Fun and inexpensive beauty treatments using fruit!!!

We all love to paper ourselves. Whether it be getting a new purse, pair of shoes, or going to the spa...but that can get REAL expensive REAL fast! Here are some wonderful beauty treatments using fruit! These recipes are great for those with sensitive skin, women who are nursing or pregnant that don't want to put unnecessary chemicals on their skin, or those of us who are looking to save money yet still pamper ourselves! Read and try some for yourself!

Banana & Lemon Foot Massage - Sunkist

Banana & Lemon Foot Massage

Ingredients

• ½ Sunkist® lemon
• 2 bananas
• 2 tablespoons of fine sea salt
• 2 teaspoons of grapeseed oil

Directions

Slice bananas into a bowl and mash. Add the juice of the lemon and the rest of the ingredients and mix together. Massage the mixture into your feet and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, dry thoroughly and apply lots of moisturizer.

Lemon Facial Scrub - Sunkist

Lemon Facial Scrub

Perfect for oily skin.

Ingredients

• 1 part Sunkist® lemon zest
• 1 part powdered milk
• 2 parts almond meal
• ½ part fresh Sunkist lemon juice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Apply to your face and neck in circular movements. Rinse thoroughly with luke-warm water and follow by applying your favorite moisturizer.

Rejuvenating Orange Mask

Rejuvenating Orange Mask

Wake up your skin with an invigorating facial mask!

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed Sunkist® orange juice
• 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt

Directions

In a small bowl, mix the freshly squeezed orange juice and yogurt. Apply the mixture to your face and neck and let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Your skin will be revitalized and silky smooth!
Source: 101beautysecrets.com

Fruit Face Mask

Fruit Face Mask

Your skin will glow!

Ingredients

• 1 papaya, chopped
• 1 Sunkist® lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 blender

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the blender, keeping it on a low speed until the mixture becomes a smooth paste. Pour into a small container. Apply to freshly washed and dry skin. Leave mask on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. You will love how your skin looks and feels!
Source: 101beautysecrets.com

Tangerine Skin Cream

Tangerine Skin Cream

You can enjoy the sweet tangerine scent of this hydrating cream all day long!

Ingredients

• 1/2cup of cream (or whole milk)
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed Sunkist® tangerine juice
• 1 strainer

Directions

Pour the cream into a small mixing bowl and add the freshly squeezed tangerine juice. Wait for the mixture to curdle and lump (about 3 minutes), strain the liquid away and apply the creamy remnants to your skin. You will be amazed by the results!
Source: tipking.com

 

Orange Facial Astringent

Orange Facial Astringent

Get all the benefits of the natural citric acid astringent found in oranges.

Ingredients

• 1 Sunkist® orange
• 1 cup of mineral water
• Cotton balls

Directions

Squeeze a few drops of juice from a fresh orange into one cup of mineral water. After washing your face, saturate a cotton ball with the orange astringent and smooth over face and neck.


Try and enjoy!!!
(All photo's and recipes were found here)

Health Benefits of Grapes

Best 4 Health Benefits of Grapes

September 15, 2007 by Perfect Shape
Filed under Fruits

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A lot of people wonder if red wine can really provide health benefits or which are the top health benefits of grapes in general.

Since grapes season approaches, I thought it will be interesting to see what health benefits such fruits can provide.
Grapes were first cultivated in Europe 6,000 years ago. They got to America with the help of Franciscan monks, who used them for the purpose of making sacramental wine.
There are over 50 varieties of grapes that are cultivated as table grapes and over 60 varieties of grapes cultivated for wine making.
The nutrients contained by grapes are different from one kind to another.
Still, we can say that grapes are 70-80% water and 15-30% sugar (fructose and glucose).
Additionally, grapes also contain the following nutrients: phlobaphene, quercetine, gallic acid, silicic acid, anin, glucosides, salicilic acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, pectins, tannic substances, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, A, C, P, PP, K, enzymes and folic acid.
As we can see, grapes are a great source for numerous nutrients. But this is not all…important nutrients are also contained by grapes seeds (tannic substances, lecithin, phlobaphene and fatty oil), grape skin (tannic substances and oils) and even grapes leaves (sugar, carotene, tannic substances, potassium, sodium, silicon and iron).
In 100g of grapes there are:

1. Calories: 60;
2. Carbohydrates: 15 g;
3. Sugar: 15 g;
4. Proteins: 21g;
5. Fat: 21g.

The main 4 health benefits of grapes are:

1. HEART DISEASES

Numerous studies have been conducted focused on the impact of grapes in preventing or slowing down heart diseases.
About 20 years ago, scientists discovered that French people had less heart related health problems than other countries all around the globe. This discovery was called the French Paradox. The main explanation for this was that French people drank red wine with their meals.
Since this discovery was made, more than 300 other studies were carried out, proving that red wine or grapes juice can reduce the risk of heart diseases in time.
It seems that grapes juice or wine block the artery clogging effects of fatty food products.
Coronary heart diseases occur when plaque accumulations build up on the walls of arteries. This can lead to a blockage of vessels supplying blood to the heart (or brain) causing heart attacks (or strokes).
Antioxidants in fresh grapes, known as polyphenols, are responsible for preventing the accumulation of oxidized cholesterol (this was proven in a study that was published in the Journal of Nutrition).
Resveratrol, a polyphenol contained by grapes, protects against arterial wall damage. Another interesting nutrient contained by grapes is pterostilbene. Researchers discovered that this compound can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides by affecting enzymes responsible with the regulation of fat level in our blood.
Other interesting compounds are saponins, located in grapes skin. These substances bind with cholesterol, preventing in this way its absorption into the body. Also, saponins seem to be able to block inflammations.
And this is not all… By drinking grapes juice we accumulate another antioxidant called alpha-tocopherol, a substance that increases blood antioxidant activity by 50%.
Referring to the selection of grapes, it seems that red grapes are the healthiest and best to eat in order to prevent heart diseases.

