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Carrots
Besides the most common variety of carrots, (you know, the orange ones), they can also be found in white, yellow, red, purple and black. The carrot is a member of the parsley family. It is a plant with a deeper-colored, edible root that grows beneath the ground.
Carrots can be as small as two inches, or as long as three feet! The longest carrot ever grown was recorded in 1996 – it measured 16 feet 10 1/2 inches long! The roots have a sweet flavor and crunchy texture, while the leafy greens are slightly bitter.
Carrots are an excellent source of nutrition. They taste great, are low in calories, and make a great snack for young and old alike. Because carrots have a high beta-carotene content, they might help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and several types of cancers. But be careful not to eat too many carrots, or your skin could turn orange – seriously! Don’t worry, this color change is only temporary, and is considered to be quite harmless. After a couple of weeks of laying off the carrots, your normal skin tone will be re-stored!
The nutrients in carrots may also help support healthy cholesterol levels, and are good for the nervous system, stomach, skin, healthy gums, teeth, bones and blood vessels. Beta carotene also helps with the absorption of iron, and improves energy levels. They are especially important for good eye health. The beta-carotene in carrots may help reduce the risk of poor night vision, and the vitamin A may help prevent retinitis pigmentosa.
Carrots are actually more nutritious when eaten partially cooked than when eaten raw (except when juiced). Due to the thick cellular walls, the body only converts less than 25% of the beta-carotene into vitamin A. When carrots are cooked, the thick cellular walls are broken down, which in turn releases all of the nutrients. Also, it is best to cook them whole, and cut after cooking. If they are cut up prior to cooking, most of the nutrients will escape into the cooking water!
How to Select
Carrots are available in your local grocery store year-round. Select carrots that are deep orange in color, and have a nice shape. Avoid carrots that are cracked, soft, wilted, shriveled, or have green on the top.
Storage
Keep them in the fridge to preserve their flavor and texture. They favor temps between 32–50 degrees in the crisper section. If you buy carrots with the green leafy tops still on them, cut them off, rinse, and put in a plastic bag before storing in the refrigerator. (The tops will drain all of the moisture from the carrots, making them limp, and dry).
Do not store carrots with fruit. As fruit ripens, it emits ethylene gas, which will reduce the storage life of the carrots, (and other veggies as well). Always store fruits and vegetables separately.
Crunch Carrot Facts
• Carrots originated in Afghanistan in the 7th century, but were not orange. They had yellow flesh and a purple exterior.
• All your vitamin A requirements for the day can be found in a single carrot.
• If you eat 3 carrots, you would have enough energy to walk 3 miles.
• Carrots contain more beta-carotene than any other vegetable.
• Wild rabbits do not eat carrots.
• Mel Blanc, the creator of “Bugs Bunny” was not a fan of carrots!
• Carrots were originally grown for medicinal purposes rather than for food.
• The first commercially canned veggies were carrots.
• It takes about a pound of carrots to yield 6-8oz of carrot juice.
• The deeper color orange the carrot is, the higher the content of carotenoid it contains.
•10% of the nutrients found in carrots are contained in the skin... so don’t peel ‘em!
• On an average day, Grimmway Farms, in California processes 10 million pounds of carrots, which are loaded onto trucks that span 2 1/2 miles!
• 9 carrots contain as much calcium as a glass of milk (250ml).
Spring Cleaner
Greener Spring Cleaning
The following items are green staples for making green cleaning recipes, and can be found in any grocery store:
Baking soda
Borax
Cornstarch
Lemons
Table Salt (plain, not iodized)
Washing Soda
Distilled White vinegar
Isopropyl Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Olive Oil
Essential Oils
Windows/Glass Cleaner
For streak-free crystal-clear windows, glass, and mirrors, combine 2 cups of water, ¼ cup distilled white vinegar, and ½ tsp. dish detergent in a spray bottle.
Furniture Polish
Note: This natural furniture polish should be made and used on the same day, discard any remaining solution. Do not store for future use.
Combine 2 cups of olive oil with the juice of one freshly juiced lemon in a glass container or jar. Use a soft polishing cloth to apply the polish to furniture. Rub briskly to a shine. Let furniture air dry if not dry after buffing.
