Nutrition of Organic Vegetables & Fruits Vs. Non Organic
How organic produce's nutritional quality compares to non-organic produce has been studied over the past 50 years since the dawn of modern, non-traditional agricultural methods. These methods are now considered conventional.
History
The Mayo Clinic reports that the question of nutritional content is inconclusive, despite 50 years of research comparing organic and conventionally grown foods. Recent studies reach contradictory findings. A 2007 European Union-funded study found a trend of higher antioxidant levels and 20 to 40 percent greater nutritional value in organic produce, including flavenoids and beta carotene. However, the study did report some variation.
The 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reviewed studies conducted since the 1950s, concluding that "no significant difference" in vitamin and mineral content exists between organic and conventional produce.
Considerations
Economic interests may play a role in studies reaching contradictory conclusions about the significance of nutritional differences found. The 2009 study, for example, advised that marginally higher nutritional value could not justify the cost of organic produce.
Significance
Concerns over the health effects of chemical and pesticide use in modern agriculture have largely driven organic practices. Organic scientists want to determine sources of nutritional differences between organic and conventionally grown crops, however significant or minute. Whether organically or conventionally grown, select fresh, color-rich ---indicative of high-nutrient density --- fruits and vegetables.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Definition of Fruit Vs. Vegetable
Definition of Fruit Vs. Vegetable
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It tastes like a vegetable, but has the characteristics of a fruit. The definitions of fruits and vegetables are straightforward, but the classifications can be confusing.
Definition of Fruit
Fruits are the ripened ovaries of flowering plants that contain seeds, such as pineapples and bananas. If it has a seed in it, then it is a fruit.
Definition of Vegetable
Vegetables are the edible part of a plant, such as the leaf of the spinach or the root of the beet.
Cultural Signifigance
Culturally, the definition of fruits and vegetables become confusing. Most fruits are categorized as sweet and are eaten as a snack or dessert, while vegetables accompany the main part of a meal. Some fruits are categorized as vegetables, most notably the tomato, not for the technical definition but for how it is perceived in society.
Nuts
Nuts are technically classified as a fruit as well as a nut because they are the matured ovaries of a plant. But in the nut's case, we eat the seed and not the fleshy casing that surrounds it (i.e. peach, pear or apple).
Fun Fact
In 1893 the United States Supreme Court ruled, in Nix v. Hedden, on whether a tomato was a fruit or vegetable after taxes had been placed on all imported vegetables. The Nix Klan filed suit against Hedden, the Collector of the Port of New York, to recover back duties paid under protest. Botanically, the tomato is a fruit, but the court ruled in favor of the defendant and classified the tomato as a vegetable and it has been taxed that way ever since.
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? It tastes like a vegetable, but has the characteristics of a fruit. The definitions of fruits and vegetables are straightforward, but the classifications can be confusing.
Definition of Fruit
Fruits are the ripened ovaries of flowering plants that contain seeds, such as pineapples and bananas. If it has a seed in it, then it is a fruit.
Definition of Vegetable
Vegetables are the edible part of a plant, such as the leaf of the spinach or the root of the beet.
Cultural Signifigance
Culturally, the definition of fruits and vegetables become confusing. Most fruits are categorized as sweet and are eaten as a snack or dessert, while vegetables accompany the main part of a meal. Some fruits are categorized as vegetables, most notably the tomato, not for the technical definition but for how it is perceived in society.
Nuts
Nuts are technically classified as a fruit as well as a nut because they are the matured ovaries of a plant. But in the nut's case, we eat the seed and not the fleshy casing that surrounds it (i.e. peach, pear or apple).
Fun Fact
In 1893 the United States Supreme Court ruled, in Nix v. Hedden, on whether a tomato was a fruit or vegetable after taxes had been placed on all imported vegetables. The Nix Klan filed suit against Hedden, the Collector of the Port of New York, to recover back duties paid under protest. Botanically, the tomato is a fruit, but the court ruled in favor of the defendant and classified the tomato as a vegetable and it has been taxed that way ever since.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables in your diet have many positive effects upon health.
Most of us are aware of the current advice of five portions a day. But fewer of us know that your five portions should come from a variety of sources every day.
Eating the same fruits and vegetables every day means you can still be deficient in whatever vitamins and minerals they don't contain.
Fruit
To gain the maximum benefit from fruit, eat it fresh and if the skins are edible, eat them too.
Dried fruits and fruit juices count towards your five a day. Use them in moderation, though, because fruit loses most of its natural fibre in the juicing process and dried fruits lose most of their vitamin C.
Try to eat two or three portions of fruit every day. One portion equates to 80g, which would be:
To boost your fruit intake, try some of the suggestions below.
Vegetables
Balance your vegetable intake between the orange/red and green varieties.
The more colourful your choice, the healthier it usually is.
As an easy rule, the darker and brighter the colour of the vegetable the more vitamins, minerals and fibre they usually contain. For example, spinach contains more nutrients than lettuce.
Make sure you balance the more starchy vegetables like corn, butternut squash, pumpkin, peas, root vegetables and sweet potatoes with less starchy vegetables like courgettes, green beans, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower.
You should aim for three portions of vegetables each day. One portion equates to 80g, which would be a cereal bowl of lettuce, but three tablespoons or so of carrots.
To boost your vegetable intake, try some of the suggestions below.
Fruit and vegetables in your diet have many positive effects upon health.
- Their high fibre content helps control blood glucose levels, reduces cholesterol and probably reduces the risk of colon cancer and other cancers.
- They contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
- More than any other foods, they contain essential vitamins and minerals that are vital for good health and disease prevention.
Most of us are aware of the current advice of five portions a day. But fewer of us know that your five portions should come from a variety of sources every day.
