Apr 15, 2012

The 10 best Organic Fruit drinks and how to make this healthy food daily


Since the dawn of civilization, man has known the myriad health benefits and nutritional properties of fruits. When consumed in their natural form, fruits are a rich source of numerous vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes that bolster the immune system and ensure a healthy and functioning constitution. Fruit juices that are freshly made retain all the key nutrients and vitamins that are contained in fruits. However, due to large-scale consumerism, most beverages and fruit juices that are mass-produced today have very little nutritional value. This is due to the fact that most bottled beverages that come in the guise of “fruit juices”, contains water and artificial sweetening agents. These so called “fruit juices” contain very little nutritional value and are often discounted as junk fruit beverages.

Organic fruit drinks on the other hand are the real deal. A consumer of organic fruit drinks can be rest assured that at least ninety five per cent of the ingredients that have been used in its production are organic. Mentioned below are 10 best organic fruit drinks that are both quick and easy to make in the comfort of your own home.
01. Apple Juice
The popular adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” holds true even today. Apples are a rich source of iron and antioxidants in the body. While iron combats deficiency diseases such as anemia, the presence of antioxidants prevents the onset of such life threatening diseases such as cancer in the body. All you need is 3 large apples.
Method – Cut out the stems and place the apples in a juicer. Use a mix of sweet and tart apples to create a delectable apple flavor. The peels are an abundant source of an antioxidant known as Flavonoids. Hence, juicing the peels would greatly increase the antioxidant content of the juice and give it a nice frothy consistency.
02. Fresh Orange Juice
In addition to high antioxidant content, oranges are a veritable source of vitamin C in the body. Regular intake of orange juice is beneficial in many ways.
Method – Peel 5 large oranges and while doing so ensure that the white piths remain. The pith of the orange is packed with antioxidants known as Flavonoids, which are extremely beneficial for the body. All you have to do is peel, juice and enjoy a tall refreshing glass of fresh organic orange juice.
03. Passion fruit Smoothie
Everyone’s favorite fruit of choice, the kiwi fruit is a treat packed with nutrients. A rich source of vitamin C, the kiwi fruit makes for a deliciously refreshing fruit drink. You just need 3 kiwis and 2 cups of fresh blueberries.
Method – After peeling the kiwis and washing the blue berries, juice them together to create an appetizing purple colored smoothie that is guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds.
04. Berry Fruit Ecstasy
As the name suggests, the berry fruit ecstasy is the perfect blend of strawberries blueberries and raspberries that is best enjoyed chilled during summer. Loaded with vital antioxidants, the Berry Fruit Ecstasy is a remarkable way to charm the cockles of your heart. The ingredients that you need are 2 cups of blueberries, 2 cups of strawberries and 1 and a half cup of raspberries.
Method – Wash the berries thoroughly in a bowl of water and juice them together. Pour out the aromatic juice into a tall glass and enjoy.
05. The Apple Berry Smoothie
The Apple Berry Smoothie is one of the most nutritious fruit drinks in creation. Packed with vital nutrients, minerals and antioxidants, this quintessential blend of fruits is a must have for every health enthusiast. The ingredients that you need are 1 large apple, one-third cup of strawberries and 1 cup of blueberries.
Method – Wash the apple and the berries separately and juice them together. Pour the contents into a Tom Collins and top it off with small freshly cut pieces of strawberry or blueberry and voila you have the perfect fruit smoothie.
06. Strawberry Delight
The strawberry delight is the quintessential mocktail that can be enjoyed at all occasions. Strawberries have a distinct flavor, which leave a delightful aftertaste despite the presence of other fruits or vegetables. Strawberry is rich in antioxidants, magnesium, copper, fibre, omega fatty acid and vitamins. Most importantly it is low in calories. The ingredients that you need are 8 strawberries, 1 zucchini, 8 small carrots, half an inch of burdock root, 1 small beet, 4 celery stalks, a tiny piece of Galanga root and 1 Fuji apple.
Method – Juice all the ingredients separately and combine them together in a bowl. The resultant mixture is a unique fruity blend with an alluring flavor. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

