Scurvy Awareness. A Story About Ollie the Orange

 May 2nd is Scurvy Awareness Day. Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C and is still prevalent in certain populations around the world.

Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, and swollen gums. Thankfully, scurvy is easy to prevent by incorporating foods rich in vitamin C into your diet, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, peppers, and broccoli. Let's spread awareness about the importance of getting enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy! #ScurvyAwareness #VitaminC #HealthyDiet

Ollie, the Orange Fights Scurvy

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived an orange named Ollie. Ollie was a sweet, juicy, and plump orange who lived in a sunny orchard with his friends. He loved nothing more than basking in the sun and growing big and strong.

One day, while enjoying a sunny day in the orchard, Ollie overheard a group of fruits talking about a scary disease called scurvy. They said that scurvy happened when someone did not eat enough vitamin C and that it could cause a person to become very sick.

Ollie was a curious orange, and he wanted to learn more about this scary disease. So, he decided to ask the wise lemon who lived in the orchard.

The wise lemon told Ollie that vitamin C was very important for keeping our bodies healthy and strong. She said that fruits and vegetables were the best sources of vitamin C and that people who did not get enough of this vitamin could get sick with scurvy.

Ollie was very worried about the people who might get sick with scurvy. He knew he had to do something to help. So, Ollie gathered all of his vitamin C-rich friends, and they decided to team up and spread the word about the importance of eating foods rich in vitamin C.

Together, the fruits and vegetables made posters and held a rally in the town square. They sang songs and handed out oranges to everyone they met. They even talked to the news, who promised to spread the word about vitamin C and scurvy to all the people in the world.

Thanks to Ollie and his vitamin C-rich friends, the people of their community learned about the importance of eating foods rich in vitamin C, like the ones on their signs. They started to eat more fruits and vegetables, and scurvy became a thing of the past. And Ollie the Orange became a hero in the land, known for his bravery, kindness, and juicy goodness.

Ollie is Our Hero

Tomato Tales: From Garden to Table

Tomato Tales: From Garden to Table

Florida Tomatoes - So Delicious

Ten Health Benefits of Tomatoes
1. Tomatoes are the most concentrated food source of lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that may play a role in preventing and treating some cancers, such as colon, prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

2. Tomatoes are low in calories. One medium-sized tomato (about five ounces) has 25 calories, making it a great snack in a weight control program.

3. Tomatoes are high in Vitamin C. One cup tomato provides about 78 percent of the daily value (DV)1. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C helps the body resist infection and heal wounds.

4. Tomatoes are a good source of fiber. One cup of diced tomatoes provides 7.9 percent of the DV for fiber. Studies show fiber may lower high blood cholesterol levels, aid in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and help an individual feel full longer.

5. One cup of tomatoes contains 22.4 percent of the DV for vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in vision and night blindness.

6. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium (11.4% DV per one cup). Research indicates diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of heart disease and hypertension.

7. Tomatoes enhance the flavor and color of meals, making food more appealing.

8. Tomatoes contain chromium, a mineral associated with helping people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

9. Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is found in tomatoes. One cup of tomatoes provides 5.1 percent of the DV for riboflavin. Studies on riboflavin show that it may prevent migraines.

10. Tomatoes are a source of folate (6.8% DV per one cup). Folate has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and neurological defects in the fetus.

11. The Daily Value (DV) of foods comes from the Reference Daily Intake or Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). DV provides a frame of reference for evaluating the nutrients consumed.

Tomato Wellness – Snacks

Are you looking for some ideas of affordable, healthy snacks, that you can make out of products you already have in your cupboard? Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD stops in to show us some great easy treats that will keep your body nourished and provide you some great disease-fighting dishes that everyone will enjoy!

Growing Tomatoes


Recipes

Yellow Squash with Tomatoes 

John Denver sings about "Homegrown Tomatoes"
and includes suggestions on
How do you use them in your favorite recipes?

Tomato Food Photography

Mini Pizza with Spinach, Diced Tomato, Onions,
Butternut Squash, Blue Cheese, Oregano, Scallions

From Our Garden

 Gazpacho

Tabouli Salad with Grape Tomatoes and String Beans.
Canon EOS T3i; f/5.6; expt 1/25 sec; ISO 3200;
focal length 47 mm; artificial light;
78 calories/servings

Resources
Florida Tomatoes

Nutrition History: April 4, 1932 Vitamin C First Isolated Foods Rich in Vitamin C

On April 4, 1932, Vitamin C was first isolated by CC King at the University of Pittsburgh.

