Informative
Introducing our New Earthling Subscribe Program! 0
Save time ordering the food you love and sign up for our Earthling Subscribe program! You can get your food when you want it, without the hassle of re-ordering each time you need your favorite food or snack, and at a lower price, too!
How does it work?
You can set up your scheduled orders and delivery of your favorite products however often you want them. You will immediately save 5% when you set up your subscription, and then 15% on each subsequent order for that particular product(s). Be aware that discounts may vary based on what food you choose.
You can set up your Earthling Subscribe account easily, and add in the food you want in your mailbox each week or month - You Choose! It’s all so easy and convenient. Once you’ve started the subscription, you can change the frequency or cancel the subscription (which you can do after you’ve ordered 3 total times, using our Earthling Subscribe program). You can also skip orders, up to 7 - in case you don’t need any that week or month, or if you need a little more time to eat what you have at home.
Our new Earthling Subscribe program will automatically create a new order, based on how often you want your fruits and veggies, according to your delivery schedule (which you set up yourself), until you cancel.
All the details aside, it’s exciting that we can now offer you a program that can allow you to order the food you want, when you want it, and without the hassle of sitting down and ordering each time you want it. It’s all done automatically to save you time, money, and hunger. Get what you crave without all the hassle! Get your spices without waiting! Get your hiking and outdoors food without wondering if it’s in stock!
The Origin of Memorial Day 0
Memorial Day is set aside to remember the soldiers who lost their lives in dedication for the service to their country. Memorial Day [1] can be traced back to May 30, 1868, where it was first observed after a proclamation by General John A. Logan.
General Logan was a member of the organization of former soldiers and sailors of the Grand Army of the Republic. During the first commemoration, or Decoration Day, the first speech was made by Ohio Congressman, James Garfield. James also happened to be a former Union General. After the speech, more than 5,000 people who had attended the proceedings helped to decorate more than 20,000 the graves of former Confederate soldiers that day.
Inspiration Behind its Observance
Various towns across the United States of America had been observing the Memorial Day for the past 3 years after the end of the Civil War. New York was the first state in the country to officially recognize this day as a holiday in 1873. A few years later, more communities and cities started to observe the day as well. By the late 1800s, more states had already declared it as an official holiday. By the end of the World War I, Memorial Day became a day used to honor all the soldiers who had died in serving the USA military in different wars.
When Is Memorial Day?
Congress established Memorial Day in 1971 through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, meaning that Memorial Day was now an official holiday in the USA. The holiday is celebrated on the last Monday in May[2]; however, there are a few southern states that have set aside an additional day to honor the Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War.
Confederate Memorial Day
Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on January 19 in Texas. Arkansas honor it on the 3rd Monday in January, while Alabama honors it on the 4th Monday in April. Florida and Georgia have set aside April 26th to honor this day, while North Carolina and South Carolina honor it on May 10th. Virginia honors it on the last Monday in May, while Tennessee and Louisiana honor it in June 3rd.
Memorial Day is officially commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery in a ceremony presided over by the Vice President or President of the United States. The leader in attendance places a flag on the grave of an unknown soldier. Participants in the ceremony place a small American flag on each grave at the cemetery. It is estimated that more than 5,000 people attend the event each year.
Some Things You May Not Know About the Origin of Memorial Day
- It May Have Some Ancient Roots
Although the very first commemorative event was not held until the late 19th century, the practice to honor [3] those who have died in battle can be traced back to thousands of years ago. Ancient Romans and Greeks held annual remembrance days to remember their loved ones, including soldiers. They held the events once a year and placed flowers on the graves. They also held public feasts and festivals each year on the day set aside for these festivities. In Athens, the populace would hold public funerals for their fallen soldiers at the end of each battle.
The remains of those who had passed away in battle would be displayed in public for mourning before they could be taken for internment through a public procession.
