When trying to gain inspiration for today’s post I asked a friend to share with me the first word that popped into their mind…CHALLENGE. Then I asked for a color…ORANGE. And VOILA my inspiration for a CHALLENGE blog on ORANGES struck. I mean what better fruit to explore than the mighty citrus giant?
Let’s take a look shall we…
THE HISTORY:
An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus (Citrus Sinensis (L.) and its fruit.It is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world.
The orange is a hybrid of ancient cultivated origin, possibly between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata). It is an evergreenflowering tree generally growing to 9–10 m in height (although very old speciments have reached 15 m).The leaves are arranged alternately, are ovate in shape with crenulate margins and are 4–10 cm long. The orange fruit is a hesperidium, a type of berry.
Orange trees are widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates for the delicious sweet fruit, which is peeled or cut (to avoid the bitter rind) and eaten whole, or processed to extract orange juice, and also for the fragrant peel. In 2008, 68.5 million tons of oranges were grown worldwide, primarily in Brazil and the state of Florida in the US.
Oranges probably originated in Southeast Asiaand were cultivated in China by 2500 BC. The fruit of Citrus sinensis is called sweet orange to distinguish it from Citrus aurantium, the bitter orange. The name is thought to derive ultimately from the Sanskrit for the orange tree, with its final form developing after passing through numerous intermediate languages.
In a number of languages, it is known as a “Chinese apple” (e.g. Dutch Sinaasappel, “China’s apple”, or northern German Apfelsine). (In English, however, “Chinese apple” generally refers to the pomegranate).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(fruit)
WHEW…that was more than any of us probably needed to know, right?
Let’s move on to the fun stuff…
Symbolism and History of Oranges, Scientific Name Citrus Aurantium Dulcis
The word citrus means lemon in Greek while aurantium is the adjective of gold, golden, referring obviously to the color of orange fruit. Orange fruit is probably believed to be the legendary golden apple that Hercules had stolen from the Garden of the Hesperides.
Oranges are native to India and China. Since the ancient times, oranges have been used in Chinese medicine to treat colds, coughs, and anorexia. Due to oranges being scarce and expensive until the late 17th century, they were only used for their medical properties in Europe and not for human consumption.
Orange Oil Benefits
- Orange oil for skin: Orange oil restores dry skin. Adding a droplet of orange oil to the cream or carrier oil helps in treatment of acne.
- Orange oil for termites: Orange oil works against termites (but be sure to contact a qualified termite company offering traditional treatment of termites).
- Orange oil for furniture: Orange oil is used in furniture cleaning due to its anti-grease properties and works better than lemon oil.
- Orange oil for ants: Pouring orange oil in ants’ mounds and holes around your home helps in getting rid of ants.
- Orange oil for scabies: Orange oil contains d-limonene, which helps in killing scabies and works better than lemon juice or lemon oil. Orange oil is used as a home remedy for scabies. (Scabies? What are scabies? I thought that was what boys gave you when you were a little girl…LOL)
- Orange oil for cooking: Orange oil is utilized in many homes for cooking and baking providing orange essence.
- Orange oil for nervous system: Orange oil is beneficial in treatment of depression, irritability, anxiety, sadness, and insomnia with the help of essential orange oil massage, application before bath, and stove aromatherapy.
- Orange oil for circulatory system: Its helps in treatment of edema and cellulite with help of orange oil massage.
- Orange oil for digestive system: Treats dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence, and gastric spasm with the help of massage and warm compresses.
- Orange oil for excretory system: Relieves constipation, treats diarrhea, and eliminates toxins with orange oil massage and compresses.
REALLY?! Why didn’t I do this post when my kids were babies?! I had NO idea…
Now for some MORE orangey fun…DRINKS!!!
Thank you to
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/956/
- Jamba Juice Orange-A-Peel
Ingredients: scoops non-fat, vanilla flavored, frozen yogurt (frozen keeps smooth consistency while/after blending), banana (sliced), strawberries, orange juice, ice cubes
- Banana Orange Milkshake
Ingredients: sugar substitute or sugar, orange juice, plain fat-free yogurt, banana
- Orange Pineapple Crush
Ingredients: orange juice, orange juice PLUS, fresh pineapple slices, diet lemon-lime soda pop
- Orange-Pineapple Slush
Ingredients: ice cubes, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, sugar or sugar substitute
- Orange Slush
Ingredients: orange juice, bananas, maraschino cherries, ice
- Hard Rock Cafe Orange Freeze
Ingredients: orange sherbet or sorbet, orange juice, milk, sprig fresh spearmint
- Creamsicle In A Glass
Ingredients: milk, container (8 oz. size) low-fat vanilla yogurt, frozen orange juice concentrate, sugar, vanilla extract, ice cubes
- Frosty Orange Cooler
Ingredients: orange juice, generous scoops orange sherbet, chilled ginger ale
- Creamsicle Frappe
Ingredients: chilled plain or carbonated water, orange juice, vanilla ice cream or non-dairy frozen milk, orange liqueur or undiluted orange juice concentrate
Who knew the zesty orange balls could be so much fun?! Now I’m going to get a ginormous bag to experiment with this week!
My personal TIP:
Toss the peels in your garbage disposal to keep the “funk” out.
Or toss the peels in your bath tub to create a calming and aromatic soak.
OR svove them in your mouth to make a great big orangey smile to make everyone laugh.
Go ahead folks, “Go ORANGE, after all it’s the NEW PINK!” ~E. Harting ;)
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