrus-trees-from-freezes/article_e5c7f8a8-414c-59e5-a22d-3f1f7731fc6f.html</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.healthline.com/health/best-low-sugar-fruits</span></div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-31863789543542539732022-12-20T18:46:00.009-08:002022-12-21T06:55:08.685-08:00'Tis the Season for the Senses (with Citrus)!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Ahhh, the holidays: a feast for the senses! The sights, smells, tastes, sounds and textures of this time of the year are nothing short of delightful. Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, where citrus fruits are always on our minds, we'd like to invite you on a tour of the senses this holiday season...citrus-style!</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-Yy5iNM_YcbTeTief7W-Ja4zEbluKJK9iGC7Try31T8nnlldR5hrhFZoLsBgUevTWApPhS9JpHZCFUGwYSTeSsJDi2qr8CffwieNVQzWrRNEAesuKslbtm2WIRU0T7xVyzNgHbTHmTVaP8LyAtHginTOTiqR3hWzEF1XdRrQWk4JkoVjJeB2_Q/s479/orangeeyes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="479" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-Yy5iNM_YcbTeTief7W-Ja4zEbluKJK9iGC7Try31T8nnlldR5hrhFZoLsBgUevTWApPhS9JpHZCFUGwYSTeSsJDi2qr8CffwieNVQzWrRNEAesuKslbtm2WIRU0T7xVyzNgHbTHmTVaP8LyAtHginTOTiqR3hWzEF1XdRrQWk4JkoVjJeB2_Q/s320/orangeeyes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SIGHT</span></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Who doesn't love the bright hues of citrus? From
the rich orange hue of a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5908943427924745700/3186378954354253973" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Sol Zest Mandarin</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> (available for only two more
weeks) to the scrumptious flesh of a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5908943427924745700/3186378954354253973" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Deep Red Grapefruit</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> or </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5908943427924745700/3186378954354253973" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Cara Cara Red Navel</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> (which, by the way, is about to come into
season), citrus brightens up a home, office, or lunchbox. Set a bowl of
oranges, mandarins, and grapefruits out on your dining room table for an
instant hit of colorful, edible décor. Place a few wedges of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5908943427924745700/3186378954354253973" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Honeybells</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> on the side of a pasta dish, or on top of
a salad, for a pop of inviting color. Grate some zest into muffins, cakes,
frostings, and breads instead of using artificially-colored sprinkles; orange
rind retains its bright hue even after cooking!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu0HXv0lfl8rKwTDIBGzU5XT-QTqRhH7tdmh5nbKJLUMPngbGI7XK7qAm4knjiq1Wbxjn_YX5V1CXx-r-8Ki7A5X9GaVdcHVAj64XqobGRMDV3FuFcrHW8B48xU5TnCdRqY2_ZcVB6Mx-0xQ1MI-AjvJItns1ENfZiFbfihrraTTXzrmkEKQ6Dw/s509/smellingorange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu0HXv0lfl8rKwTDIBGzU5XT-QTqRhH7tdmh5nbKJLUMPngbGI7XK7qAm4knjiq1Wbxjn_YX5V1CXx-r-8Ki7A5X9GaVdcHVAj64XqobGRMDV3FuFcrHW8B48xU5TnCdRqY2_ZcVB6Mx-0xQ1MI-AjvJItns1ENfZiFbfihrraTTXzrmkEKQ6Dw/s320/smellingorange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SMELL</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The aromatherapy world has a lot to say about the smells of oranges and grapefruits. The natural, essential oils found in their rinds are packed with aromatic compounds that have been shown to lift the spirit, relieve stress, reduce anxiety, energize the mind, help alleviate pain, and they even have clinically-quantified antidepressant effects. And here's a fun fact that may be helpful if you're single and seeking a male partner on New Year's Eve: studies have shown that if you smell like a grapefruit, men perceive you to be six years younger than your chronological age! Alas, this trick doesn't work on women for some reason, but if you're seeking a paramour of the male persuasion, consider squeezing a few drops of fresh grapefruit juice on your neck or rubbing some grapefruit zest on your pulse points.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5r90wQ6Qfey91reqc9pHO1bTVKGYaiL82_CHHegT9_0sL6h6HHmr68qL46zkbMtxrPyHEY25CF6DVkv7NxdDNFF4mvNjsqQRe_aeidHVlu6PNp8dNdSKjNABRU1J46uHeGMYKLVQpqI5lv3RPKur1knro7KtzQnSx6AAALaahX6wEXWgxiE_xw/s509/grapefruitbeach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5r90wQ6Qfey91reqc9pHO1bTVKGYaiL82_CHHegT9_0sL6h6HHmr68qL46zkbMtxrPyHEY25CF6DVkv7NxdDNFF4mvNjsqQRe_aeidHVlu6PNp8dNdSKjNABRU1J46uHeGMYKLVQpqI5lv3RPKur1knro7KtzQnSx6AAALaahX6wEXWgxiE_xw/s320/grapefruitbeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">TASTE</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Taste is the sense we most associate with our fresh-off-the tree <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">produce</a>. After all, fresh citrus is both mouthwatering and delicious! According to experts, oranges and mandarins can have the following taste characteristics: sweet, sweet-tart, sweet-sour. Grapefruits, by comparison, tend to be much more tart or sour, with some slight bitterness and less sweetness. In general, all citrus types have some combination of sweet and tart/sour/bitter thanks to a combination of fruit sugars and citric acid.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SOUND </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW7gxjRXcrDrnp2f9h1FbI20JqStr7tbBkhFNGji_iMFiHSsdd8o7nbK2hVq4yZ0rpP1R9zP9r6m065RoO7AVogskgdXxWqiFiV5UoVqHD5zyuR43Afou93HfI1LWebKtsWgZgN_Bp-v5ZYFHgB54Xd4kIGaXPW0JWgP8gJX0HD5GiHvt9tKE6g/s509/grapefruit%20headphones.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW7gxjRXcrDrnp2f9h1FbI20JqStr7tbBkhFNGji_iMFiHSsdd8o7nbK2hVq4yZ0rpP1R9zP9r6m065RoO7AVogskgdXxWqiFiV5UoVqHD5zyuR43Afou93HfI1LWebKtsWgZgN_Bp-v5ZYFHgB54Xd4kIGaXPW0JWgP8gJX0HD5GiHvt9tKE6g/s320/grapefruit%20headphones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What is the sound of a citrus fruit? No, this question is not meant to be a Zen koan. However, if you get into a quiet and mindful state while eating a piece of citrus fruit, you might notice the unique soft tones of removing the tender peel off of a mandarin, the liquidy release of a grapefruit segment as you scoop in your spoon, or the satisfying sound of a knife slicing a navel into serving wedges. And of course, we all know the satisfying sounds of kids (and even grownups) slurping up a juicy piece of fruit!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">TEXTURE AND PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisPpzhecksIw_XhQ88dLJ6zNt00bxsRnzq3tqFoU-t3zerVDUgKpedvd7MJ_L-eSaqae8eWwWLcReUR0mYyNU4wiulAj2SLW0itoRHrF5fhoOOIN9k7H6VQ4r5nkNCuPI4oo8HtTcbWj56HKZO_cO2PpHGlp-nRSqrmcdSdBDcDoQr8IJ0mGKNA/s509/rindcloseup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisPpzhecksIw_XhQ88dLJ6zNt00bxsRnzq3tqFoU-t3zerVDUgKpedvd7MJ_L-eSaqae8eWwWLcReUR0mYyNU4wiulAj2SLW0itoRHrF5fhoOOIN9k7H6VQ4r5nkNCuPI4oo8HtTcbWj56HKZO_cO2PpHGlp-nRSqrmcdSdBDcDoQr8IJ0mGKNA/s320/rindcloseup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>One of the very interesting things about citrus fruits is the contrast between the textures of their rinds and flesh. A wonderful activity to do with kids is to feel the bumpiness of an orange rind, describe it, and then compare it to the smooth and slippery feeling of the inside of the fruit. If there are seeds as in some citrus varieties, you can notice those too, describing the characteristics of each unique component of the fruit. While you're at it, invite your kids (or yourself) to do a mindfulness exercise with all five senses as you prepare to enjoy your fruit: What does the outside rind feel like? What color is it? Does it have a smell? What does it sound like to peel or slice your fruit? What color is the inside? What does it feel like? What does it smell like? And finally, the moment we've all been waiting for: how does it taste? </span><span>If it's from </span><a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a><span>, you can be sure it will be delicious!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May your senses alight this holiday season. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, from all of us</span><span style="font-size: large;">!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sources: </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.healthline.com/health/orange-essential-oil-uses#benefits<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5661347/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30905156/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.biospace.com/article/around-the-web/smell-of-grapefruit-helps-women-look-younger/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.tastingtable.com/1075910/grapefruits-vs-oranges-whats-the-difference/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012812163400022X</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-42836395577771012302022-12-11T08:33:00.002-08:002022-12-11T08:35:11.990-08:00Add a Little Sol Zest to Your Life!