07. Carrot Supreme
The Carrot Supreme is a unique mocktail that is both healthy, nutritious and a treat for the soul. The presence of beet gives it an alluring crimson coloration that is offset by shades of orange, revealing its magical ingredient – carrots. A truly delectable smoothie packed with loads of vitamins, biotin, thiamine, potassium, beta carotene and antioxidant agents. The ingredients that you need are 10 carrots, 1 large fuji apple, 1 pear, about 2 inches of salsify root, 2 small pieces of ginger, 1 small parsnip, 4 celery stalks.
Method – Juice all the ingredients separately and blend them together in a juice bowl. Pour out the delightful mixture into your favorite juice glass and savor the flavors.
08. Clear Light
Clear Light is a brilliant mix of fruits and vegetables that satiate most of your vitamin requirements for a day. Easy to make and nutritious to boot, the Clear Light smoothie is an organic fruits enthusiast’s dream come true. The ingredients that you need are 1 pear, 1 skinned cucumber, 1 large apple, 1 small turnip, 8 carrots, half a rubbard stalk, 5 celery stalks, 1 small beet and about 3 inches of salsify root.
Method – Juice all the ingredients separately and blend them together by pouring them into a tall glass. Before taking a sip, be sure to smell the unique bouquet of vegetables and fruits in this all season smoothie.
09. Strawberry Banana Wheat Wonder
The Strawberry Banana Wheat Wonder is the ideal drink for people on the move. Easy to make and packed with a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and energy, this milk based smoothie can infuse new life into you, making it the perfect breakfast smoothie. The ingredients that you need are 1 banana, 3 strawberries, 1 egg, 2 cups of organic milk, 1 teaspoon of bee pollen, 1 table spoon of colloidal minerals, Half a cup of raw wheat germ, about 10 drops of pure orange oil and 1 table spoon of acidophilus.
Method - Blend the ingredients together until it assumes a nice viscous consistency and relish the flavors.
10. Ying Yang Fortifier
The Ying Yang Fortifier is an eclectic blend of roots, vegetables and fruits that will tantalize your taste buds with a mouth-watering aftertaste. Ensure that you use the roots sparingly so as to strike the correct balance between the sweetness and tartness of the drink. The ingredients that you need are 1 small beet, 12 small carrots, 1 large fuji apple, 10 strawberries, 4 celery stalks, small piece of Galanga root and a half purple top parsnip.

Method – Juice all the ingredients individually in your juicer and pour them into the blender. Once you have poured the mixture into the blender, top it off with the following ingredients:

  • A scoop of spiru-protein
  • Half a banana
  • 1 tablespoon of colloidal minerals
  • 1 teaspoon of bee pollen
  • 1 tablespoon of barley green powder

Set your blender on whip mode and before you know it, you have yourself a delicious and wholesome Ying Yang Fortifier.

