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Featured Posts
- St. Patrick’s Day Pineapple Punch
- Sheet Pan Perfect Pineapple Ham
- Can A Pineapple Really Live Under the Sea?
- Say Aloha to Our Hawaiian-style Ham and Pineapple Pasta Recipe
- Holiday Joy, Hanukkah, and Pineapple Kugel
- What are China’s Pineapple Science Awards?
- Fuel Up with Paleo Pineapple Fried Rice
- Best Gluten-Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Piña Colada Pie in a Jar
- Slow Cooking Your Pineapple This Fall
Tips & Tall Tales
Gimme’ Some Southern Hospitality
Picture courtesy of Zazzle.com
Welcome Y’all!
Our readers originally from the Southern United States – known lovingly as “the South” – know that there are some items found atop a dining room table that are considered quintessential when it comes to entertaining. Quite frankly, any respectable Southern host or hostess couldn’t bare the thought of inviting guests over without these arguably necessary reception pieces.
Sure, the list includes, ice cold sweet tea, warm homemade biscuits and crisp, yet creamy pecans. (Pronounced however you like it!)
Yet, what you you might not realize was also considered a very Southern adornment to the table was…you guessed it, a pineapple! Plenty more pineapples than flowers greeted guests to a family’s home during the 1600s and 1700s.
In fact, during America’s colonial days, a hostess’s ability to have a pineapple for an important dining event said as much about her rank as it did about her resourcefulness. The pineapple served as the ultimate table display and was a conversation starter. Even more interesting, the glowing, golden centerpiece was…rented. That’s right! As this post form Apartment Therapy explains, there is quite a story in the history of the hospitable pineapple.
Yes ma’am. People sure did go to great lengths to be charming and most importantly mind their manners. Now, if that’s not southern hospitality, we don’t know what is.
Y’all come back now, ya hear!
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged history, hospitality, south
It’s a Bird. It’s a Plane. It’s the Superfruit!
Pineapples are one of nature’s superfruits. These powerful pieces of produce are loaded with numerous vitamins and minerals. But do you know just how many vitamins and minerals make up the pineapple’s secret identity?
With almost x-ray vision, the Authority Nutrition gives us a closer look at these golden, foot-sized nutritional heroes:
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C is disease’s nemesis. Great for your immune system, Vitamin C also gives you glowing skin. Just one cup of pineapple contains 132% of Vitamin C. KAPOW!
- Manganese – An essential trace mineral, 76% of your daily required manganese intake is found in just one cup of pineapple. BOOM!
- Copper – Pineapples also have good levels of natural copper, a co-creator in red blood cells. ZAP!
- Folate (B9) – A Vitamin B complex, Folate is important for tissue growth and cell function. Especially for women who are pregnant, plenty of Folate is found in a serving of pineapple. WHAAM!
Listen to your body and make sure to feed it right. When it’s time to head to the market, just be sure to call on this superfruit. It’s always here to help!
Enjoy your pineapples!
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
The Secret Gene
Ah, science!
Since scientists first laid hands on the pineapple back in the early 16th century, they have wondered what this incredibly special fruit is made of. Carefully studying and enjoying the pineapple to find the secret hiding within its core, scientists have actually just learned the genetics under its crown.
In fact, and most interesting to researchers, is the understanding of how a pineapple can withstand droughts. Turns out it all comes down to a familiar process we learned about in grade school. Through recent testing they have learned how pineapples undergo photosynthesis.
The pineapple crop uses “CAM.” CAM stands for crassulacean acid metabolism, a type of photosynthesis that is so unlike the rest of many plant products.
One of the global trade’s most important tropical fruits, pineapples have an annual value of more than eight billion dollars. By furthering understanding the science behind how a pineapple naturally withstands climate changes, farmers like us can better prepare for all types of circumstances.
This article from Reuters.com gives more insight on the genetic secrets of this powerful fruit.
Neat, huh? Science, baby!
Dr. Lloyd
The Power of Bromelain!
It’s cold and flu season and you are trying your best to avoid getting sick at all costs this winter season. Did you know that you have the secret ingredient right in front of you?
What is this magical medicinal remedy? Bromelain. Bromelain is a very important topic around Lloyd’s Corner since it has the power to cure many ailments. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, bromelain reduces mucus in the throat and nose. It also reduces those pesky, never-ending coughs. If you also feel that you are swelling up due to a fever, bromelain with reduce inflammation and swelling.
Want more information on the secret powers of bromelain? Click here to read more about University of Maryland Medical Center’s study.
Stay healthy!
Dr.Lloyd
Get Your Daily Dose of Fruits & Vegetables
Think you’re getting enough fruits and veggies? Think again.
At least seven out of 10 Americans aren’t meeting the recommended amount of fresh produce needed for a healthy lifestyle. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services released the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Every five years the Dietary Guidelines are published. These guidelines give recommendations on how to maintain a healthy and nutritional diet.
What sticks out? You guessed it. Americans need to increase their fruit and vegetable intake.
Fruits add to healthy eating patterns. They are a great source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. Pineapples are a superfruit that can help achieve a healthy lifestyle. From being a great source of Vitamin C (which is a very important topic in Dr. Lloyd’s Corner) to providing the powerful enzyme bromelain, pineapples are great if you’re looking for a better diet.
How can you follow the guidelines for eating more fruit? Choose fruits as snacks, side dishes and desserts to cut down on foods with added sugars. Stay away from juices that do not contain 100% fruit juices. Many juices contain less than 50% juice and are made up of added sugars.
