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Showing posts with label Grapefruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grapefruit. Show all posts

Thursday, February 21, 2013

February is National Grapefruit Month

Grapefruits come in many varieties. The most popular assortments are red, white, and pink colors. The flavors range from bitter to sweet and tart. The grapefruit was introduced to Florida in the 1820s. Today, most grapefruits are still grown in Florida.
 

Grapefruit is an excellent source of many nutrients and phytochemicals that contribute to a healthy diet. Grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C, which helps support the immune system. It also contains the fiber pectin, and the pink and red colors contain antioxidant lycopene.Lycopene appears to have properties that help fight oxygen free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells. Studies have shown grapefruits help lower cholesterol, and there is evidence that the seeds have antioxidant properties. 

Storage. If you plan on using grapefruits withing a week, store them at room temperature. If you are planning on using them after a week, store grapefruits in the refrigerator crisper where they will keep fresh for two to three weeks.




Grapefruit Active Lifestyle Meal Plan

Preparing Grapefruits 

1. Grapefruits should be rinsed under cool water before consuming. The peel may contain dirt or bacteria that may reside on the skin's surface.
2. Grapefruits are usually eaten fresh by slicing the fruit horizontally and scooping out sections of the halves with a spoon.
3. To separate the flesh from the membrane you can cut it with a sharp knife, a special curved-blade grapefruit knife, or a serrated grapefruit spoon.
4. If there are seeds, you can remove them with your spoon before you eat the grapefruit.
5. Grapefruits can be peeled with your hands or with a knife. If using a knife, start at the top, make a vertical incision that runs downward and then back up to the top on the other side and then repeat so that there will be four sections of similar size. Be careful to only cut through skin and not into the membrane. The skin can then be peeled back with your hands or with the knife.
How to Peel and Segment a Grapefruit



Grapefruit juice interaction
with drugs can be deadly






References: 

1. Fruits and Veggies, More Matters. Grapefruit 

2. Wikipedia. Grapefruit 

3. The World’s Healthiest Foods: Grapefruit.
4. CBCNews. 
Grapefruit juice interaction with drugs can be deadly.
Increasing number of drugs interact dangerously with 'forbidden fruit'



 

Friday, February 1, 2013

February Wellness News
Topics for Journalists, Writers,
Educators and Bloggers

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.



February Highlights
American Heart Month

International Expect Success Month
Library Lovers Month
National Care about Your Indoor Air Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
National Parent Leadership Month
National Time Management Month
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
Responsible Pet Owner's Month
Youth Leadership Month
February Monthly Food Events

Bake for Family Fun Month
Canned Food Month
Chocolate Month
February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry
National Grapefruit Month
Great American Pies Month
National Cherry Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Potato Month
National Snack Food Month
National Wise Health Care Consumer
North Carolina Sweet Potato Month
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket
National Pet Dental Health Month