2. CANCER

Another important element that has to be included in the top health benefits of grapes is the cancer fighting proprieties.
They contain high levels of caffeic acid, a very strong cancer fighting substance.
Bioflavonoids, another nutrient contained by grapes, facilitate the absorption of vitamin C into our bodies and help vitamin C maintain healthy connective tissue in our bodies. They also function as antioxidants, by protecting vitamin C from oxidation and by preventing ruptures in capillaries.
Bioflavonoids provide strength to our cells in the battle with cancerous cells and also help kill cancer cells.
The early mentioned nutrient, resveratrol, also helps in preventing cancer, especially liver, lung, breast and prostate cancer.
As for heart diseases, red grapes are best for cancer prevention.

3. VIRUSES

In a study conducted at Erciyes University in Turkey, scientists discovered that grapes have an effective antimicrobial action. The study revealed that this action applies for certain bacteria, like Stoph and the famous E. coli.
Additionally, the high concentration of tannin, another polyphenol contained by grapes, can help fight viruses and tumors. Tanin is absorbed in the intestinal tract, where it is most effective in fighting viruses.

4. AGING

Although we have found that resveratrol has a lot of health related benefits, the list is not over yet.
As we have previously discussed, resveratrol is a natural antioxidant that can help reduce heart diseases, the risk of cancer and even brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Besides these benefits, resveratrol seems to influence genes controlling the aging process. This definitely has to be added to the list of best health benefits of grapes.
According to Harvard Medical School researchers, this substance can restrict calories intake. It activates enzymes that slow aging, thus increasing DNA stability and extending life span by 70%.
Prevention of macular degeneration is also included in the list of top health benefits of grapes. Grapes can contribute to reducing the risk of loss of eyesight (a major problem among the elderly). By increasing grapes intake we can reduce the risk of macular degeneration (the main cause of vision loss) by 30-40%.
Although it seems that grapes can have a huge positive effect on the human body, there are some RESTRICTIONS/ WARNINGS regarding their consumption. Here are some of them:
1. Neither grapes, nor grapes juice are recommended for persons suffering from stomach ulcers, diabetes and obesity;
2. Eating grapes or drinking grapes juice can cause dental problems. If you have a cavity in a tooth, it is not recommended to consume grapes, as they will intensify the destruction process of the tooth;
3. Grapes cannot be consumed along with a relatively large number of food products, like: milk, fish, beer, mineral water, melons, etc. The combination of these kinds of food products with grapes can cause serious stomach problems.

As we discovered in this article focused on top health benefits of grapes, we can realize that there are a lot of extraordinary fruits out there that can considerably improve our health.

(All Photo's and information was found here)
 

Healthy Facts about Strawberries!

EAT MORE
STRAWBERRIES

(all information and photo's found here)

Red, juicy, delicious strawberries are one of the healthiest fruits to include in your diet. Strawberries are chockfull of antioxidants and other essential nutrients that can flavorfully help you reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, inflammatory diseases, and birth defects as well as mouthwateringly manage your weight. Here are the bountiful health benefits of strawberries.

STRAWBERRIES HELP FIGHT CANCER

Dozens of studies over the past 20 years have associated diets high in fruit and vegetables with reduced risk of cancer. Recently, researchers have been testing individual foods for their cancer-fighting ability.
Studies examining the freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry extracts indicate that strawberries can fight breast, cervical and esophageal cancers. The compounds – such as antioxidants and other phytonutrients – found in strawberries (and other fruit and vegetables) are credited with health-protecting effects. Strawberries are a rich source of these antioxidants (vitamin C in particularly), flavonoids, and ellagic acid.
According to the California Strawberry Commission, a serving of strawberries (about 8 strawberries) provides 160 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C. Further, vitamin C has been associated with reduced rates of stomach, cervical, breast and non-hormone-dependent cancers.
The flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, quercetin and kaempferol, exhibit antioxidant properties that have been proven beneficial in suppressing colon cancer cells, inhibiting prostate and breast cancer cancer cells, and inhibiting chemically-induced cancers of the lung, tongue, mouth, mammary and colon.
The antioxidant power of strawberries has been measured and scored by researchers of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) using the ORAC method. Strawberries score in the fruit group with the highest antioxidant values, or highest ORAC values. Strawberries are certifiably a super food!
In addition, strawberries contain folate, a B vitamin that has been associated with reduced risk of several cancers as well as a decreased risk for birth defects, such as spina bifida.

STRAWBERRIES FOR HEART HEALTH

A new analysis of data from the Harvard Women's Health Study offers another potential link between strawberries and heart health. Researchers found that women with high strawberry consumption were more likely to also lead a healthy lifestyle.
The heart-health benefits of strawberries are attributed to their high levels of key nutrients. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that has been correlated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease, lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease and reduced risk of angina. Further, supplementation with vitamin C has been shown to reduce serum levels of C-reactive protein (a substance in the body that indicates the presence of injury or inflammation).
Folate is another nutrient in promoting heart-health – lower folate concentrations have been associated with increased coronary disease risk and increased fatal coronary events. In addition to folate, strawberries are high in fiber and potassium, both associated with heart health benefits, such as lower cholesterol and blood pressure, respectively.
Maybe there is something truly fitting about heart-healthy strawberries being the preferred fruit for Valentine's Day and other romantic encounters!
The direction of current research suggests that eating just eight strawberries a day can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of cancers and even improve cognitive function. There is no reason not to eat strawberries as part of a healthy lifestyle. Strawberries are available nearly year round (though best in the summer), ripe for you to take advantage of the health benefits of this luscious, juicy fruit.
Visit the California Strawberry Commission for abstracts and full text versions of the studies on strawberries as well as additional nutritional information and delectable recipes.
And for more recipes to sink your teeth into, try these Succulent Strawberry Recipes.

