All Dads Should Eat Citrus

What would we ever do without our dads? Whether young or old, short or tall, fit or a bit soft around the middle, fathers and father figures offer guidance, protection, love, support, encouragement, wisdom, and a good, healthy dose of humor! Speaking of good health, with Father's Day right around the corner, we here at Florida Fruit Shippers are vested in keeping our dads healthy, vibrant, and strong. And it just so happens that we know a great way to do it: encourage dad to eat citrus as a daily habit!

                   

Citrus Makes Dads Stronger

Everyone knows that citrus fruits are high in Vitamin C, and Vitamin C is well known as an immune booster. What is less known about this miracle vitamin is that it also supports muscle gain indirectly, in several important ways. First, it aids in collagen synthesis. In other words, it helps promote the production of this important protein which makes up the tendons and ligaments that support muscle function. Second, as an antioxidant, Vitamin C lowers inflammation. It is always best to work out in a non-inflammatory state, so that the tiny tears that are made during muscle building workouts can heal and grow the muscles. Third, the immune benefits of this vitamin help keep dad healthy so that he can hit the gym instead of the doctor's office. In addition to Vitamin C, citrus fruits also provide electrolytes, healthy sugars, and hydration, all of which are necessary for optimal muscle function, recovery, and gain.

Citrus Makes Dads More Comfortable

You know all of those reading materials in the bathroom? Well, stock up, because "comfortable" is another word for "regular," which is another word for "not constipated," and dads definitely like to be comfortable. Citrus fruits are high in soluble and insoluble fiber, the two main types of fiber found in the foods we eat. Soluble fiber is the type that dissolves in water, forms a gel, and provides an ideal substrate for the good gut bacteria necessary for the prevention of obesity and diabetes. Insoluble fiber improves stool consistency. Together, it's a winning "comfort" combination.

Citrus Makes Dads Less Grumpy

In addition to the above nutritional benefits, eating citrus has another surprising attribute that other fruits lack: it boosts your mood! And we all agree that dads are more fun when they are in a good mood. The reason for this effect is multifold: That magic Vitamin C also helps to tamper down cortisol, aka the "stress hormone." Likewise, it helps in the production of calming hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. Sure, you can take supplements, but research has shown that Vitamin C is exponentially more bioavailable in fruit than in capsule form. Add to this the benefits of gut health and good regularity, and your citrus-savvy dad will transform from Mr. Grump to Mr. Great!

Whether dad digs into a grapefruit, tangerine, or orange, a daily citrus habit will make dad's day, every day. 

Happy Father's Day from Florida Fruit Shippers!

Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-citrus-fruits

https://cyvigor.com/article/are-oranges-good-for-muscle-gain

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/whats-the-difference-between-soluble-and-insoluble-fiber

https://www.realsimple.com/mood-boosting-fruits-11707092

Don't Mind the Rinds

Don't you love it when citrus is easy to peel?  In fact, easy peel tangerines are a go-to for most busy households. Oranges and grapefruit might require a bit more focus to peel, and sometimes we feel impatient to get past that effort so we can just start eating. In other words, we mind the rinds. Out they go, into the trash or the compost bin.

But wait! Stop! Don't mind the rinds!  In 2024, we did a blog on some amazing uses for citrus rinds. Since then, we've found even more. 

Don't throw your citrus rinds away!

Window Sill (and More) Odor Busters

Perhaps the simplest and least labor intensive hack is to place your peels on windowsills around your home. The natural essential oils like limonene will be released gradually as the peels dehydrate over time, like a time-release all natural air freshener. If your window is open, the breezes will help carry the  bright, invigorating scent around your home, effectively neutralizing old, stale, and musty odors. 

Did your Aunt Bernice come over and warm up her famous onion garlic tuna casserole in your oven? No problem. This same concept can be applied to strong post-baking oven smells: place the peels on a baking sheet and set the oven to its lowest temperature. Watch in awe as crinkled up noses turn into wide open nostrils as the bright aroma of fresh citrus infuses the kitchen.

You can even save those dried peels in the oven for later use: some citrusy dessert recipes call for orange peel, and you'll have them right on hand. You can also infuse them in your tea for extra Vitamin C and antioxidant benefits.