- One of the Earliest Memorial Day Commemorations Was Organized by Recently Freed Slaves
When the Civil War ended, soldiers, who had been held as prisoners, assembled in camps spread all over Charleston, South Carolina. The conditions in some of these hastily assembled camps were so bad that more than 250 prisoners eventually died, caused by disease and exposure. They were later on buried in a mass grave located behind the camp. Less than 3 weeks later, an unusual procession made its way into the former prisoner camp. On May 1, 1865, more than a 1,000 recently freed slaves, a handful of white Charlestonians, and regiments of U.S colored troops gathered at the camp to give the deceased a proper burial. During the burial, the recently freed slaves distributed flowers, gave readings, and sang hymns.
The Foundation of the Memorial Day
As mentioned earlier, Memorial Day’s beginning can be traced back to General John A Logan. He meant to honor the lives of the more than 620,000[4] soldiers who had died or had been killed in the Civil War.
Legend has it that General Logan chose this day because it was a day that did not fall on any anniversary used to commemorate the Civil War. But, some historians believe this day was selected because it was when flowers across the country would be in full bloom.
When the Civil War ended, General Logan, a war veteran, returned back to his former political career. It is worth noting that he had earlier on served as a US congressman before resigning to rejoin the army. He would later be elected to serve in both the Senate and House. He passed away in 1886, after unsuccessfully vying for Republican Vice President 2 years earlier. His body was laid in state at the Rotunda in the U.S Capitol. Logan Circle in Washington D.C., together with other towns spread across the country, has been named in honor of this legend who issued the celebrated Memorial Day.
References
The Evolution of the Strawberry 0
Summer would never be complete without a bowl of ice-cream with strawberries. The strawberry is a cultivar, meaning simply that it has been greatly altered from its wild form, likely smaller than today’s varieties. The new varieties are crossbred for greater resistance to disease and reliability. The evolution of the strawberry is one that until now, researchers knows little about.
The History of the Strawberry
The strawberry
is native to North America. The Native American Indians used strawberries in
various dishes. The first garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) grew in Brittany, France in the 18th century. It
was across the Fragaria chiloensis[1]
from Chile and the Fragaria virginiana [2]
brought from North America by the first colonists.
Previously, the fruit was sourced from wild
strawberries and some cultivated selections obtained from the wild species. The
fruit appeared in the ancient Roman literature for its medicinal use. During
the 14th century, the French started transplanting strawberries from the forest
to the gardens for harvesting. The Western European monks used wild
strawberries in illuminated manuscripts in the 15th century. The strawberry is
also traced in Flemish, German, and Italian art, as well as the English
miniatures.
Strawberry cultivation became more popular in the 16th century, and people used it for medicinal properties, including treating depressive illnesses. Botanists started to name the different species, and in 1972, a French excursion traveled to Chile and introduced North American female plant, which brought to existence the modern strawberry.
Cultivation
Earnest cultivation of the strawberry began in the early 19th century, after strawberries with cream became a luxurious dessert. With the advent of the railroad, New York became the strawberry hub, shipping the plant in railroad cars. The cultivation spread to Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida. Today, California produces 75% of strawberries.
Strawberry cultivars come in various shapes, sizes, flavors, colors, the season of ripening, degree of fertility, the constitution of plant and liability to disease [3]. The flower’s structure is hermaphroditic - functions as female or male.
There are two cultivation models: the perennial system of mounds or matted rows/ annual plasticulture [4]. The plasticulture method is mostly used for bulk production, using plastic covers to prevent erosion and weeds. The strawberry plant takes one to two years to decline in fruit quality and productivity in the commercial plasticulture system; therefore, plants are replaced annually for denser plantings and better yields. The perennial system, mostly used in colder climates, utilizes the same plants for years. Its production cost and yields are lower than in the plasticulture method.
Strawberries can be grown in strawberry pots indoors; however, the plant might not grow naturally in the winter, but the LED lighting in the combination of red and blue light can promote growth during the winter.
The Quest to Bring the Strawberry Glory Back
Odds are at one point you have been disappointed by some strawberries that have lost flavor. The supermarket strawberries are mostly bred for color, size, disease resistance, and shelf life. Breeders are in the quest to make the strawberry taste as good as it used to.
