Nudge Words & Orange Recipes That Will Brighten Up Your Table

Nudge Words & No To Resolutions

Reminders to launch.

Trends give me the ick. I am naturally wired to resist what everyone else is doing. As a kid, I was notoriously known for asking the question “But why are we doing this?” So you won’t hear the words “New Year, New Me” fall from my lips as we kick off a new year. I don’t do New Year Resolutions (no judgement to those do). Now what is my thing, is the concept of nudge words. A nudge word is a single word that sets an intention or inspiration for the year. This annual word of the year exercise helps me reflect on values, intentions and hopes for the new year.

Last year, my nudge word was ease, which I “doing the most” is my middle name — at both work and in my personal life. At the time I chose it, I had no idea of how I was going to implement ease in my life. But as the months went by, I suddenly started seeing opportunities to incorporate ease in different facets of my life. I asked myself on a daily basis: Will this usher ease into my life? Since then, I have stopped enabling my 16 year old daughter and even some adults, incorporated morning and evening rituals into my life, released a endless number of obligations that didn’t support my goals and exchanged my endless to-do list for a time blocking template focused on completing three tasks. 

This year, my nudge word is receive, since I have a compulsive nature to constantly give and do for others. The tables are turning this year and I am challenging myself to sit still, killing the inner Super Woman and allowing myself to receive - help, support, love, etc. Over the next couple weeks I will be reflecting on ways to incorporate the word into my life throughout the year.

So what’s your nudge word of the year?

Food For Thought

Words, songs, inspiration and lessons I saved, read, wrote down, and savored this month

• READ - Yvonne Savio’s January Gardening Tips for Los Angeles County Residents 

• READ - Foodshed Cooperative Is Growing San Diego’s Small-Farm Economy

• READ - My Month of Eating Alone at a Restaurant

• LISTEN -  A mother and son team up to teach lessons on seeing food systems differently

Words, Lessons & Inspiration

(Left to Right) Tracee Ellis Ross in the 25th Anniversary Issue of Flaunted Magazine, Author & Professor of Black Women's Studies, Stephanie Y. Evans has a new book coming on the history of tea and black women's health, and sage advice.

Opportunities

Brussels sprouts are ready for their close-up

Did you know there are over 39 types of oranges? This sweet and tangy fruit is full of antioxidants like vitamin C. It can be added to a myriad of delicious orange recipes, both sweet and savory. Here is a short roundup of some of my recent favorite citrus recipes that are perfect any day of the week or any month of the year. 

COOK

• Orange-Fennel-Olive Relish

• Olive-Topped Orange Slices

• Endives with Oranges and Almonds

• Carrot-Orange-Ginger Soup

• Orange Ricotta Pancakes

• Sicilian Whole Orange Cake (Using an Entire Orange: Peel, Juice and Pulp)

• Basil Bourbon Orange Smash

• Flaky Blood Orange Tart

• Duck a l’Orange

PRESERVE

• Classic Seville Orange Marmalade

• Orange Infused Bourbon Recipe

• Easy Candied Orange Peel

STORE

Knowing how to store oranges correctly means less food waste, fewer nutrients lost, and more flavors saved! The length of time oranges last completely depends on if they’re kept whole or cut and where they’re stored. 6-7 days is about the maximum amount of time whole oranges will last at room temperature. In the fridge, oranges will stay fresh for about a month. In the freezer, you can stretch it out to almost a year.

While oranges do look pretty in a bowl on the counter, they are best kept cold! To extend their shelf life, follow the tips below for both fridge and freezer options.

FRIDGE (WHOLE) - Add whole oranges to a mesh produce bag, then keep them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. You don’t want to store them too high in the fridge otherwise, you run the risk of them par-freezing!

If stored this way, whole oranges will last for up to a month in the fridge. If you prefer room-temperature oranges, bring them out on the counter for 20-30 minutes prior to eating.

FRIDGE (CUT) - Whole oranges will last longer, but if you end up with too many wedges or supremes, add them to an airtight container. They will lose their juiciness and flavor quicker than whole oranges, so it’s important to keep them in cling wrap or an airtight container.

Cut oranges will last in the fridge for up to 6-7 days. As with whole oranges, keep them lower down and towards the front of your fridge to prevent accidental freezing.

FREEZER (WHOLE) - Much like the fridge, whole oranges will last much longer than cut oranges in the freezer. Add them to a freezer-safe bag with a date label, remove the air, and store them in the freezer for up to 11-12 months. Let them thaw on the counter before eating them. The freshness and nutrient content will reduce over time, but it’s a great way to extend their life (especially if you buy a large haul)!

FREEZER (CUT) - If your oranges are already cut open, don’t worry! Remove the peel from the wedges and freeze them for 2-3 hours on a baking tray. Once they are solid, transfer them to a freezer bag with the date written on the label.Thanks for reading Savoring The Season! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.