One more reason to eat your fruit!

Fruit, Mediterranean diet tied to fewer hot flashes

 

By Genevra Pittman

NEW YORK | Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:00pm EDT
 

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who eat diets high in fruit, certain vegetables, pasta and red wine are less likely to have hot flashes and night sweats during menopause, a new study from Australia suggests.Researchers found that of about 6,000 women followed over nine years, those who ate a lot of strawberries, pineapple and melon and most closely followed a Mediterranean-style diet were about 20 percent less likely to report those common symptoms.
At the same time, menopausal women who ate high-sugar, high-fat diets were 23 percent more likely to experience hot flashes and night sweats during the study.
The study can't prove certain foods prevent or trigger hot flashes, researchers said. And it's one of the first yet to tie general dietary patterns - not just certain supplements - to menopause-related symptoms.
"The study is well done, but I wouldn't get so excited about it, especially because we don't know why," said Teresa Fung, a nutrition researcher at Simmons College in Boston. "We don't know the biologic mechanisms behind it."
Researchers surveyed 6,040 women, age 50 to 55, about what foods they ate and how often as well as if they smoked, drank or exercised. All of those women went through natural menopause - meaning not brought on by uterus-removing surgery, for example.
At the start of the study, 58 percent of participants reported having hot flashes, night sweats or both. At that point and over the next nine years, women who ate fruit and the components of a Mediterranean diet - in this case garlic, salad greens, pasta and red wine - reported fewer hot flashes, after accounting for their other lifestyle habits.
However, vegetables in general, as well as meat and dairy, were not associated with either a higher or lower chance of having menopausal symptoms, Gerrie-Cor Herber-Gast and Gita Mishra from the University of Queensland wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Hormone therapy is the only known effective treatment for hot flashes. But since the drugs were linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and breast cancer in the Women's Health Initiative study, researchers and affected women alike have been searching for alternatives.
It's possible that low-fat, high-fiber diets may help stabilize estrogen levels and ease hot flashes and night sweats, Herber-Gast and Mishra speculated. Or, eating a Mediterranean-style diet may keep blood sugar within the optimum range, which could also lower a woman's chance of bothersome symptoms, they said.
"We don't really have enough studies to make a blanket recommendation yet," Fung, who wasn't involved in the new research, told Reuters Health.
However, she added, "We don't necessarily need to know why (this may work) before we do it, especially for something that's healthy to begin with."
Fung said because of all the changes - both physical and psychological - that happen during menopause, it may already be a natural time for women to think about improving their diet and general health.

SOURCE: bit.ly/13vv2E5 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, online April 3, 2013.
(all information found from:here)

Chocolate

"Food of the Gods"

Chocolate has been described as being more than a food, less than a drug. This description points to the singular position this wildly popular confection plays in our lives. Popular to the tune of $74 billion annually, chocolate begins as a tiny blossom on a small tropical tree. Only three out of a thousand of these will produce the cacao pods that after a labor intensive and lengthy journey, with several chemically and technically complex steps along the way, will end up in your hand as a candy bar.

The products of this tropical tree have played many roles through the centuries. In 1753, Linnaeus designated the tree Theobroma cacao, which translates to “cacao, food of the gods.” Several hundred years later, chocolate lovers would agree with this appellation although for the Maya, who honored a cacao god, the term had a more literal and spiritual meaning. The Aztecs used cacao beans as currency and as food and drink for the privileged. Spaniards introduced the drinking of chocolate to Europe where, in the medical system of the time, those who could afford it used chocolate as a tonic and remedy. The purported health benefits of chocolate are once again creating a buzz as industry sponsored research suggests that dark chocolate might possibly lower blood pressure and provide antioxidant benefits.

Five hundred years after its adoption in liquid form by the Spanish court and nearly two hundred years after a Dutch chemist’s invention paved the way for its creamy solid form, chocolate continues to expand its role. A recent market for premium chocolate has created connoisseurs who seek out rarified confections in the form of single origin bars with a 72% cacao content infused with such back-to-the-future flavors as the aboriginal Mexican combination of ground chilies and vanilla. Today’s consumers of chocolate can have an effect on how it is grown and harvested by buying a bar with a “Fair Trade” label, insuring that the growers and workers that produced it earn a living wage under humane conditions. Those aware of the loss of biodiversity in tropical forests caused by cacao plantations can buy organically grown chocolate, which supports the more time consuming practices of ecological agriculture.

And remember, the food of the gods might, just might, be good for you.

http://exhibits.mannlib.cornell.edu/chocolate/

Be a God for a day and come into Fruit Occasions and choose one of our many chocolatized fresh fruit items.  We are located at1729 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden, CT.  Or you can visit our website at fruitoccasions.com and have any of our delicious fruit arrangements delivered right to you.

