Jane Blacker | Arizona Homeowner | Sept 2021 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 8 Issue 9

Should You Squeeze?

The Truth About Juicing

Apple Annie’s Orchard Willcox, AZ

Fall Minestrone GoodNes

LOCAL VENUE Apple Annie’s Orchard Willcox, AZ

GET JUICED W

e all know someone who swears by juicing. But many of us have never tried this trend and it always seems like you need some fancy expensive equipment to get started. And is it really healthy or should you just stick with whole foods? Here’s the squeeze on the juicing trend.

Step into autumn at Apple Annie’s Orchard.

Explore fruit orchards, produce farms and an authentic country store. Pick your own fruits and vegetables or stock up on freshly picked, ready-to-go options of apples, pears, peaches and more. Check the official calendar for special events such as craft fairs, the Sunflower Spectacular and My-Oh-My Apple Pie weekend.

Celebrate the venue’s all-out harvest season with pumpkin picking, hayrides and a 12.5-acre corn maze with more than 600 stalks. Get an early start to the day to beat the heat and fill up on a pancake breakfast at the Orchard Grill.

Source: AppleAnnies.com

Drinking freshly squeezed juice from fruits and vegetables does provide you with most of the vitamins, minerals, and healthy phytochemicals found in fresh produce, according to experts and studies. However, by only drinking juice, you’re not getting the fiber found in fruits and vegetables. And we all know that fiber is important for your digestive system and it helps you to feel full. Pure juice is also high in sugar, which isn’t great. So, yes, for those who do not eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, juicing may be a good way to get nutrients into their diets. For people who already eat lots of veggies, juicing may not be beneficial.

If you are going to try juicing, remember these tips. Fresh juice needs to be consumed quickly as it can develop bacteria (that’s why fresh juice at the store has to be pasteurized). So don’t let it sit around in the fridge for too long.

Next, rather than simply extracting the juice, try blending your produce into a smoothie. This retains the edible parts of the fruits and veggies. Experts say this is much healthier than simply drinking juice. Also, try to stick to green smoothies. Many green juice blends contain kale, Swiss chard, spinach, cucumber, wheatgrass, and celery, which are then mixed with some sweeter fruits to make the drink palatable (think apples, berries, or kiwis). A minimal amount of sugary fruit should suffice.

If you’re trying juicing, you may need a special juicer to extract the juice and separate out the unwanted parts of the fruits and veggies. These can range in price from simple less pricey manual juicers to large expensive machines. If you’re blending smoothies, any blender can be efficient though pricier machines such as Vitamix can tackle even tough veggies such as kale into a smooth puree in no time at all.

Overall, although juicing shouldn’t replace eating a healthy diet of whole foods, healthy green juice smoothies can provide you with vitamins and minerals and an easy way to get greens into the diet of picky eaters.

LIFEWISE

They make a gentle crackling sound as they burn, evoking the cozy comfort of a fireplace. This trend is popular with home candle makers, but a bit trickier to purchase in a ready-to-go candle. Local retailers may carry them in store, and websites such as Etsy have a wide selection.

C

andles have a special ability to transform the ambience of a home and create a relaxing environment. It’s no surprise, then, that these light-givers are a popular home décor item. The candle industry is always advancing to keep up with changing consumer preferences, resulting in new and creative candle trends. If you’re already a lover of candles or you’re curious to see what’s out there, try these top four trends and see what sparks your interest.

1) SAMPLE SCENTS – Candles haven’t been forgotten in the world of e-commerce. Online retailers offer exclusive deals for customers who want to mix things up. Subscription services such as Vellabox send out monthly candles in different scents to match the seasons. Wickbox sends candles every few weeks and asks for feedback to tailor your experience.

If you’re still searching for that signature scent or you enjoy burning a variety of candles, these are the perfect way to explore without commitment. They also make an excellent gift!

3) CUSTOMIZATION – Adding a personal touch to a candle is an ideal option for people who know what they like. Brands such as Yankee Candle allow customers to choose their own fragrance and include possible customization such as photos or phrases on the candle jar. Popular for special occasions like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, custom candles also can be a personal treat with all your favorite things.

4) UNEXPECTED SCENTS – Dreamy florals and bright citrus scents are tried-and-true candle classics, but brands have expanded their fragrance catalogue to include super specific scents. More masculine scents of leather, bourbon and rum have risen in popularity along with food scents like popcorn, tomato and macaron. Other fun fragrance options are designed to evoke a feeling of nostalgia, such as “Grandma’s Kitchen” full of nurturing spices or “Bookstore” with blends of coffee, mahogany and earthy smells.

2) WOODEN WICKS – Wooden wicks add an element of luxury to the candle-burning experience. Unlike the usual wicks made of braided cotton, wooden wicks create a horizontal flame that burns slower but heats candles quicker, creating a better scent throw. Another reason to love wooden wicks?

FLAVORFUL

Fall Minestrone INGREDIENTS ½ cup

Chopped pancetta

1 can Diced tomatoes, undrained

2 tbs

Extra virgin olive oil

1 can

Kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup

Finely chopped onion

1 can

Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup

Diced carrots

1 tbs

Chicken Flavor Bouillon

Diced celery

½ cup

Dry macaroni or ditalini pasta

¾ cup

5 cups Water

2 cups Cut green beans

DIRECTIONS Heat a Dutch oven or large pot over high heat. Add pancetta and oil; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes or until pancetta is crispy.

Add onion, carrots and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is translucent. Stir in water, tomatoes and juice, kidney beans, cannellini beans and bouillon.

Bring to a boil. Add pasta; cook for 8 minutes. Add green beans; cook for 7 minutes. Serve immediately.

GoodNes.com

J

ane Blacker has been a widely-respected member of the Valley of the Sun real estate industry since 2000. With over 30 years as a real estate professional, her

track record remains spotless-something she attributes to always placing her clients’ interests first, providing unsurpassed service, meticulous attention to detail, and staying abreast of market trends and changes affecting the real estate industry.

Jane joined Russ Lyon Realty Company in March 2001. She achieved a topproducer ranking within two years and continues to be a top producer with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Originally from England, her career in real estate began when she joined a commercial real estate company in London and worked for ten years as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner.

Her many community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. In 2013 and 2014 Jane was recognized by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding contributions to the community and has been the recipient of two prestigious business volunteer awards.

Jane Blacker REALTOR | SRES

Cell 480.283.3009 Fax 480.624.3711 Jane.Blacker@RussLyon.com Call Jane today if you are thinking about a new home!

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by Prime Source & DLP • 480.921.0511 • PrimeSourceAZ.com

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