Eat The Season | Fruit Company Gifts

Eating and juicing fruit is the best way to get your daily fiber requirements

Organic Fruit Gifts If you are seeking to add additional fiber to your diet – as many of us are – then one of the healthiest and most natural ways to effectively achieve that goal involves eating more fruit either whole or by juicing it.

A diet that is high in fiber and fluids helps your entire body to function in a healthier and more effective way. This is especially true of your ability to process food through your digestive system and it may also help to reduce your chances of diabetes and heart disease. In order to achieve these benefits, men should consume around 30 to 38 grams of fiber every day, while women should have between 21 and 25 grams per day.

Though many people rely on artificial sources of fiber to help to get things moving, obtaining fiber from natural foods is the healthiest and most effective source for your body. It also helps to ensure that you’re receiving much more than just fiber in terms of nutrition. Therefore, it is a good idea to start making juicing and the consumption of fresh fruit a regular part of your daily routine.

Beyond fiber, fruits can also have a number of other positive impacts on your health. For example, an increasing number of studies are showing that daily fruit intake can help to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancers.

Moreover, even though it contains natural sugars, fruit is also known for giving you a burst of hunger satisfying nutrition within a small amount of calories. Many doctors and nutritionists recommend that if you want to eat a large amount of food without packing on the pounds, then juicing or eating fruits and vegetables whole should be a central part of that effort.

Also, a great healthy gift for yourself or someone you know is an organic fruit of the month membership. You can juice every day with fresh fruit delivered straight to your doorstep!

The characteristics of a ripe melon: what you need to know before putting it in your cart

How to pick a melon Though melons may look beautiful in a store, without the right techniques it is difficult to know what is inside their rinds without cutting into them.

Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken in order to identify a ripe and flavorful melon. The trick is to understand that not all types of melon require the same techniques, and to know what methods are appropriate for each type.

For a cantaloupe, also known as a musk melon, examine its entire exterior, looking for a good solid shell without any moldy areas or obvious bruising. Its underlying color should be an orangy-white. If its underlying color is primarily green or white, move on to the next one.

The end with the stem should not still have the stem attached. A cantaloupe that was ripe when picked would come away from the stem very easily. Therefore, if the stem is still on the melon, it is likely unripe. Smell the end with the stem. If it smells slightly moldy or if it has no smell at all, put it back and try another one. A ripe cantaloupe should smell just slightly fruity and musky.

On the other hand, a watermelon’s rind should be inspected for black spots, large soft bruises, or cracks. Gently “thump” on the side of the melon with your hand and listen to the sound it makes. Compare the sound of several melons and pick one that makes a “middle” note. The higher the note, the less ripe the melon will be. The lower the note, the more ripe a melon will be. If the note is very deep, it may be overly ripe and may already be breaking down inside.

A honeydew melon should be inspected for cracks, bruises, or large dark spots on the outside. These melons should be avoided. Then, with the melon in one hand, press on the end opposite the stem (called the Best Fruit “blossom” end) and check for firmness. The more firm it is, the less ripe it is. A ripe melon should allow you to depress it slightly without a lot of effort. If the melon is quite soft for more than two inches across the blossom end, it is likely too ripe and is beginning to deteriorate inside.

By knowing these tricks, you will be able to select the best and most flavorful melon, which will give you a more pleasant experience and save you from wasting money on spoiled or unripe fruit.

For gift giving this summer don’t forget a organic fruit of the month club!

Picking Organic Fruits on a Budget

Buying organic products is one of the ways of investing for health. However, there are some factors that need to be considered when buying organic foods. Organic Fruit on a Budget

Before buying any organic foods, it is safe to know what the word ‘organic’ means as defined by the USDA. There are four levels of organic that is set by the said department. 100% organic refers to food that are certified organic when it comes to all the contents of the food. Organic refers to those that are 95% organic, with the exclusion of water and salt. When 70% of the content of the food is organic, this is referred to as made with organic ingredients. Lastly, ingredient panel only is for those whose contents are less than 70% organic.

There are some basic rules to keep in mind when buying organic foods. First, think about the skin of the food. When buying foods that have edible skin just like apples and other fruits, it is safer to buy the organic ones. For animal products, those that are organic are preferred. But should you choose to buy non-organic meat, choose lean meat since the fats contain the impurities. Buying from local farmers is an excellent way of getting healthy foods.

Organic foods can be more expensive than those that are not, so when your budget does not permit you to buy all organic food, then consider those that are worth it to buy. For organic fruits, it is important to buy those whose skins are edible like grapes, tomatoes, peaches and other similar ones. This goes the same with vegetables. If you are going to peel them, then it is not necessary to buy the organic ones.

Organic Fruit Basket Under $50

Organic meat products are of course highly recommended since these are definitely healthier.

As we all know but sometimes choose to forget…all organic food does not necessarily mean that it’s healthy. Check out fat, sodium and other nutritional information before purchasing…if you’re going for the healthiest options.

Check out organic fruit baskets for under $50.00 here!

Winter Seasonal Fruit

The winter is definitely the time the majority of citrus fruits tend to be their sweetest as well as juiciest. Check for these types of cold weather fruits at farmers' markets and in your local grocery store to get the finest flavor and the best fruit for your dollar:

Clementines tend to be smaller but a little sweeter of the oranges – showing up in markets December through the winter.
Grapefruits grow in the warmest states but during the colder months – staying juicy usually from winter to the early part of summer
Kiwis grow on vines and are picked the winter season throughout spring.
Kumquats are the hardiest of citrus and the smallest – able to withstand freezing temperatures
Lemons have a tendency to be at their finest during winter and springtime.
Mandarins really are nice and succulent in winter.
Meyer Lemons tend to be more seasonal compared to its counterpart. December or January through May. One thing to be aware of when looking to buy these lemons from far away locations…their very thin skins make it more difficult to transport and store.
Oranges are in season during the winter as well…just in time for cold and flu season…Mother Nature knew what she was doing when it came down to citrus!
Pears have a season which extends through mid-summer well into winter, based upon the actual variety and region.
Persimmons tend to be accessible for a brief window in the fall and early winter
Pommelos possess really thick skins that protect a sweet grapefruit-like yellow-colored citrus that can easily be so light it’s almost white.
Satsumas have loose skins along with a super-sweet tangerine taste. Start looking for them beginning in November and into January.
Tangerines of all kinds are in season during some point over the winter – from November through March.

A three course seasonal meal might go something like this: Brie cheese and freshly sliced pears with litely toasted artisan bread for starters. Pork tenderloin marinated in a thick citrus sauce with rosemary. And finish it all up with a kiwi fruit tart! For the wine try a Pinot Blanc or even a champagne ! There's a combo of winter and summer within this menu. Bon Appétit!