How Fruit Can Take You to Your Ideal Weight

The Fruit Newsletter The Fruit Pages   Reach your ideal weight with fruit Healthy weight loss Maybe it sounds too good to be true but all you have to do to reach your ideal weight is eat as much fruit as you can every day! If you don't believe it or just want to know more you definitely have to read further but you might want to calculate your ideal weight first. Lose the weight with fruit First we think it's best to focus on feeling good. Secondly to remind that in order to live a healthy and energetic life in a body that is fit to do that job, attempting to lose weight only will not be the key. There are some other changes you might want to bring into your life. In order to have the cells of your body function properly they have to receive the right nutritious elements and toxins must be kept away from them as much as possible and should be disposed of properly. In order to reach that goal we have the following recommendations for you: 1) Consume as much as you can of the 'right nutrition'; 2) Avoid as much as you can of the 'wrong nutrition'; 3) Exercise moderately; 4) Be happy with every small change you've been able to make permanently; 5) Don't make weight loss more complicated as it is.   1) Consume as much as you can of the 'right nutrition' After many research a great deal of scientists agree that: raw fruits and (cooked) vegetables are the only right nutrition for human beings. If you want to succeed in living a truly healthy life the best thing to do is to consume as much of the 'right nutrition' as possible each day. The more raw fruits and (cooked) vegetables you eat, the more your appetite for them increases and you might end up feeding your body with nothing but the right nutrition! If you don't consume five pieces of fresh fruit a day yet (raw or squeezed) and you want to lose some weight permanently in a period of, say, six weeks (this period depends on your current eating pattern) the best thing to do is eat (or squeeze) those five fruits every day. If you haven’t consumed that much healthy food for a long time, it is most likely that your body starts to detoxify. You could even get sick!   5 pieces of fruit a dayTo meet your "five to nine pieces of fresh fruits a day" you can squeeze the fruits instead of peeling them and eating them by hand. Squeezing is much more efficient: one glass of 2 squeezed oranges, 2 mandarins and 1 grapefruit can be squeezed in 5 minutes. If you eat 1 banana afterwards you already have consumed 6 pieces of fresh fruits! This also means that you can consume the largest part of the required nutritional elements you need for a day in just 10 minutes...    Tips Squeeze at least one fruit drink a day. In this way you eat about 3 to 4 fruits so you can fulfill your daily need; Put some ice cubes in the blender with your juice. This cools your fruit drink quickly in summer; Put a little bit of banana in your juice mix and blend it like a milk-shake. This gives your fruit drink a certain softness and reduces the bitterness (caused by grapefruits for example); Take sweet fruits to blend. Use citrus fruits (oranges, red-grapefruits) as a basis and mix it in the blender with the sweet fruits of your choice. You can squeeze a jar of orange juice that you keep in the fridge and blend it with the fruit of your choice when you want to.  2) Avoid as much as you can of the 'wrong nutrition'; If you want to lose weight quickly just eating or squeezing five pieces of fresh fruit a day will not be enough. We have put together a list of foods to avoid if you want to speed up the burning process. In this way you'll start burning fat faster. You'll have to avoid as much food from the 'wrong nutrition' list as you can. In fact it’s a simple list to remember, only two food groups are mentioned: stimulants and animal food. Now this list might seem simple enough but it is actually quite difficult to find out which products in the supermarket do or don't contain one of the products mentioned on the list. If you check out the labels you'll notice that almost every product contains a stimulant, mostly white refined sugar or some kind of animal based product, often stock. So, the foods you have to stay away from as much as possible if you want to help your body function properly and thus lose the excess weight are stimulants and animal based food.   Wrong food categories Animal food White flour Refined Sugar Stimulants  3) Exercise moderately Just a bit of exercise will do. It is important though to get some exercise every day especially if you are in a job where you sit down all day. A half-an-hour walk a day will do. Of course more exercise is always better but never feel bad if you can't get yourself to do it. If you just take that walk for at least half an hour each day you'll be fine. Stretching your muscles is also good, it makes you more conscious of your body. 4) Be happy with every small change you've been able to make permanently. Your body reacts like an oil tanker so if you want to change course it will take some time. Every structural change in the right direction is one to be proud of as long as it is permanent. After making a change it will take about six weeks before a change becomes permanent and part of your daily life. Be smart If you want to be slim you have to be smart: change your eating pattern permanently. In this way you'll lose those pounds forever! Remember this: after eating (five to) nine pieces of fruit a day for a few months you'll notice that your appetite for fruit has increased structurally and moreover your appetite for stimulants will certainly have decreased! Try it out, it really is magic! In other words: the more fruit you eat, the more fruit you eat.. it's as simple as that. 5) Don't make losing weight more complicated as it is Step five: Just follow the four steps mentioned before and don't complicate things when doing so. Be easy on yourself as long as you are working on it. Just follow the simple steps we give you on this page and eating healthy won't be a punishment anymore. It just will become a whole lot of fun! Additional tips See replacing foods from the 'wrong nutrition' list by foods from the 'right nutrition' list as a game Try to feel what consumption of the 'wrong nutrition' list does to your body: are you more sleepy, feel like you've lost energy, are you constipated or the opposite, are you noticing a loss of memory, do you have headaches, are you thirsty Don't feel guilty if you consume food from the 'wrong nutrition' list. Just enjoy it as much as you can and feel carefully what it does with your body the day after http://www.thefruitpages.com/weightloss.shtml As the weather gets warmer and the use of big sweaters and sweatshirts to cover the extra weight from the long winter season decreases, we become more aware of our figures.  The thought of slipping into a bathing suit in a few short months is something that not many are looking forward to.  The consumption of fresh fruit can help diminish those extra pounds along with making you feel healthy and energized.  At Fruit Occasions, our beautifully arranged fruit bouquets are not only pleasing to the eye, but the stomach and body as well.  Whether you would like to pick one up to treat yourself or let someone know you are thinking of them, fruit is always the way to go. Fruit Occasions 1729 Dixwell Avenue Hamden, CT 06514 (203)691-1111 www.fruitoccasions.com

Some interesting beauty treatments using fruit!