In 1892, Thomas Laxton bred the American hardiness with the European flavor to cultivate the Royal Sovereign, an exceptionally delicious strawberry; however, the Royal Sovereign showed signs of disease in the 1930s and was superseded commercially.
The
flavor gets more complicated, because it includes various components, including
sugar content, texture, the aroma, and type of sugars (derived from a range of
genes that rely on one another). Isolating the flavor trait is not entirely
impossible. Identifying the ideal flavor chemical structure is the first step,
involving the genome discovery of the parent plant and building a database for
the gene codes for the flavor trait.
The flavor is also determined by the time of picking. A strawberry picked at
its peak ripeness will always taste better than strawberries picked before they
are well ripened.
Strawberries in Cuisine
In ancient times, wild strawberries were eaten in small quantities since they were tough, small, or lacking in taste. In the modern day, strawberries are tasty eaten off the stem or when incorporated in various dishes fresh or cooked: pies, tarts, quick bread, muffins, preserves, jellies, sauces, and jams. Fresh berries are suitable for smoothies, wine, sangria, and salads.
Although growing strawberries is seasonal, they can be frozen for future consumption. Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies, as are our Freeze Dried Sliced or Whole Strawberries. We've got you covered. You can get high quality freeze-dried strawberries from Mother Earth products today.
References
A History of Saint Patrick’s Day: Toast to Everything Irish 0
On March 17th, Ireland honors the foremost saint of Ireland - St. Patrick. Honoring St. Patrick has become a global celebration. In the United States alone, approximately 39.6 million people, seven times Ireland’s population, celebrate Irish heritage.1 These celebrations have a distinct Irish vibe, which includes drinking, wearing green, and parades.
Here’s a quick glance at the history of Saint Patrick’s Day and everything that goes with it.
Who was St. Patrick?
Maewyn Succat, alias Patrick, was born to a wealthy family in Scotland. At 16, he was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland. Years later, he fled, claiming God told him to escape from his captors, using a boat that waited at the shore to take him home.2 Years later, he travelled back to Ireland as a priest named Patrick, where he spent his life converting the Irish from Celtic paganism to Christianity.
Legend says that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. According to the belief, snakes attacked him while he was fasting, and he chased them all to the ocean. The story explains the absence of snakes in Ireland since the post-glacial period.3 Saint Patrick is believed to have died on March 17th in the fifth century.1
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day was a religious holiday in Ireland. The Irish laws dictated that pubs remain closed on March 17th - until the 1970s. Then, the government began using St. Patrick’s Day to showcase the Irish culture to drive tourism. Over a million people travel to Ireland annually to take part in the St. Patrick’s festival held in Dublin, which features concerts, parades, fireworks, and outdoor theatre productions.3
The first parade in the history of St. Patrick’s Day was held in the United States by Irish soldiers in the English military. They marched along the streets of New York City playing music together with fellow Irishmen. Since then, Irish patriotism among American immigrants has flourished. Every year, millions of people watch parades, including the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with participants exceeding 150,000.3
Various cities developed different traditions to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as the Irish immigrants dispersed in the United States. For instance, dyeing the Chicago River green has been done since 1962.1
Chicago’s pollution control team traced illegal sewage using green dye, when they discovered it could be a great way to celebrate the holiday. With the aim of reducing environmental pollution, 40 pounds of vegetable dye is used to turn the river green for several hours.
Wearing Green
Wearing green attire, green accessories, or shamrocks is customary on St. Patricks Day; however, blue was the first color associated with the holiday, leading to the origin of the St. Patricks blue, a color that is widely used in Ireland. So, where did the green obsession come from?
Based on the history of St Patrick’s Day, the saint used the three leaves of legendary shamrock, a native Irish plant, to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish.3 Green is further associated with the green flag, from the 1640s, of the Irish Catholic Confederation. Another reason why green is used is Ireland's nickname - The Emerald Isle.1
St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Although cabbage and corned beef is not a traditional Irish dish, it is a significant meal in the history of St. Patrick’s Day. The Irishmen would probably have served potatoes and bacon or pork. However, the Irish immigrants in America substituted bacon with corned beef. which was the cheaper option. Most restaurants worldwide serve Irish meals and beverages to celebrate the holiday.
