Food, Recipe and Activity of the Week - December 2, 2007
This week's features include:
Food - Grapefruit
Recipe - Chicken and grapefruit stir-fry
Activity - Ice skating
History
Compared to most other fruits, the discovery of the grapefruit has been relatively recent. Growing in the tropical Caribbean island of Barbados, discovery of the grapefruit did not occur until the 18th century. Botanists believe that the grapefruit is actually a cross between the orange and the pomelo, which is a citrus fruit that was brought to Barbados from Indonesia in the 17th century.
Jamaica was where the name “grapefruit” was coined. They called the fruit this because they look like bunches of grapes as they grow on trees.
The U.S. was first introduced to grapefruits in the early part of the 1800’s. Florida was the first state to grow grapefruit trees and has now become the leading producer of grapefruits in the country. Other states that grow grapefruits are California, Arizona, and Texas. Other countries that grow grapefruits are Israel, South Africa, and Brazil.
Grapefruit Facts
Grapefruits come in three categories according to the color of their flesh: white, pink, or ruby. Their size ranges from four to six inches, and they either come with or without seeds. They are known for their tangy flavor that gives your mouth a little kick!
Nutrition
Grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to boost the immune system, particularly when fighting off colds. Several studies have shown that vitamin C may help reduce the severity of symptoms that can accompany a cold. Vitamin C also works as an antioxidant, preventing free radical damage that can cause inflammation. Therefore, vitamin C is associated with reductions in the incidence of heart attack, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Grapefruit is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber. This form of fiber helps trap cholesterol in the blood and prepare it for excretion from the body. This action helps lower cholesterol levels, making grapefruit particularly good for the heart and blood vessels.
Adapted from: The World’s Healthiest Foods
Nutrient Analysis of 1/2 grapefruit: calories: 37, fat: <1g, cholesterol: 0mg, protein: 1g, carbohydrate: 9g, fiber: 2g, sodium: 0mg
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 grapefruit, peeled
- 1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks in unsweetened pineapple juice
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut across the grain into slices
- 4 ounces snow peas, trimmed
- 2 scallions, sliced diagonally
Directions:
Peel the grapefruit and cut into sections, holding the fruit over a small bowl to catch the juice. Drain the pineapple well, reserving the juice. Put the pineapple juice and grapefruit juice into a measuring cup and add enough water to equal 1 cup. Add the cornstarch and soy sauce and stir until smooth.
In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Add the garlic and chicken and stir-fry for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Add the snow peas and cornstarch mixture; stir-fry until the sauce thickens and boils. Add the grapefruit, pineapple, and scallions; stir-fry until heated through.
Nutritonal Information per serving: 165 calories, 14 g protein, 20 g carbohydrate, 3 g fat, 31 mg cholesterol, 3 g dietary fiber, 82 mg sodium
Reprinted with permission from 5 a Day: The Better Health Cookbook by Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka and Barbara Berry
The oldest form of skate, which was a length of bone attached to sandals with thongs, dates back to 20,000 years B.C. The Dutch were some of the early pioneers of skating. For hundreds of years skating on ice was a rapid form of transportation and a means of communication. In the 13th century, the Dutch maintained communication by skating from village to village along frozen rivers and canals. Skating soon spread across the channel to England and here the first clubs and artificial rinks began springing up across the country. The first artificial rink (mechanically refrigerated) was built in 1876 at Chelsea, London, England. The sport of ice-skating soon spread across Europe and then reached North America.
Today, ice-skating is popular all over the world. Its popularity is enhanced by its presence in the Olympic Winter Games and as well as numerous other worldwide competitions. Three disciplines of skating are present at the Olympic Winter Games: Figure Skating, Speed Skating, and Short Track Speed Skating.
As ice-skating gains popularity more rinks are opening making it possible for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy this winter activity. The largest outdoor rink in the world is the Fujikyu Highland Promenade Rink in Japan, built in 1967. The rink has 165,750 feet of ice area, equal to 3.8 acres of ice.
A 150-pound person skating 9 mph can burn approximately 384 calories in one hour.
Be sure to consult a physician before beginning any new type of exercise.