Dish Washer Detergent
Ingredients:
1 C Baking Soda
1C Borax
1/2 C Salt
1/4 C Citric Acid Powder
Citrus Essential Oils
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients, then add 20 to 30 drops citrus essential oil. Use one to two tablespoons of detergent per load of dishes, depending on water hardness.
Mixture may be stored in an air-tight container. Be sure to keep out of children’s reach and label the container. Shake before each use.
Note: White vinegar can be used as a rinsing agent to get cleaner, spot free dishes.
Cleaning With Baking Soda
Baking soda is must in every household. It is quite versatile, and can be used for many purposes other than baking, or eliminating funky odors in the fridge.
Did you know that baking soda makes a wonderful mild abrasive for delicate surfaces that scratch easily? Simply make a paste of baking soda with water. It can be used as an alternative to abrasive cleaners for cleaning bathroom fixtures. It works wonders for getting spots off chrome and stainless steel. Try adding ½ cup to your laundry (in addition to detergent) to help clean super dirty clothing, and eliminate odors.
Baking soda can be found in the baking section at your supermarket. Many warehouse type stores carry baking soda in 2 pound boxes or bags which is ideal to save money and will ensure that you always have plenty on hand!
Cleaning With Borax
Borax is also an excellent laundry booster, just follow directions indicated on the box to get grimy clothes clean and odor free.
Make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing one tablespoon of Borax to 1 quart of water. Use to clean fine china by mixing ½ cup of Borax to a sink full of water. Follow the directions on the box to use it as a laundry booster. Freshen up a musty basement or garage by sprinkling on the concrete, let it sit for a while, then sweep up.
Borax can be found in the laundry section at your local grocery store.
Cleaning With Washing Soda
Washing soda is very different from baking soda; for one thing, it’s not used for baking, nor is it edible. It is another great laundry boosters, use in combination with your favorite laundry detergent to get clothing super clean and smelling fresh.
You can whip own your own scouring powder by combining 1/4 cup washing soda with 1 cup baking soda. Use this just as you would use any name brand powdered cleanser. Washing soda can be purchased in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store.
Cleaning With Hydrogen Peroxide
Not only does hydrogen peroxide work well for cleaning cuts, it also removes blood stains, (even dried ones), from fabric and carpeting.
Be sure to always pretest before applying, as it can have a bleaching effect. To remove blood stains from carpeting, apply directly on the stain and blot with clean cloth. Hydrogen peroxide can be found in the first aid aisle of your local pharmacy or supermarket.
Cleaning With Vinegar
Don’t let the strong smell of vinegar deter you from using it as a multi-purpose cleaning agent. The pungent smell will dissipate quickly, and there will not be a lingering odor. White distilled vinegar is an essential item that should not be left out of anyone’s cleaning closet.
Put white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and mix with water. Some of its many uses include: cutting grease and grime, as a water softener/odor fighter in the laundry. Additionally, it is effective for cleaning mildew. This is a very safe cleaner, but should NEVER be mixed with chlorine bleach. White vinegar can be found in the salad dressing aisle at your local supermarket.
Cleaning With Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl Alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, can be found at any supermarket or drugstore in the first aid section. It is great for removing ink stains from fabrics, and is also effective for polishing and cleaning chrome faucets and fixtures.
Be sure to pre-test a small area BEFORE applying to fabrics or upholstery, to ensure that it will not cause any damage.
Cleaning With Plain Salt (not iodized)
Make a polishing paste of plain salt and white vinegar to shine up tarnished brass or copper. Salt is great for absorbing wine or grape juice stains on carpeting. It’s effective at removing stains from all washable fabrics as too! Let soiled clothes soak in a salt water solution prior to washing in the laundry. This process will help lift and loosen stains.
Carrot Recipes
Fresh Carrot Apple & Ginger
2 medium carrots (topped)
1 crisp apple
1 inch ginger root
Skin Glow
1 cucumber
1/2 cup parsley
1 apple
4 carrots (topped)
Carrot Ginger Soup
2 cups carrot juice
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 1/2 tablespoons ginger juice
fresh black pepper
Mix all ingredients. Chill before serving.
Add pepper to taste.
Good Morning Delight
1 large carrot (topped)
1 medium Red Delicious apple
1 pint fresh straw berries
Fresh Cucumber & Carrot Juice
2 large carrots (topped)
1 medium cucumber
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