Eating the same fruits and vegetables every day means you can still be deficient in whatever vitamins and minerals they don't contain.
Fruit
To gain the maximum benefit from fruit, eat it fresh and if the skins are edible, eat them too.
Dried fruits and fruit juices count towards your five a day. Use them in moderation, though, because fruit loses most of its natural fibre in the juicing process and dried fruits lose most of their vitamin C.
Try to eat two or three portions of fruit every day. One portion equates to 80g, which would be:
- One medium apple, orange, banana
- Three tablespoons or so of chopped, cooked or canned fruit
- 150ml juice or smoothie (100 per cent fruit)
- One tablespoon of dried fruit (choose brands that have not been preserved with sulphur dioxide).
To boost your fruit intake, try some of the suggestions below.
- Combine more expensive, unusual fruits like mangos and papaya with common ones such as bananas in a liquidised fruit smoothie.
- Add chopped fresh fruit to your breakfast cereal.
- Combine fruit with low fat yoghurt and chopped nuts for a mid-morning snack.
- Round off a meal with a piece of fresh fruit or a portion of grapes.
- Avoid fruit juices that are not 100 per cent pure, including nectars, concentrates and cocktails or any juice that has added sugars.
- For a healthy dessert, bake apples or pears with cinnamon and top with sultanas and chopped nuts. Serve with live plain yoghurt.
Vegetables
Balance your vegetable intake between the orange/red and green varieties.
The more colourful your choice, the healthier it usually is.
As an easy rule, the darker and brighter the colour of the vegetable the more vitamins, minerals and fibre they usually contain. For example, spinach contains more nutrients than lettuce.
Make sure you balance the more starchy vegetables like corn, butternut squash, pumpkin, peas, root vegetables and sweet potatoes with less starchy vegetables like courgettes, green beans, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower.
You should aim for three portions of vegetables each day. One portion equates to 80g, which would be a cereal bowl of lettuce, but three tablespoons or so of carrots.
To boost your vegetable intake, try some of the suggestions below.
- Eat your vegetables raw as part of a sandwich filling or serve them with dips. You can make your own dip using natural yoghurt and finely chopped herbs.
- Juice raw vegetables such as carrot, tomato and cucumber for a quick and refreshing drink. Ginger and lemon can be added for taste. One to try is carrot, celery and apple.
- Overcook your vegetables, and they lose nutrients. For this reason, microwave or lightly steam vegetables rather than boiling.
- Salads are quick to make. Make them more appetising by adding items such as chopped nuts and cannellini beans, and a healthy dressing such as vinaigrette or a dash of olive oil.
- Homemade vegetable soup is an ideal way for the family to increase their intake of vegetables. Add lentils, beans or wholegrains like pearl barley to make it a complete meal. The soup can also be frozen in portions and used later on.
- Always include vegetables with your main meals. So if you eat pasta, have it with a simple side salad.
- Add fresh herbs to pep up vegetables. Use chopped mint to add to green beans, peas and mangetout, coriander in stir-fries, curries and casseroles, and rosemary or thyme with root vegetables.
10 Must-Try Exotic Fruits
10 Must-Try Exotic Fruits
Traveling to an exotic destination is not just about swimming in the turquoise waters or sunbathing. You also have to taste some of the cuisine and sample some of the exotic fruits of the place. For those hot summers when you need something refreshing, we have collected 10 tropical fruits you absolutely must try.
1. Rambutan
Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
Coming from an evergreen tree, the Rambutan fruit resembles the Lychees, have a leathery red skin and are covered with spines. Rambutan is a popular garden fruit tree and one of the most famous in Southeast Asia. The fruit is sweet and juicy, being commonly found in jams or available canned.
2. Jackfruit
Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Jackfruit is a common fruit for Asia and Australia and considered as one of the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The juicy pulp around the seeds have a taste similar to pineapple, but milder. Apart from canned jackfruit, it is also available as sweet chips. The wood of the tree is used for making various musical instruments, while the fruit is a common ingredient for many Asian dishes.
3. Passion Fruit
Native to South America, grown in India, New Zealand, Brazil, etc
The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds, being commonly found in juices to boost their flavors. There are two types of passion fruit: the golden one (maracuyá), similar to a grapefruit and the dark purple passion fruit (gulupa), comparable in terms of size with a lemon. However, the latter ones have been reported as being mildly poisonous.
4. Lychee
Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan
Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture. The fruit has started making its appearance in markets worldwide, refrigerated or canned with its taste intact.
5. Star fruit
Native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka
The star fruit comes from the carambola, a species of tree with pink flowers grown even in the US. The golden-yellow fruit is crunchy, sweet, with a taste of pineapples, apples and kiwis combined. There are two kinds of star fruits – acidulate and sweet, both rich in vitamin C. The fruit is particularly juice, some even making wine out of it.
6. Mangosteen
Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in antioxidants, some scientists even suggesting it can lower risk against certain human diseases, such as cancer. There are even legends about Queen Victoria offering a reward to the one that brings her the fruit.
7. Kumquat
Native to China
The kumquats or cumquats are small edible fruits resembling oranges that grow in a tree related to the Citrus. As with most of the fruits in the Citrus family, the kumquats are eaten raw. They are often used in marmalade and jelly but also in alcoholic drinks such as liquor. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.
8. Durian
Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia
Also known as the “King of Fruits,” Durian has a very particular odor, a unique taste and is covered by a hard husk. Having a disagreeable smell, compared to skunk spray or sewage, the fruit is forbidden in hotels and public transportations in Southeast Asia. Still, the whole experience is worth it, considering the absolutely divine taste of the Durian.
9. Dragon Fruit
Native to Mexico and Central and South America
Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pataya and the yellow pataya. Juice or wine can be obtained from the fruit, while the flowers can be eaten or used for tea.
