May Is National Strawberry Month

Everyone knows that strawberries are naturally delicious and sweet. However, strawberries also contain great nutrients, including vitamin C and phytonutrients and antioxidants, which are compounds known to fight free radicals. Free radicals are elements that can oxidate, mutate and damage cells and lead to different kinds of cancer.

Enjoy fresh summer strawberries. Strawberries, however, are a highly perishable fruit. Use a food dehydrator to dry strawberries before they overripen and develop mold. Simply remove strawberry stems, cut them in half and dry in a food dehydrator at 130 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 12 hours. The dried strawberries should feel leathery when done.

April 30th - National Raisin Day

April 30th is National Raisin day. Raisins are a great and easy fruit to make in a food dehydrator.

Raisins are naturally sweet and contain excellent antioxidants. Research has long proved that that many cardiovascular diseases and cancers are caused by free radicals within the body. There is also firm evidence that high intakes of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease by preventing the formation of free radicals. A United States Department of Agriculture study found that raisins had one of the highest measures of oxygen radical absorbance capacity and thus were one of the healthiest fruits to eat.

Make raisins in a food dehydrator via the following simple steps:
- Use a knife to check or pierce the grapes' skins. This will help dehydrate the water inside the grapes.
- Place the grapes on the dehydrator's trays and dry at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dry for 24 -30 hours or until the grapes are leathery and no longer juicy inside.
- Enjoy! Raisins help protect and nourish your body.

Tropical Fruit Leather Recipe

Ingredients
- 1 cup of pineapple
- 1 cup of mango
- 1 ripe banana

Puree all the fruit in a food processor until it is smooth.

Drying
- Spread the pureed fruit out to a 1/4 inch thickness on parchment paper. It is best to have the fruit as even as possible. Place the parchment paper in a food dehydrator.
- Dehydrate at 130 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 8 to 10 hours. You can flip the fruit leather over half way through.

Also try these other fruit leather recipes.

Eat Less Processed Foods - Increase Raw Foods

On average, Americans eat about 31% more prepackaged, processed food versus raw or fresh food. Salty snacks, frozen pizza, frozen dinners and other ready to eat processed meals contain loads of extra fats, salts, sugars and preservatives. A diet heavy in processed foods leads to problems of obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Eat more raw food. A raw food diet is one that promotes the consumption of raw foods. Raw foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, seeds and herbs, are foods eaten in their natural, unprocessed, uncooked state.

Nesco FD 75 Food Dehydrator on Sale

The best selling Nesco FD-75PR 700 Watt Food Dehydrator is on sale again for $49.

The Nesco FD 75 is the top rated sub $100 dehydrator on the market. This is Nesco's mid-market dehydrator as they offer both smaller and larger units. The unit's airflow and heat are located on top of the unit which provides for a much easier cleaning experience since juices or moisture fall to the bottom plastic shelf.

This unit has Nesco's patented Converga-Flow® fan which forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even and nutritious drying.

April 1st Is National Sourdough Bread Day - Seriously

Use a Nesco food dehydrator to make great tasting sourdough bread crumbs.

- Cut sourdough bread into pieces about 1/2 inch thick
- Place the bread on the dehydrator's drying trays
- Dry at 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 1-3 hours, or until crisp
- Use or store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 months