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">With the December holidays and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/shippinginfo/index.cfm" target="_blank">shipping deadlines</a> coming up very quickly, we like to help you think of fresh and unique gift ideas, fast! This time of year is exciting, but can also be taxing. How to reckon with keeping both your gift ideas and your energy levels feeling fresh, bright, and vibrant? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Enter <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/" target="_blank">Sol Zest</a> mandarins.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/shippinginfo/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="400" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkqEWX_YRuHtAbzzb5ciY5860Xff3TUAQ12BcvOu0cZElUNKr9Uo74NydekwbY-OtMZTxdL9MIz_FeN5_NfK0w952mm6jYwt-42olVhxxDggmRErraW_F1PmSGPP8_ufL-vYcyIeLS2IFzXO1cqa756DR0nAEc_sTystdi20pwBm5HrIjLqaFyA/s320/sol_zest_mandarins_400x339.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What are Sol Zest Mandarins?</span></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Directly translated, "Sol Zest" means "Sun Zest." And what an apt name that is! Originally from the Jaffa region of Israel, they grow and ripen in bright, sunny climates just like here in Florida, literally harvesting the warmth and nourishment of the sun in their zest (rind) and flesh. While they have long been in Israel and are new to Florida, their genesis is not entirely clear. Many sources say that they are a hybrid between a Temple Orange and the Dancy Tangerine. However, this may be an oversimplified definition, as many hybrids were tested over a thirty year period to produce the Sol Zest we can enjoy today, and which many consider to be the ultimate mandarin. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Kid-Friendly Citrus</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Speaking of rinds, Sol Zest mandarins are incredibly easy to peel, making them an convenient treat for kids and adults alike. They are also seedless, tender, vibrantly orange colored, low-acid, sweet, and juicy (but not too juicy), making Sol Zest mandarins even more a-peeling to picky young eaters! They are the perfect size to throw into a bag or lunchbox; because of their easy-peel nature, lack of seeds, long shelf life, and other qualities, they are one of the easiest and tidiest citrus varieties to take on the go.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA_SGJATN1oqA2RbUX7IYIk4rQLjuS9UZcTHOnYmvTe_7ntc-KNgVbS90vnJfgSLbkHsZGiNdYKspXh-vPglaViiT7Xp_ym4UVLuGxC8v5V2D4OWN_FIiN1cE8BtNY7myMINSdLdHz7U1rVdySzHBqrbSvJkBbYsSh5VEqJ8KRqGykNeIvE4_2w/s507/KidTangerines.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA_SGJATN1oqA2RbUX7IYIk4rQLjuS9UZcTHOnYmvTe_7ntc-KNgVbS90vnJfgSLbkHsZGiNdYKspXh-vPglaViiT7Xp_ym4UVLuGxC8v5V2D4OWN_FIiN1cE8BtNY7myMINSdLdHz7U1rVdySzHBqrbSvJkBbYsSh5VEqJ8KRqGykNeIvE4_2w/s320/KidTangerines.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sol Zest or Orri?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sol Zest Mandarins have a few other names: Jaffa Orri, Orri Mandarin, Orri Tangerine, and Jaffa Mandarin. The word "orri" is a version of the Hebrew word for "light," which is perfect for the season. When this remarkable fruit became licensed to growers in the United States so that <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> could offer them to you, the name "Sol Zest" was born, and some growers refer to them as Sol Zest Tangerines. In the citrus world, tangerines and mandarins are interchangeable terms. Just like oranges, these citrus varieties boast a whole slew of nutritional benefits such as high fiber, high antioxidant properties, and concentrated levels of vitamin C.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bring On the Brix</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkK3zkDuKQ9cMG_DJHlhh0MXaMwtxoEoMV1kqgNqnfdEQIfhvRIih19uCE7WdydM_mwLOdd-TDcIA8ZL-0zktJt5L_TV-34zBIW4al20Yjj7bZxDDLEcc1bZIQgWN-IAwE93PrAu5y5rkX7J40kjGR3TW7VXqeG2e0thHwL3srjGYmcnGgVvxnw/s511/brix.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="511" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkK3zkDuKQ9cMG_DJHlhh0MXaMwtxoEoMV1kqgNqnfdEQIfhvRIih19uCE7WdydM_mwLOdd-TDcIA8ZL-0zktJt5L_TV-34zBIW4al20Yjj7bZxDDLEcc1bZIQgWN-IAwE93PrAu5y5rkX7J40kjGR3TW7VXqeG2e0thHwL3srjGYmcnGgVvxnw/s320/brix.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The sweetness of fruit is determined by a unit called its degrees brix. As a fruit ripens, its ratio of sugar to fruit increases, and the amount of that sugar determines the sweetness of the fruit. To determine the degrees brix of a fruit, a small drop of juice from the flesh of the fruit is placed on a refractometer, pictured above. The reading on the refractometer is the number that determines the fruit's sweetness. <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/" target="_blank">Sol Zest</a> mandarins consistently have a reading of 15 or higher, which is considered to be a mouth-watering level!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ready to give the rare and wonderful treat of Sol Zest mandarins....and try some for yourself? The growing season is very short and you won't find them in stores; they are only available <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/" target="_blank">here</a> through early January. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.orangesonline.com/buyers_guide/sol_zests/index.cfm<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://orrijaffa.com/orri/</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.israel21c.org/north-america-loves-easy-peeling-israeli-mandarin-oranges/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.flavoralchemy.com/journal/the-brix-of-sweet-fruit/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://hebrewwordlessons.com/2018/12/09/ore-children-of-light/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/tangerines.html</span></div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-90527718424896215472022-11-29T10:41:00.002-08:002022-11-29T10:43:43.332-08:00 The Stormy Side of Florida Citrus<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Ahhh, Florida--the land of Mickey Mouse, sugar sand beaches, sunshine, juicy oranges from the groves of <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, and....hurricanes. While Florida basks in an ideal climate for growing citrus during most of the year, those perfect days can occasionally get stormy. During what's known as "hurricane season" from June 1 through November 30 of each year, they can even get downright dicey. During the past two centuries, hurricanes in every category have made landfall and moved across our orange grove regions. Depending on the intensity of the winds, flooding, the speed of the movement of the storm, and other factors, citrus groves can be impacted. But don't worry: we are Floridians, and we've learned over the years how to keep close watch during these times to ensure your <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grove_basket_free_shipping/index.cfm" target="_blank">fruit </a> is ripe, delicious, and undamaged.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk78b7254f7l4sPh_heWGJCbdzim5OMOh7DCYOAphvuBrBUDPGJZmkCbFgFR0_gHNF_72i9QQZ_sXv8K934gzA0mHVCO9EX9wYyxcgeGBn8WxBg6VGrdFgq6RKLBr19JNCvuizkkqdjOngV4HEQnLDdohgK4VNZ--Zw9cqEhUR71hhNw-V4w8ebg/s490/hurricane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="490" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk78b7254f7l4sPh_heWGJCbdzim5OMOh7DCYOAphvuBrBUDPGJZmkCbFgFR0_gHNF_72i9QQZ_sXv8K934gzA0mHVCO9EX9wYyxcgeGBn8WxBg6VGrdFgq6RKLBr19JNCvuizkkqdjOngV4HEQnLDdohgK4VNZ--Zw9cqEhUR71hhNw-V4w8ebg/s320/hurricane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">How Do Hurricanes Affect Our Groves?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When we think of hurricanes, we usually imagine ferocious, whipping winds. Most of us are familiar with storm news footage showing palm trees bent all the way over, fronds nearly dusting the ground. While healthy doses of brisk winds are important for trees in general to promote healthy, stable root structures, those same trees can conversely be severely damaged if winds reach hurricane strength, especially over an extended duration. Citrus trees are no exception. Hurricane force winds can easily strip tender trees of their fruit and, if high enough in intensity, damage their structure and vital root systems. Hurricanes also often bring flooding, which can cause a whole host of other problems. The standing water from flooding and the longer-term saturation of the soil can weaken roots and make them prone to soil-borne diseases in the weeks and months that follow a hurricane strike. If salt water floods a near coastal grove, the trees can get salt damage. When any of these things happen, subsequent fruiting from damaged trees can be sub-par, and time is needed for recovery. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Number?