10. African cucumber
Native to Kalahari Desert, Africa
The African cucumber, horned melon or melano is a fruit that can be best described as melon with horns. It originated in the Kalahari Desert and is now present in California and New Zealand. The dark green pulp reminds one of bananas, limes, passion fruit and cucumber. It is often used for decorating food but also in smoothies and sundaes.
Traveling to an exotic destination is not just about swimming in the turquoise waters or sunbathing. You also have to taste some of the cuisine and sample some of the exotic fruits of the place. For those hot summers when you need something refreshing, we have collected 10 tropical fruits you absolutely must try.
1. Rambutan
Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
Coming from an evergreen tree, the Rambutan fruit resembles the Lychees, have a leathery red skin and are covered with spines. Rambutan is a popular garden fruit tree and one of the most famous in Southeast Asia. The fruit is sweet and juicy, being commonly found in jams or available canned.
2. Jackfruit
Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Jackfruit is a common fruit for Asia and Australia and considered as one of the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The juicy pulp around the seeds have a taste similar to pineapple, but milder. Apart from canned jackfruit, it is also available as sweet chips. The wood of the tree is used for making various musical instruments, while the fruit is a common ingredient for many Asian dishes.
3. Passion Fruit
Native to South America, grown in India, New Zealand, Brazil, etc
The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds, being commonly found in juices to boost their flavors. There are two types of passion fruit: the golden one (maracuyá), similar to a grapefruit and the dark purple passion fruit (gulupa), comparable in terms of size with a lemon. However, the latter ones have been reported as being mildly poisonous.
4. Lychee
Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan
Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture. The fruit has started making its appearance in markets worldwide, refrigerated or canned with its taste intact.
5. Star fruit
Native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka
The star fruit comes from the carambola, a species of tree with pink flowers grown even in the US. The golden-yellow fruit is crunchy, sweet, with a taste of pineapples, apples and kiwis combined. There are two kinds of star fruits – acidulate and sweet, both rich in vitamin C. The fruit is particularly juice, some even making wine out of it.
6. Mangosteen
Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in antioxidants, some scientists even suggesting it can lower risk against certain human diseases, such as cancer. There are even legends about Queen Victoria offering a reward to the one that brings her the fruit.
7. Kumquat
Native to China
The kumquats or cumquats are small edible fruits resembling oranges that grow in a tree related to the Citrus. As with most of the fruits in the Citrus family, the kumquats are eaten raw. They are often used in marmalade and jelly but also in alcoholic drinks such as liquor. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.
8. Durian
Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia
Also known as the “King of Fruits,” Durian has a very particular odor, a unique taste and is covered by a hard husk. Having a disagreeable smell, compared to skunk spray or sewage, the fruit is forbidden in hotels and public transportations in Southeast Asia. Still, the whole experience is worth it, considering the absolutely divine taste of the Durian.
9. Dragon Fruit
Native to Mexico and Central and South America
Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pataya and the yellow pataya. Juice or wine can be obtained from the fruit, while the flowers can be eaten or used for tea.
10. African cucumber
Native to Kalahari Desert, Africa
The African cucumber, horned melon or melano is a fruit that can be best described as melon with horns. It originated in the Kalahari Desert and is now present in California and New Zealand. The dark green pulp reminds one of bananas, limes, passion fruit and cucumber. It is often used for decorating food but also in smoothies and sundaes.
Eating Orange Fruits
Eating Orange Fruits is Much Better than Taking Vitamins
vitamins can be reduced supplies in many ways, can be inspired by supplements or fruits directly from any source, especially citrus fruits. The preferred way past due to the benefits of vitamins become more numerous.
Vitamins, especially vitamin c is an antioxidant that plays free radicals trigger premature aging effect. In areas of the face and the surrounding areas, can not benefit of antioxidants, among other things, prevent dull skin and wrinkles.
Antioxidants also play a role in reducing the risk of cancer because cancer cells are toxic. In high doses, can be given vitamin c as a treatment for some types of cancer, although the current treatment is still in the testing phase.
Although sold in tablets, capsules and evervescent (effervescent tablets), can be obtained on the vitamin c in large quantities from the original source of vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruits. Even according to the study, and there are more benefits when dealing with the orange vitamin supplements c.
Are getting more benefits for it vitamins work in cooperation or in conjunction with other compounds found in orange. Useful elements that were not found in the Annex, which is to provide vitamin c in the form separately.
A unique combination of different compounds that make them orange fruit in very good health.
In a recent study, found Mr. Parker that the compounds are synergistic with vitamin c in oranges are phenol compounds which are anti-microbial. In conjunction with vitamin c to make the work more effective anti-microbial and anti-oxidant and useful.
The study findings are published in the Journal of Food Science.
vitamins can be reduced supplies in many ways, can be inspired by supplements or fruits directly from any source, especially citrus fruits. The preferred way past due to the benefits of vitamins become more numerous.
Vitamins, especially vitamin c is an antioxidant that plays free radicals trigger premature aging effect. In areas of the face and the surrounding areas, can not benefit of antioxidants, among other things, prevent dull skin and wrinkles.
Antioxidants also play a role in reducing the risk of cancer because cancer cells are toxic. In high doses, can be given vitamin c as a treatment for some types of cancer, although the current treatment is still in the testing phase.
Although sold in tablets, capsules and evervescent (effervescent tablets), can be obtained on the vitamin c in large quantities from the original source of vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruits. Even according to the study, and there are more benefits when dealing with the orange vitamin supplements c.
Are getting more benefits for it vitamins work in cooperation or in conjunction with other compounds found in orange. Useful elements that were not found in the Annex, which is to provide vitamin c in the form separately.
A unique combination of different compounds that make them orange fruit in very good health.
