3 New Uses for Old Oranges (Beyond Juicing!)

Don't toss old, shriveled oranges in the trash! Image Credit: morgueFile

As I type this, I'm busily preparing for a quick getaway weekend to visit my family. One of the tasks on my To Do list is to use up the fresh produce around here so nothing goes bad during my time away.

The last thing I want to waste is food!

Last night I roasted asparagus, potatoes and carrots to go with dinner. Tonight I might make a pasta salad filled with veggies to pack for a quick road lunch.

Then I noticed the bowl of oranges looking at me with sad eyes. Well, not really, but you know what I mean. They're starting to get a little shriveled since I brought home a big bag of easy-to-eat clementines which always get grabbed over oranges.

So, by my side is a big glass of water filled with orange slices. When you're tired of lemon in your water, try this companion citrus fruit. Limes also work well!

I'll also be chopping an orange or two to tuck inside a jar of white vinegar. Later I can whip up my homemade disinfectant spray by mixing half citrus-vinegar mixture with water in a spray bottle.

I'll also use some fresh squeezed orange juice to make a sweet vinaigrette dressing to have on hand for spring salads. Yum!

How do you like to use up an abundance of citrus fruit?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Crazy for Cuties!

Call 'em Cuties. Call 'em clementines. Whatever you call them, those little balls of orange citrus goodness are addictive!

Image Credit: SXC

For the past several weeks, I've been stocking the kitchen with clementines for quick, easy snacking. They peel easier than an orange. They're approximately 45 calories a piece. And they're easy to take in a lunchbox.

What more can you ask for from a simple, healthy snack?

Do you enjoy clementines? It seems like people either love them or hate them. Please weigh in below in the comments section!

Note: Today's post is part of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Each day during the month of April I'll highlight a letter of the alphabet with a healthy snack idea. Today is "C" day. Stop back tomorrow for another delicious tip!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

How to Make Zest

Citrus fruits! Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Want to add a burst of natural flavor and color to your cooking? Add zest! Lemons, limes, oranges and any other citrus fruits can be used to make zest.

How to Make Zest

1. Thoroughly wash a whole citrus fruit.
2. Use a peeler or pairing knife to trim slender, thin slices of the fruit peel. Be careful not to get the white underside of the peel known as pith. It has a bitter flavor.
3. Chop the peelings into tiny slivers (I believe chefs call this julienne) or small pieces.
4. Or, use the fine grating on a cheese grater to shave zest from the fruit peel. Hold the whole fruit against the grater and gently shave off the skin.
5. That's it! The zest is ready to use. If you have extra, store it in an airtight container and use it within a day or two before it dries out. 
   

Add Zest to Your Meal

Here are a few ways I like to add the fresh flavor of citrus zest to food.

• Sprinkle lime zest on a bowl of cranberry sauce at the holidays.
• Add lemon or orange zest to a sugar cookie recipe for a springy, refreshing flavor.
• Dust the tops of pancakes with powdered sugar and orange zest.
• Whisk citrus zest into homemade vinaigrette salad dressing.
• Garnish a chocolate cake or cupcakes with slivers of orange zest.

How do you enjoy your zest? Please comment below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: This may be the last day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, but don't forget to drop by on occasion and see what I've got cookin'! Or, follow me on Twitter and Facebook and I'll let you know what I've been up to! :)

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Sale Alert: Organic Oranges $.89/pound!

Good morning whole foods friends!

I just stumbled upon a great deal on organic, California navel oranges. If you live in the Sioux City, Iowa area, head over to Select Food Market at 1730 Pierce St. in Sioux City to stock up on organic oranges for $.89 per pound! I noticed this price on February 17, and I don't think it will last long. That's a hot deal for fresh oranges on a winter day! Now go get your fill of vitamin C! Enjoy!

The fresh, organic oranges I just bought at Select Food Market!
Photo by Angela Tague