Likewise, fresh peels can be added to dryer loads, drawers, closets, garbage cans, and anywhere else that would benefit from a steady effusion of citrus essential oil. No need to buy the expensive concentrate -- your favorite citrus fruit rinds will do the trick, and when they run out of smell, simply eat more citrus and get more rinds!

Bye-Bye Sugar Clumps

You know those little silica gel packs that come in granular and powdery foods? They keep the moisture out so that the granules or powders don't clump, giving these items a longer shelf life. Here's a twist: an orange peel in a sealed jar of brown sugar keeps the sugar from clumping by keeping the moisture in! That may seem counterintuitive until you look more closely at the chemistry of brown sugar: it contains molasses, which gives it a softer texture and its signature brown color. 

A common problem for brown sugar is that it dries out and makes hard clumps after the package is opened. Keeping a semi-dried orange peel or two in the brown sugar container alleviates this problem. Likewise, if the brown sugar has already dried out, adding the peels after the fact and heating the sugar in the microwave for about fifteen seconds will restore it to its soft, moist texture.

Broccoli, Berries, and Beans, Oh My!

Citrus rinds are rich in potassium and nitrogen, both of which help your garden grow. While composting your peels might eventually result in beneficial rind-infused soil, you can get even more benefits by throwing chopped peels directly in the dirt around acid-loving plants such as broccoli, berries, and beans.  Less is more: if you put in too many peels at a time, you might make the soil too acidic. Better to add small amounts regularly rather than a whole lot of rind at once. To boot, the peels help keep away plant-eating insects and even mammals with the munchies like rabbits and cats who like to use your garden as a botanical litter box. 

Orange rind infused-water can also be a great disinfectant for your garden tools and surfaces, effectively keeping any dangerous chemicals from leaching into the soil. Rinds also come to the odor busting rescue again in smellier parts of your garden, such as compost, fertilizer, and manure piles. While you're outside tending to odor control, go ahead and throw some rinds into your outdoor garbage cans too! Your trash pickup crew will thank you.

Muddling the Issue

Muddling is a mixology term that means to gently crush something to release its full flavor. Citrus rinds have an esteemed place in the long history of cocktail chemistry, and much is written about when muddling is apropos, when it is not, and how to not over-muddle. This issue becomes quite complex for professional mixologists. For the rest of us, the general advice is: muddle away, but don't over-muddle, or the bright fragrant flavors of the orange oils will be replaced by the bitters of the pith. Lightly crushing orange and grapefruit rinds into cocktails, mocktails, and ice cubes can be a delightful hospitality "twist" for your social gatherings.

Whether odor-busting, sugar-saving, plant-growing, or drink-making, citrus rinds are amazing finds. With all of these uses, make sure to keep eating lots of delicious fruits so you have plenty of rinds in stock. Don't mind the rinds!

Sources:

https://homemaking.com/maka/tangerine-peels-on-your-windowsills/

https://thelostherbs.com/dont-throw-away-citrus-peels-do-this-instead/

https://www.thriftyfun.com/How-to-Soften-Brown-Sugar.html

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-use-orange-peels-in-your-garden-11915743

https://elevatingkitchen.com/do-you-muddle-orange-peel/

One Small Orange for Man, One Giant Citrus Basket for Mankind

 "Space Food." These two words can evoke ideas of freeze dried beef stroganoff or, if you're a Trekkie like me, we might think of a replicator that somehow has the ability to rearrange subatomic particles from biowaste to energy to a gourmet meal (let's not think about the "biowaste" part too much). The reality, however, is somewhere in between. Modern-day space explorers such as the Artemis II crew have certainly leveled up from freeze dried packaged foods, but they have not quite harnessed the ability to order gluten-free chocolate cake from a machine that can convert energy into matter. 

In either case, however, nutrition is an important consideration: astronauts face uniquely challenging physiological conditions and need extra vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and hydration. When the Artemis crew took off for the moon last week, I couldn't help but wonder: Of the 189 food items offered to them, were they peeling and eating oranges, tangerines, or grapefruit 240,000 miles from the Earth's surface? 

Oranges are the Perfect Space Food! Except...