In a recent study, found Mr. Parker that the compounds are synergistic with vitamin c in oranges are phenol compounds which are anti-microbial. In conjunction with vitamin c to make the work more effective anti-microbial and anti-oxidant and useful.
The study findings are published in the Journal of Food Science.
Why Eating Fruits Is Important
Why Eating Fruits Is Important
Fruits
In botany, a fruit is the ripened ovary—together with seeds—of a flowering plant. In many species, the fruit incorporates the ripened ovary and surrounding tissues. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants disseminate seeds. Evolution has led plants to adopt certain basic mechanisms, seemingly without close regard to the tissues involved. No one terminology really fits the enormous variety that is found among plant fruits. Botanical terminology for fruits is inexact and will remain so. In cuisine, when discussing fruit as food, the term usually refers to just those plant fruits that are sweet and fleshy, examples of which fruits include plum, apple and orange. However, the common vegetables, as well as nuts and grains, are the fruit of the plant species they come from.
A human diet
A healthy diet should consist for a great deal of freshly squeezed fruit juices, raw fruits and vegetables. Some tips:
* A good start is to eat and drink more fresh fruits;
* it’s as simple as that. Before you know it you will feel much better;
* Don't forget to eat fruit on an empty stomach, not after other meals and;
* inform yourself about the substances that our 'modern' food contains.
Benefits of Fruits
Everyone knows, that fruits contain many vitamins, necessary to our organism. But vitamins are just a small part of useful substances in fruits. The scientists have proved, that many fruits possess very important qualities – they protect us from many different diseases.
* Fruits is one of the most important healthy and natural foods in existence. Thousands of different types of fruit are available to eat, all of the fruit has many strong health benefits. Fruit include a large number of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and plant phytochemicals that help benefit health. It has also been shown that eating the whole fruit or juice is best to gain the benefits rather than taking supplements to provide each nutrient separately.
* Fruit in the diet provide many benefits upon health. Fruit has high fibre contents that helps to control the blood glucose levels and reduces the blood cholesterol and generally reduces the risk of colon cancer and other cancers.
* A balanced diet includes at least five portions of fruits daily will provide all the vitamin C that the body should be, plus many more beneficial vitamins and minerals.
* You should eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. Juice is mostly sweetened, but fresh fruits have natural sugars. You can receive many benefit from the fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit, because the fruit juice has many fiber that you needed instead of drinking fruit.
* If you want to achieve a healthy balanced diet, variety is most important and this applies just as much to the fruit you eat. Different fruit and vegetables include different vitamins and minerals, By including more fruits in your diet you can get more benefits for your health. This includes different colours, flavours and textures.
Uses of Fruits
Bilberry fruit has been used for diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and used to improve night vision.
Nutritive Value
Fresh fruits and fruit juices contain many vitamins and minerals, they are low in fat (except avocados) and sodium, and they provide dietary fiber. USDA nutritionists recommend 2 to 4 servings from the fruit group each day. Count as a serving an individual unit (one medium apple, pear, banana, orange), a fraction of a unit (grapefruit half, melon wedge), 1/2 cup berries, 1/2 cup chopped or cooked fruit, or 3/4 cup fruit juice. Whole, unpeeled fruit is higher in fiber than peeled fruit or fruit juice.
Fruits
In botany, a fruit is the ripened ovary—together with seeds—of a flowering plant. In many species, the fruit incorporates the ripened ovary and surrounding tissues. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants disseminate seeds. Evolution has led plants to adopt certain basic mechanisms, seemingly without close regard to the tissues involved. No one terminology really fits the enormous variety that is found among plant fruits. Botanical terminology for fruits is inexact and will remain so. In cuisine, when discussing fruit as food, the term usually refers to just those plant fruits that are sweet and fleshy, examples of which fruits include plum, apple and orange. However, the common vegetables, as well as nuts and grains, are the fruit of the plant species they come from.
A human diet
A healthy diet should consist for a great deal of freshly squeezed fruit juices, raw fruits and vegetables. Some tips:
* A good start is to eat and drink more fresh fruits;
* it’s as simple as that. Before you know it you will feel much better;
* Don't forget to eat fruit on an empty stomach, not after other meals and;
* inform yourself about the substances that our 'modern' food contains.
Benefits of Fruits
Everyone knows, that fruits contain many vitamins, necessary to our organism. But vitamins are just a small part of useful substances in fruits. The scientists have proved, that many fruits possess very important qualities – they protect us from many different diseases.
* Fruits is one of the most important healthy and natural foods in existence. Thousands of different types of fruit are available to eat, all of the fruit has many strong health benefits. Fruit include a large number of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and plant phytochemicals that help benefit health. It has also been shown that eating the whole fruit or juice is best to gain the benefits rather than taking supplements to provide each nutrient separately.
* Fruit in the diet provide many benefits upon health. Fruit has high fibre contents that helps to control the blood glucose levels and reduces the blood cholesterol and generally reduces the risk of colon cancer and other cancers.
* A balanced diet includes at least five portions of fruits daily will provide all the vitamin C that the body should be, plus many more beneficial vitamins and minerals.
* You should eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. Juice is mostly sweetened, but fresh fruits have natural sugars. You can receive many benefit from the fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit, because the fruit juice has many fiber that you needed instead of drinking fruit.
* If you want to achieve a healthy balanced diet, variety is most important and this applies just as much to the fruit you eat. Different fruit and vegetables include different vitamins and minerals, By including more fruits in your diet you can get more benefits for your health. This includes different colours, flavours and textures.
Uses of Fruits
Bilberry fruit has been used for diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and used to improve night vision.