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAC5AmzwRmoaUC2Fu6ju8Kzx7xS9PAWLAvrkSllesp6nXJgQHvcFVmevjpjFj8zD4wy1XjJ3-3A44nxejb-gz9W6gaKBnYjiNSxrCuw6gTZAe7oBRtad0He5ihxkXAWhK_QHn8BlYgCJRbKpbqIk1p_ePp5ZlsjfkCiYKkY8HQnLmISlBbrMIRQ/s225/cat5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAC5AmzwRmoaUC2Fu6ju8Kzx7xS9PAWLAvrkSllesp6nXJgQHvcFVmevjpjFj8zD4wy1XjJ3-3A44nxejb-gz9W6gaKBnYjiNSxrCuw6gTZAe7oBRtad0He5ihxkXAWhK_QHn8BlYgCJRbKpbqIk1p_ePp5ZlsjfkCiYKkY8HQnLmISlBbrMIRQ/w188-h188/cat5.png" width="188" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hurricanes are rated on what's known as a Saffir-Simpson scale, which rates wind speeds. Not taking into account the speed that a storm moves through an area, relative location to the coast, and impacts of flooding, these are the general guidelines as per how hurricanes affect citrus groves: </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Category 1 (74-95 mph): Some loss of leaves and fruit.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Category 2 (96-110 mph): Significant leaf and fruit loss, some trees can be blown down.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Category 3 (111-130 mph): Extensive leaf and fruit loss, with large numbers of trees blown over.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Category 4 (131-155 mph): Trees likely completely stripped, most blown down and off site.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Category 5 (over 155 mph): Total devastation.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC1tVTkCin007VxuBdq6nVw8w841z-AwoMYCZVmZfbV3ZenLpeeOy3yh-IUO7EjgLyAKdCt9R7gmN2o5cokItme5UxDv-dPxtN_HdGN8IGeQT2w0U1TJzhTSMFsEn0xduRcVeVY_TN28WIGSo8jbDKChPTuo4iv7Ik4rBvHgGUim49hs9ywB9kQ/s509/storm.jpg" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC1tVTkCin007VxuBdq6nVw8w841z-AwoMYCZVmZfbV3ZenLpeeOy3yh-IUO7EjgLyAKdCt9R7gmN2o5cokItme5UxDv-dPxtN_HdGN8IGeQT2w0U1TJzhTSMFsEn0xduRcVeVY_TN28WIGSo8jbDKChPTuo4iv7Ik4rBvHgGUim49hs9ywB9kQ/s320/storm.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Groves and Hurricanes: Some History</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>When Hurricane Nicole recently struck near Vero Beach, our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel oranges</a> were impacted. As such, the high quality navels you will receive from us will be sourced from a grove outside of the hurricane-affected area. </span><span>Here at </span><a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a><span> we are constantly monitoring the quality of our groves and fruit to make sure you are receiving the most delicious product from the healthiest trees. </span><span>Monitoring citrus groves during hurricane season is an important part of our job! Take 2004, for example. Four hurricanes--Charley, Frances, Jeanne, and Ivan--moved right up through the center of the state sequentially. While they were "only" category 1-2 level storms by the time they moved up the state, the constant rain, wind, and flooding really affected our groves, and there was considerable damage to the buildings as well. Prior to that 2004 "fearsome foursome," the last time hurricanes caused that much damage to the citrus industry was back in the 1940's. With the very recent Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, we've seen some impact in 2022, though not nearly to such an extent. Fortunately, many measures are in place to minimize damage and maximize recovery.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Floridians Do In a Hurricane</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshine_deluxe_free_shipping/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7j5vLgmyYoyrCem-2F4hRA8PQBNjLCgwrsknRM7tmIuPJT_CNvQbgLAKbn0v3OT7u0IZn4gOLfcJFXC2V8pxXeYgeaNsDjJ8FDLQWVfrS0ZI_8hUn74O2k6iLsYQrVOBOckBt7xY7UAFAvpd9rf-nbunB3I4qp6VO4XGdtjSgJJ5GvUfV2tdgLA/s1600/Deluxe-Grapefruit-and-Navel-Free.jpg" width="300" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not surprisingly, Floridians turn to citrus during those occasional hunker-down periods when we are stormbound. Whether sheltering from a hurricane as it is passing over or riding out days of power outages, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerinetime/index.cfm" target="_blank">tangerines</a>, <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">premium oranges</a>, and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruits</a> all make for amazing snacks that require no refrigeration and are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients to keep us sustained as we navigate through. It's also a great time to break out the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sweettreats/index.cfm" target="_blank">special treats</a> we offer, to brighten up the stormy days! With wintertime fast approaching, the same concept applies to snowstorm days up north. Heck, citrus can even brighten us up through times when the internal weather is less than ideal. Keep a stock of <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshine_deluxe_free_shipping/index.cfm" target="_blank">citrus and treats</a> on hand, and you'll ride out all of life's storms with ease.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Sources:</u></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.floridacitrus.org/newsroom/citrus-411/weather/florida-hurricanes<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/media/crecifasufledu/faculty/rogers/27Albrigoetal2006.pdf<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/hurricanes</span></div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-28776840516270062582022-11-15T18:33:00.002-08:002022-11-15T18:50:20.297-08:00It Smells Like the Holidays, Naturally!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The winter holidays are a feast for all of the senses: festive lights and decorations for the eyes, traditional music, children's giggles, jingle bells for the ears, cozy soft clothes for the touch, delicious traditional foods for our taste buds, and the telltale citrus-spice scents for our noses. Not only do gifts like our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshinebox/index.cfm" target="_blank">Florida Sunshine Box</a>, pictured below, provide a wonderful decorative flair; you can use the fruit to make your home smell just like the holidays! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshinebox/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="400" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOFqDaq13cwvUbL8qUzh690KN2oXf2in2m6hCYL-ak_VtFLlA0zLdJC9IKNm1x74G2J3ohnryRs2aOM3tUJUofICjAkBePOrKzfcVqrsBc282sYXR_UMWIx0VQub0iYO7tNNpATIVzOSteDVSA7QqwfkZeMdPQ7h92TbKKHobxj-JCK4yLIWjVA/s320/holiday_wreath_400x374.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Health Benefits of Smelling the Season...Naturally</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Scents are powerful, and this time of year we are often bombarded with advertisements and store displays for sprays, perfumes, room fresheners, petroleum-based candles, and such that promote the holiday spirit. They all seem to have enticing names like "Merry Garland Spices" or "Happy Winter Tidings." Thing is, many of these products are loaded with chemicals that can disrupt the body's endocrine system. Fortunately, we have lots of natural alternatives. From ciders to simmer pots to pomanders to potpourri, citrus is central to the smells of the season, and have a lot of aromatherapy benefits as well. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4jwdVCTsJBsIMov-LfxGr1n2RcrXscudNB_ipeTyx2n7euMGhlHMyf9O4GhBIRnq68plb157XTPdBuJRktEBED3KJLHA-QY4wsFNoMVyBTjpIm4HUhYxJUsUqa2TF7emUzvELL_3JKPBQxe5eV2V_zb6DVDdMfVZl2Diiuf08GM7BPJwM4osRw/s483/orangecloves.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="483" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4jwdVCTsJBsIMov-LfxGr1n2RcrXscudNB_ipeTyx2n7euMGhlHMyf9O4GhBIRnq68plb157XTPdBuJRktEBED3KJLHA-QY4wsFNoMVyBTjpIm4HUhYxJUsUqa2TF7emUzvELL_3JKPBQxe5eV2V_zb6DVDdMfVZl2Diiuf08GM7BPJwM4osRw/s320/orangecloves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What is Aromatherapy?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is something magical about certain smells, and scientists have figured out why. When we inhale something fragrant, the nose becomes stimulated as the molecules containing the scent enter the lungs and eventually travel to other parts of the body. When they reach the brain, they affect our limbic system, which is linked to our emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, stress, and even the balance of our hormones. Certain scents can affect the limbic system positively, creating a sense of ease in the body and mind. This holistic use of various scents is known as aromatherapy. Bottled essential oils are often used for aromatherapy, but one advantage of whole fruit citrus is that it already has a high concentration of essential oils, especially in their rinds. Furthermore, mixing the scents of citrus (especially oranges) with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives our limbic system a double-dosed message of warmth, comfort, and safety.