Food Sources. Vitamin C is abundant in many fruits and vegetables.

Health Benefits of Vitamin C
Numerous studies have been conducted on the health benefits of vitamin C, with many conflicting results. Vitamin C cannot prevent the common cold but may help reduce complications. It also helps in wound healing, aids in the absorption of iron, and promotes a healthy immune system.

Ways to Increase Vitamin C Intake:
•Add bell peppers, broccoli, collard greens, and tomatoes to pasta, rice, soup, or salad.
•Snack on strawberries, kiwi, oranges, or papaya.
•Add cabbage leaves and tomato slices to a sandwich.

Orange Sections with Blueberries

Columbus Day and a Look at Scurvy

On the evening of August 3, 1492, Columbus departed from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, with three ships: the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. The land was sighted on October 12, 1492. Columbus called the island San Salvador (today, it is known as the Bahamas).

Scurvy was a major health problem onboard Christopher Columbus's ships. Fresh fruits and vegetables were not taken on these long voyages due to spoilage. This resulted in a high incidence of scurvy among the sailors. The relationship between scurvy and Vitamin C has not been discovered yet.

The typical foods brought on these long journeys consisted of water, vinegar, wine, olive oil, molasses, honey, cheese, rice, almonds, salted flour, sea biscuits, dry legumes, salted and barreled sardines, anchovies, dry salt cod and pickled or salted meats (beef and pork). Fresh livestock, including pigs and chickens, were part of the ship's provisions. Fish was readily available.

Foods were commonly salted and pickled as a method of preserving food. The crew was served two meals a day. Foods were mostly boiled and served in a large wooden bowl. The sailors ate with their fingers because they had no forks or spoons. There was a lack of proper sanitation. Hand washing before meals was not required.

There is a legend that during one of Christopher Columbus's voyages, some sailors had scurvy and wanted to be dropped off at one of the nearby islands and die there rather than dying on board. While the men were on the island, they ate some of the island's fresh fruits and vegetables and to their amazement, began to recover. When Columbus's ships passed by several months later, the captain saw the men were alive and healthy. The island was named Curacao, meaning Cure.

Foods Rich in Vitamin C

Pirates For Sail talks about
Scurvy Awareness and Prevention

Filmed at Piratz Tavern, Silver Spring, MD 

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month Discover the Benefits, Planting Methods and Delicious Recipes

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month and 

Tomatoes are Low in Calories and rich in Vitamin C.

They are fun and easy to grow, indoors or outdoors.

Included:

*Nutrition Facts

*Florida Tomatoes

*10 Health Benefits of Tomatoes

*Corinne Dobbas, R.D. from Tomato Wellness

*John Denver singing "Homegrown Tomatoes" with suggestions on how to use them in your favorite recipes.
*Recipes by John Tanasychuk, Food Editor, Sun-Sentinel @FloridaEats, SUP: Florida Eats
*Resources

Nutrition Facts

Florida Tomatoes - So Delicious

Ten Health Benefits of Tomatoes
1. Tomatoes are the most concentrated food source of lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that may play a role in the prevention and treatment of some cancers, such as colon, prostrate, breast, lung and pancreatic cancers.

2. Tomatoes are low in calories. One medium-sized tomato (about five ounces) has 25 calories, a great snack to include on a weight control program.

3. Tomatoes are high in Vitamin C. One-cup tomato provides about 78 percent of the daily value (DV)1. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C helps the body resist infection and aides in wound healing.

4. Tomatoes are a good source of fiber. One cup of diced tomatoes provides 7.9 percent of the DV for fiber. Studies show fiber may lower high blood cholesterol levels, aid in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and help an individual feel full longer.

5. One cup of tomatoes contains 22.4 percent of the DV for vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in vision and night blindness.

6. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium (11.4% DV per one cup). Research indicates diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of heart disease and hypertension.

7. Tomatoes enhance the flavor and color of meals making food more appealing.

8. Tomatoes contain chromium; a mineral associated with helping people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

9. Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin is found in tomatoes. One cup of tomatoes provides 5.1 percent of the DV for riboflavin. Studies on riboflavin show they may prevent migraines.

10. Tomatoes are a source of folate (6.8% DV per one cup). Folate has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease and neurological defects in the fetus.

1 The Daily Value (DV) of foods comes from the Reference Daily Intake or Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). DV provides a frame of reference to evaluate the nutrients consumed.

Tomato Wellness – Big Red Surprise

Corinne Dobbas, R.D. gives some insight into the difference between fresh tomatoes, and tomatoes packaged as canned, paste, salsa, ketchup, marinara, etc.