Nutritive Value
Fresh fruits and fruit juices contain many vitamins and minerals, they are low in fat (except avocados) and sodium, and they provide dietary fiber. USDA nutritionists recommend 2 to 4 servings from the fruit group each day. Count as a serving an individual unit (one medium apple, pear, banana, orange), a fraction of a unit (grapefruit half, melon wedge), 1/2 cup berries, 1/2 cup chopped or cooked fruit, or 3/4 cup fruit juice. Whole, unpeeled fruit is higher in fiber than peeled fruit or fruit juice.
Fruits Are Really Important to your Diet
Fruits Are Really Important to your Diet, But What Do the Carbohydrates Do?
Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, but the natural sugar in fruits makes it loaded with carbohydrates as well. If you are keeping track of your carbohydrates, it's good to know that some fruits are lower in carbohydrates than others.
With diabetes, carbohydrates are even more important. Empty carbohydrates with little or no fiber can make your blood sugar soar.
Adding Juice Plus to your diet when you are a Diabetic, is the best of both worlds. Juice Plus ® contains a wide variety of nutritionally dense fruits and vegetables reduced to juice powder concentrate using a proprietary process.
Which means the Sugar is taken out! So if you are a Diabetic, you really need to look into adding Juice Plus to your daily diet.
Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, but the natural sugar in fruits makes it loaded with carbohydrates as well. If you are keeping track of your carbohydrates, it's good to know that some fruits are lower in carbohydrates than others.
With diabetes, carbohydrates are even more important. Empty carbohydrates with little or no fiber can make your blood sugar soar.
Adding Juice Plus to your diet when you are a Diabetic, is the best of both worlds. Juice Plus ® contains a wide variety of nutritionally dense fruits and vegetables reduced to juice powder concentrate using a proprietary process.
Which means the Sugar is taken out! So if you are a Diabetic, you really need to look into adding Juice Plus to your daily diet.
Fruits Nutritional Value Is Critical to Promoting and Maintaining Good Health.
Fruits Nutritional Value Is Critical to Promoting and Maintaining Good Health.
Almost Everyone Needs to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables and benefit from their nutritional value Comments according to "Fruits and Veggies Matter.gov A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need? Recommended amount is 7-13 a day.
But what is the actual Fruits Nutritional Value in each serving these days?
Why does the FDA keep raising the number of servings of fresh Fruits and Vegetables we should eat to maintain optimum health? Good Question!
The soil that much of our produce is grown in, is lacking the rich nutrients that it needs to enrich the produce. So each piece of produce we consume, does no longer contain the amount of Vitamins and Nutritional Value they once did!
So, you have to keep eating more and more to keep up! Another reason why the produce does not taste as good as it used to. You could never eat the amount of produce in one day you need to get enough vitamins and enzymes needed to maintain your health. Not to mention the cost, time, and having to eat it all!!
Almost Everyone Needs to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables and benefit from their nutritional value Comments according to "Fruits and Veggies Matter.gov A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need? Recommended amount is 7-13 a day.
But what is the actual Fruits Nutritional Value in each serving these days?
Why does the FDA keep raising the number of servings of fresh Fruits and Vegetables we should eat to maintain optimum health? Good Question!
The soil that much of our produce is grown in, is lacking the rich nutrients that it needs to enrich the produce. So each piece of produce we consume, does no longer contain the amount of Vitamins and Nutritional Value they once did!
So, you have to keep eating more and more to keep up! Another reason why the produce does not taste as good as it used to. You could never eat the amount of produce in one day you need to get enough vitamins and enzymes needed to maintain your health. Not to mention the cost, time, and having to eat it all!!
Urban Scrumpers Are Picking the Forbidden Fruit
Urban Scrumpers Are Picking the Forbidden Fruit
My friend Sarah Cruz called me at 9 a.m. on a recent Saturday and said, "We found a hidden orchard on an abandoned property, can you grab my apple-picking poles at my house in your car and I'll meet you there on my bike at noon." I put my 3-year-old and 5-year-old daughters in the car, called my husband and told him to collect my 7-year-old son after football practice and bike to the apple-picking spot in a leafy part of West London. It was impossible to see the hidden orchard from the road, so Karen Liebreich, Ms. Cruz's picking partner, scrambled from the abandoned plot of bramble and rubble in her long, rubber boots to guide us to the five trees bursting with ripe Bramley eating and cooking apples.
For both the adults and the children it felt like a big clandestine adventure and all we were doing is picking apples about 10 minutes from our house. Or so it seemed. In actuality we were what the Brits call "scrumping," or in other words, taking apples from trees we didn't own—a fast-growing trend in urban London and throughout the U.K.
The trees and locations are spread among the pickers by word of mouth. Last spring, Ms. Cruz picked cherries in a local park. "People looked at me like I was stealing," said Ms. Cruz, a coordinator for volunteer fruit gatherers. "But we are actually helping the council gather the fruit, which would just rot and go to waste." The apple-picking area in question is under Hounslow Council, which issued a comment saying "We are more than happy for people to enjoy our trees and their fruit in London's greenest borough."
These women are part of a growing army of guerrilla fruit pickers, who climb fences and brave dangers ranging from broken wine bottles and stinging nettles to hostile dogs and turf-conscious rats to pick seasonal fruit in unorthodox places. Scrumping activists even have their own organization called Abundance, which is composed of volunteers throughout the U.K. who are dedicated to harvesting unpicked fruit. In London, Abundance has been set up as an association with charitable aims.
It is unclear whether the free-lance fruit pickers operate in illegal territory. I called the London Metropolitan Police spokeswoman, who said officially they didn't have a comment because there is no recent record of scrumping arrests or complaints and it really isn't something officially recorded, suggesting that scrumping is an accepted practice, unless a land owner files a formal police complaint.
It wasn't always this way: The criminal registers of England and Wales report that from 1791 to 1892 hundreds of criminals reported for petty theft, fraud and scrumping were sent to Australia. Officially, scrumping hasn't been repealed and is still technically illegal under legislation, reports the National Archive U.K., but the last reported case was in 1829.
