Fruit News Blog...
April 22, 2010
Go Green This Year For Mother's Day!
The latest fashion and buzz on the street is all about how can we save energy, while saving the earth, and doing it in the most affordable way. Going green is really easy, in fact it's the little things that help the most, like during special occasions on Mother's Day finding the perfect gift...in other words, "Give Green". There are so many wonderful green gifts to choose from now a days but finding one that doesn't break the bank definitely helps. This year try something new and go with the ultimate green gift that's actually functional and nutritional...try an organic fruit basket delivered to Mom's front door!
Here are the top reasons for choosing a fruit basket gift:
- Every year, millions of flowers get delivered on this special day, but did you know that most of these flowers are being imported from Central America and the pesticides used, in most cases, have been banned in the United States.
- With giving organic gifts there are no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, ionizing radiation or sewage sludge going into your gift or mother earth!
- Your gift says more with the organic stamp...she'll appreciate the thought-fullness that came from your decision.
- Plus, the cost of a decent bouquet of flowers is the same, and in some cases even more, than an elegant gourmet basket of fresh fruit.
So when looking for the perfect way to say thank you for all that she's done, think how easy and affordable it would be with organic fruit gifts. Oh, and most importantly...don't forget to pick up the phone, wishing her a Happy Mother's Day goes a long way!
March 10, 2010
Give Smarter, Not Harder
Most of us have heard of the term, "work smarter, not harder"? Well, the same goes for your gift giving. Why not when it's as easy as a click to say thank you to your assistant this year for Admin Day. Plus you've just bought yourself a happier and probably a more productive staff - Now that's working smarter! Since 1952 bosses have been saying thank you to their assistants but the occasion's name did change back in 2000 from Secretaries Day to Administrators Day. Thus due to the ever changing job description in the work force, this name was better suited for all that they do. So in the spirit of being politically correct, make sure you don't skip it, send the perfect thank you with a basket full of fruit - And if you really want to impress, make it organic for that special green touch!
February 24, 2010
Acai: There's a New Fruit in Town!
If you have watched television, listened to the radio, or gone anywhere on the Internet lately, you will most likely recall that you have seen or heard something about a fruit spelled: A-C-A-I. But, what is it? Where does it come from? Is it good for you? How on earth do you pronounce it???
How to you say it?
If you break it down into syllables, it is pronounced: “ah-sigh-ee.”
Where does it come from?
It grows in the rain forest in Brazil, and is harvested from a special type of palm tree.
What is it?
Acai is a berry that comes from a type of palm tree. It is touted to convert to energy when consumed in the human body and tastes like a berry blended with chocolate. It also contains rich amounts of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and amino acids (California Academy of Health, Inc. (CAH), 2010).
Is it good for you?
It is! Since its inception into the mainstream in the United States, it has been found that there are many advantages to making this berry (and its juice) part of your everyday diet. It can help with weight loss, but also a plethora of other physical things as well, such as (The Amazing Acai Berry, 2010):
- Lowering blood pressure
- Lowering bad cholesterol levels
- Increase energy levels
- Help with the regeneration of connective tissue
- As an anti-inflammatory
- Trigger a self-destruct response in some types of cancer cells
So now that you know a little more about it, and that it is really good for you, try adding some acai juice to your diet today. It makes a great addition to your daily fruit regime and to your smoothies as well. Not drinking smoothies yet? Starting with a little acai juice, and a couple of your favorite fruits is a great-tasting, healthy way to start!
Reference
California Academy of Health. (2010). Acai Berry Fun Facts. Retrieved January 16, 2010 from
The Amazing Acai Berry. (2010). The Cure for Cancer? Acai Berry's Cancer Fighting Properties. Retrieved January 16, 2010
February 17, 2010
Organic Oranges: Healthy and Delicious
Organic fruits and vegetables have been proven to be more nutritious for us than their traditionally-grown counterparts. Plus, since they are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, they are even more appealing and safe to eat! Studies have shown that organic oranges contain about thirty percent more vitamin C than the ones grown with traditional methods (Organic trade Association, 2008). What a great way to boost your vitamin C intake! Remember, when trying to make sure you eat all the fruits that you can for your health, you can juice them as well! When juicing organic fruits, you know you are enriching your diet with great vitamins and nutrients, all while having a more-convenient way to “eat” them. If you’re looking for some great organic oranges and other organic fruits, check out our organic fruit selection.