Check out our own list of recipes to see how you can incorporate more fruits into your diet.
Want to take a look into the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines? Click here.
Best,
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged fruits, pineapple, vegetables
2016: The Year of the Pineapple
The New Year is almost upon us!
Many of us have prepared for 2016 by drafting new year’s resolutions. And you know what? I agree with the tradition. There really is something magically inspiring and motivating about resolutions! In fact, down here on the farm, we have a few “new beginning” traditions and customs that we follow on December 31st.
Among them are some fun ones such as crossing the neighborhood street with a suitcase in hand to ensure travelling in the coming year. Or sweeping the entire house to sway away past evils. Many people here in Costa Rica even make it a point to ring in midnight with yellow underwear for good luck in the months ahead.
Maybe these customs aren’t exactly your cup of tea, but there is one thing you can’t deny: Taking steps to better yourself is always a smart thing! Among your own resolutions, we’re pretty certain that “eating better” or “making healthier choices” is on your list. And that’s terrific!
So, alright then. In 2016, introduce more fresh produce to your diet! We’re partial of course, but pineapple will really be a great addition to your fruit basket this year. As the year continues, check Lloyd’s Corner for more reasons on how this star food can help you. (Can’t wait? Check out a few health posts from 2015 here, here and here.)
Without further ado, from our family to yours:
Image Created by Sisters, What!
Cheers!
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged costa rica, health, new year
Christmas in 1840: What Tree?
Happy Saturday!
We stumbled across an interesting story today that we thought would be a neat post to share with our regular readers. Remember when ole’ Dr. Lloyd here told you about the history of the pineapple, or how pineapples were once a status symbol among Europeans?
Well, down in South Carolina, the Historic Columbia Foundation will be sharing similar anecdotes during candlelight tours of the capitol’s historic buildings later this month. The tours will showcase exactly what Christmas in the late 19th century was like for the buildings’ residents. Surprisingly, Christmas trees weren’t common as decoration until after the 1850s. But you know what was? You guessed it – pineapples!
This article by TheState.com gives great insight into what a Christmas celebration would have looked like during the American historical era – and give some reasons as to why the pineapple crazes seems to endure.
To read the full story, click here.
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged christmas, history
Vitamin C: Pineapples Say A Mouthful
It’s pretty well known that Vitamin C is an essential nutrient. Some might even argue that Vitamin C is the “power-house vitamin.” Doing everything from serving as an antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage to boosting the immune system, Vitamin C is vital in building human tissue and repairing it.
Pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C! Due to their high Vitamin C content, pineapples can positively assist a plethora of bodily functions. (Here’s some to name a few).
In today’s post, we wanted to focus specifically on how pineapple consumption can benefit oral health. That’s right. Your tongue knows what’s good for it!
Aside from its delicious taste, this lip-smacking fruit’s Vitamin C contribution can even reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Vitamin C also increases the body’s ability to fight invading bacteria that contribute to such oral diseases, especially gum disease.
Does it replace going to the dentist? You wish. Of course not! But with a toothbrush, floss and –surprisingly– a few slices of pineapple a day, your mouth will be thanking you!
Dr. Lloyd Berg
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged health, vitamin C
Boo! A Freakishly Healthy Halloween Snack
It’s the week of Halloween and you’ve just had a terrifying epiphany…there is absolutely no candy in the pantry! You can’t believe it. You’ll need to run out and grab a few bags for those ravenous trick-o-treaters before it’s too late.
Yet, on your way to the store you’ve started to think about it. “Do I really want my kids to eat THAT much candy in one sitting?”
We hear you! For any parent out there looking to give their kids a bit more of a healthy dose of Halloween, we have the recipe just for you!
Created by Family Fresh Meals.com this Candy Corn Fruit Bowl has all the perfect Halloween trimmings without the scary ingredients.
What you’ll need?
– The Perfect Pineapple, cut into bite sized chunks
– oranges, cut into bite sized chunks
– whipped cream
– candy corn
{I’m sure you know what to do from here, but just in case, check out the full recipe via Family Fresh Meals.com for more details.}
Happy Halloween!
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Recipes, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged halloween, recipe
Come Visit Us @ Booth #459 This Weekend!
In Atlanta for the weekend? Well if you are, you’re in for a real treat!
The 2015 PMA Fresh Summit kicks off tomorrow, Friday, October 23 at the Georgia World Congress and with it a gatherings of the industry at the world’s largest produce trade show.
Chestnut Hill Farms will be exhibiting during the event (#Booth 459) and will be joined by local juice experts, Rawesome Juicery. Together, we’ll be serving up some of the tastiest cold-press juices on the floor. Recipes featuring The Perfect Pineapple were created by Rawesome Juicery and include:
The Refresh: Pineapple, Mint, Lime, Apple, Chlorophyll
The Pura Vida: Pineapple, Orange Juice, Cactus Fruit, Ginger
The Pain Killer (Smoothie): Pineapple, Coconut Cream, Orange Juice, Nutmeg
Why juice? As our partners at Rawesome so eloquently put it:
“When we consume whole foods our system immediately recognizes it as familiar and can utilize its nutrients immediately.
This is the number one reason why everyone should juice! It allows the system to rest and catch up on other issues in the body that need repair. Fresh pressed juice is absorbed within minutes, giving your system a reboost of vital vitamins and minerals.”
If you’re around, please stop by and say hello!
Hope to see you there,
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged health, PMA