"This year the picking has gone ballistic," said Anne-Marie Culhane, co-founder of Abundance in Sheffield, who says her volunteer base has grown to 200 from only 30 just before the recession. "We have legitimized scrumping."
As well, Abundance has become a valuable service for some home owners who can't pick the fruit in their own gardens and call the pickers to come help.
Ms. Cruz has led school groups and volunteers to gather more than a 1,000 kilograms of fruit this season and often sells the fruit to local restaurants and donates the money to schools.
Meanwhile, Ms. Liebreich, who co-authored the book "The Family Kitchen Garden" (2009, Timber Press), is dedicated to converting children to become pickers and has been making presentations in local schools. My 5-year-old daughter told me about the "apple pickers" who came to her primary school to show the children where apples come from, how to pick them and how to make apple juice.
For some scrumpers, picking their own apples can yield a real savings.
On a bright October day, Debra Morall, a mother of two children, stood on a seat at a bus stop on busy Chiswick Lane with a long-pole picker and reached pears dangling from a tree over the street. "Food prices are rising and the recession has made everyone look at their finances," she said. "It seems ostentatious to leave fruit hanging on a tree and then spend excessively at a grocery store. I also want my children to know where food comes from."
Still, harvesters' high ladders are often balanced on high-minded ideals. "Scrumping is about taking back some of that freedom we have lost in a commercial society," said Simon O'Grady, a school teacher, recently scrumping for the first time on an abandoned plot with his children. "We pay for people to watch our kids and we go to big supermarkets, but this is something we don't have to pay for. It's fun." Mr. O'Grady acknowledged that the practice has its hair-raising moments. He didn't wince when a rat ran over his foot. "I didn't want to stop my children from picking," he said.
Some scrumpers take the concept beyond picking. Richard Reynolds, known in London as the Guerrilla Gardener, is growing his own fruit and vegetables, including cabbages, lettuces, runner beans and onions, on land he doesn't own. One of his most successful crops this year were some strawberries he planted on an intersection island near Blackfriars Bridge near London's financial district. "During and after World War II people planted gardens to have enough to eat," he said. "Now we have the fear of bankers and a global economic meltdown and a pending environmental catastrophe. People need to see what they can do."
The Sunday night after my family's local apple-picking, I revealed our escapade to a mother sitting next to me at my children's swim lesson. When she responded that it was a shame her family didn't have time to go to one of those pick-your-own farms outside London that charge a fee, I quietly treasured my family's free harvesting expedition.
My friend Sarah Cruz called me at 9 a.m. on a recent Saturday and said, "We found a hidden orchard on an abandoned property, can you grab my apple-picking poles at my house in your car and I'll meet you there on my bike at noon." I put my 3-year-old and 5-year-old daughters in the car, called my husband and told him to collect my 7-year-old son after football practice and bike to the apple-picking spot in a leafy part of West London. It was impossible to see the hidden orchard from the road, so Karen Liebreich, Ms. Cruz's picking partner, scrambled from the abandoned plot of bramble and rubble in her long, rubber boots to guide us to the five trees bursting with ripe Bramley eating and cooking apples.
For both the adults and the children it felt like a big clandestine adventure and all we were doing is picking apples about 10 minutes from our house. Or so it seemed. In actuality we were what the Brits call "scrumping," or in other words, taking apples from trees we didn't own—a fast-growing trend in urban London and throughout the U.K.
The trees and locations are spread among the pickers by word of mouth. Last spring, Ms. Cruz picked cherries in a local park. "People looked at me like I was stealing," said Ms. Cruz, a coordinator for volunteer fruit gatherers. "But we are actually helping the council gather the fruit, which would just rot and go to waste." The apple-picking area in question is under Hounslow Council, which issued a comment saying "We are more than happy for people to enjoy our trees and their fruit in London's greenest borough."
These women are part of a growing army of guerrilla fruit pickers, who climb fences and brave dangers ranging from broken wine bottles and stinging nettles to hostile dogs and turf-conscious rats to pick seasonal fruit in unorthodox places. Scrumping activists even have their own organization called Abundance, which is composed of volunteers throughout the U.K. who are dedicated to harvesting unpicked fruit. In London, Abundance has been set up as an association with charitable aims.
It is unclear whether the free-lance fruit pickers operate in illegal territory. I called the London Metropolitan Police spokeswoman, who said officially they didn't have a comment because there is no recent record of scrumping arrests or complaints and it really isn't something officially recorded, suggesting that scrumping is an accepted practice, unless a land owner files a formal police complaint.
It wasn't always this way: The criminal registers of England and Wales report that from 1791 to 1892 hundreds of criminals reported for petty theft, fraud and scrumping were sent to Australia. Officially, scrumping hasn't been repealed and is still technically illegal under legislation, reports the National Archive U.K., but the last reported case was in 1829.
"This year the picking has gone ballistic," said Anne-Marie Culhane, co-founder of Abundance in Sheffield, who says her volunteer base has grown to 200 from only 30 just before the recession. "We have legitimized scrumping."
As well, Abundance has become a valuable service for some home owners who can't pick the fruit in their own gardens and call the pickers to come help.
Ms. Cruz has led school groups and volunteers to gather more than a 1,000 kilograms of fruit this season and often sells the fruit to local restaurants and donates the money to schools.
Meanwhile, Ms. Liebreich, who co-authored the book "The Family Kitchen Garden" (2009, Timber Press), is dedicated to converting children to become pickers and has been making presentations in local schools. My 5-year-old daughter told me about the "apple pickers" who came to her primary school to show the children where apples come from, how to pick them and how to make apple juice.
