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

Food Adventures: My First Pummelo

Tangelo, Pummelo & Pear. Photo by Angela Tague

I enjoy trying new foods. Originally I planned to profile a new food for each day of the A to Z Challenge, but decided that during late winter in Iowa it wouldn't be too easy to find exotic produce at a reasonable price.

Then it happened; I stumbled upon what looked like a giant grapefruit at the grocery store.

It's called a pummelo and after a little research I found out it's the largest citrus fruit in the world. It can reach a whopping 12-inches in diameter. Pummelos are low in calories, fat free and rich in Vitamin C.

After I peeled away the 3/4-inch thick, spongy yellow skin, the inside of the fruit resembled a juicy grapefruit covered in a thick layer of white pith. The fruit has segments and pretty pink flesh. The flavor reminded me of a mild, sweet grapefruit that didn't need a sprinkle of sugar to taste good. Delicious!

Have you ever had a pummelo?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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9 Ways to Use Fresh Lemons

Fresh lemons! Photo: SXC

I have a tendency to pick produce that is on sale during my grocery runs. Sometimes I end up with a drawer full of randomness--which usually includes a few lemons.

Are you looking for ways to use up a lemon or two before it shrivels and lands in the garbage can? Try these ideas!

9 Ways to Use Lemon

1. Slice a lemon and add it to the top of baked lemon-pepper chicken breasts.
2. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over grilled asparagus. (This comes from a WFL reader tip. Thanks!)
3. Make homemade lemonade.
4. Add peeled lemon to your next juicing adventure. I like lemon blended with apple and carrot juice.
5. Whisk fresh squeezed lemon juice with olive oil for a tangy, healthy salad dressing.
6. Squeeze lemon juice into a spray bottle. Add equal amounts of white vinegar and water to make a homemade sanitizing spray for the kitchen.
7. Make a lemon meringue pie from scratch. Everyone has to do this at least once in a lifetime!
8. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over apple wedges to keep them from browning in a lunch bag.
9. Add lemon juice to a cup of hot tea.

How do you use lemons around the kitchen or house?

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Are you just finding this blog today? Well, you should check out what's been going on this month! I've been busy with the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Poke around my little corner of the web to see what I've been cookin' up!


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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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