It seems like a no-brainer: a single orange or tangerine is power fuel for an astronaut, in that it supports immune function, hydration, and regularity while its powerful antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress inherent in the increased radiation and zero gravity conditions they are subject to over extended periods. Early space missions featured powdered citrusy Vitamin C powders like Tang and dried orange and grapefruit juice powders to optimize weight and space limitations, but only whole fruits can offer maximum bioavailability. Whole fruits are also crumb-less, which is an important detail in the highly controlled, zero-gravity environment. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also good for astronaut morale; they are a direct, comforting link to the very aliveness of our planet Earth versus the synthetic and sterile environment of space crafts. 

However, citrus fruits, like other fruits and vegetables, are perishable and take up space, er, while in space. Pre-loading a small spacecraft with lots of oranges, for example, would not be a workable way to include citrus on a long-term mission. Even on a relatively short mission like this one of ten days, a bit of mold can release spores into the air, and there is no way to adequately dispose of spoiled produce.  

That being said, most space missions include a fresh fruit and vegetable locker for the first few days of travel. While the specific items in the Artemis II locker have not been specified, it is certainly possible that oranges, tangerines, or other citrus fruits might have been included for all of the reasons described above.

The International Space Station, which features refrigeration and is closer to Earth's orbit to more easily receive deliveries, is already including oranges and other fresh fruits and vegetables in its regular menu. But to date, citrus fruits have not yet been specifically assigned to any moon missions.

The Future of Oranges In Space

Thanks to the International Space Station, NASA has begun to experiment with ways to grow edible plants and fruit-bearing bushes and trees in zero gravity to sustain longer missions and a potential future human presence on the moon. They have several programs to this effect, known as Veggie and the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH). So far, the results have been promising, and easy-peel tangerines have been added to the official list of trees that can be grown in space.

So, other than wearing bright orange Orion Crew Survival System suits, the Artemis II crew members most likely did not have any oranges or other types of citrus on their recent mission circumnavigating the moon. 

As space exploration advances, however, finding a way to be able to provide fresh citrus in space is becoming a priority due to its many benefits for astronauts. When that day comes, you can be sure of one thing: it will taste out of this world! 

Sources:

https://www.snexplores.org/article/could-star-trek-replicators-exist

https://people.com/what-is-the-artemis-ii-crew-eating-as-they-fly-to-the-far-side-of-the-moon-11942635

https://www.space.com/iss-cargo-delivery-fresh-fruit-video

https://floridaorange.com/blogs/news/the-role-of-florida-oranges-in-the-space-program-how-nasa-has-used-citrus-to-support-astronaut-nutrition?srsltid=AfmBOoqbmKaM2xc6nzyKcgcI4nO8K5yF1TbXKU62CUMlv06IduAdp0_7

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/astronauts-eating-nasa-artemis-ii-204154661.html?

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-research-and-technology/growing-plants-in-space/

What Citrus "Type" Are You?

 Spring is in the air, and love is all around as nature celebrates the warmer, beautiful weather. This is the time of year when we start to see pairings happen across the animal kingdom. It's also a time when us humans find some pep in our step (if we're not battling pollen allergies, but you can read more about that here) and sparkle in our eye. We are ready to begin anew, to make new friends and try new things. 

As with anything in life, some people, places, and things are well matched to us, and others may be not so much. We often refer to good matches as our "type," i.e. "This is my type of person," or "This is my type of food." While all citrus varieties are great, have you ever considered which one is most your "type?" Let's look at a few varieties and see what kind of person matches each to make a perfect pear--er, pair!

The Classic Style Person: Navel Orange

Clean lines, sweet fruit, no pesky seeds: the classic navel orange is perfect for the person who likes solid colors, a put together look, an organized life, and a definitive style that, like their fruit counterpart, is straightforward and satisfying. Classic Navel people have happy childhood memories that inform their current life, They love traditions and holidays, family time and healthy routines. 

The Carefree Outdoorsperson: Honeybell

 

The Honeybell lover knows all about the seasons, impermanence, and enjoying the sweetness of life in all of its various stages. Honeybells have a relatively shorter season than other varieties, and as such are particularly treasured during the two short months in late winter and early spring when they can be harvested. Honeybell lovers tend to flow freely between the seasons, treasuring each experience along the way.

