Kiwifruit is Especially Nutritious

Kiwi fruits are rich in many Vitamins, flavonoids and minerals. In particular, they contain a high amount of Vitamin C (more than oranges), as much potassium as bananas and a good amount of beta-carotene.

Studies in Italy, though, performed on 6-7 year old children, have also demonstrated additional health benefits to the respiratory tract. In particular, children that were fed 5-7 portions a week of citrus and kiwifruits had 44% less probability wheezing compared to children eating less than once a week.

Shortness of breath was reduced by 32%,night time cough by 27%, severe wheeze by 41%, chronic cough by 25%, and runny nose by 28%. This results is not only traceable to the content in Vitamin C or Potassium, but in substances which are still largely unknown contained in kiwi fruit. Read more

Avian Influenza in Poultry

Avian influenza

(aka bird flu, avian flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenza virus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic.
Strains of avian influenza virus may infect various types of animals, including birds, pigs, horses, seals, whales and humans. However, wild fowl act as natural asymptomatic carriers, spreading it to more susceptible domestic stocks. Avian influenza virus spreads in the air and in manure and there is no evidence that the virus can survive in well cooked meat.

Diagnosis

How to Recognise Avian Influenza
What to look for

* Ruffled feathers
* Soft-shelled eggs
* Depression and droopiness Read more

Poultry waste in river still health effects and dangers

TULSA, Okla. – Dangers to human health are “still very real” in the Illinois River watershed because 13 Arkansas-based poultry companies continue to dispose of the bird waste in the river valley, Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said.

But a poultry industry spokeswoman says bacteria levels in the 1 million-acre watershed are no greater than they are in the state’s other rivers and streams where poultry waste isn’t applied.

“You should understand there is a chance you’re going to get sick, and the sickness you’ll get will be very similar to food poisoning,” Edmondson warned would-be visitors next year to the watershed in an interview with The Associated Press. “That’s what the EPA tells us and that’s what our research tells us.

“The human health effects and dangers are still very real and we remain very concerned about them,” he said.

In September, a federal judge denied Oklahoma’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the poultry companies from dumping the bird waste in the watershed.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell wrote then that Oklahoma “has not yet met its burden of proving that bacteria in the waters of the IRW are caused by the application of poultry litter rather than by other sources, including cattle manure and human septic systems.” Read more

7 Easy Step to Dry Fruit

Dried fruit is fruit that has been dried, either naturally or through use of a machine, such as a food dehydrator. Raisins, prunes, and dates are examples of popular dried fruits. Other fruits such as apples, apricots, bananas, cranberries, figs, kiwi, mangoes, pawpaw, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, strawberries, and tomatoes may also be dried. In addition to dried whole fruits, fruit purée can be dried in sheets to make fruit leather.

Drying is by far the simplest and most natural method of preserving food, these instructions for how to go about drying your own are drawn.

1. Select the Fruit

Use only blemish-free fruits that are fully ripe but not overly ripe.

2. Prepare the Fruit

Wash, pit and slice the fruit. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they will dry. But keep all pieces uniform in size so they’ll dry at the same time.
Read more

General canning Fruit Procedures and Fruit Products

Processing is essential to ensure safety when canning fruits. Because fruits are acidic, the boiling water bath method may be used for processing. Although spoilage can occur in home-canned fruits, contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism, is not a threat.However, some people prefer to pressure-process fruits. This is also an acceptable method.

Organisms that cause food spoilage — molds, yeasts and bacteria — are always present in the air, water and soil. Also, enzymes that may cause undesirable changes in flavor, color and texture are present in raw fruits. Use recommended processing methods and times when canning fruits to destroy spoilage organisms and stop the action of enzymes.

General canning procedures

Jars and Lids

Mason-type canning jars are the best choice. The standard jar mouth is about 2-3/8 inches. Widemouth jars have openings of about 3 inches, making them more easily filled and emptied. Half-gallon jars may be used for canning very acid juices only.

Most commercial pint- and quart-size mayonnaise or salad dressing jars may be used with new two-piece lids for canning acid foods. However, you may expect more sealing failures and jar breakage. These jars have a narrower sealing surface and are tempered less than Mason jars. Mayonnaise-type jars are not recommended for use with foods that will be processed in the pressure canner. Use two-piece self-sealing lids. Buy only the quantity of lids that will be used in a year and follow the manufacturer’s directions for preparing the lids.