Ensuring FOOD SAFETY LAW IS GOOD BUT THOSE THAT IT CONCERNS MUST KNOW IT FIRST


Food safety simply means our food be absolutely free from any contamination and fit for the human consumption. It is hygienic and nutritional food which permits the development and maintenance of good health, due to which we are able to take any mental job or physical task.
In order to provide safe and wholesome food to the countrymen, government of India made Food Safety Act 2006, rules 2011, regulations 2011, for the whole country including Jammu & Kashmir State. By virtue of this act some science based standards for the article of food were laid down. This act has enabled the central government to take under its control the food industry of the country.
Under this food safety act every food business retailer or manufacturer shall register with the licensing or registering authority. The food safety & standards act says that even petty manufacturer shall follow the basic hygiene and safety requirements provided by these regulations. The petty food business operators include small retailer, road side food venders, hawkers, stall holders, cottage industries relating to food business, meat/mutton/poultry business operators with the slaughtering capacity of two larger animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day. Small catering units, snack bars, eating houses, dhabba walaas and all other tiny food venders with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs fall under the petty food business category. Though the above category of food business operators are exempted from licensing, but still required to register with the registering authority. They have to ensure the safe and wholesome food for human consumption. There sale points, tables, boxes, cupboards, glass cases, knives and other utensils shall be clean and tidy.
Any small vender who sells to the purchaser any article of food which is not in compliance with the provisions of the act or regulations made there under shall he liable to a penalty not less then three lakhs rupees with imprisonment.
All dairy units including milk chilling plants equipped to process more than 50,000 liters of milk per day, vegetable processing units having 2 MT processing capacity per day, slaughter houses equipped to slaughter more than 50 large animals or 150 or more small animals or 1000 or more poultry birds. All 100% export or import oriented food business operators & all food catering units and government agencies like railways, airport, seaport , defense etc. shall obtain their license from the central licensing authority.
The business operations with an annual turn over of above 12 lakh Rupees shall register themselves with state licensing authority under schedule 2 of regulations 2011.They shall follow the basic requirements as prescribed by schedule 4 of the act. They shall provide a self attested declaration of adherence to the requirements as laid down under the Food Safety Act. If the designated officer is not impressed upon the food safety measures taken by the food business operator and has enough reasonable grounds for establishing that the F.B.O has failed to comply with the regulations, he may serve an improvement notice to F.B.O. The food safety officer shall also specify the measures which in his opinion the F.B.O must take in order to secure compliance, In case the F.B.O fails to act in accordance with the improvement  notice within specific period, his license may be cancelled or suspended. The Food Safety and Standard Act says that food business manufacture has to ensure his premises free from the growth of mould, fungi and infection. The workers for preparation of various food articles shall put clean aprons, hand gloves, head wears etc. They shall keep their nails trimmed, clean and wash their hands with soap and detergent before commencing their work. The food handlers should avoid scratching of body parts or hair during food handling process. Persons suffering from infectious diseases shall not be permitted to work. The vessels, containers or other equipments which may cause metallic contamination should be discarded. The manufacturer or packer of an article of food shall be liable for penalty for such an article of food, if it does not meet the requirement of the Act & the Rules and Regulations made there under.
Any person or food business operator  except persons exempted from licensing under Sub section(2) of section 31 of this Act who is required to obtain license-sells, manufactures, stores or distributes any article of food without a proper license, shall be liable for a imprisonment which may extend to six months and also a fine extendible to five lakh Rupees.
All the raw material, food additives and ingredients whereever applicable shall confirm to all regulations and safety standards laid under the Act. Raw food particularly meat, poultry, and sea food products shall be cold stored separately from the area of processed and cooked products. In order to avoid the risk of cross contamination during the transportation, food containers and conveyances shall be marked for food use only. The transporters who are engaged with the food transporting trade shall also get the license from the licensing authority after fulfilling the requirements as laid down by the Food Safety Act 2006, Rules 2011 and Regulations2011.

CONCLUSION
The basic aim of the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations is to provide contamination free food to the countrymen. But the drawback of this Act is that for food business operators and manufacturers it is very complicated, confusing and complex. The State Regulatory Authority of Food Safety Act, has maintained a meaningful silence over the most important act of the country. The poor food business operators like street venders, hawkers, dabba wal’s, bakers, meat/mutton/poultry dealers & others need to be educated and enlightened on the subject. They need to be further educated on the subjects like personal hygiene, storing, handling, packing, batch coding and transporting of food article. Near about 70% of the F.B.O. have no knowledge about book-keeping, accountancy & other aspects of trading accounts due to the lack and in absence of such knowledge they shall be easily exploited by the regulatory babu’s. These babu’s shall become the second god for the poor food operators. They have created a situation that without greasing their palms the survival of F.B.O. shall not be possible. It is astonishing that Food Safety and Standards Act Authority of Jammu &Kashmir never felt it necessary to launch any awareness campaign by way of holding and conducting seminars and workshops in this regard.  
In my opinion it is high time for the Jammu & Kashmir Govt. in particular and the concerned agencies in general to educate the F.B.O. before enforcing this Act, that will be a great service to the nation.