The Cutie: Tangerine

Six-year old Ami, pictured above, describes herself as artistic, hungry, funny, fun-loving, colorful, and active. These traits are a perfect match for the easy-peel tangerine. They are so simple to peel and eat, and each segment is like a little piece of nature candy (but a whole lot healthier)! Tangerines are a great match for kids and kids-at-heart. If you are on the go and move a little quicker than average, tangerines are your match!

The Health and Wellness Guru: Grapefruit

Grapefruit are less recognized than oranges and tangerines because, in addition to the sweet juiciness that all citrus fruits contain, they can also have mild to strong bitter notes. This taste is lauded by health aficionados as being exceptionally good for you, as it comes from a flavonoid called naringin. Bitterness is usually associated with the rind of most citrus fruits; in grapefruit, it is also infused into the flesh, making the naringin more bioavailable. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that are powerful allies in keeping the body disease-free. Health-conscious folks are drawn to grapefruit for this reason, and like their favorite fruits, folks committed to daily healthy habits are willing to take the bitter and the sweet together to reap the benefits. Want to lessen the bitter notes but keep the health benefits of naringin? Try sprinkling some salt on your grapefruit slices, wedges, or halves!

The Cultured Foodie: Cara Cara

Also known as scarlet navels, Cara Cara oranges have all the a-"peel" of classic navels, with a dramatic twist: their flesh is a vibrant red color, reminiscent of stunning sunsets after a stormy afternoon. Like their classic navel cousins, they are seedless and satisfying. They are also a great choice for making a unique and very healthy red orange juice! These oranges pair well with more spicy, fiery, passionate personalities, and especially those with flair who like to wear red and make a dramatic statement.

Can't decide? No problem! Unlike human to human matches, in the case of citrus you can change your type depending on the day. You can be fickle. You can even match with two or more varieties at the same time and not cause any scandal at all. 

What's your citrus type today?

Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-flavonoids

https://www.womansworld.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/grapefruit-bitter-flavor

www.orangesonline.com

Citrus Solutions for St. Party's Day

No, that wasn't a typo: Saint Patrick's Day, often abbreviated as St. Patty's, is renowned for enthusiastic celebrations and libations. They say everyone has a wee bit o' Irish in them on St. Patty's. What, ye may ask, are we celebrating as we raise a glass and exclaim "Slainte!" with a hearty clink? And what does citrus have to do with it?

More than one thousand years ago on March 17 of the year 461, the patron saint of Ireland--Saint Patrick--died. A few centuries later, the anniversary of his death became a religious holiday in Ireland. Families would pay homage to Saint Patrick in church in the morning and then celebrate for the rest of the day and into the evening. Since this celebration involved corned beef and beer, the celebration tended to become more, er, celebratory as the night wore on. This tradition continues today, not only in Ireland but in countries where there is a significant Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and Ireland.

Who Was Saint Patrick?

Saint Patrick was known as the patron saint of Ireland. A man named Patrick, born in the late fourth century in Britain, was captured, enslaved, and brought to Ireland at the age of sixteen. There he lived six difficult years as a herder. He managed to escape to another region of Europe, where he became a priest. He then returned to the land of his enslavement and brought his ministry with him. He used a shamrock to represent the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Why So Much Celebration?

St. Patrick's Day has become synonymous to many as a celebration of Irish culture versus its origins as a religious holiday commemorating the coming of Christianity to Ireland a millennium ago.  This is a welcome thing for many, as not everyone was or is pleased with the historical fact that the "bringing of Christianity" also meant diminishing pre-Christian Celtic traditions, which are also deeply imbued in Irish identity. Honoring the richness of Irish history, culture, and traditions has become something truly worthy of a grand celebration.

What Does All of This Have to Do With Citrus?

Oranges and other sweet citrus fruits did not come to Ireland until about the 16th century, when shipping trade routes brought the tastes of Spain, Asia and other conducive citrus climates to the northern lands. As such, while oranges were not a part of the original celebrations, it became a symbolic fruit representing the "pot'o gold" at the end of the leprechaun's rainbow, as well as a popular way to show off one of the three colors of the Irish flag. In fact, orange is such an important color in Irish culture that we wrote a whole blog on it!