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr_1As4_UgylsrvSwvBu2jOCb1tGF3JqAgqPFEGgX-kdJz-5ECYrXRXXIF_pHJ0REEVij9DWZJ3x-FMQpJn2EVV_J3aawB8zqJ7lnqMrEjRsTXckndz65SWq6aAzWnnAlyeA6VucxIh4aMrRsQ1mYmQK60ViN4nxU83HVk2AcO-td_1qwkiQy0w/s416/cinnamonorange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr_1As4_UgylsrvSwvBu2jOCb1tGF3JqAgqPFEGgX-kdJz-5ECYrXRXXIF_pHJ0REEVij9DWZJ3x-FMQpJn2EVV_J3aawB8zqJ7lnqMrEjRsTXckndz65SWq6aAzWnnAlyeA6VucxIh4aMrRsQ1mYmQK60ViN4nxU83HVk2AcO-td_1qwkiQy0w/s320/cinnamonorange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Using Good Scents</span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now that you have your delicious box of fruits from <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, let's get cooking! A simmer pot is the simplest and most inexpensive way to bring the scents of the season into your home. Simply peel the rind off of an orange or two, and place it in a medium-sized pot. You can eat the fruit right away or save for later in the fridge. Fill the pot about halfway with water, and add a few cinnamon sticks. You can also add some apple and pear peels from our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshinebox/index.cfm" target="_blank">Florida Sunshine Box</a> or <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/heavenly_seven/index.cfm" target="_blank">Heavenly Seven</a>. Turn the burner onto high and allow the mixture to boil for about one minute. Then, turn the heat down to medium and allow the simmering concoction to infuse your home with the comforting aroma of the season. You can simmer for up to an hour, adding water as needed, and when you are all through, you can drink the liquid portion as a cholesterol-busting, skin-boosting tea.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can also make a pomander: simply stud an orange profusely with whole cloves. You can even make shapes with the cloves, like spirals, stars, Christmas trees or snowmen. As the fruit dries over time, it releases an alluring sweet-spicy smell. If you want to hang your pomander, you can run a wire through the fruit and shape it as needed. When the fruit has completely dried, your pomander can be hung on your holiday tree, in your closet, or placed in your drawers for wafts of wonderful fragrance everywhere!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Please Pass the Fruit</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC2S4fXDiSFbRkvDHsD-InV8ekQP5WyVw72wG8QDSt1Q2y3v7ZaMCK1jBZbnBJodCv-VsTTEBCi9zbaSULs8ZkziKBki-TeAACBA3DhTCrVIb2yJFDbnrXNZQPx1CTF_b4XfZgKgXoJX0r_7eZQbZNTxkjmCzNh7wHEY7Md9a65yMu6cO13z38A/s509/familyxmastree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC2S4fXDiSFbRkvDHsD-InV8ekQP5WyVw72wG8QDSt1Q2y3v7ZaMCK1jBZbnBJodCv-VsTTEBCi9zbaSULs8ZkziKBki-TeAACBA3DhTCrVIb2yJFDbnrXNZQPx1CTF_b4XfZgKgXoJX0r_7eZQbZNTxkjmCzNh7wHEY7Md9a65yMu6cO13z38A/s320/familyxmastree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The holiday a-peel (yes, I really did use that pun) of citrus has many facets: it's cheerfully colorful to look at, fun to eat, delicious to taste both alone and in traditional recipes, and smells just like the season, especially when paired with spices. So with the holidays coming upon us very quickly, take a deep breath and allow all of your senses to be nourished by your box of seasonal magic from <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>. </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">SOURCES:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://theherbalacademy.com/home-smell-good-holidays<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.endocrineweb.com/lifestyle-diet/hidden-endocrine-disruptors-beauty-products<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.creativehealthyfamily.com/easy-diy-trick-to-make-your-home-smell-like-fall/<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10884#using_aromatherapy<br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.almanac.com/content/how-make-pomander-balls</span></div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-50742831272961497952022-10-29T06:01:00.008-07:002022-10-29T06:41:07.605-07:00Snackable Autumn Art: with Citrus!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjm4CrLHwZ1qvb1_nNUM-bf3FFHh67U-XEdnbaN0atIDkRgBvlocRUb5L8H4MZZJJ8rNgF69QFgnIntWt1FDj8DLf3r67QFgvuZ7fq9IPEFYbHMv_xIjW6u49aqL9RkrUHB5GmrGsKDaKYIk8_xctpvaxfG5mULn9fg4Ua9YgKlkGMID2kt0j1g/s3935/Fruit%20Basket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3935" data-original-width="3023" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjm4CrLHwZ1qvb1_nNUM-bf3FFHh67U-XEdnbaN0atIDkRgBvlocRUb5L8H4MZZJJ8rNgF69QFgnIntWt1FDj8DLf3r67QFgvuZ7fq9IPEFYbHMv_xIjW6u49aqL9RkrUHB5GmrGsKDaKYIk8_xctpvaxfG5mULn9fg4Ua9YgKlkGMID2kt0j1g/w215-h258/Fruit%20Basket.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttgWWNFJswukEcy-YfVUlIfjM7SyY5wNFasizgrBwoWL0S8dA6wKd1N9lOR3ee6hwrlCRaSI3xsrQlt8ZChqQAxXEirt0Q-y9zfEiHjwh01TCLXn4hrEvuoIWav0Uziwkrdr8thuu7r9ACEUDDM67R7V20a3D3Jo-ImcrTqhWuX-zYwaA3NtlIg/s320/fresh-tangerines-on-a-tree_biv-ikyex_thumbnail-180_01.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttgWWNFJswukEcy-YfVUlIfjM7SyY5wNFasizgrBwoWL0S8dA6wKd1N9lOR3ee6hwrlCRaSI3xsrQlt8ZChqQAxXEirt0Q-y9zfEiHjwh01TCLXn4hrEvuoIWav0Uziwkrdr8thuu7r9ACEUDDM67R7V20a3D3Jo-ImcrTqhWuX-zYwaA3NtlIg/w373-h243/fresh-tangerines-on-a-tree_biv-ikyex_thumbnail-180_01.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The end of October and beginning of November mark the season for Halloween and the Autumn Harvest, and there is no better fruit to represent this time of the year than citrus! As we covered in the last blog, the color orange is the trademark hue of the season, and here at </span><a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a><span>, the primary citrus harvest crops are the </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/tangerinetime/index.cfm" target="_blank">Fallglo Tangerines</a><span>, which herald the start of the citrus season, </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">Easy-Peel Tangerines</a><span>, </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sol_zest/index.cfm" target="_blank">Sol Zest Tangerines</a><span>, red and white </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruit</a><span>, </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/naveloranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">navel oranges</a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/rednavels/index.cfm" target="_blank">red navels</a><span>. They are available to order now, with shipping in early November. These fruits are perfect for both decorating your home for the season and feeding nutritious snacks to your family: all at the same time!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goblin Up the Treats</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxrNh4qvi1nluHvTsrj9u6-QpdavyCJnAnBDs-mHULnZygJGHUiXPvQP72xpai12DrEWNhVaUcBn1MUYqyzNNjt8MCxziHsCFgvhEcl8lQaxdhl3ZqdQYFJROLqfH2mq41nKFDslhl5Y3jYl6HvOeDf6K5XRTVyQ1uhldQgTHI0twbhpIKAEScw/s2467/Morty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="2467" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxrNh4qvi1nluHvTsrj9u6-QpdavyCJnAnBDs-mHULnZygJGHUiXPvQP72xpai12DrEWNhVaUcBn1MUYqyzNNjt8MCxziHsCFgvhEcl8lQaxdhl3ZqdQYFJROLqfH2mq41nKFDslhl5Y3jYl6HvOeDf6K5XRTVyQ1uhldQgTHI0twbhpIKAEScw/s320/Morty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As you can see from this picture taken in your faithful blogger's dining room, the cat, pumpkin, and Morty the skeleton are very happy to see lots of tangerines filling the treat bowl as an alternative to all of the sugary sweets. With Thanksgiving and the December holidays right around the corner, health often takes a back seat to too many non-nutritious temptations and not enough time to practice healthy habits. As we begin to pack away our spooky decorations and transition into the cozy vibes of Thanksgiving, don't be so quick to pack up the idea of a treat bowl; simply replace the fright-themed one with a decorative basket and repurpose it for healthy snacking throughout the season.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDXNGeKJ74VIeZWlrJe1jqICD5WcIkqrJ2Av-Mq48chBmfRopVvM3cCvbKx4S0l_HKbBC4IHNaYfSPJCUdoujUyjwVpiSz0SsBXC5axkTxbUYwmI2n8Zc9cCvY2IbxrU3TTLdxwYuvbJ5Kb5T9zKZoVT1_sPG5SNn_JAFgECvvskyk4dt76y8dw/s400/citrus-lovers-basket_242_400x353.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="400" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDXNGeKJ74VIeZWlrJe1jqICD5WcIkqrJ2Av-Mq48chBmfRopVvM3cCvbKx4S0l_HKbBC4IHNaYfSPJCUdoujUyjwVpiSz0SsBXC5axkTxbUYwmI2n8Zc9cCvY2IbxrU3TTLdxwYuvbJ5Kb5T9zKZoVT1_sPG5SNn_JAFgECvvskyk4dt76y8dw/w261-h230/citrus-lovers-basket_242_400x353.png" width="261" /></a></div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkdqBvouqaNauHat6chWXE8W50r1yB-uqTOcVLjg8yZPl2b-Fo4e88mWSpDw0arsj9fVnSaqnFD92j5UUIaK97C5JEU2fNuMqEfbwSMbzcGP76WfxIZzbhVVvjrzXiUnbIlvPFjnf7WLM0AnzY2_zQN87IrfL_fvq2lYLutylO7kH7hs0Gx2tXQ/s509/tangerinecelerypumpkin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkdqBvouqaNauHat6chWXE8W50r1yB-uqTOcVLjg8yZPl2b-Fo4e88mWSpDw0arsj9fVnSaqnFD92j5UUIaK97C5JEU2fNuMqEfbwSMbzcGP76WfxIZzbhVVvjrzXiUnbIlvPFjnf7WLM0AnzY2_zQN87IrfL_fvq2lYLutylO7kH7hs0Gx2tXQ/w338-h224/tangerinecelerypumpkin.jpg" width="338" /></a><br /><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Still Life, Good Enough to Eat!