Sterilize Jars

To sterilize empty jars, put them right side up on the rack in a boiling-water canner. Fill the canner and jars with hot (not boiling) water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Boil 10 minutes, at altitudes of less than 1,000 feet. At higher elevations, boil one additional minute for each additional 1,000 feet elevation. Remove and drain hot sterilized jars one at a time just before filling. Save the hot water for processing filled jars. Fill jars with food, apply lids, and tighten screw bands. It is unnecessary to presterilize jars for fruits that will be processed 10 minutes or longer in a boiling water canner.

Filling Jars

After filling jars with food, release air bubbles by inserting a flat plastic (not metal) spatula between the food and the jar. Slowly turn the jar and move the spatula up and down to allow air bubbles to escape. Adjust the headspace and then clean the jar rim (sealing surface) with a dampened paper towel. Place the lid, gasket down, onto the cleaned jar sealing surface. Uncleaned jar-sealing surfaces may cause seal failures. Then fit the metal screw band over the flat lid. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines enclosed with or on the box for tightening the jar lids properly.

Prevent Darkening

Follow these guidelines to ensure that your canned foods retain optimum colors and flavors during processing and storage:

* Use only high-quality foods which are at the proper maturity and are free of diseases and bruises.
* Use the hot-pack method, especially with acid foods to be processed in boiling water.
* Don’t unnecessarily expose prepared foods to air. Can them as soon as possible.
* While preparing a canner load of jars, keep peeled, halved, quartered, sliced, or diced apples, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and pears in a solution of ascorbic acid. This procedure is also useful for preventing stem-end discoloration in cherries and grapes. You can get ascorbic acid in several forms:
Pure powdered form — seasonally available among canners’ supplies in supermarkets. One level teaspoon of pure powder weighs about three grams. Use one teaspoon per gallon of water as a treatment solution.
Vitamin C tablets — economical and available year-round in many stores. Buy 500-milligram tablets; crush and dissolve six tablets per gallon of water as a treatment solution.
Commercially prepared mixes of ascorbic and citric acid — seasonally available among canners’ supplies in supermarkets. Sometimes citric acid powder is sold in supermarkets, but it is less effective in controlling discoloration. If you choose to use these products, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
* Fill hot foods into jars and adjust headspace as specified in recipes.
* Store the jars in a relatively cool, dark place, preferably between 50 degrees and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Can no more food than you will use within a year.

Sweetening Fruit

Adding syrup to canned fruit helps to retain its flavor, color and shape. It does not prevent spoilage of these foods. The guidelines in Table 1 for preparing and using syrups offer a new “very light” syrup, which approximates the natural sugar content of many fruits. Quantities of water and sugar to make enough syrup for a canner load of pints or quarts are provided for each syrup type.

Procedure: Heat water and sugar together. Bring to a boil and pour over raw fruits in jars. For hot packs, bring water and sugar to boil, add fruit, reheat to boil, and fill into jars immediately.

Other sweeteners: Light corn syrups or mild-flavored honey may be used to replace up to half the table sugar called for in syrups.

For more information visit http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/foods/he174w.htm

10 tips organic gardening

http://beautifulhomegarden.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-top-ten-organic-gardening-tips.html

http://containergardening.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/the-big-top-ten-organic-gardening-tips-google-beautiful-home-and-garden/
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By using only organic gardening supplies, your gardening tasks will be easier and more enjoyable.• Compost, an all natural soil amendment is made through the use of composters. Composters break down organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps to make a 100% organic, all natural soil additive. Composters come in varying shapes, sizes and designs. Research composters and choose one that meets your needs. Making your own natural compost is a great alternative to other organic gardening supplies you would ordinarily have to buy, and it’s free!

• Rain Barrels collect water from your roof and store it until needed. Rain water is softer and chemical free. Rain Barrels are great for keeping your plants healthy and saving water. Many rain barrels are made from reused food drums and recycled plastic, keeping with the commitment to sustainable living. You can collect approximately 675 gallons of rain off your roof from a single rain storm. Stored rain water supplies much needed moisture to your gardens during extreme dry spells where rationing is necessary.