Citrus also comes in handy after St. Patrick's festivities have ended, as all citrus fruits are powerful hangover remedies. The high vitamin C and water content help the body retain glutathione for liver detoxification. It is much better to eat the whole fruits versus juice, which can spike sugar levels.

So raise a wedge o' citrus to your health. From all of us at Florida Fruit Shippers: Happy Saint Patrick's Day! 

Sources:

https://www.bhg.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/traditions/what-is-st-patricks-day/

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/zest-in-show

https://www.worldatlas.com/culture/what-do-leprechauns-have-to-do-with-saint-patrick-s-day.html

https://www.thedailyview.com/what-do-leprechauns-eat/

https://darkageshistory.com/the-pre-christian-beliefs-of-the-irish-celts/

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/healthy-eating/a25366939/best-hangover-food/

Rolling Oranges: Happy Year of the Fire Horse

 

Chinese New Year

February 17 marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, for 2026. It is a momentous time in China and beyond, with Chinese diasporas reaching across the globe. In fact, one quarter of the world's population celebrates the Chinese New Year as a primary holiday, and the rest of us can enjoy it in ways large and small. Many neighborhood Asian markets have foods and decorations that you can purchase to bring the spirit of the Lunar New Year into your home.

The first fifteen days of the Chinese New Year are also called the Spring Festival, a time for great celebration and rituals, many of which involve oranges, mandarins such as tangerines, and other types of citrus. The Chinese word for orange, chengzi or 橙子, sounds very similar to the Chinese word for gold, jinzi or 金子. As such, oranges and other citrus fruits have become symbols of prosperity and good fortune in the New Year. Even if you don't have other Chinese New Year decorations or dishes, you can still enjoy some orange-centric traditions.

Rolling Oranges

Also known as "rolling in the gold," one way to bring prosperity, good fortune, and success into your home is to use a feng shui ritual of rolling nine oranges and tangerines through your front door threshold from the outside of your home. Feng shui is the Chinese art of using objects and belongings in the home in harmonious ways, as a means to optimize the qi or good vibrations in one's life. The front door is known as energy center or energy mouth of your living space, taking in the symbolism of the oranges as a way to secure and enrich your home for the year ahead. Nine is the number for good luck. By rolling nine oranges into the home versus out the door, the energy of abundance and good fortune are encouraged to "make themselves at home" in your life. 

Prosperity Bowl

In addition to rolling oranges into the home, another tradition of the Chinese New Year is to place a bowl of money--usually folded into bright red and gold envelopes--and citrus on a well-lit, prominent place in the home such as a dining table or living room credenza. Not only do the citrus fruits represent the gold of riches, but they are also meant to nourish the steady flow of prosperity for the entire year. Continue to eat the citrus and replace it with fresh fruits each week.

Year of the Fire Horse: Seeing Red

Each year of the Chinese New Year is represented by a different animal in a repeating twelve-year cycle that goes back some 3,500 years. These animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake. Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Additionally, each animal is paired with the five elements: earth, water, fire, metal, and wood. Therefore, every sixty years, we see a specific pairing of an animal and an element repeat itself. This year is the Year of the Fire Horse. It is represented by the power and force of the color red. Red is already a traditional color for the Chinese New Year, as it is also a symbol of good luck. As such, this year it is especially meaningful to optimize it.  One way we can do this is by honing in on red-fleshed citrus fruits such as red grapefruits and cara cara red navel oranges.

The Year of the Fire Horse is considered a potent one, filled with excitement, uncertainty, and pivotal shifts. All the more reason to keep a steady diet of citrus fruits to keep you energized, nourished, and hydrated so you can enjoy the wild ride.

From all of us here at Florida Fruit Shippers: Happy Chinese New Year!

SOURCES:
https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/events/celebrations/lunar-new-year-celebration/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/12/30/heres-the-date-for-chinese-new-year-2026---and-what-animal-you-are/
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/feng-shui/
https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/rolling-oranges-ritual
https://medium.com/@mariacorreaflynn/symbolism-of-the-number-9-f42b48dd5b64
https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/feng-shui-prosperity-bowl
https://www.homesandgardens.com/news/lunar-new-year-decorating-with-red
https://www.history.com/articles/red-envelopes-chinese-new-year
https://www.history.com/articles/chinese-zodiac-signs-animals-history

The Fruits of Peace

We all want peace. We want to feel whole, healthy, calm, and easeful, and we want that for others as well. However, the modern world challenges our ability to truly feel peaceful. 