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A bowl of fruit is the quintessential representation of a type of art form called "Still Life." Still Life allows us to appreciate the quiet and often surprising beauty of everyday items in our home, usually from nature. The first picture above, a great example of a Still Life photograph, is of our popular <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshine_seagrass_basket/index.cfm" target="_blank">Gift Basket</a>, which also serves as a beautiful centerpiece that's perfect for the season (or anytime of year). To create your own Still Life, you can play with the arrangement of the fruit in the basket, trying different patterns and light settings, and photograph or sketch your design. Citrus baskets are meant to be edible art, so by all means eat your subject material after photographing or sketching! After the delicious citrus is enjoyed, you can keep re-filling the basket with seasonal citrus and even orchard fruits such as those found in the <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/sunshinebox/index.cfm" target="_blank">Florida Sunshine Box</a>, and make another Still Life creation before once again heartily eating the subject medium. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">These fruits are delicious enough to peel and eat right on the spot, but since we are waxing creative, you might be inspired to try making a "tang-o-pumpkin" by removing the rind from one or more of our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/holidaytangerines/index.cfm" target="_blank">Easy-Peel Tangerines</a> and poking a celery "stem" in at the top. This quick and inventive offering also entices kids to eat the fruit more readily, without the extra step of peeling. Another idea, great for kids and adults alike, is to layer cut-up pieces of oranges and grapefruits with vanilla yogurt in a parfait cup, or simply toss some bite-sized pieces of citrus fruit atop a few dollops of yogurt or cottage cheese.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdZKqE33IbydgzI55kS8931keZEGLq2NLxqHTo99GVdMABqpdTohljv0fiCoPfa0iWIP54aRedvjovOPAzXfQHLaoah0LZ7HQvcUJkIaWCgL-ay5XAO7AxHKKzGPsnNh5Y9Uajve1lh40YlhHCMxWecC8rzxaqL_E6v3EXSietjji6-yV8psSTQ/s4032/Fruit%20Mandala.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdZKqE33IbydgzI55kS8931keZEGLq2NLxqHTo99GVdMABqpdTohljv0fiCoPfa0iWIP54aRedvjovOPAzXfQHLaoah0LZ7HQvcUJkIaWCgL-ay5XAO7AxHKKzGPsnNh5Y9Uajve1lh40YlhHCMxWecC8rzxaqL_E6v3EXSietjji6-yV8psSTQ/w349-h262/Fruit%20Mandala.jpg" title="Fruit Mandala" width="349" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAE7yumx_YksXMJKx7K7q23tHUs1iVJDjAk-CmPnV3Dq38JybjPzxs5erCzO4S-mog61HWkqmHAvy2vPdqGGatWdAPbOewEXYohgvRb7kclwvAj8JbJsCSbryIKptbpRLSGmMOoYRTfvUWSHwTUmkJPedMfk_xqwnfXA2w-qs8g7KVrJ3IbI9dw/s417/Mandala.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="417" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAE7yumx_YksXMJKx7K7q23tHUs1iVJDjAk-CmPnV3Dq38JybjPzxs5erCzO4S-mog61HWkqmHAvy2vPdqGGatWdAPbOewEXYohgvRb7kclwvAj8JbJsCSbryIKptbpRLSGmMOoYRTfvUWSHwTUmkJPedMfk_xqwnfXA2w-qs8g7KVrJ3IbI9dw/w200-h198/Mandala.jpg" title="Mandala" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Edible Mandalas</span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Continuing our journey into the world of snackable citrus art, we can explore another beautiful form that is made for fruit: Mandalas. Mandalas come from many traditions around the world, and some have a spiritual or meditative component associated with their creation and presentation. They are radially symmetrical, meaning that you want to create a balance of form and shape in all directions from a center point. This type of art is perfect for kids; simply provide them with a bunch of tangerines, oranges, grapefruits, and any other items you might find together such as sticks, leaves, age-appropriate ornamental beads, etc., and start creating! In the photo of the fruit mandala above, yours truly used a square pillow cover with a radially symmetrical floral design as a base. You can also use a circular platter or pizza pan, etc. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Mandalas are deconstructed right after you make them as a sign of impermanence, so feel free to start eating your fruit as soon as you finish designing. Best of all, you can keep changing the design as often as you wish, especially as the fruit is consumed and replaced. Making mandalas is a grounding mindfulness exercise for kids and adults alike, as close as your kitchen or dining room table and your box of freshly grove-picked fruit from <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy edible Autumn art-making, from all of us here at FFS!</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b>Sources:</b></p><p>https://www.getty.edu/news/what-is-a-still-life/</p><p>https://mommyconvos.com/a-yummy-and-healthy-alternative-to-halloween-candy/</p><p>https://www.britannica.com/topic/mandala-diagram</p><p>https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/make-a-mandala-17/</p><p><br /></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-41081606454994987642022-10-23T12:29:00.003-07:002022-10-23T13:55:22.160-07:00Orange: The Color of Autumn!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-E7wedVW-4NGwYFq2zzez2soTtkDNY14a72GzP_G9wgYLZbU_X7OO3OHYjnN3OepxfM1HekEae568h0YMZ2kZ8ZT3NCTdumUiZJWx2wexmEX001Kb63nDL5GKx2R9pc4hLpLZVvWQmWoeg1o56b-Huxdn4H3TzFfR11XRSomGdGvnkLgGzhdErw/s960/autumn-83761_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-E7wedVW-4NGwYFq2zzez2soTtkDNY14a72GzP_G9wgYLZbU_X7OO3OHYjnN3OepxfM1HekEae568h0YMZ2kZ8ZT3NCTdumUiZJWx2wexmEX001Kb63nDL5GKx2R9pc4hLpLZVvWQmWoeg1o56b-Huxdn4H3TzFfR11XRSomGdGvnkLgGzhdErw/s320/autumn-83761_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6rlSf5_6a3XukXn4JIrczSuPDzwQdCx8JJJgIwBD9xFTG4HBW6SoVyOe2ZIME7YM-a2j4IqMGTS9unxvvkd-v2VduCD-cK24Lvh0ebPB--_YXaE2QLZCOPmh84POmRyYQaBO4JLZzS9URIvFaOuPyhbKtPJtEsHWobWRS0ZaeL_CPkHw11FgeA/s4288/page%20spill%20with%20slices.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6rlSf5_6a3XukXn4JIrczSuPDzwQdCx8JJJgIwBD9xFTG4HBW6SoVyOe2ZIME7YM-a2j4IqMGTS9unxvvkd-v2VduCD-cK24Lvh0ebPB--_YXaE2QLZCOPmh84POmRyYQaBO4JLZzS9URIvFaOuPyhbKtPJtEsHWobWRS0ZaeL_CPkHw11FgeA/s320/page%20spill%20with%20slices.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Orange: the color of Autumn. How fitting that Autumn is also the season for delicious <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> premium oranges, the only fruit (well, besides blueberries) named for its vibrant, healthy, color!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Orange is a unique and welcoming color, the merging of the primary colors red and yellow. However, while all of these colors are considered to be in the "warm" category (versus blues, purples and greens, which are considered "cool,"), orange also elicits feelings of comfort and nourishment. And, of course, it is also a dominant color associated with the changing of the leaves in Fall. Here in Florida, we don't have much in the way of Fall foliage, but we sure do have a lot of delicious oranges!</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Orange and Color Psychology</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Most of us would acknowledge that colors can affect our emotions, and many of us have favorite colors that can even change from day to day, depending on our circumstances. Psychologists agree, and in fact a lot of research has shown that colors can help us in times of stress or trauma. If we are feeling blue or depressed, the warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow can invigorate us. Orange is particularly effective, as it combines the bold, expressive energy of red with the lighter, brighter, and friendlier qualities of yellow. The combined effect makes orange a strong influence on us, eliciting feelings of comfort, warmth, security, and even appetite! In fact, orange has been proven to have such an effect on appetite that it is recommended that one should keep healthy orange foods in sight whenever we are tempted to eat cakes, cookies, or other unhealthy offerings, as we will naturally gravitate towards orange-colored foods.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv7zBW4ylZHNrZn5hJcmvioeK46LQKrMrjTAdT91yNVl7dywn2FOaT9n1tLKfg0GQhPG05J5mR00H9jIF3KXNKlE68A4cafBNKwsUmeFi-zXmfPcpIF2QptBKY7ykwKHcmeH4xAepWzN8GEFiPgWuT8pOx_XjPppjue5G0EHihn8YMjaNE6hgog/s500/leaves4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv7zBW4ylZHNrZn5hJcmvioeK46LQKrMrjTAdT91yNVl7dywn2FOaT9n1tLKfg0GQhPG05J5mR00H9jIF3KXNKlE68A4cafBNKwsUmeFi-zXmfPcpIF2QptBKY7ykwKHcmeH4xAepWzN8GEFiPgWuT8pOx_XjPppjue5G0EHihn8YMjaNE6hgog/s320/leaves4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Color Orange in Autumn</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The reason that the color orange is associated with Autumn also has a scientific connection. The green leaves of trees are loaded with chlorophyll, the pigment compound that enables photosynthesis that makes the food for each tree. Interestingly, green is a soothing color, one shown by color psychologists to diffuse anxiety. This, plus the large amount of oxygen that trees exude, explain why we often feel so restored while spending time in the deep forest. In the Autumn, the shorter days and cooler temperatures signal temperate deciduous trees to stop their food-making process and prepare to go dormant. The same compounds that give color and nutrition to the oranges we love to eat -- carotenoids and flavonoids -- are exposed in these trees when the chlorophyll in their leaves begins to break down in preparation for winter. While leaves can also be red, yellow, and purple, orange tends to be the dominant color of Autumn, enhanced even more by the pumpkins we see for our pies and the oranges we buy for our ciders and snacking.