We all love that feeling that we have fresh off the massage table, your nails look perfect, and your hair is set to grace any red carpet....and then you get to the reception desk and look at the price tag for your "me" day...and the tension comes back to your shoulders and you wonder what you just spent $400 on. No fear we've got some helpful tips that will make you feel like you just left the spa, without breaking the bank.

1. Invest in a back and neck massager like this one they often go on sale at Walmart as around Christmas time. It's a one time expense(and sometimes you can find them for like only $100) that you can enjoy everyday! 
2. Eat healthy! We at Fruit Occasions know that when you eat good you feel good! Our Chocolate Sweet Treat arrangement is a perfect treat for one that will leave you feeling satisfied in your mind as well as your waistline. 

Try some of these home beauty treatments, which feature ingredients found at the grocery store! Check it out:
(All photo's and recipes found here)
 Peach Face Mask
Ingredients: 

• 1 peach
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Procedure:

Combine the ingredients, apply and leave on face for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. It is Suitable for all skin types. We recommend using at least once a week for best results.

 Grape Facial mask

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of green grapes
• 1 teaspoon of honey or 1 egg yolk

Procedure:
Apart from being delicious, Grapes are rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins which are necessary to maintain your complexion. Create a mild fruit mask by combining mashed grapes with a few tsp of honey or egg yolk. Before applying, wash your face and make sure that the dirt and chemicals are removed from the pores. Then, apply the mixture and wash it off with tepid water after 10-15 minutes.
 Cream, Oats, Honey, Raspberry, Fruit mask

The raspberries in this fruit mask refresh your skin and give a beautiful, healthy glow.
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic Raspberries
• 2 tablespoons Cream
• 2 tablespoons organic Honey
• 2 tablespoons Oatmeal flour
• 1/2 teaspoon Rose or Lavender essential oil

Procedure:
Take some honey in a small glass or metal bowl and immerse it in hot water. Gently warm up the honey until it becomes liquid. Then, create a mixture by adding raspberries, cream, honey and essential oil. Blend it thoroughly and slowly add the oatmeal flour until you get a smooth, sticky paste. Avoiding your eyes spread the paste gently on your clean face and neck. Leave the mask on your face for 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water and dry your skin with a soft warm wash cloth. End with a splash of cold water and pat your skin with a clean towel. Finally apply a moisturizer and Then wash it off with warm water and a soft warm wash cloth, end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Finally apply a moisturizer which will seal your skin to keep the water inside.

 Tomato Facial mask

Ingredients: 1 tomato 1 tsp of honey Procedure: Make pulp of a tomato and mix it with honey to make a paste. Apply the face pack on your face avoiding eyes and the area around. Rinse it off after 15 min. This serves as a natural bleach for your face and brightens up your face. Let us know these inexpensive yet indulgent treatments work for you!  To order the Chocolate Sweet Treat or any of our delicious arrangements you can order online at www.fruitoccasions.com  or call us at 203-691-1111

A brief history on one of our favorites: the strawberry!

We love strawberries! Whether they are dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut, or plain straight from the field we love them! Our mascot is even a strawberry! Here is a brief and interesting history about the strawberry!

Strawberries(information was found here)

A member of the Rosaceae (Rose) family, the botanical name of strawberries is Frugaria, which in Latin means 'fragrance.' Origins of the common name include the reference to 'straw' used in mulching the plants. Children in London collected the berries, strung them on pieces of straw and sold them in the markets as "Straws of Berries." The French, Italian, and Spanish word for the fruit is "Fraise" or fragrant berry. Narragansett Indians in North America called the fruit "wuttahimneash" or "heart berry." Growers from all over the world claim their strawberries to be the best. In Wepion, Belgium, "The World Capital of Strawberries," they even have a museum dedicated solely to this sumptuous red berry. Folks in Plant City, Florida claim their town to be "The Winter Strawberry Capital of the World." Towns such as Strawberry, Arizona and Strawberry, California chose their namesake for some berry compelling reason. Strawberry Mountain is found in Oregon and Mansikkala, Finland, literally translated means "The Place of the Strawberry." Some of the earliest accounts of strawberries came from ancient Rome circa 200 BC. The first sketch of a strawberry plant was printed in 1484. Early publications spoke of medicinal uses for strawberries, not as edible fruit. In the 12th Century Saint Hildegard von Binger pronounced strawberries unfit to eat because they may have been contaminated by snakes and toads due to the fact that they were grown so close to the ground. In the mid 18th century, Charles Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, put this superstition to rest by switiching to a diet consisting only of strawberries to prove them edible. It was the French who led the way in strawberry cultivation. Cartier, the French explorer, brought strawberries back to France from Quebec in 1534.In 1697 Jean de la Quintinie, the royal gardener at the Palace of Versailles under King Louis XIV, kept the first detailed account of how to develop larger berries, how to prepare the soil and deal with insects. The French King chose strawberries as his favorite fruit and even initiated a poetry contest on the merits of the strawberry. In the 18th Century one of the first breeding crosses were made to improve the strawberry. A Virginia variety with good flavor and fruitfulness was crossed with a Chilean variety and became known as the Pineapple or Pine strawberry due to its distinctive flavor. "Hudson" was the first strawberry hybrid developed in the USA in 1780. And in 1843 Cinncinatti Ohio growers were the first to ship strawberries using refrigeration, in the form of ice placed on top of the boxes. This development led to increase marketing areas and yet more increase in popularity. Strawberries are native to both the northern and southern hemispheres. They are grown in every state in the US, every province in Canada, all over Europe, Australia and even in Iran. They can grow by the sea, in the woods, and on mountain tops. Ideally strawberries are planted outdoors, but in the colder regions of the world, heated glass houses provide a safe growing environment. Commercially grown strawberries, shipped from far locations, although visually stunning, originate from varieties bred for shipping and a longer shelf-life. These varieties tend to have half the sugar content of a traditional June bearer which makes a compelling reason to grow your own. For more on growing strawberries visit our Strawberry Planting and Culturing Guide. How Strawberries Got Their Name(information found here) There are many explanations, some believe that the name came from the practice of placing straw around the growing plants for protection, others believe the name originated over 1000 years ago because of the runners which spread outward from the plant. The name may have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon verb to strew (spread) and the fruit came to be known as streabergen, straberry, streberie, straibery, straubery, and finally, "STRAWBERRY’ to the English. Here is an easy no bake Strawberry Shortcake recipe that is quick and always a hit! In this recipe you can substitute frozen pound cake for a fresh one that you get from the bakery section at the grocery store, or those little sponge cakes they sell where you buy the strawberries! You could also bake off some biscuit dough sprinkled with some sugar and top it with the strawberries and it would be just as yummy! Enjoy!   Easy Strawberry Shortcake Linda Larsen My mother always made this recipe for the Fourth of July. It followed a wonderful meal of grilled hamburgers or steak and her fabulous potato salad1. But it's a great dessert any time of the year. Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings Ingredients: 1 loaf frozen pound cake, thawed 3 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced 1 cup heavy cream 3 Tbsp. powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla Preparation: Using a potato masher, mash half of the strawberries. Stir in the sliced strawberries and chill. Beat cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Slice pound cake, place each piece on serving plate, top with strawberry mixture and a dollop of cream. Serve immediately. You can make your own pound cake2 instead of using the frozen version if you'd like, but the frozen one (I love Sara Lee) is so good, why bother? (photo and information found here)

