Fruit Newsletter for Week 12, September 4th – September 8th, 2018
Dear Angelic Organics shareholders with a fruit share, see below for the sixth fruit newsletter of the 2018 season from Everett Myers of FruitShare.
September Vol. 1 2018
We’ve all heard that obesity in the U.S. is at an all-time high and increasing, especially in children. Experts agree that we eat too much sugar, which is contributing to this phenomenon. So, if we’re eating too much sugar, does that mean that we need to be concerned about the sugar in fruit? An article in the New York Times explains that “sugar consumed in fruit is not linked to any adverse health effects, no matter how much you eat.” In fact, the article continues, “increased fruit consumption is tied to lower body weight and a lower risk of obesity-associated diseases.”
Why is that? It all comes down to fiber. Because sugars are contained within fruit cells, “it takes time for the digestive tract to break down those cells. The sugars, therefore, enter the bloodstream slowly, giving the liver more time to metabolize them.” That means your blood sugar doesn’t spike, and your body works to break down fruit slowly so that you feel satisfied, longer. Need proof? “Unlike processed foods, which are usually digested in the first few feet of our intestines, fiber-rich fruit breaks down more slowly so it travels far longer through the digestive tract, triggering the satiety hormones that tend to cluster further down the small intestines,” according to Dr. David Ludwig, the director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Type this link into your browser to read the full article and find out more about why eating fruit and vegetables is truly one of the best things you can eat for a healthy diet, healthy weight, and healthy life! http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2013/07/31/making-the-case-for-eating-fruit/?hpw=&
Enjoy the fruit your brain will thank you.
Everett Myers, Founder and President of FruitShare
In Your Box: Organic Zestar apples, Colorado peaches, Thompson green Grapes, Dapple Dandy pluots, Fire Sweet nectarines
Storage and Ripening
Grapes are more delicate and should be refrigerated and enjoyed first. Only wash your grapes before eating them as moisture can lead to mold. Sometimes a grape will create extra moisture in the bag and cause a spot of mold. If this happens, take them out of the bag immediately, remove the fruit that caused the issue, and wash the remaining fruit. Dry the fruit off by placing it on a paper towel and then refrigerate it again. Colorado Peaches, nectarines and pluots will be ready to eat when the flesh gives to gentle thumb pressure. Some folks like these fruits more firm – if this is the case keep them in the refrigerator. Otherwise, place a few fruits on the counter to soften if needed. You will likely find these fruits will be ready to eat when you get them. You can also slice and freeze peaches, pluots, and grapes. After they are frozen, we like to use them in smoothies, no sugar necessary because they are so sweet on their own. Note: peaches should be left out on the counter for about a day until they are juicy and ready to eat. They do not do ripen well in temperatures between 36-50 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is best to take them up to room temperature and enjoy. Zestar apples are ready to eat enjoy!
What It Takes
The Stewart brothers provided these just off the tree Zestar apples. Zestar apples are in good company having been developed from the Honeycrisp line at the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Station. They are a sweet and tangy early season apple that stay crisp and have accents of brown sugar. The Stewarts orchard is situated near Hood River, Oregon and is one of the most beautiful orchards you’ll ever see. With Mount Hood as a backdrop and the Columbia River flowing just below the orchard, they know what it means to protect the environment. Ronny and Jimmy have been working on the family farm near Hood River since they were children. But there wouldn’t have ever been a family farm if their parents, Ron and Cheryl, hadn’t decided to sell their dry-cleaning business and start an organic fruit farm. For many years, Ron was the only organic farmer on the National Commission for Small Farms. His knowledge about organics and farming were passed down to Ronny and Jimmy, who took over the farm in 2003. Since then, the brothers have expanded the farm to include many varieties of pears, apples and more. They have found that one of the best things to do is create a natural loop in the production process. They do this by composting cast-off fruit and peels, then using the composted material to keep the soil rich and fertile. It’s a sustainable way to reduce waste and keep the farm running properly so they can continue growing outstanding fruit.
We are very fortunate to have Colorado Peaches again in this week’s box! Brant has been growing Colorado peaches for over 39 years now. There are few growers I know that know more about raising great tasting peaches than Brant, Carol, and their boys. Brant and Carol are firm in their commitment to good land stewardship. At their orchard on the western slopes of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, it is a family affair. The whole family including their sons, parents, and nephews, work side by side to grow these excellent peaches. The mountainous location and unique climate of their farm make it perfect for growing delicious peaches. At almost 4800 ft. in elevation, the orchard’s water supply comes from melting snowpack high in the Rockies. The hot days and cool nights in their river valley bring the peaches to the peak of flavor and juiciness. Eat these quickly they are tree-ripe and will be ready to eat when you get them or within just a day or two. They are delicious alone or sliced and served with any breakfast, cereal, waffles, pancakes. If they are getting too soft for you, wash the peach fuzz off of them, then slice them off the pit and put them in a freezer bag. We like to use these frozen peaches in a smoothie. They are also great for baking and grilling. Enjoy!
Three Sisters Farm, owned by Joe and Johnni Soghomonian, is famous for their grapes. Located near Fresno, CA, they use beneficial grasses and flowers – especially poppies – as cover crops, making their vineyard exceptionally beautiful. Three Sisters has been certified organic since 1981, but even before Joe and Johnni began farming, Joe’s parents owned the farm. Some of the vines are over 80 years old and are still producing grapes!
Health and Wellness
A recent article in the New York Times states running can add years to your life. Here is the link https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/12/well/move/an-hour-of-running-may-add-seven-hours-to-your-life.html
The best part is if you ran for just 5 minutes it would give you greater longevity. “Perhaps most interesting, the researchers calculated that hour for hour, running statistically returns more time to people’s lives than it consumes. Figuring two hours per week of training, since that was the average reported by runners in the Cooper Institute study, the researchers estimated that a typical runner would spend less than six months actually running over the course of almost 40 years, but could expect an increase in life expectancy of 3.2 years, for a net gain of about 2.8 years.” This research continues to show that moving your body is good for you. Get up and walk 5 minutes each hour and at some point during the day try to pick up the pace to a fast walk, jog or run. I have made it a habit to wake up early and run in the mornings. It gets my day started right and I tend to feel better and eat healthier throughout the day. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Recipe
Don’t forget Grilled peaches are always great!
Or you can make:
Colorado Peach Ice Cream (A summer treat to beat the heat)
- 6 ripe organic Colorado peaches
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1-quart heavy cream
- 1 cap of vanilla extract)
First, Wash peaches thoroughly and peel peaches over a large bowl to catch the juice. Halve and pit them and chop roughly. Place in the bowl and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of sugar, the salt and lemon juice and let them sit for 30 minutes. Second, If you have a blender, take the peach peels and blend until smooth. This is a break from tradition but peach peels have lots of the nutrition so we hate to omit these! Add to peach mixture. Third, While peaches macerate, put cream and remaining sugar in a saucepan with vanilla. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to keep from scorching, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool. Fourth, Pour cream over peaches and mix thoroughly. Taste to see if it needs more sugar. (This will depend on the peaches.) Refrigerate until chilled. Fifth, Pour the mixture into an ice-cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions until set but not quite hard. (If serving immediately, freeze harder.) Scoop and serve!
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