Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Is palm oil safe in shelf-stable foods like cookies and crackers?

I know hydrogenated palm oil has tons of transfats, but I'm seeing non-hydrogenated palm oil in products like Newman's Own cookies and Skippy Natural peanut butter. Neither show any transfats on their labels, but I'm curious as to whether or not I should be concerned regardless.

Is palm oil safe in shelf-stable foods like cookies and crackers?
Palm oil is naturally high in saturated fats, and some manufacturers even hydrogenate their palm oil to create a fully-saturated fat.





Some points about saturated fats:





* have a relatively long shelf life compared to mono- or poly-unsaturated fats, and fully saturated fats even longer.


* have a higher melting point -- that is, they stay solid at room temperatures, whereas mono- and poly-unsaturated fats are almost always liquid at room temperature (olive oil, canola oil, etc.)


* are more difficult for your body to break down


* taste slightly better. (As Emeril says: pork fat rules!)





In fact, unsaturated fats require refridgeration to stay good for a good length of time, which is why you are supposed to keep food high in unsaturated fats like wheat germ, almonds, or cod liver oil in the fridge.





Edible oils are made out of strings of fatty acid chains. Each fatty acid can have all of its bonds taken up by hydrogen atoms giving a saturated fatty acid. If one or more of these carbon bonds are not taken up by a hydrogen atom, that creates an unsaturated fatty acid. If one of the fatty acids in the chain is unsaturated, that is a mono-unsaturated fat. If many of them are unsaturated, it is called a poly-unsaturated fats. To be "fully saturated", every fatty acid in an oil must be a saturated one. "Hyrdogenating" means that you force some of the unsaturated fatty acids to accept a new hydrogen atom, thus making them saturated. Manufacturers use hydrogenation to give oils that are cheaper to produce the qualities of saturated fats listed above.





Trans fats are fats that have both their carbon bonds for each fatty acid on opposite sides of the molecule. The opposite is cis fats, which have both bonds on the same side. Studies have shown that trans fats create all manner of health problems, and should be generally avoided. Any fat, including unsaturated ones can include trans fatty acids in their chains, and should be avoided. The worst of course is saturated fats that have trans fatty acids in them, like some hydrogenated margarines. (And we used to think that margarine was better for us than butter!)





So, your cookies and crackers should last a pretty good amount of time, and of course, are not so healthy for you.


How do I sell palm trees locally without using ebay? I have loads of plants I want to sell.?

My dad wants to sell some of his plants, he has tons of Palm trees and Wisteria Vines. We've tried craigslist.com and sold a few but where else can we post them for sale?

How do I sell palm trees locally without using ebay? I have loads of plants I want to sell.?
have a plant sale like you would have a yard sale
Reply:Well, you can for starters make yourself a MYSPACE page advertising your trees on there. Also, in the entrances of stores a lot of them have post boards where you can post things you have for sell...print up some catchy flyer and post them in the stores that allow this. You can also make flyers to mail out .... or pass out at businesses around your town. Also, have a sample sitting in your yard with a sign advertising them.....be careful doing that tho, you may want to check with your city ordinances. You can also go around to your local nursery's and tell them what you have available to sell and leave them a flyer and a business card....you can easily print your own business cards without having much cost in them. If anyone comes into their nursery wanting a palm tree or wisteria that you have ,,,, they will do anything to please their customers so they would probably call you. Don't just go once....go back several times through out the season. Keep your face fresh to them so they will remember you.


Hope I gave ya a few ideas you can use! Good luck!
Reply:put a sign outside of your house saying plants for sale
Reply:Do you have a local flea market? That is a good place to go and set up





Have fun
Reply:Nowhere else that's free...Craig's list is the best way, unless you want to invest advertising dollars. Or finding a farmer's market, and renting booth space and taking your wares there to sell.


How do you regrow a severed palm branch?

Hi we found a palm branch (fairly large, 3 ft long) laying on the ground under a tree, and were wondering if there is a way to replant it so we can grow our own palm tree back home? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

How do you regrow a severed palm branch?
you can't you need the roots from the tree to replant to grow a palm you can't do it with a branch what are you going to stick in the soil a branch it is impossable sorry to say.
Reply:You can't propagate a palm from a leaf or a branch as you called it.


How much should you water a palm tree after it has been transplanted?

We just transplanted a 4 foot hight palm tree from our front yard to our back yard that doesn't seem to be doing very well. How do we know if it is just in shock and will eventually recover, or if we have been overwatering or underwatering it? How much should you water newly transplanted palm trees? And how long does it talke to recover from the shock of transplant? Only serious answers, please.

How much should you water a palm tree after it has been transplanted?
Transplanting any tree is a tough project. My guess is that you trimmed the root ball down considerably to be able to manage the tree, and it is now in shock.