Beauty Benefits of Strawberries!

Strawberries aren't just yummy to eat, they are great for your hair and skin as well! These tips are great for a girl's night in or as a quick natural beauty routine before a date! They also work great for people that have skin allergies or sensitive skin issues. Buying organic berries insures that you are getting the very best berries for your inside and outside! Here are the tips:

(tips found here)

By Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (Skylight Paths, 2003).
Have we ever picked a luscious crop of strawberry beauty tips for you! Those pretty little berries do more than just please our palates: they clear up acne and oiliness, make skin younger and smoother, whiten teeth, reduce under-eye puffiness, leave hair glossy and beautifully conditioned, and so much more!
Find out the secrets of strawberry, right here:

Quickest Strawberry Scrub Ever
Strawberry’s main skin-pleasing ingredient is alpha-hydroxy acid, a great little substance that helps us slough off dead skin cells so that new, youthful skin is revealed. Here’s a ridiculously easy way to get some of strawberry’s benefits in a New York minute: just cut a berry in half, rub it over your face, and let it sit there for a few minutes, then rinse. Instantly softer, smoother skin!

Sweet Strawberry and Cream Mask
This recipe is so delicious–with berries, cream, and honey–that you might be tempted to eat it instead of putting on your face, but give it a try. It will leave your skin so soft and beautiful
INGREDIENTS3-4 medium-sized ripe strawberries
1 tablespoon fresh heavy cream
1 tablespoon organic honey1. Mash the strawberries with the back of a fork or puree them in a blender or food processor. Add the cream and honey to the puree to form a thick mixture.2. Apply to the clean face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off, using bottled or spring water and cotton pads. Variations: Use yogurt with live and active cultures instead of the cream to balance the pH of the skin. You can also use raspberries instead of strawberries. This yogurt/raspberry combination is suitable for sensitive skin, and is less likely to cause minor irritation for anyone allergic to strawberries.



Strawberry Foot Scrub
Feet can use a little help in summer, when sandals expose rough dead skin for all to see. This easy scrub helps slough it all away:
INGREDIENTS
8 strawberries
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoons kosher salt
Mix ingredients into a paste, massage well into feet, then rinse and dry.

Puffy Eye Remedy
Just place a few strawberry slices under your eyes and relax for 10 minutes, then remove the slices and moisturize.

Berry Good Acne Remedy
Many of us older women are learning the hard way that you don’t have to be a teen to have acne! But whatever your age, if you get occasional blemishes, this formula is for you:
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1 tablespoon sour cream
Mash well to combine, then apply this mixture to your face and allow to stay for 10 minutes or so. Rinse thoroughly.

Strawberry Mask for Oily Skin
Mix equal parts fresh strawberries and plain unsweetened yogurt, mashing to combine. Apply to face, allowing to stay on for around 10 minutes, Rinse.

Strawberry Tooth-Whitener
Simply rub crushed fresh strawberry pulp directly on your teeth to clean and gently remove stains.

Strawberry Hair Conditioner
If you want glossy, silky hair, this one’s for you:
INGREDIENTS
8 fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Mash ingredients thoroughly and massage into damp hair. Cover with a shower cap and a warm towel. Allow to stay on hair for at least 10 minutes, then shampoo as usual.

All these amazing benefits from a little berry! Check out our Berry Lover™ arrangement for some yummy berries for your inside and outside! Stop by and order yours today:

By Phone: 203-691-1111
Online:www.fruitoccasions.com

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Is it safe to eat bruised fruit?

I came across this interesting article that answers a lot of unanswered questions, or things you may have wondered about bruised fruit? Should I throw it away? Should I eat it? Can't I just cut the bad portion off?

I know I ask myself these things all the time and it's good to finally have some understanding. Turns out a bruised piece of fruit is just cellular damage to a certain area of the fruit. The cellular damage usually has to do with oxygen penetrating the cellular wall and breaking the cells down. It gets dangerous when microbes and MOLDS invade the area and feed off of the cellular waste. There are some yeasts and molds that are okay, but then there some that are real bad for humans... some even containing carginogens. There are also certain fruits that will fair better then others. A fibrous apple for example can keep mold from growing though the apple, as opposed to a soft banana in which mold penetrates easily. The government uses the slogan " When in doubt, throw it out!", but I myself will be more attentive to bruised fruits. Those $7.00 apples may still be perfectly fine to eat!