Those who are not big fans of cabbage and corned beef are known to incorporate Irish delicacies to their menus, including Irish potatoes and Irish soda bread. Great ideas for desserts with an Irish touch include: whiskey added to chocolate cake and bread pudding from soda bread. Guinness is also a must, and is the most popular beer in Ireland.
Amazing Destinations for St. Patrick’s Celebrations
Dublin immerses the traveller into the Irish St. Patrick’s Day experience with numerous activities. One can learn about Ireland’s culture and see the stunning iconic buildings, enjoy a stroll in the streets illuminated in green and watch Irish dances, and indulge in the thrilling boat races on River Liffey.
New York City hosts the world’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade takes place along the Fifth Avenue, which is home to Central Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
London is also one of the largest hosts of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. There are numerous Irish themed restaurants offering Irish food and Guinness, and the spectacular St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts in Piccadilly. Trafalgar Square also hosts the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
Authentic Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
You may want to break the routine and indulge in new ways to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day.
If you feel like spending the day indoors, here are some great Ireland films will give you a clue of what being Irish entails. Brooklyn and Leap Year are some remarkable films from and about Ireland, as well as Dare to Be Wild (about the first Irish woman to win the Chelsea Flower Show).
It is always a good time to learn new things. Dig into the history of St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland. You might be surprised about how diverse culture is. Learn how the world operated in ancient times up to date. How about adding to your language with some Irish words? "Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!" meaning "Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!" might be a good start.
You could also participate in the various Shamrock-themed races or marathons held on St. Patricks Day. Buy some green outfits and race. It is a good way to burn some calories.
Look up some Irish recipes and host some friends for lunch or dinner. You never know, you may find new recipes to add to your daily lifestyle. Challenge yourself to make your St. Patrick’s Day fun as you celebrate the Irish history and heritage. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Mother Earth Products.
References
The Dark History of Valentine's Day You Never Saw Coming 0
Raise your hand if this sounds like you: The second you flip your calendar from January to February, you can't help but get all worked up. Sure, the fact that you pulled off January in one piece (or stuck to most of your New Year's resolutions) is enough of a cause to get all pumped up, but the real reason you're buzzing with excitement is because February is the month of love and all things chocolate and strawberries.
But, have you ever wondered why February 14th was designated as the “Day of Love”? Is there an uber-romantic story that made this day so special that millions of people feel obliged to flock to florists and candy shops to show a sign of their affection? Well, to our surprise (and possibly, yours), there is a story behind Valentine’s Day's roots, but it isn't exactly fairy-tale-like.
In fact, the history of Valentine's Day is mostly dark -if not gory. The day has seen its fair share of drama, sadness, and even death. If you want to know more about the origins of Valentine’s Day, this short “trip” down history lane will make you appreciate the way we celebrate the “Day of Love” now.
What Is Valentine's Day?
Celebrated on February 14th, Valentine's Day is the “official” day to celebrate love, but not just one type of love. We're talking about all kinds of affection here, whether that's the romantic or platonic or the type that says: “I care about you, and I'd do anything to make you happy.” With that in mind, Valentine’s Day isn't just a day to shower your significant other with over-the-top statements (and possibly gifts), but a time to show everyone who's special to you that you care and would do anything for them.
The (False) Roman Origins
We don't know if you've heard the story, but according to modern historians, Valentine's Day has its roots in an ancient Roman celebration, known as Lupercalia(1). The festival took place in the city of Rome and lasted about two days, from 13th to 15th of February. Part of the festivities included a ritual during which Roman priests whipped young women with thongs of blood-drenched skin stripped off of two freshly killed animals. As crazy as it sounds, this sort of “spanking” made women fertile.
But, here comes the interesting part. While many claim the Roman tradition was the reason Valentine's Day came to be, the truth is that there's no evidence of any link between the two celebrations. In fact, it wasn't until the 14th century that Valentine’s Day was shaped into the romantic festivity we know today – which brings us to the next point.