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh51d4_QxeQw17n1HMsYSMyl3BvvAV0E_9dQKLHX3eJUwUqNxhLJXNu33Z46ayojvPolWmDEFZ8TKvNJcvq0fimC1FK2AWBTGI0S3FpiTHl4Hst-xDqT-O56I1maM3mKr1l5YyBae6cF0aaosxkwJ7UaziLbYkg_AR-Cf4Cm0Sa-OzvWoo8HxAw/s391/Orange-Jack-O-Lanterns_thumb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="391" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh51d4_QxeQw17n1HMsYSMyl3BvvAV0E_9dQKLHX3eJUwUqNxhLJXNu33Z46ayojvPolWmDEFZ8TKvNJcvq0fimC1FK2AWBTGI0S3FpiTHl4Hst-xDqT-O56I1maM3mKr1l5YyBae6cF0aaosxkwJ7UaziLbYkg_AR-Cf4Cm0Sa-OzvWoo8HxAw/s320/Orange-Jack-O-Lanterns_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Orange--and Oranges--to the Rescue </span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The warming and comforting effects of the color orange come just in time for the holidays, when tension levels in today's society tend to peak to their highest levels. In addition to colder weather, sickness, and the mania of the season, our bodies are exposed to higher than usual levels of stimulation and stress. Furthermore, since we know that orange can induce the appetite and there is an excess of food during the holidays, it's a great time of year to bring oranges into the picture: we will be tempted to snack on them versus the Halloween candy, and their vitamin C and water content will boost immune systems and cellular health. They are also an easy and decorative way to add more of the festive and nourishing orange color to our environs. Heck, you can even use oranges for Halloween decorations...but we'll cover that in detail in our next blog!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Till then, enjoy the season of Orange!</span></p><p>Sources:</p><p>https://thecolor.blog/psychology-of-the-colour-orange/</p><p>https://moffitt.org/endeavor/archive/color-your-world-to-relieve-stress</p><p>https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/science/2020/09/25/red-orange-yellow-the-science-of-fall-foliage/</p><p>https://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/leaves/leaves.htm#</p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-13028574459005625502022-03-26T18:39:00.006-07:002022-03-31T05:57:02.995-07:00Set Up a Daily Routine with the Help of Citrus<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNU6D5G2CyokCMuaAoT58oSgABO4hHoHczMKblCZmt453hq97JcJVB-95jFMsZPR_fT12FoplvHUH6GYqfxjgumuTBaXp_U-XnbkYR2NCMwn6D7lzhEzY7-I6FR-_KjKNITJaQba5lVt61pEaSo3r5RZq2MCExXdGZzRa-ACAEcRTGrKU6-L5DrQ/s455/freshsqueezed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNU6D5G2CyokCMuaAoT58oSgABO4hHoHczMKblCZmt453hq97JcJVB-95jFMsZPR_fT12FoplvHUH6GYqfxjgumuTBaXp_U-XnbkYR2NCMwn6D7lzhEzY7-I6FR-_KjKNITJaQba5lVt61pEaSo3r5RZq2MCExXdGZzRa-ACAEcRTGrKU6-L5DrQ/s320/freshsqueezed.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />You may have heard that a daily routine is important for mental and physical health. During stressful times in particular, it is important to try to establish as much of a regular routine as possible and stick with it. Experts agree that being able to function in predictable, healthy patterns each day helps you better navigate the more unpredictable, less healthy stressors of life. By incorporating healthy choices as part of your daily routine, these choices will soon become healthy habits, with long-term benefits such as increased vitality, energy, and focus, as well as less anxiety and malaise.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Examples of a Healthy Daily Routine</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>We already do a few familiar things in a similar pattern each day. For example, a typical weekday may look something like this: we stretch and brush our teeth in the morning, eat breakfast, walk the dog, go to work, have lunch, work some more, come home, eat dinner, walk the dog again, brush teeth, read, and go to bed at night. Now, depending on our choices over time, each of these things can be healthy and sustaining or unhealthy and depleting. Even though our daily routine may help us find a familiar and comfortable pattern to settle into each day, i</span>f we choose fried or sugary foods for most of our meals, don't get enough sleep, and don't exercise enough, we may not feel as good as we would with more optimal choices. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWArY_J5mRL7LzvFuyYgR_zZU3B0oY4tjodcEkTQNVxNqq-AG9N-ocyvYnGdl81_IggdH-WZy0RZBtCuCTNWiO0HQNabQdJmGOW0s6LjbleolmHyd94Fap1FOamlL8LFRUUJKF1DzJrMlBpF6Zkycc73972aPjU8pwwicyz_WkF9BO7yss_TNM2g/s612/LadyOrangeJuice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWArY_J5mRL7LzvFuyYgR_zZU3B0oY4tjodcEkTQNVxNqq-AG9N-ocyvYnGdl81_IggdH-WZy0RZBtCuCTNWiO0HQNabQdJmGOW0s6LjbleolmHyd94Fap1FOamlL8LFRUUJKF1DzJrMlBpF6Zkycc73972aPjU8pwwicyz_WkF9BO7yss_TNM2g/s320/LadyOrangeJuice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How Can Citrus Help In the Morning?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">So what does a healthy daily routine have to do with citrus? Lots! Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, high-quality, fresh citrus is always in our purview, and the health results are palpable. Let's start with your morning routine: Most people begin their day with a cup of coffee to wake up. But recent research has proven that when you feel lethargic or unable to concentrate well, orange juice will help you sustain alertness and concentration for a longer period of time than coffee. Starting your day with a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice versus juice from a carton will magnify this effect even more. It's all thanks to those wonderful citrus flavonoids, which along with all of their other health benefits, serve to improve blood flow to the brain. Pair that juice with a heart-healthy breakfast of oatmeal with some delicious Florida marmalade or honey from one of our <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/giftbaskets/index.cfm;jsessionid=83D2E2CC6AE9B75D8D1E42A5B45ABD51.cfusion" target="_blank">gift boxes</a>, take your pup for an energizing walk, and you're all fueled up for a great day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFEeH5Mp50oYTpT1KZujQZEyjyE5uxdA1RYi-6xaZrTnLmrFsja4kX0AiMTbiT2izRtKf9moWLuKac9gHwAyioQbGut1HmPLy3Vnipd4l8qu_vAqC8v0R5YdyRRy3-V2Y2wE_XtU-wEMLKoozN3e8-dY0QpA6sYhYXKaXOFMh2FoZjTZGF7jGpA/s425/RedGrapefruit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFEeH5Mp50oYTpT1KZujQZEyjyE5uxdA1RYi-6xaZrTnLmrFsja4kX0AiMTbiT2izRtKf9moWLuKac9gHwAyioQbGut1HmPLy3Vnipd4l8qu_vAqC8v0R5YdyRRy3-V2Y2wE_XtU-wEMLKoozN3e8-dY0QpA6sYhYXKaXOFMh2FoZjTZGF7jGpA/s320/RedGrapefruit.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">How Can Citrus Help My Midday Slump?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">So your morning orange juice and breakfast combo helped you sail through your work morning, but as lunch approaches, especially after that two-hour board meeting, fatigue and hunger are setting in. Your co-worker once again brought four dozen donuts to the two-hour meeting, and the chocolate cream one is loudly calling your name. Your hand extends out to grab it...closer...closer...Stop! Quick, reach for the delicious, sweet, juicy grapefruit in your bag! Studies have proven that consuming a grapefruit before the urge to snack on sugary foods or before meals will curb both your cravings and your appetite, thereby keeping you donut- and guilt-free and able to enjoy a healthy lunch. And, because grapefruits are also loaded with flavonoids, your brain will once again receive a fresh shot of alertness.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ797NJf5d9P6iqF7JcUHyhcpKIjj1wHSCiIhaTAUYN1xUKNWHIS5c_4VkOMy9q5PKBfuF6xEm8GqVZ6xw9l63tVCSxJMeoiw5BRuhK_V8LmxHH9qcjEFrZ_AcSu1kSkDQOG0dm2cVeY1XfSECyz1Krnc2uB9Yih9Bg6u83UetNznSqWdFSSraQ/s514/LadyHoldingGrapefruit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ797NJf5d9P6iqF7JcUHyhcpKIjj1wHSCiIhaTAUYN1xUKNWHIS5c_4VkOMy9q5PKBfuF6xEm8GqVZ6xw9l63tVCSxJMeoiw5BRuhK_V8LmxHH9qcjEFrZ_AcSu1kSkDQOG0dm2cVeY1XfSECyz1Krnc2uB9Yih9Bg6u83UetNznSqWdFSSraQ/s320/LadyHoldingGrapefruit.jpg" width="209" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">How Can Citrus Help Me End My Day?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Your grapefruit before lunch was just the ticket to give you the clarity and energy to deal with the many challenges that came at you in the afternoon, but now that it's 5pm, you feel your energy draining. Suddenly, the thought of a frozen pizza and a random movie before bed is very appealing. You can exercise tomorrow, right? Wrong! You spy the bowl of oranges on your counter, and remember your routine: get home, drink a big glass of water, change into some comfy clothes and sneakers, and grab an orange. You take a brisk walk around your neighborhood, and simply throw the orange from your left hand to your right hand and back again, over and over, as you ambulate. This is called bilateral coordination, and is a phenomenal way to not only exercise your body, but also your mind. It forces the brain to operate over the corpus callosum, which is responsible for the coordination between the two sides of your brain and body. As we age, we can lose this coordination. Tossing an orange from hand to hand while walking is a highly effective way of keeping the brain and body balanced and functioning at optimal potential. Best of all, when you finish your workout, you can reward yourself with the delicious orange before dinner, which will also serve to curb your appetite and keep your eating moderate.