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How will you be observing National Grandparents Day?

Grandparents Day Gifts National Grandparents Day is rapidly approaching in the United States and a number of other countries, and parents and children are preparing to show grandparents how much they mean to them throughout the entire year.

This day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year, making it September 11 in 2011. It has been celebrated in the United States since 1978, with Marian McQuade from Oak Hill, West Virginia, as its official founder, for which she has received recognition by senators and President Jimmy Carter.

McQuade founded the day as a complement to her personal life goal to provide youth in her community with an education regarding the importance of the present and historical contributions of senior citizens. Aside from National Grandparents Day, another of McQuade’s efforts was to encourage youth to “adopt” a grandparent.

This secular holiday is meant to give people the opportunity to honor grandparents and to provide grandparents with the chance to show their own love for the children of their own children. This can help to make children more aware of the information, strength, and guidance that senior citizens have to give.

As of 2004, National Grandparents Day has had its own official song, which was written by Johnny Prill, and is called “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa”. Prill received the National Songwriter’s Award for this composition.

Similarly, in the United States, there is an official flower for the holiday, as well. It is a forget-me-not. However, as this is a spring bloom, it is traditional to give more seasonal flowers or a organic fruit basket to grandparents on the holiday itself.

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!

Organic farming brings communities together

Communities in states across the nation are becoming involved in sustainable agriculture. The past few years of unhealthy eating have created numerous reports about Americans bad health and alarming obesity rates. Couple that with the environmental issues and it’s no wonder there has been such a rise in organic farming and community gardens.

Community Garden

In the United States, two-thirds of adults, and 25 percent of all kids are considered overweight or obese. The downturn of the economy over the last four years caused over 14 percent of the (U.S.) population to fall into, or below the poverty level. It may not sound like much, but 14 percent of our population equals almost 43 million people.

This, along with the plight of the environment, has caused a rise in organic farming and community type gardens. In 2008, certified organic acreage reached about 5 million acres. In 2009, sales of organic food and beverages reached 24 billion dollars. People want healthier food.

Many communities are also participating in “community” gardens. There are around five thousand gardens that have been created across the United States now. Some were created to help beautify an area that has become neglected or impoverished. Area residents were encouraged to participate in cleaning up, landscaping and planting flowers in an area that would be seen as “belonging” to the community.

This helped to cultivate a sense of teamwork and personal responsibility; encouraging neighbors to help take care of one another. Other communities planted actual vegetable gardens in areas that were predominately poor. Everyone was invited to participate by helping to clean up, tilling, and planting the food. Because it belongs to everyone in that neighborhood, they are all responsible for the upkeep, and they get part of the food that’s grown.

These gardens help join people together, and clean up areas that have become downtrodden. It helps kids get out of the house and into nature, teaches everyone responsibility, and gives them a renewed sense of pride in their community. Plus, the vegetable gardens help feed countless families that may not get vegetables or fruit otherwise.

All of this just in time for Earth Day. Help us celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2011 and pick up a piece of trash, give your neighbor some fruit from your tree and thank Mother Earth in your own way!

Anyone can say their product is natural but is it organic?

Everywhere you look, manufacturers are describing their products as “natural” and “organic.” The fact is, the majority of people Organic Fruit are actually reading labels more, and trying to make better choices; for their health and the environment. This has forced companies to be more forthcoming in their advertising about ingredients they use in the products that we buy. But are the descriptions true? Not necessarily.

Believe it or not, there are no laws or specific requirements a company must follow in order to label a product as natural. So any business can label their goods as being all natural, or earth friendly, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are. The environmental and green movements caused many corporations to have to redesign their labels, touting themselves as health and environmentally conscious, to stay competitive.