Continue reading the article here:
(all photo's and information are found here)

Is It Safe to Eat Damaged Fruit?

How to deal with a bruised banana.

By Brian Palmer|Posted Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at 1:12 PM ET

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Is beat-up fruit OK to eat?
Photo by iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Much of the United States has been suffering through a deep freeze for several days, and farmers are starting to express concern about damage to crops. Citrus growers in the West say damage to the fruit has already occurred, although not enough to impact prices. All this damaged fruit has one Explainer reader wondering: Is there anything wrong with eating visibly bruised produce?

Not necessarily. A bruise is an indicator of cellular damage. When you ding an apple or a banana, it can compromise the ability of the skin or the peel to keep oxygen away from the fruit, and oxygen breaks down the cellular walls and membranes. When the chemicals within the fruit become oxidized by enzymes like polyphenoloxidase, the reaction causes an unappealing brown color. There’s no evidence, however, that oxidized fruit is bad for you. Nor is a bruise necessarily indicative of an infection. If you want to cut the bruised portion of your fruit away for aesthetic reasons, by all means do so. There are also plenty of ways to cover up the mushy consistency of bruised fruit—homesteaders turn their bruised fruits into pies, juice, jams, or fruit leathers. But if you can’t be bothered to trim your bruised banana or bake it into bread, there’s little risk to your health in just eating it.

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There is a caveat: Bruising makes a piece of fruit more susceptible to infection. As the cell walls break down, nutrients leak into the open, inviting colonization by microbes already present on the surface of the fruit or in the air. As they feed on the fruit’s exposed innards, the cells multiply rapidly. It’s possible for damaged fruit to grow some of the more notorious varieties of food-borne pathogens, such as salmonella or E. coli, but garden-variety yeasts and molds are far more common. Yeasts are of minimal concern—inoculating fruit with yeasts gives us such delights as wine and cider—but molds can be dangerous. Some species of mold release mycotoxins, which can cause a variety of human illnesses. (The most notorious mycotoxin, known as aflatoxin, is a potent carcinogen that grows on milk, cheese, nuts, and grains.) If your bruised fruit has so much fungal activity that you can see or smell it, don’t eat it. In addition to bruised areas, you should check the area around the fruit’s stem for mold, which is an entry point for opportunistic microbes. Food safety experts have a saying: If in doubt, throw it out. Healthy adults often take their chances and get away with it, but this advice is especially important for small children or the elderly.

If your bruised fruit has visible microbial growth, is it still safe to eat the nondamaged portion? It depends on the fruit. The question is whether the roots of the mold have penetrated the food. It’s difficult for mold to grow deep into firm fruits. So feel free to cut away the moldy portion of a bell pepper—yes, bell peppers are a fruit—and eat the remainder. Bananas, on the other hand, are too soft to repel a mold invasion, so a banana with a bruised, moldy spot should be tossed.

Delicious Savory Recipes using Fruit!!!

Fruit isn't just for dessert! It pairs beautifully with savory dishes as well! Try these recipes to get a little more healthy fiber and vitamins! Enjoy!
(all photos are recipes are found here)
Succulent Steak, Nectarine and Red Onion Salad with Parmesan Crisps

 

Succulent Steak, Nectarine and Red Onion Salad with Parmesan Crisps

Provided by: TASTE

25 mins total 10 mins prep

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• olive oil, for rubbing on the steak
• 1 pound rump steak
• 4 ripe nectarines, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
• 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• horseradish sauce, for serving

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Spread the Parmesan over a silpat, place on a baking tray and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until molten and golden. Allow to cool.
• Rub olive oil over the steak and cut into large cubes. In a hot pan over a high heat, sear the steak cubes until done to your particular preference.
• Meanwhile, add the nectarine, onion, coriander and sherry vinegar to a bowl and toss lightly. Serve as a salsa with the succulent pan-fried steak and include shards of crisp Parmesan. Finally, season to taste and serve with horseradish sauce on the side.

Salmon with Cantaloupe and Fried Shallots

 

Anna Williams

45 mins total 0 mins prep 4 servings

Provided by: Food&Wine 

 

John Shields of Town House in the small town of Chilhowie, Virginia, composed this dish from ingredients he picked up at his local supermarket. The magic is in the play of textures and flavors: The salmon skin and shallots—both potato-chip crisp— are wonderful with the tender, flaky fish and sweet pieces of melon.   Best New Chef 2010: John Shields

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon(s) freshly grated horseradish
• 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon(s) Asian fish sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon(s) light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 2 large shallots, thinly sliced crosswise and separated into rings
• Cornstarch, for dusting
• Salt
• 4 6-ounce, skin-on salmon fillets
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon(s) vegetable oil
• 1/3 small cantaloupe, scooped into small balls or cut into 1/4-inch dice about 1 cup
• 1/2 cup(s) buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon(s) finely grated lime zest
• Freshly grated horseradish
• 1/4 cup(s) celery leaves

Directions

• 1. Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the horseradish, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• 2. Make the Fried Shallots: In a large skillet, heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil. Put the shallot rings in a colander and dust heavily with cornstarch, shaking to coat them well. Add the shallots to the hot oil in an even layer and fry over moderate heat until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried shallots to paper towels to drain. Season lightly with salt.
• 3. Prepare the Salmon: Preheat the oven to 400°. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the salmon skin side down and cook over high heat until the skin is browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Turn the fillets and transfer the skillet to the oven. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked.
• 4. Meanwhile, divide the cantaloupe among 4 shallow bowls. Drizzle with the buttermilk and season lightly with salt. Lay the salmon on the cantaloupe and spoon the vinaigrette on top. Sprinkle with the lime zest and grated horseradish. Scatter the celery leaves and fried shallots over the salmon and serve.