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Citrus can be a powerful ally in your daily routine. From morning until evening, count on our freshly-picked fruits to sustain you. You can even save your peels from your daily citrus, soak them in water overnight, and voila: you have an refreshing spritzer for your clothing and rooms. Another idea: chop and bake the rinds in a 200 degree oven until they are fully dried. Mix with dried flower petals for a fresh, comforting sachet for your desk drawers, briefcase, dresser, and suitcase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So bring on the day, and use citrus to keep you nourished, energized, and satiated through each dynamic moment. From all of us here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>: Enjoy!</div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">Sources:<br />https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-keeping-a-routine-during-stressful-times-4802638<br />https://www.livestrong.com/article/486431-should-grapefruit-be-eaten-before-or-after-a-meal/<br />https://tastycraze.com/n5-64283-Drink_Orange_Juice_Instead_of_Coffee_in_the_Morning<br />https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/5984/coordination-exercises-for-active-aging-clients/</div>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-21334392845863607552022-03-12T18:05:00.001-08:002022-03-14T18:04:33.187-07:00Spring Cleaning with Oranges and Grapefruits<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX2j_I5m9RDepPRbCyXtUtql0N-9LjxKTxxaSmvlo0yKvDiVJfvvUlHkXAPpFiYiAerugvGQwrfP-51xOGOcvWbM_vTX5AE11tsCdlWcy2UaL7CrcstijT1eyS7ndZyVA9MCh8j3sop8nN9Bq5BzdZvXvNQKt9PYhZ4CS212UCcTF29TZGnzqGTg=s509" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX2j_I5m9RDepPRbCyXtUtql0N-9LjxKTxxaSmvlo0yKvDiVJfvvUlHkXAPpFiYiAerugvGQwrfP-51xOGOcvWbM_vTX5AE11tsCdlWcy2UaL7CrcstijT1eyS7ndZyVA9MCh8j3sop8nN9Bq5BzdZvXvNQKt9PYhZ4CS212UCcTF29TZGnzqGTg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's a funny thing, spring: as those first March and April showers splash down on the budding plants outside, we feel a surge of energy as we look around our homes and get motivated to thrust open the windows, roll up our sleeves, vacuum, wipe, sweep and shake out the settled winter dust, and make everything fresh and sparkling. We run to the grocery store and stock up on cleaning detergents, solvents, degreasers, de-crudders, dusters, and fresheners. Many of the name brand cleaners boast enticing, all-natural tag lines with such alluring phrases as "with the cleaning power of orange oil!" or "natural citrus power!" Here in the citrus business, we can't help but smile knowingly. Oranges and grapefruits rival their better-known cleaning cousin--lemons--for their ability to both clean and deodorize. They don't have to be paired with harsh, environmentally unfriendly chemicals often found in most brand-name cleaners, nor are they nearly as expensive to use.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Makes Citrus So Good at Cleaning?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ5KtD-BJVyB_dDoyl98y_IP103a-SRyxjZKz4b9xjmz8JYYuTCQZhFPB0Zk8zIJHlzT5l1uJcmmy03XSk803Q2EODaP8h9nZzsBTwQa2Wk1ePMG0_YBJq7cgxzLWs4nppKvLssF9OdgQg5yxlrL32sQy3qWeI0IFIFoAyMTF-egOyoyfrMEFNHw=s232" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="232" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ5KtD-BJVyB_dDoyl98y_IP103a-SRyxjZKz4b9xjmz8JYYuTCQZhFPB0Zk8zIJHlzT5l1uJcmmy03XSk803Q2EODaP8h9nZzsBTwQa2Wk1ePMG0_YBJq7cgxzLWs4nppKvLssF9OdgQg5yxlrL32sQy3qWeI0IFIFoAyMTF-egOyoyfrMEFNHw" width="232" /></a></div>The rind of citrus fruit is the concentrated storage unit for some really potent--and yet safe and environmentally friendly--cleaning compounds. We've already discussed the power of the flavonoids concentrated in orange and grapefruit peels for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turns out, one of the main flavonoids, called <i>d-limonene</i>, is also a remarkable dirt and grease solvent, and is the primary essential oil that gives citrus fruits their signature bright, enlivening aroma that one equates with a clean and fresh household. In addition, the acidic nature of citrus makes it particularly effective at cleaning up stains and residues from things like fruit juices, coffee, lipstick, wine, and sweat, and also rust and limescale. Vitamin C has antibacterial properties as well; while it won't kill microorganisms outright like harsher cleaners might, it actually creates an environment that is hostile to these pathogens, so that they cannot thrive nor replicate. This is a great approach in the kitchen, as citrus can clean surfaces and subdue harmful bacteria and viruses without introducing endocrine-damaging chemical toxins to our foods and food-preparation surfaces.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let's Get Cleaning!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJeVssHHmrlDdPOOakde_jbHFbqxHrik0pSJfjRohjnVra1j5FQHf0wSlEnXiMaNJ6dhOCEOZYKsW1uFgUy3gGgDnysMGIcfsnM8oS2U6iR0j-a8ekPCiJI_wxFYQjbpbZXRMYLOWTOp2LCUh7zixawCd8nNKNL8QUUdaohj7VghzfGDdq5T0BJA=s483" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="483" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJeVssHHmrlDdPOOakde_jbHFbqxHrik0pSJfjRohjnVra1j5FQHf0wSlEnXiMaNJ6dhOCEOZYKsW1uFgUy3gGgDnysMGIcfsnM8oS2U6iR0j-a8ekPCiJI_wxFYQjbpbZXRMYLOWTOp2LCUh7zixawCd8nNKNL8QUUdaohj7VghzfGDdq5T0BJA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some great household uses for your oranges and grapefruits. Remember, the magnitude of their cleaning power is directly proportional to the quality and freshness of the fruit you use. Here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, we guarantee that you will have the freshest and highest quality fruits around, with the most concentrated levels of germ-busting, aroma-enhancing flavonoids and vitamins!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>General Household Cleaner: </b>It's easy to make a highly effective household cleaner with orange rinds, vinegar, and a few extra ingredients if you want to add them. You'll need a quart-sized jar with a lid (like a recycled spaghetti sauce jar), an empty spray bottle from a previous cleaning solution or purchased new, distilled white vinegar, rinds from 4-6 peeled oranges (grapefruits would work too), cheesecloth, and, if desired, some herbs like rosemary. Pack the jar with your orange rinds, add rosemary or other herbs if desired, and fill the jar with vinegar. Seal lid tightly. Store in a cool, dry, dark area such as your pantry for 4-8 weeks. The longer you let it sit, the more the oils from the rind will infuse into the vinegar, and the darker the solution will become. After the storage period, pour the amber-colored solution through a strainer or cheesecloth to fill a spray bottle halfway, and then fill the rest with water. You now have a cleaning solution that can tackle surfaces like stovetops, toilets, countertops, sinks, tile or linoleum floors, carpet stains, and even glass! Because it is acidic, however, it is not recommended for granite, quartz, or marble counters, or on hardwood floors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Bathroom Buster:</b> Got a dirty bathroom? Grab a grapefruit! Simply cut it in half, eat the delicious fruit inside, salt the remaining pithy inedible parts generously, and voila: you have a versatile bathroom scrubber. It cuts tough bathtub rings, dissolves shower, sink, and countertop soap scum and water mineral stains, and removes toothpaste residue with ease.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Clothes Protection: </b>In addition to making a wonderful household cleaner, oranges have another superpower: they repel bugs! No one likes the smell of mothballs, but who doesn't love the enticing aroma of oranges and cloves? Ditch the mothballs and insert clove studs all over the peel of a whole orange. Tie a string or decorative ribbon around your creation and hang anywhere you need to protect clothes from moths.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fire Ant Removal:</b> Fire ants are an invasive, destructive species. If you need to take care of a fire ant problem, don't add chemicals to the environment. Orange oil is one of the only proven natural, environmentally-friendly solutions. Simply peel a bunch of oranges and place the peels in a blender with enough water to create a puree. When you blend the mixture, the orange essential oils are released and, when poured onto a fire ant hill, say goodbye to the fire ants. Best of all, you'll still have the delicious fruit of your oranges to enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Clean Inside and Out</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWLMaPsiXC8qy67BHRugQ6laOUghkBi8nYP9RvDk0ccVX6914a45bWMMJwSZb0iG4bOWTbns_Gh_q2qUFVVlNIznagCqfyGGNLjilNywTZt9FD94qWyIb9P9fiw4tnW2XhD2XBynP5JsteCm7XJH_C7y8GzDitHbvX_o8n8j6tMXhHxRYdxX-gg=s509" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWLMaPsiXC8qy67BHRugQ6laOUghkBi8nYP9RvDk0ccVX6914a45bWMMJwSZb0iG4bOWTbns_Gh_q2qUFVVlNIznagCqfyGGNLjilNywTZt9FD94qWyIb9P9fiw4tnW2XhD2XBynP5JsteCm7XJH_C7y8GzDitHbvX_o8n8j6tMXhHxRYdxX-gg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We already know that both <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/oranges/index.cfm" target="_blank">oranges</a> and <a href="https://www.orangesonline.com/grapefruit/index.cfm" target="_blank">grapefruits</a> from <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a> make for some clean and healthy eating. Now you can also use them for a clean and healthy household. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Spring!</div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Sources: <br /></u>https://nowastenutrition.com/orange-peel-cleaner/#How_Does_Orange_Peel_Cleaner_Work<br />https://www.limoneira.com/the-science-behind-diy-cleaning-with-citrus/<br />https://www.themaidsma.com/blog/three-citrus-fruits-that-can-clean-your-house<br />https://nowastenutrition.com/orange-peel-cleaner/#How_Does_Orange_Peel_Cleaner_Work</div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #010101; font-family: muli, "helvetica neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin: 5px 0px 37px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908943427924745700.post-64481511628840672272022-02-28T16:35:00.003-08:002022-02-28T18:20:09.816-08:00Family Games with Citrus!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAM4oyaBsEDFdGm354nGyXPH7fuY2pmQebWBnL1MG0-YVgSsDT6x0tnpUL43wr5fm-Gnez9OH3llddcSRAXUj_4S5tvgAjP-m4C6srZ8ht0l5WeYDFebJ6pVcqmxfYh3U5G4i5MmSCvWlgMDrLeAphTjkVyonKsUqXLzkSPNGc1xTEHSi1YMZLaQ=s509" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAM4oyaBsEDFdGm354nGyXPH7fuY2pmQebWBnL1MG0-YVgSsDT6x0tnpUL43wr5fm-Gnez9OH3llddcSRAXUj_4S5tvgAjP-m4C6srZ8ht0l5WeYDFebJ6pVcqmxfYh3U5G4i5MmSCvWlgMDrLeAphTjkVyonKsUqXLzkSPNGc1xTEHSi1YMZLaQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Citrus fruits: there's no doubt that kids and adults alike love to eat them. And here at <a href="http://www.orangesonline.com" target="_blank">Florida Fruit Shippers</a>, we love to send fresh-picked, delicious fruits of the most delicious caliber your way. But what if there were a way to maximize the enjoyment of your fruits, beyond peeling and eating them? In this week's blog, we are going to look at some ways your fresh citrus can also be incorporated into family fun and even educational activities!<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Citrus Memory Game</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgRCZ6FUfT11UtWG_Cmr0y1E4jJdeEBaJfcnmcAkzcY7pgFrlFUS-YsFohmdqm2PJ6p_6BIZPt8pPksoH2_IStDL8r9PlWtimZFm_A7WnhWhwkln7mmRHQbFILOPrJlh4iqzs9EOKF-BQahln3QnhKA3fjwZpCk9P2HMsqfKIbEWwVYbVhwF12LA=s509" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgRCZ6FUfT11UtWG_Cmr0y1E4jJdeEBaJfcnmcAkzcY7pgFrlFUS-YsFohmdqm2PJ6p_6BIZPt8pPksoH2_IStDL8r9PlWtimZFm_A7WnhWhwkln7mmRHQbFILOPrJlh4iqzs9EOKF-BQahln3QnhKA3fjwZpCk9P2HMsqfKIbEWwVYbVhwF12LA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Citrus fruits are loaded with memory-boosting bioactive polyphenols, which are particularly high in oranges. Grapefruits, by comparison, have more Vitamin A than oranges, and Vitamin A has been shown to keep cognition sharp. What better way to flex those brain muscles than to play a memory game! In this game, one person is the caller. Each of the other players are assigned a citrus fruit, which they will hold in their hand. For example, mom can be an orange, dad can be a grapefruit, one child can be a tangerine, and another child can be a Honeybell. If there are more than four people, other players can double up with any of these fruits. The caller will then call out six fruits in a random order. For example, he or she might say "grapefruit grapefruit orange Honeybell!" After the caller says the order, the group must lift their fruits in the correct order. If someone lifts their fruit at the wrong time, they are out, and must give their fruit(s) to one of the other players, who is now responsible for two or more fruits as the game progresses. The winner is the one left with all of the fruits!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Orange Tic Tac Toe</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBCois-Gv-gB9yVirD3voAsSRj6FiJ7cc7831hkrFMhjS7r8rRoDkPRpdb8DCmJFsBKCVwi_5MzU3LZgqS1RVgW3y5OpSuHPgPD8XgqviVu8WmoO_thmyvv6XeVvmi7DQYshS82JUfwVJbN5sucspA1yDjb0Ep9nCfBQ6jiuTzdIaXhf_cMINgkQ=s509" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBCois-Gv-gB9yVirD3voAsSRj6FiJ7cc7831hkrFMhjS7r8rRoDkPRpdb8DCmJFsBKCVwi_5MzU3LZgqS1RVgW3y5OpSuHPgPD8XgqviVu8WmoO_thmyvv6XeVvmi7DQYshS82JUfwVJbN5sucspA1yDjb0Ep9nCfBQ6jiuTzdIaXhf_cMINgkQ=s320" width="320" /></a></b></div><span style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">Cut three oranges in half. Each player takes three halves. One decides to be the "face up" side, and the other decided to be the "face down side. Draw a tic tac tow grid on a large, clean piece of paper, or use edible items such as celery stalks to create a grid on a clean counter, table, or cutting board. The first player places an orange half face up in one of the grid spaces. The second player follows by placing an orange half face down on another. The game continues until all of the grid spaces are filled, and if either player succeeds in making a straight line with their orange halves, they win.</p></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sensory Water Play</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWj7lo9HSaoQCBh069esZwPlIZePmFXKqfZLMlPEpexSnNlkZ3Z2uezcg6g8YjWbHWRUb-Z_R-MffUEEJR65xsupp1N2ye-bHe4BHKLl__Xzen7a_THHOrwAs3DPIO03iVKJ5bBmW9EIpZtVMhk-V20QlsDRPqv6OS7TxYiyHOlyMn6MeD4Wj2mQ=s509" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWj7lo9HSaoQCBh069esZwPlIZePmFXKqfZLMlPEpexSnNlkZ3Z2uezcg6g8YjWbHWRUb-Z_R-MffUEEJR65xsupp1N2ye-bHe4BHKLl__Xzen7a_THHOrwAs3DPIO03iVKJ5bBmW9EIpZtVMhk-V20QlsDRPqv6OS7TxYiyHOlyMn6MeD4Wj2mQ=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Babies love to explore the world through their senses: sight, smell, taste, and touch. A simple tub filled with water and slices of citrus fruits is an excellent way to introduce your infant or toddler to a whole gamut of sensory experiences: the bright colors of the rind and pulp, the bumpy texture, the sweet and sour tastes, the uplifting citrus aromas. Babies who can sit up on their own can even sit right in the tub for an immersive experience, while older toddlers might enjoy interacting with the tub as a "touch tank" to reach in and explore. Older kids can take it a step further by incorporating their imaginations: cut up circles of oranges can become sea monster eyes, or grapefruit slices can be Mickey Mouse ears.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Kneed" An Orange?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9TRI_LMQRxHKJQeNplyBMHtmuxwxSf_uHXdI0EakN7GtUveooX1mcrEI_dyHwXn56OAv83m1h3FOGV-yenNe8PKzAKn3_3M_PLz9m38nVC-sZ3Ky5wmPkAuDMwO5J5Fcnv0RbUa8-nnfPB9TU46v_OVr3-VebrYfNMesfCvKjzqaMAZAPYDltLQ=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9TRI_LMQRxHKJQeNplyBMHtmuxwxSf_uHXdI0EakN7GtUveooX1mcrEI_dyHwXn56OAv83m1h3FOGV-yenNe8PKzAKn3_3M_PLz9m38nVC-sZ3Ky5wmPkAuDMwO5J5Fcnv0RbUa8-nnfPB9TU46v_OVr3-VebrYfNMesfCvKjzqaMAZAPYDltLQ" width="300" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Now here's a game for the more athletically-inclined friends and family members in your orbit: The Orange Knee Game! For this one, you will need two hula hoops placed at about five meters from the starting point, and six oranges. This game can be for two, four, or six players, with each player assigned to one of two teams. Each player gets three oranges, which are placed on the floor on the starting line in front of them. The goal is to pick up each orange, one at a time, between the knees, and figure out how to waddle, walk, or jump the orange to the inside of their respective hula hoops. Players are not permitted to use their hands--only their knees! The team that gets all of their oranges inside the hula hoop first is the winner. Or, if you don't want to compete, you can simply do this game as a way to work on your athletic prowess.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So, in the words of our own FFS founder, "who says you can't play with your food?" Here's to enjoying your fresh citrus in lots of new and fun ways--and then you can enjoy the delicious reward!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Sources:</p><p style="text-align: left;">https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/03/03/The-role-of-citrus-in-brain-health-Citrus-bioactive-compounds-improve-general-cognition</p><p style="text-align: left;">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3169332/</p><p style="text-align: left;">http://www.allaboutkids.org.uk/2018/06/sensory-citrus-water-play.html</p><p style="text-align: left;">https://www.facebook.com/outscord/videos/funny-party-game-with-oranges/805993176417396/</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>ShanaSmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510559746435984325noreply@blogger.com