Reference
Organic Trade Association. 2008. Nutritional Considerations. Retrieved January 16, 2010
February 10, 2010
Save Money... Make Your Own Fruit Smoothies!
The cost of fruit smoothies have gotten a little out of hand. Just the other day I needed a pick me up and stopped in to the, once crowded (but no longer), juice place and ordered me up a banana strawberry one. When the woman said $5.80 I was taken back, I thought, this is how much I spend for lunch every day! There have been several self-help books that preach, save money and stop buying your coffee out! Well, I did just that except for it was my smoothies...it's easy! Just freeze your favorite fruit (bananas cut up and put into a plastic baggie works just fine) this gives it that creamy texture and throw in some plain yogurt, vanilla soy milk and then some fresh fruit, blueberries, strawberries, pineapple...it's all good and man you've got an awesome power smoothie! Plus it cost me a fraction of how much I would’ve spent in the smoothie place! Oh, a little tip...throw some chopped walnuts in for your omegas - you'll thank me!
January 31, 2010
How To Tell If A Product is Organic
Organic this organic that, how are you suppose to know what’s really organic or not?! Well, the first step is look for the seal
of approval with the USDA National Organic Standards. An organic grower cannot use the following: Synthetic substance, genetically modified produce, Ionizing radiation and sewage sludge. The grower has to be inspected before this stamp of approval is given and is subject to surprise inspection, along with audits of materials purchased to run – this is to make sure the proper seeds, fertilizer, etc are being used. With this said, even if you have US certification it doesn’t hold any weight in Europe or Japan where they have a whole new set of rules. International organic fruits have to be approved by IOAS – International Organic Accreditation Service. There are even task forces set up to make sure organic produce lives up to the seal of approval. Unfortunately no system is perfect but neither is life. After talking with a chef who works for an upscale restaurant about this topic, he states it's normal for many chefs to use regular produce and meats when they run out of their organic ingredients...even when the menu says "organic grass feed beef" or "organic free range chicken"...you get the picture. He says the only way to know for sure you're getting what you asked for is to request the seal from the packages. This seems a little extreme but he says people have done this and it didn't bother him. So from the chef's mouth to your ears...When you see the seal you can eat the meal!
January 20, 2010
A Great Way to Get "Five A Day"!
Oranges are a wonderful source of fiber and of course vitamin C but most people know this and still don’t eat enough
fruit per day. They say we should have 5 fruits a day to maintain a healthy diet but sometimes that difficult.
Today I pick oranges to talk about mainly for two reasons:
1. They’re the fruit for the “Fruit of the Month Club,” and...
2. They make lots of wonderful juice!
Here’s a tip to eating your fruit a day – Drink IT! Over the weekend cut up some apples (there’s a wonderful apple
cutter at Bed, Bath & Beyond – check it out), halve some carrots and lastly peel some oranges (make sure the
carrots and apples are washed first) – then put your fruit in plastic bags. There, all the fuss done for the week. All
you have to do is throw the combo in your juicer every morning! Now that wasn’t so bad and you’ve got the best
energy drink ever and are meeting your quota of daily fruit! Oh, but don’t forget an apple for the 3:00 sweet tooth.
January 3, 2010
Bringing in The New Year with a Splash of Lemon!
Hope this blog finds you well and refreshed from the New Year celebration! After doing some post New Year Eve
searches I found an interesting subject - Natural remedies for the common hang over and not much to my surprise I
found fruit! Now it doesn't surprise me to find fruit as a natural pick me up but I was surprised to find an entry that
mentioned a Puerto Rico remedy where they rub, yes I said rub, the juice of lemons and limes under their arm pits.
Hey, don't knock it until you try it. With that said I am including some fruit tips that I've had a personal experience
with: If you have a lemon tree make sure you pick the fruit now and spread the joy with you neighbors and friends.