For some scrumpers, picking their own apples can yield a real savings.
On a bright October day, Debra Morall, a mother of two children, stood on a seat at a bus stop on busy Chiswick Lane with a long-pole picker and reached pears dangling from a tree over the street. "Food prices are rising and the recession has made everyone look at their finances," she said. "It seems ostentatious to leave fruit hanging on a tree and then spend excessively at a grocery store. I also want my children to know where food comes from."
Still, harvesters' high ladders are often balanced on high-minded ideals. "Scrumping is about taking back some of that freedom we have lost in a commercial society," said Simon O'Grady, a school teacher, recently scrumping for the first time on an abandoned plot with his children. "We pay for people to watch our kids and we go to big supermarkets, but this is something we don't have to pay for. It's fun." Mr. O'Grady acknowledged that the practice has its hair-raising moments. He didn't wince when a rat ran over his foot. "I didn't want to stop my children from picking," he said.
Some scrumpers take the concept beyond picking. Richard Reynolds, known in London as the Guerrilla Gardener, is growing his own fruit and vegetables, including cabbages, lettuces, runner beans and onions, on land he doesn't own. One of his most successful crops this year were some strawberries he planted on an intersection island near Blackfriars Bridge near London's financial district. "During and after World War II people planted gardens to have enough to eat," he said. "Now we have the fear of bankers and a global economic meltdown and a pending environmental catastrophe. People need to see what they can do."
The Sunday night after my family's local apple-picking, I revealed our escapade to a mother sitting next to me at my children's swim lesson. When she responded that it was a shame her family didn't have time to go to one of those pick-your-own farms outside London that charge a fee, I quietly treasured my family's free harvesting expedition.
One of the World's Most Powerful Fruits is One of the Most Underutilize
One of the World's Most Powerful Fruits is One of the Most Underutilize
The pomegranate is one of the most powerful but underutilized fruits.
But what is the history of this fruit? A silver vase resembling a pom was buried in the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1343 B.C. Pom arils, the red pods inside that each contain a hard seed, are said to number 613, one for each of the Torah's 613 commandments. It's also one of the three blessed fruits, along with the citrus and peach, in Buddhism. Mohammed considered it to be a precious fruit capable of bringing both emotional and physical peace. There are even some scholars who suggest it was a pomegranate, not an apple, that Eve offered Adam in the Garden of Eden.
Pomegranates contain some of nature's most effective antioxidants, called polyphenols. Antioxidants are considered powerful allies in the fight to ward off cancer. They protect the body against the molecules that damage cells over time. It is also believed that antioxidants help promote a healthy heart by minimizing factors that lead to plaque in the arteries.
The juice-filled beads in a pomegranate are called arils and you don't eat the white parts surrounding them. Open a pomegranate by scoring the outer rind in quarters and pulling it apart under water. Eat the arils like little grapes. You can even drink pomgranates as juice or as part of a cocktail. Below are some cocktail recipes that contain pomegranate juice.
If you want to enjoy the whole pom, here are some helpful tips.
Poms are picked when ripe. All you have to consider when buying is that the heavier the fruit, the juicier it will be. They can be stored at room temperature 2 to 3 weeks, 1 month in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer.
To open, score through the outer rind, marking the fruit into quarters. Submerge it in a bowl of water. Break open under water to free the arils.
The red arils inside poms are heavy with juice, and each has a tiny edible seed that provides fiber and can be enjoyed like grapes. The white membrane that surrounds the arils is bitter and not to be consumed.
To juice a pom, cut in half as you would a grapefruit. Then use a hand-press citrus juicer to release the liquid, avoiding the white membrane. Strain through a sieve or cheese cloth.
Avoid using reactive (i.e. aluminum, carbon-steel, etc.) knives or pots, as they will turn the juice bitter.
Purple Haze Martini
1 ounce freshly squeezed pomegranate juice or bottled juice
1 1/2 ounces Hpnotiq liqueur
1 1/2 ounce pineapple juice
1 sliver of orange rind
1 sliver of apple slice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange rind and apple slice.
To prepare fresh pomegranate juice, cut 1 pomegranate in half and juice with a citrus reamer or juicer. Pour mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve.
Pom Vinaigrette
Juice from 1 pomegranate, or 1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1/3 cup arils from 1 large pomegranate (optional)
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
1/3 cup red or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons grated red onion
1/2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Score 1 fresh pomegranate and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranate underwater to free the arils. The arils will sink and the membrane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl. Reserve 1/3 cup of the arils from fruit and set aside. Refrigerate or freeze remaining arils for another use.
Prepare fresh pomegranate juice. For 1 cup of juice, cut 2-3 large pomegranates in half and juice them with a citrus reamer or juicer. Pour mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve. Set the juice aside.
In a screw-top jar or plastic container with tight-fitting lid, combine juice, the 1/3 cup arils, and remaining dressing ingredients. Cover and shake well.
Set aside or refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.
Makes about 1 cup.
Pom and Balsamic-glazed Chicken
Juice from 2-3 large pomegranates, or 3/4 cup pomegranate juice
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or 8-12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup packaged peeled baby carrots
3 green onions, sliced
2-3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon crushed dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
Hot cooked penne pasta (optional)
Garnish (optional)
1/3 cup arils from 1 large pomegranate
Prepare garnish -- Score 1 fresh pomegranate and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranate underwater to free the arils. The arils will sink and the membrane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl. Reserve 1/3 cup of arils from fruit and set aside. (Refrigerate or freeze remaining arils for another use.)
Prepare fresh pomegranate juice. For 1 cup of juice, cut 2-3 large pomegranates in half and juice them with a citrus reamer or juicer. Pour mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve. Set the juice aside.
Place oil in a large skillet; brown chicken pieces in batches with carrots and onions for 5-6 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Remove chicken pieces. Keep carrots and onions warm.