The Chaucer Flair
If it wasn't the Romans who started the whole Valentine's Day thing, then who was it? Well, according to Jack B. Oruch(2), the English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer(3), was the first person to ever associate St. Valentine with romance in one of his poems. Specifically, he wrote:
"For this was on St. Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."
Geoffrey Chaucer
The poet links St. Valentine to a specific day on which lovebirds get to express their affection for their mates or loved ones (that's Valentine’s Day, btw). So, this is how Valentine's Day came to be. Now, the real question is: Who was this St. Valentine Chaucer was referring to, and how did February 14th came into the picture?
So, Who Was Saint Valentine?
Since there are a lot of theories(4) surrounding Saint Valentine and his life andwork, it's a bit tricky to identify the actual man behind the holiday. However, the one version that hits home with most people depicts the Saint as a priest who lived during the 3rd century AD.
Valentine was at the top of his game while Claudius II ruled Rome. Lore has it that the Emperor was nothing short of bellicose and vindictive, which is why he forbade couples from getting married. He thought that using this way would encourage men to join the army as single men, making better soldiers (again, his thoughts!).
Being the caring person that he was, Valentine went against the Emperor's orders and kept marrying couples in secret, while spreading the word of God. Of course, when Claudius II found out about the priest's illegal activities, he threw him in jail and sentenced him to death. Valentine’s life came to an abrupt end on February 14th, which is where “Valentine's Day” got its name from. One variation of the story also says that while in prison, the Saint fell in love with the jailer's daughter to whom he sent a love letter signed under “Your Valentine.”
Making Things Official
Even though Saint Valentine was killed for supporting his Christian beliefs, it took a while for the Catholic Church to recognize his efforts and contribution to the religion's cause. In fact, it wasn't until 496 A.D. that Pope Gelasius(5) declared February 14th as the First Feast Day of Saint Valentine. The real question in this case, though, is whether the Pope did this to actually honor the martyr, or just to put an end to the paganistic ways of Lupercalia.
Valentine's Day in the 20th Century
Torture, imprisonment, and bloody rituals aside, Valentine's Day's connection to deadly incidents was far from over at the dawn of the 20th century. On February 14, 1929, two rival gangs turned Chicago into a war zone as 7 men affiliated to George Moran's gang were gunned down as they were standing lined up outside a garage.
Reports say that about 70 rounds of ammunition were fired. This small detail shows the brutality of the crime, proving it wasn't your ordinary hit-and-run. And even though there was no concrete evidence, Moran knew Capone was behind the brutal massacre. Of course, due to the lack of evidence, no one was brought to trial. The incident is known today as the “Valentine's Day Massacre”(6).
Final Thoughts
As you see, the history of Valentine's Day isn't as lovey-dovey as we would have thought. On the contrary, the celebration is linked to many blood soaked incidents, which have left their mark in history (sometimes, in the worst of ways). But, despite all these, Valentine’s Day was engraved in everyone's mind as the one day in the year it's all right to go overboard - all in the name of love. So, whether you're planning a romantic dinner at home or want to spend the whole day outside with your boo (or beau), we're just here to say “Happy Valentine's Day.”
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lupercalia
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/2847741?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
- http://obituaries.ljworld.com/obituaries/ljworld/obituary.aspx?n=jack-b-oruch&pid=169665717
- https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159
- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded
- https://www.history.com/topics/crime/saint-valentines-day-massacre
5 Easy Ways to Use Organic Freeze Dried Fruit (and Non-Organic) in Your Meals 0
Dried fruit’s water content is removed through dehydrators, specialized dryers, or naturally. The use of freeze dried fruit has been with us for centuries and seeing it happen today is not a new thing, but something we choose to do differently.If you are already used to cereals, adding a new recipe to your morning routine with organic freeze dried fruit may give you the energy to last you through day. Instead of gambling on processed cereals, grab different freeze dried fruits and fix your breakfast or lunch to enjoy all essential nutrients.
Make Quick Breakfast with Freeze Dried Fruits
Tossing your choice of freeze dried fruit on pancakes adds flavor and texture, leaving you with a fruity taste to tantalize your taste buds. You have a wide selection of menus to pick from, like freeze dried strawberries.