• All Natural and organic fertilizers supplies much needed nutrients to plantings. Natural and organic fertilizers generally have a slow release so nutrients last over time. Natural and organic fertilizers such as liquefied worm poop and tea from composters, are among the top natural and organic fertilizers and an essential ingredient to your organic gardening supplies.

• Push reel mowers are a great way to be eco friendly! Push reel mowers use no gas or electric, only your own energy. Push reel mowers are lightweight, easy to use and gives your lawn that golf course look. Owning a push reel mower is an important part of organic gardening.

• Grow native plants. Native plants require less water. They are also naturally more insect and disease resistant than other plants. Healthy, lush gardens made from indigenous plants also make a natural home for birds.

• Container gardening is good for planting your favorite flowers and vegetables when space is limited! Use large containers such as steel buckets and wooden barrels for creative container gardening. Container gardens do not require a lot of organic material due to being enclosed. Many gardening containers such as green pots are all natural, made from all natural elements such as rice hulls and coconut fiber.

• Using only natural and organic gardening supplies such as Insecticidal Soap, Horticultural Oil or Organic Disease Control will keep your garden healthy, naturally. Organic gardening supplies leave no hazardous residue and break down naturally into the soil. Natural predators such as bats, praying mantis and ladybugs are great organic insect controls. Bat boxes are effective for keeping bats nearby and supplies shelter through the harsh winter months. Enjoying and benefiting from organic gardening is dependent upon the use of the highest quality organic gardening supplies.

• Mulch your flowerbeds and vegetable garden to retain moisture around plants. Mulch supplies your plants with much needed moisture throughout hot, sunny days. Mulching also keeps weeds away. Apply all natural worm poop fertilizer around plantings when mulching. Your organic garden will love you for it. • Create a bird habitat by placing bird houses, birdbaths and bird feeders in your yard. Birds are fun to watch and will control the insect population in a natural way. Pick a quiet section of your yard to keep a variety of birding supplies to attract birds of your choice. Bird food such as sunflower hearts and suet are great treats. • Whether you are working on your lawn, flowerbed or vegetable garden, have fun. Remember, all natural supplies will make organic gardening easier and more enjoyable. The following is a list of recommended all natural and organic gardening supplies: composter, rain barrels, organic fertilizers, push reel mower, natural gardening containers, birding supplies, natural homemade compost, These are the best equipment, tools and supplies for keeping your plants, turf and environment healthy.

Happy Gardening!

This article may be reproduced and/or distributed. This article was written by Mark & Vera Pappas, Co-owners of http://www.greennationgardens.com/?Click=23GreenNationGardens.com, suppliers of unique and eco-friendly garden supplies.

Gardening Tips – How to Growing Organic Fruit Trees!

Grow fruit in even the smallest backyard
Even a small garden has room for a fruit tree. Fruit trees are ornamental as well as useful. They produce beautiful blossoms in the spring and can enrich the surrounding soil. Apple trees are great for climbing and providing shade as well as…apples. If you have the patience, consider at least one fruit tree as a beautiful and useful addition to your organic garden. Depending on the size of your yard and area where you want to plant a tree consider dwarf, semi dwarf and standard sized trees.

Your fruit tree must be pollinated in order to bare fruit. Some trees are self-pollinating while others need to be planted in pairs. Some trees require three trees in order to be pollinated. Ask your local nursery if self-pollinating trees are available, otherwise, let the bees do all of the work! For apple trees, a crabapple tree makes a great tree that is used solely for pollination. Read more

Benefits of Cherries for Body Health

As a follow-up to several earlier studies, researchers have confirmed that tart red cherries (Prunus cerasus) offer benefits for patients with autoimmune neurodegenerative and connective tissue diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Studies show that tart red cherries reduce pain and inflammation and also offer protection against cancer. These effects are caused by plant phytochemicals known as anthocyanins.

The Evidence

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore discovered that the anthocyanins in tart cherries effectively reduced painful inflammation in an experimental animal model comparable to that obtained with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin. The researchers believe that this effect may stem from the ability of anthocyanins to reduce oxidative stress, which is a major cause of autoimmune disease.

In a related study, researchers demonstrated that tart cherry anthocyanins may help prevent muscle pain related to intensive exercise. Young men who incorporated tart cherry juice into their daily diet experienced decreased symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. In addition, cherries may offer protection against gout, a painful inflammatory condition caused by urate crystals infiltrating joint fluid. Read more

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