Growing Tomatoes

 

Recipes
John Denver sings about "Homegrown Tomatoes" and includes
suggestions on how to use them in your favorite recipes. 

Time is ripe  by John Tanasychuk, Staff Writer, Sun-Sentinel
Tomatoes are making a comeback after Florida's winter freeze.

The article contains information on storage, handling, preparation and nutrition information. John includes 10 quick tomato recipes, including; one of my favorites, "Tomato Napoleons". To prepare cut peeled tomatoes into four crosswise slices. Layer with mascarpone cheese spiked with fresh dill and slivered smoked salmon. Serve on greens with toast. (Nutrition Information: 172 Calories; 8 g Protein; 18 g Carbohydrates; 3 g Dietary Fiber; 8 g Fat; 3.7 g Saturated Fat; 21 mg Cholesterol; 1229 IU Vitamin A; 24 mg Vitamin C; 97 IU Vitamin D ; 366 mg Potassium; 299 mg Sodium)

Resources
Florida Tomatoes
Tomato Products Wellness Council

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month Discover the Benefits, Planting Methods and Delicious Recipes

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month and 

April 6th is Fresh Tomato Day.

Tomatoes are Low in Calories and rich in Vitamin C.

They are fun and easy to grow, indoors or outdoors.

Florida Tomatoes - So Delicious

Ten Health Benefits of Tomatoes
1. Tomatoes are the most concentrated food source of lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that may play a role in the prevention and treatment of some cancers, such as colon, prostrate, breast, lung and pancreatic cancers.

2. Tomatoes are low in calories. One medium-sized tomato (about five ounces) has 25 calories, a great snack to include on a weight control program.

3. Tomatoes are high in Vitamin C. One-cup tomato provides about 78 percent of the daily value (DV)1. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C helps the body resist infection and aides in wound healing.

4. Tomatoes are a good source of fiber. One cup of diced tomatoes provides 7.9 percent of the DV for fiber. Studies show fiber may lower high blood cholesterol levels, aid in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and help an individual feel full longer.

5. One cup of tomatoes contains 22.4 percent of the DV for vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in vision and night blindness.

6. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium (11.4% DV per one cup). Research indicates diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of heart disease and hypertension.

7. Tomatoes enhance the flavor and color of meals making food more appealing.

8. Tomatoes contain chromium; a mineral associated with helping people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

9. Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin is found in tomatoes. One cup of tomatoes provides 5.1 percent of the DV for riboflavin. Studies on riboflavin show they may prevent migraines.

10. Tomatoes are a source of folate (6.8% DV per one cup). Folate has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease and neurological defects in the fetus.

1 The Daily Value (DV) of foods comes from the Reference Daily Intake or Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). DV provides a frame of reference to evaluate the nutrients consumed.

Tomato Wellness – Snacks

Are you looking for some ideas of affordable, healthy snacks, that you can make out of products you already have in your cupboard? Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD stops in to show us some great easy treats that will keep your body nourished and provide you some great disease fighting dishes that everyone will enjoy!

Growing Tomatoes

 

Recipes
Time is ripe  by John Tanasychuk, Staff Writer, Sun-Sentinel
Tomatoes are making a comeback after Florida's winter freeze.

The article contains information on storage, handling, preparation and nutrition information. John includes 10 quick tomato recipes, including; one of my favorites, "Tomato Napoleons". To prepare cut peeled tomatoes into four crosswise slices. Layer with mascarpone cheese spiked with fresh dill and slivered smoked salmon. Serve on greens with toast. (Nutrition Information: 172 Calories; 8 g Protein; 18 g Carbohydrates; 3 g Dietary Fiber; 8 g Fat; 3.7 g Saturated Fat; 21 mg Cholesterol; 1229 IU Vitamin A; 24 mg Vitamin C; 97 IU Vitamin D ; 366 mg Potassium; 299 mg Sodium)

Resources
Florida Tomatoes
Tomato Products Wellness Council

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month

April is Fresh Florida Tomato Month and today April 6th we celebrate Fresh Tomato Day.

Low in Calories and rich in Vitamin C. Tomatoes are fun and easy to grow, indoors or outdoors.

California Strawberry Day

California Strawberry Day, March 21, 2010
A delicious fruit rich in vitamin C, fiber and low in calories.

Strawberries are easy to grow indoors or outside. It's a fun family activity to plant, grow, harvest and eat.

National Nutrition Month
Nutrition from the Ground-up