Or you can use organic freeze dried blueberries and enjoy their antioxidant properties. If you choose muffins for breakfast instead, with blueberries, add a little water to let the fruits soak up the moisture. Keep the blueberries or any freeze dried fruit from the pan when baking.
Cereal in the morning sounds like everybody’s favorite. Make it more interesting by getting some freeze dried bananas, which soften the moment you add milk. Try the bananas with oatmeal to get a natural sweet, fruity taste.
Brighten Your Desserts
Freeze dried fruits are delicious and healthy snacks. It does not matter if you are looking for dessert decorations, adding flavor to your cake, or you want to treat your family to something new and healthy using organic freeze dried fruit - there are plenty of options.
You can choose different freeze dried fruits to brighten desserts without much effort. Freeze dried fruits retain shape and color and maintain that spectacular look in your favorite snack. If you are an oatmeal cookie fan, you can forget about the raisins, and pick any of the following freeze dried fruits, like organic blueberries, apples, and organic freeze dried strawberries. All these freeze dried fruits will give you more flavor and brighten the base with colors that resemble fresh fruits.
If you’re looking for a better way of brightening your baking tray, try using freeze dried fruit slices to give the desired effect. If the tray is bigger, you only have to add a variety of freeze dried fruits to add more texture. Your snack presentation won’t fail if you decide to garnish the snack using whole fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, and countless other fruity options.
Make Smoothies
The use of freeze dried fruit is an excellent way of making healthy smoothies packed with extra nutrients and flavor. Smoothies work well with freeze dried apples and bananas. Keep it simple and go light on the sweeteners. The most direct way of making a fruit smoothie is to use whole fresh frozen fruits or crush them to make blending an easy task. Make your smoothie healthy by increasing the antioxidants levels by using organic freeze dried blueberries, or make a cocktail of freeze dried bananas, freeze dried apples, and freeze dried blueberries and boost your nutrition and flavor.
Infuse in Your Water
Nutrient infused water has a refreshing kick. Infusing is convenient. Select your fruit flavor, add it in water, and without much effort, you have flavored water. Infusing drinks is not limited to water; try soda, soda water, and freeze dried raspberries or any other favorite freeze dried fruit. For an extra dose of healthy, try our organic freeze dried fruit.
Baking
Anything that can be baked, from muffins to cookies, can include freeze dried fruits as ingredients, because these fruits do not have moisture that may change the consistency of the mix. Using fresh fruits will make soggy products. When baking with freeze dried fruits, you can choose to use large slices or finer pieces. If you are a muffin or cake lover, go for the coarsely chopped freeze dried fruits. For others, like candy bars, grind the fruits into smaller pieces. For a recipe that includes both sugar and freeze dried fruit, it is best to get the right combination of both before mixing it with other baking ingredients.
All the techniques you will use on one particular freeze dried fruit when baking applies to any other any other organic freeze dried fruit.
More about Freeze Dried Fruits
To get the best freeze dried fruit experience, whether it's breakfast or snack, make sure you use your favorite fruit. The truth about using freeze dried fruit is a good option, because you are consuming the whole fruit: no additives, no preservatives, or no sweeteners. The most impressive thing about the freeze dried meals is that you don't have to wait for designated meal times; all you have to do is to enjoy.
When looking to stock freeze dried produce, note that you are adding more than flavor to your delicacies or drink. The freeze drying process creates long term food storage options. That makes it easy to buy in bulk and store in case of an emergency food supply. You no longer have to worry when guest or friends visit you. Whipping up something without having to go through the rigorous exercise of cooking means your snacks will be ready in time, because no time is wasted on preparation and cleanup.
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References
- http://www.mercerfoods.com/2016/11/08/ways-to-use-organic-freeze-dried-fruit/
- https://blog.nuts.com/6-creative-ways-to-use-freeze-dried-fruit/
- http://bakingbites.com/2017/02/how-to-use-freeze-dried-fruit-in-baking/
- https://www.talentedladiesclub.com/articles/three-tasty-ways-use-freeze-dried-fruit-everyday-snacks/
