Mon Jan 7, 2008 8:02am EST

Celebrity Chef Offers Tips to Incorporate More Citrus in the New Year

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- After weathering a harsh frost in 2007, delicious California Navel Oranges are back in season and bursting with sweet solutions to "citrus-ize" the New Year. Trucks loaded with overflowing crates of juicy California navel oranges are rolling up to grocery stores across the country, a tribute to Mother Nature's goodness and the hard work of California Orange Growers. Primed to perfection by this season's warm, California sunshine, rich soil and ideal growing conditions, this season's crop is plentiful and especially sweet.
Peak season is a great time to experiment with California Navel Oranges and learn to incorporate them into your new year. Although most people think of citrus in sliced and wedged form, they are versatile fruits that provide a plethora of health benefits however you choose to use them.
Chef Jill Davie, Food Network The Next Iron Chef finalist and Chef de
Cuisine of Josie in Santa Monica, CA notes, "As a chef, understanding the
seasons brings a sense of structure, rhythm and rightness to my cooking. I love infusing fresh ingredients into my menu, in particular, seasonal
ingredients that make sense for the palate. California Navel Oranges offer a unique versatility, from their sweet and tangy taste and vibrant color to
their wonderful nutritional benefits -- each orange providing 130% of the
recommended daily value of Vitamin C. I stock my pantry full with fresh
oranges always sure to use them when creating sweet and savory pairings and they are natural addition to my fresh citrus marinades."

In addition, Chef Davie offers the following tips to help "citrus-ize" the
New Year.
1. Whittle Your Waistline -- If losing weight or adopting a healthier
lifestyle is one of your New Year's resolutions, try citrus-izing your
diet! California Navel Oranges are helpful to dieters as they are low
in calories and contain cholesterol-fighting fiber. Studies show that
people who eat fruit such as lemons, tangerines, oranges and other
whole foods, tend to eat less at subsequent meals, compared to people
who eat "lighter, more calorie-dense foods" such as chips, snack
crackers, desserts or candy. Start substituting an orange for your
breakfast doughnut or bag of chips at lunch, and simply watch the
pounds drop.

2. Defend Yourself -- from colds, that is! As the old saying goes,
"mother knows best." And coincidentally, Mother Nature has timed peak
season for California Navel Oranges to coincide with cold and flu
season. The juicy fruits are chock-full of Vitamin C, an excellent
immunity booster. One California Navel provides 130% of your daily
value of Vitamin C. And because Vitamin C can't be stored in the body,
it is important to constantly replenish yourself regularly. Try an
orange a day to keep pesky colds away.

3. "Scentsational" Citrus-izing -- Let the energizing scent of oranges
carry you through the sluggish winter months. Save and dry your orange
peels and add them to your favorite potpourri. The citrus scent is
subtle, yet effective enough to freshen up any room.

4. Pretty In ... Orange? -- Try using oranges in your homemade beauty
remedies. As reported by getacnetreatment.net, oranges have been known
to prevent acne, so mix a tablespoon of fresh-squeezed California
orange juice with a cup of plain yogurt for an effective face mask.
Add a few more drops of juice to one cup of mineral water for a
purifying facial astringent.

5. Sweet Tooth Satisfaction -- Oranges for dessert? It's more sensible
than you think. Now that so many fruits are out of season, substitute
California Navel Oranges in your chocolate fondue. Use orange section
wedges to decorate a cake. Or, for a lighter, guilt-free indulgence,
simply top your orange wedges with a dollop of low-fat whipped
topping.

6. Citrus-ize Your Spa -- Look to citrus to create your own inexpensive,
yet wholly relaxing home spa. Drop fresh orange peels or orange slices
and a cup of oatmeal into your bathwater for a revitalizing, aromatic,
citrus spa experience.

7. Table Toppers -- Put away your flower vase and brighten your home with
an eye-popping seasonal fruit bowl. Oranges make fantastic accents
against the yellows and greens of grapefruits, lemons, and pears. The
color palate is naturally warming and invigorating -- a perfect
defense against a cold, gray winter. And the best part? Your decor
tastes as good as it looks!

8. Make Your Home Citrus Clean -- Orange-incorporated cleaning products
are a rising trend because they clean your home without the
overpowering, chemical scent. For a chemical-free way to freshen your
kitchen, run a few orange quarters and half a cup of baking soda down
your garbage disposal to neutralize unwanted odors. Microwave smelly
sponges for 30 seconds in a bowl of water with the juice of one orange
slice, and dispel unwanted odors and bacteria from your dishes and
countertops.

9. Don't Forget the Kids -- California Navel Oranges are sturdy, portable and easy to peel, making them a perfect addition to your kids' lunch bags. With child obesity rates on the rise, it is more important than ever to encourage a balanced diet at an early age. Infants and toddlers can also reap the benefits of oranges. Feed them orange slices or freshly squeezed orange juice to prevent infant scurvy.

10. Citrus-ize Your Cookbook -- Adding the juice or zest from a California Navel Orange can add a refreshing and healthy kick to traditional recipes. Chef Jill Davie says, "This time of year, I love to be creative with navel oranges in my cooking. The robust flavor of this versatile fruit pairs wonderfully with rich seasonal dishes, while adding a dose of wellness with every bite. I enjoy mixing orange juice into my favorite marinades or vinaigrettes for a refreshingly sweet burst of citrus flavor." Starting January 14th you can find more citrus recipes and tips at www.devouroranges.com.


With all its practical and physical benefits, it only makes sense to Citrus-ize this season. Take advantage of the healthy harvest and get creative. You may find even more ways to benefit from oranges. Resolve to citrus-ize your life this year, and you might find that it's a fun and easy resolution to keep!
Media Contact:
Tran Ngo
Manning Selvage & Lee
323-866-6000
tran.ngo@mslpr.com

Mary Dacuma
323.866.6000
marydacuma@mslpr.com

SOURCE California Orange Growers

Tran Ngo, tran.ngo@mslpr.com, or Mary Dacuma, marydacuma@mslpr.com, both of Manning Selvage & Lee, +1-323-866-6000, for California Orange Growers