There are a couple of labels that businesses can use that actually mean they have standards to adhere by. One is from The Natural Products Association. For a product to carry this label it cannot contain petrochemical ingredients, formaldehyde, parabens or phthalates. They also cannot contain more than 5 percent synthetic ingredients, and those ingredients can’t be toxic. Additionally, there are other guidelines that manufacturers have to follow to earn the certified seal.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables The other label that has specific standards is “organic”, or “certified organic.” This is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is monitored by the federal government and certain consumer watch groups. Organic agriculture is based on management practices that enhance, restore or maintain environmental harmony; as well as other specific requirements that must be followed.

Merchandise that carries the Natural Products Association seal did so voluntarily; there are no mandatory laws requiring all companies to do this. While the organic or certified organic label does require specific standards to be met.

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!

Green Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day

If you have plans on celebrating Valentine’s Day, you might want to try out the idea of giving gifts that are environmentally friendly. Here are some Green Gifts for Valentine's Day suggestions that you may want to consider.

Organic roses are the ones grown without the use of synthetic chemicals that is not just healthier for the flowers, but also for those who are handling them such as the florist, the growers and the pickers. These do not contribute to pollution too, since no toxic chemicals were used in growing these roses.

For Valentine’s Day, enjoy a bottle of organic or even beter, biodynamic wine, made with fewer chemicals, and one that is handmade. These are made from healthy plants but are not often marketed. To find an eco-wine, you will have to inquire in wine shops that are aware if there products are from biodynamic vineyards.

When you buy locally made gourmet chocolates that are all natural, you are not just helping the environment but also your local economy. To score some big points with the person that you love, give him/her chocolates that are handcrafted and amazingly scrumptious. Chocolate dipped fruit from The Fruit Company!

Since it is the day of love, you might want to wear a nice piece of green lingerie. You can find earth-friendly products such as panties, bras, camisoles and sleep masks that are made of all natural materials like bamboo jersey and silk satin that is naturally herbal dyed.

And last but surely not least, think about giving an organic fruit basket, eco friendly and healthy all in one package!

FOR MORE ORGANIC GIFT IDEAS:

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!

Gift Giving with No EDC’s: As Easy as 1-2-3

There are times when we want to give food gifts to our friends and loved ones, but we want to be sure that we are giving them the most healthy, yet still delicious choices. In the past, many of us have opted for fruit basket gifts instead of sugary treats because so many we care for have diabetes or are trying to keep eyes on their figures. Interestingly, recent discoveries have been made that have identified a new chemical group, called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s for short).

These chemicals have been found in many of the foods we regularly eat, including fruits and vegetables. Since these chemicals, called “obesogens” by scientists, can promote weight gain, obesity, and other conditions, we want to try to avoid those in our daily diets – and in our food gifts we are giving to others.

Lately in the health and wellness field, there has been some talk of the ‘dirty dozen’ and the ‘clean dozen,’ referring to two sets of foods: one set including foods that are at higher risk for EDC’s and other chemicals and the other set of twelve foods that are at the least risk. If you are looking for fruit gifts or fruit baskets that lower your risks for exposure to chemicals, you should keep an eye out for the following fruits:

• Pineapple
• Mango
• Kiwi
• Domestic cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Grapefruit
• Honeydew

Since the fruits above all have skins which can be peeled off of the food prior to eating, they are better choices for avoiding chemicals, especially obesogens. But, there is another way to make sure you are giving the healthiest fruit choices to your loved ones. Organic fruit gift baskets.
By choosing organic produce to be in your gifts, you are dramatically decreasing the exposure of your loved ones to obesogens. Plus, since organic foods are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, you are decreasing their risks of ingesting those chemicals as well. AND, there is even more! Organic foods are delicious, grown just the way nature intended, with soil, water, and light. Simply put, you cannot give your friends and loved ones anything healthier than organic fruits unless you grow them yourself, organically in your garden.

So, as you prepare to buy that next gift for someone, consider fruit basket gifts again. You don’t have to buy the organics per se, but if you do, you know you are gifting the very best to those you care for. By giving the healthiest foods you can, you are letting people know you are glad to have them in your life and are looking forward to having them around and healthy for a very long time.