Then squeeze it into marinades, on shrimp and fish and even throw it into your garbage disposal (cut it up first) to
make a natural air freshener for your kitchen. Next, this one is short and sweet - when making smoothies that include blueberries, make sure you rinse out your white sink really good! The blue in the berry will stain your sink but don't
worry with a little elbow grease you're sure to get it out eventually. Oh, and don't forget January is Citrus for the fruit
of the month club!
December 27, 2009
Fruitopia...
I have just found my very own fruitopia and you can't buy it in the stores! This last birthday I asked for a strange but
useful gift, a juicing machine or as I call it the maker of my very own fruitopia! All I can say is once you have fresh
squeezed juice you can't go back to anything that sits on a shelf, waiting to be sold. It's kind of that moment when
you bite into a peach straight from the farm, it truly spoils you! For the best results use organic fruits and veggies...yes,
I did say veggies. If you're anything like me and would like to eat raw but just can't force yourself into it - juicing is the
way to go! Throw in some broccoli, apples, carrots and orange - Voila! You've just made a vitamin packed, amazingly
sweet, drink that will kick any energy drinks can! May the Juice be with you!
December 22, 2009
Last Minute Gift Ideas...
Fruit baskets are great but what if you’re down to the wire and just don't have any more time or money left
to spend. Here's a great last minute gift idea that won't break the bank...homemade salt and sugar bath
scrubs! For the sugar scrub mix together a 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup sunflower oil, a dash of lavender or
orange oil and your golden. Do the same but replace the sugar with Epsom salt for your salt scrub and
add a dash of vitamin E too. Masonry jars or decorative glass containers are a nice touch along with some holiday cloth and ribbon. Cheap, fun project for kids and easy!
December 5,2009
Smooth and Go!
Smoothies have been the rage for sometime and make a healthy way to keep up with your five fruits a
day campaign. If you've received a fruit basket for the holidays and don't want any goodness to go to
waste check out this healthy tip of the day! Chop up the fruit and throw it in the blender with some
orange juice, frozen yogurt (I personally love Trader Joes Tart Frozen yogurt) and a touch of vanilla
soy milk...Yum! And if you're on the run, like most of us now a days, through it in your computer mug,
it'll keep cold and you can enjoy it from the road. Happy Holidays to all from the Fruit Company Gift store!
November 20, 2009
Kiss the Cook!
This year I'm thankful to the cook! Every year the dinner duties rotates, probably like a lot of families, the question of whose having it next always arises. There's still a few years before I come full circle so I'm extremely grateful to our host and all of the hard work that goes into such an event. This Thanksgiving
dinner an organic free range turkey was sliced and savored. WOW, I can't believe how great it was! When giving organic or serving it, somehow, some way, it makes it even more special. Express your gratitude to
the cook with a bounty full organic fruit basket...you could get lucky and they might just volunteer for the family Christmas party!
Check out Gift Basket ideas...
With a long list of fruit baskets to choose from here are some suggestions: Easy and elegant...send thank you gifts that say it all with organic fruits and chocolates. Or know someone that would love a special vegan gift basket or a vegetarian gift basket? With unique baskets to choose from you can send your condolences with a caring bereavement gift basket and the deepest of sympathy gift baskets - let them know you're thinking of them. Everything from healthy gift baskets, gourmet gifts, homemade cookie baskets, delightful dessert gifts, corporate gift baskets, customized gifts, dried fruit gift, nuts and fruit basket, cheese and fruit baskets, organic fruit baskets, monthly fruit club delivered to your front door and so much more! Specializing in affordable, healthy, online gourmet gifts delivered to your front door! Oh and don't forget Mom this Mother's day...DID YOU KNOW? As featured on Oprah's O list of uniquegift ideas - Check it out!! Fruit Company Gifts.com is a proud representative of the wonderful gifts at The Fruit Company!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: MOTHER'S DAY 5/23/10, TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 5/2/10 TO 5/8/10 AND EARTH DAY 4/22/10