The Squeeze of Stress

Stress. Even the word itself can evoke a nervous system shift, an ancient response designed to protect us from potential invaders to our well-being. The thing about stress is that it feeds on itself. Like a snowball, the body's responses to stressful influences can easily grow and compound, and it can feel like everything is going downhill. This downward spiral makes you feel squeezed from all sides, amps up our hypothalamus into overdrive, and causes hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to flood throughout our body. For the short term, these hormones can be very helpful in escaping from real danger. But in the modern world, we are suspended in a mid-stress loop--a low-level but constant feeling of potential danger. This loop is generated largely because we are inundated with bad news from all of our media sources. We are forever bathed in varying levels of stress hormones. 

Medical research is clear: long-term stress causes a whole host of pathological effects, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, headaches, obesity, anxiety, and depression. Fortunately, in the same way that stress can compound, it can also be reversed. Practices such as mindfulness, compassion, walking, proper rest, and whole foods nutrition activate our parasympathetic nervous system and bring us back into balance. 

Walk for Peace

On October 25, 2025, 25 Theravada monks left their Dhammacetiya monastery in Fort Worth, Texas. They traversed 2,300 miles on foot and, 108 days after they departed from Fort Worth, they arrived in Washington, D.C. on February 10, 2026. They were a steady, stalwart line of orange snaking through multicolored cities and crowds, treelined suburbs, and snow-covered rural roads. Along the way, they met all kinds of adversity, from rabble-rousing spectators to illness to subzero temperatures and snowstorms. And yet, their mission and countenance of peace were unwavering.

Their message was simple: "Make today your peaceful day." They embodied this message in every mindful step, walking for miles each day until it was time to eat and rest, and then walking again. They practiced mindfulness as they walked, ate, and engaged with large numbers of people, inviting everyone to join them. At their once-daily mealtime, they used their bowls (shown hanging in the picture above) to receive offerings of nutritious foods. And every evening, their leader Bikkhu Pannakara gave a dharma talk about the importance of coming back to your true peaceful nature.

Orange: The Color of Peace

The robes worn by Theravada monks are a vibrant orange hue. There is a practical reason for this: in the very early days of Buddhism, turmeric and saffron were the most available sources of dyes. Historically, orange also represented the fire of the Buddha's teachings, as it was warm enough to burn away delusion and ignorance. It also represents brightness along a dark path and protection from factors that could dissuade monks from pursuing this path. Ultimately, the orange robes of the monks are powerful symbols of lovingkindness and peace.

Orange: The Fruit of Peace

The message of the Walk for Peace was clear: practice peace every day, and this wounded world will begin to heal. The daily grounded presence of the monks for over 108 days on social media and throughout ten states showed us how to do it. These ways of naturally showing peace--rather than just preaching it--are often referred to as the "fruits" of mindfulness practice. We can be told something over and over again, but when someone sees the effects of peace in action, it has the greatest impact.

Speaking of fruits, a very common snack that the monks were offered on their journey was the orange. Easy to eat, transportable, and packed with immune-  and mood-promoting qualities, the oranges that the monks enjoyed throughout their long autumn- and winter journey gave them on-the-go energy in an organic package that perfectly matched their vibrant orange robes.

Taking Peace Forward

 

Now that the Walk for Peace has ended, many have asked how to continue their own journey of peace and well-being, especially in the face of troubled times. Consider joining a mindfulness meditation group, connecting with the Walk for Peace Facebook page, and taking steps towards creating a more nurturing environment for yourself and your family. Carve out more time for self-care, including rest, moderate exercise, enough sleep, and whole foods. Eat an orange every day to keep your spirits up and your immune system strong, and let the orange color of the fruit remind you of the monks' robes. Give oranges and citrus fruits to others to keep up the practice of generosity and nurturing. Gifts of citrus fruits are also a wonderful way to open the doors of communication, allowing us to both hear and be heard when we need it most. 

May the fruits of peace, love, and kindness ripen for the whole world. May today be your peaceful day,

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/the-sacred-hue-why-monks-often-wear-orange/articleshow/112225324.cms