Place broth in a pan and add chicken pieces; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked. Reserve 1/3 cup of chicken cooking liquid.
Transfer chicken and vegetables to platter; cover and keep warm.
Put reserved 1/3 cup of chicken cooking liquid in skillet. Stir in pomegranate juice, vinegar, cornstarch, brown sugar and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer 2 minutes.
Drizzle some of the sauce over chicken and vegetables; garnish with reserved arils. Serve with pasta if desired, and pass remaining sauce.
Makes 4-6 servings.
Pom Marinated Pork Roast
Juice from 2-3 large pomegranates, or 1 cup pomegranate juice
1/3 cup arils from 1 large pomegranate (optional)
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary or thyme
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 (4 pound) rolled boneless pork loin roast
Salt and pepper
2 pounds baby potatoes, scrubbed and halved
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 (14-ounce) can beef broth (1 2/3 cups)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons minced parsley
Score 1 fresh pomegranate and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranate underwater to free the arils. The arils will sink to the bottom and the membrane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl. Reserve 1/3 cup of the arils from fruit and set aside. (Refrigerate or freeze remaining arils for another use.)
Prepare fresh pomegranate juice. For 1 cup of juice, cut 2-3 large pomegranates in half and juice them with a citrus reamer or juicer. Pour mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve. Set the juice aside.
Whisk together juice, wine, chives, rosemary, mustard and Worcestershire sauce; add bay leaves. Reserve 1/3 cup marinade for sauce (cover and refrigerate until needed).
Place roast in a large self-sealing bag or a nonmetal dish; pour marinade over meat. Turn meat in marinade to coat. Refrigerate 4 to 8 hours, turning meat occasionally in marinade.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. Pat meat dry; place in a large shallow roasting pan.
Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper.
Roast, uncovered, for 1 hour. Add potatoes and onions to pan around meat, turning them in the pan juices. Cover meat with foil to prevent over-browning.
Roast for 45 minutes to 1 1/4 hours more, until meat is very pale pink and meat thermometer reads 155-160 degrees.
Transfer meat and potatoes to a warm platter; cover and let stand while preparing sauce.
In a 2-quart saucepan combine reserved marinade, beef broth and cornstarch. Bring mixture to a boil; boil 1 minute.
Stir in reserved arils and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remove strings from meat; slice thinly. Pass sauce with meat.
Time to table: 30 minutes prep.
4-8 hours marinating, 2-2 1/2 hours roasting time.
Makes 10-12 servings, 1 2/3 cups sauce.
Difference Between Berry and Fruit
Difference Between Berry and Fruit
Many people enjoy a juicy piece of fruit as a quick snack. There are so many types of fruits to pick from that it can be hard to choose just one. Citrus, berries, apples, grapes or pears are all good but a quick examination of the different types of fruits and how they are identified from each other can be surprising.
What Exactly is Fruit?
The pulpy fruit that you eat and find pleasurable is actually the matured ovary of the plant from which the fruit was picked. A basic plant consists of the stalk, leaves, blossoms and roots. The pollen that is required to fertilize the seeds is found within the blossom of the plant.
The blossom itself is comprised of the petals, the stamen and the pistil. The stamen produces the pollen. Once the pollen is introduced to the pistil at the top and flows down the central core to the ovary that contains the seed, it is pollinated and begins to grow. As the ovary grows and matures, in most cases the outer portion then transforms into the fruit that you eat.
The term fruit describes the portion of the plant that contains the seeds. Evolution has allowed the fruit to be pleasing in taste to animals so that the animals, by eating the fruit, will carry the seeds into new areas, thus disseminating the seeds and spreading the area the plant can cover. This is why seed is almost always a non-digestible part of the fruit that is passed through the body of the animal and left in its feces. The plant can be propagated over hundreds of miles in this manner. Fruit has been classified into seven broad groups all based on particular characteristics of the development process or origin of the fruit within the plant. Four of these groups are berries, but every group possesses at least one fruit that is often considered a berry.
What is a Berry?
True Berries are simple fruits and seeds that grow from a single ovary in the plant. Berries that have a hardened shell belong to the group Pepo and those that have a rind to the group called Hesperidium. The fruit produced by each of the plants in these catagories grow from a single ovary for each piece of fruit.
Examples of fruits that belong to the Hesperidium group include lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges. Pumpkins, gourds, melons and cucumbers all belong to the Pepo group. Most of the members of the True Berry group are recognizable as berries. They include gooseberry, currants, eggplant, kiwi and grapes.
Although berries are fruits, there are many fruits which are considered berries by most people that may not actually be classified as berries.
For example, epigynous is another group of fruits. Epigynous means false berries. Bananas, cranberries and blueberries all are part of this group. These fruits are made from another part of the plant than the ovaries. The next group of fruits is called Aggregate Fruits. These fruits are what most people recognize as berries. The group includes blackberries, raspberries and boysenberries. These fruits are collections of seeds that have formed from different ovaries within a single blossom. Each of the seeds has a matured ovary around it, which is the juice filled portion that animals enjoy. Multiple fruits is a group that consists of a large number of individual fruits that have formed from separate blossoms. The fruit are closely packed together on the plant. Pineapple, figs and mulberries all belong to this group. The final group of fruits is termed Other Accessory Fruits. The distinguishing factor in these fruits is that the ovary does not generate the edible part of the fruit. Most pitted fruits such as plums, peaches, apricots and cherries belong in this category. Apples, pears and strawberries are members of this group as well. As you can see, there are many types of fruits and many different ways they grow. The term berry is merely a small subset of the types of fruit that grow in the world. You can also see that berries as most people think of them belong to many different groups of types of fruits and develop in vastly different ways.