Coffee-Spice Chicken and Fruit-Basil Salsa

Kate Sears

Provided by: Taste Editors

40 mins total 30 mins prep 

 main-dish servings

A jerk-style seasoning of Jamaican allspice and java gives this Caribbean chicken its caffeinated kick. Balancing the heat: a cooling summer salsa of just-picked nectarines and juicy watermelon.

Recipe courtesy of Good Housekeeping Light & Healthy Cooking: 250 Delicious, Satisfying, Guilt-Free Recipes by The Editors of Good Housekeeping/Hearst, 2012.

Ingredients

• 3 cups seedless watermelon cubes, cut into 1/2-inch chunks (from 4-pound piece of watermelon
• 1 large ripe nectarine, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee
• 1 tablespoon grated, peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground allspice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (3 pounds)
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped

Directions

• In medium bowl, combine watermelon, nectarine, red onion, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate while preparing chicken. Makes about 4 cups salsa.
• Prepare outdoor grill for covered direct grilling over medium heat.
• In large bowl, with spoon or fingers, press coffee to pulverize. Add ginger, oil, allspice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir to combine. Add chicken and toss to evenly coat with spice mixture (you may need to pat spice mixture onto chicken with fingers).
• Place chicken breasts on hot grill rack. Cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until juices run clear when thickest part of chicken is pierced with tip of knife, turning once. Transfer chicken to cut¬ting board and let rest 5 minutes. Meanwhile, stir basil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt into salsa. Slice chicken crosswise and serve with salsa on the side.

 

 

Blueberry-Glazed Ribs

 

Petrina Tinslay

Provided by: Food&Wine 

2 hr 30 mins total 0 mins prep 

 Servings

Blueberry glaze makes the edges on these ribs nice and sticky.   Tips from the F&W Test Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) each of garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper
• Kosher salt
• 4 meaty racks of baby back ribs, about 2 1/2 pounds each membranes removed
• 4 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
• 2 sage sprigs
• 8 thyme sprigs
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup(s) red wine vinegar
• 2 cup(s) Perfect Blueberry Syrup
• 1 teaspoon(s) hot sauce

Directions

• 1. Preheat the oven to 375° and position shelves in the upper and lower thirds. In a bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt. Set the ribs on 2 rimmed baking sheets and rub with the spices. Cover with foil and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes, until tender, switching the pans halfway through. Pour off the liquid in the pans.
• 2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt the butter. Tie the sage and thyme sprigs together with kitchen string. Add the onion, garlic and herb bundle to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat until the onion is softened, 8 minutes. Add the vinegar and bring to a boil. Add the Perfect Blueberry Syrup and hot sauce and simmer over moderately low heat until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 10 minutes. Discard the herb bundle.
• 3. Preheat the broiler. Working with one sheet of ribs at a time, brush the underside of each rack with some glaze and broil until browned. Flip the ribs and repeat on the other side. Transfer the baking sheet to the bottom shelf of the oven. Repeat with the remaining ribs. Transfer the ribs to a work surface and slice between the bones. Mound the ribs on a platter. Pass the remaining glaze at the table.

 

Petrina Tinslay

Provided by: Food&Wine 

45 mins total 0 mins prep 

 Servings

A huge virtue of homemade syrup is that, unlike the store-bought kind, it can taste much more like fruit than sugar. This blueberry syrup will last long enough to give as gifts during the holidays ; simply transfer it into tall, pretty bottles using a funnel and store it in the refrigerator.   Tips from the F&W Test Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pound(s) blueberries, 5 cups
• 4 cup(s) water
• 2 cup(s) sugar
• 6 1-inch strips of lemon zest removed with a vegetable peeler
• 3 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice

Directions

• 1. In a pot, combine the blueberries with 1 cup of the water. Crush the berries with a potato masher and bring to a simmer. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain the juice into a heatproof measuring cup, pressing hard on the solids. Discard the solids.
• 2. Rinse out the pot. Add the sugar, lemon zest and the remaining 3 cups of water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil the syrup over moderate heat until it registers 225° on a candy thermometer, about 20 minutes. Add the blueberry juice and lemon juice and boil over high heat for 1 minute. Let the syrup cool, then discard the lemon zest. Pour the syrup into just-cleaned bottles. Seal and refrigerate for up to 6 months.

 

Grilled Scallops with Honeydew-Avocado Salsa

Kana Okada

Provided by: Food&Wine 

30 mins total 0 mins prep 

 Servings

To go with grilled scallops , Marcia Kiesel creates her own version of salsa verde by combining sweet honeydew and buttery avocado in a fruit salsa (yes, avocado is a fruit). The salsa is what wine geeks call "round in flavor," meaning it's not too tart or tangy, and it would be excellent with an equally "round" oaked California Chardonnay. Plus: F&W's Grilling Guide

Ingredients

• Finely grated lime zest, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 1/2 pound(s) honeydew melon, rind removed and melon cut into 1/4-inch dice 2 1/2 cups
• 1 Hass avocado, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pound(s) large sea scallops

Directions

• 1. Light a grill. In a large bowl, combine the lime zest and juice with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the diced honeydew melon and avocado. Season the salsa with salt and black pepper.
• 2. Drizzle the scallops with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Grill over moderately high heat, turning once, until nicely charred and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the scallops to plates, spoon the salsa alongside and serve.