In ideal soil conditions for a palm, which is loose and sandy, there is no such thing as too much water(especially now). However, if the hole was dug in hardpan or dense soil, the moisture will not perculate, and could cause fungus to infect the root system.





If you smell fungus when you poke around the roots, it has been over-watered. Let it dry out a bit, and hope for the best. As for the eventual fate of the palm, look at the "nut", or the center of the leaves. If it turns brown and begins to droop, that's it for the tree. If, however, it looks healthy, continue with the patient and hope for the best.
Reply:Water everyday, enough to really keep the ground wet when it dries is when it will start to die. Give it one month to adjust and start to reroot.
Reply:2 cups maybe
Reply:It sounds like shock to me. Before transplanting a palm it is a good idea to really soak it well beforehand, and use an anti-shock vitamin B1 solution. If you simply dug it up with no anti-shock prevention it may well die. I would keep a lot of water on it-try 1-2 gallons per day assuming it will not over-saturate the soil. Also try using some Superthrive or vitamin B1. Sometimes you have to wait until the next growing season to determine if new growth will occur. A transplanting can stop all growth for the current season.





At this point all you can do is keep it watered and try a little shock therapy. At 4 feet the palm should be easily replaceable. Palms are pretty hardy, and unless you really damaged the root system, or have transplanted it to a very hot and sunny location, it should recover by next spring. Good luck!!!

Teeth Pain

Want to get rid of my palm lifedrive, what is the newest Palm replacement for it?

I would not mind leaving Palm but I have to many software running on this lifedrive.

Want to get rid of my palm lifedrive, what is the newest Palm replacement for it?
i have a tx and wished i had a lifedrive





i would upgrade the lifedrive instead by removing the 4gb memory and install a 32gb cf card (its possible!)





doing this increases the speed and pperformance of the lifedrive





palmpowerups.com





good luck
Reply:I think the E2 and the TX are the most recent models. Unless you want to go with a Treo smartphone.


Can small palm trees grow inside? Can they stay alive with artificial light?

The type of palm tree is Phoenix roebelenii or Pygmy Date Palm. My palm tree is pretty small and in a clump of 4. I plan to move to Kansas soon which has some very low temperatures during the winter. Can it stay alive if it's inside during those months with artificial light?

Can small palm trees grow inside? Can they stay alive with artificial light?
I have a majesty palm %26amp; live in Wichita, ks. I've had it for 4 yrs. %26amp; it does great in the winter. I keep it in front of a west facing window in the winter %26amp; outside in shade in the summer. I've never used grow lights. Just keep it in front of a window with good light %26amp; no big drafts. I usually cut watering down to once every 2 wks %26amp; no plant food in the winter. It's about 5' 6" tall.
Reply:Well i have to be honest. i tried to grow on of those and it got some kind of scale. I am not sure if it came in the soil or what but it did not survive. i do have a palm in my kitchen near a window that does fine. It is a different type and has large fronds I am sorry i do not have the tag and don't remember the variety.
Reply:Yes they can grow inside, the hotels in Las Vegas have them. Not sure about the lighting situation. The ones I am thinking of are Real Tall.
Reply:Sure not a prob!


Where do palm trees grow in the United States?

my greenthumb wife loves them. what are areas where you can grow palm trees? i know obviously california (i am from it), and southern Florida but what about Texas and the Gulf Coast? How far do they go up the east coast? Charleston?

Where do palm trees grow in the United States?
palm trees grow from seattle washington on the west coast, can grow in southern tennesse, and can grow up to the new jersey coast on the east coast.





common palms like sabals grow on the east coast from about raleigh , nc to and around the gulf coast into texas.





mexican fan palms are common on the west coast can be grown from portland oregon, along the west coast all the way to savannah geroria on the east coast.





cold hardy palms





the windmill palm is very cold tollerant and can survine regular snow. cold tollerant to 5 degrees fahrenheit they can grow from seattle to richmond virginia with no problem and can also grow in southern alaska on the west coast all the way to cape cod on the east coast with some protection.


THIS PALM CAN ONLY BE GROWN ON THE COAST EASILY BECAUSE IT DOESNT LIKE DRY SUMMERS, OR HARSH WINTERS.





also in areas north of the south people dont like growing palms becuase many think they are only tropical since most are, so you probably wont see many if any north of norfolk, virginia on the east coast and north of california on the west coast





THE TROPICAL PALMS





cocunt palms can only be grown well in the keys in flordia and the coast of hawaii. california isnt warm enough for long tern survival becuase it needs 80s in the winter and 90s in the summer to grow well. also needs lots of humidity and rain.





palms are tropical plants fo the most part, but some are more cold hardy then you think





palms in california are common. the best are royal, majesty, date, spindle, and the triangle palm. windmill palms are also common in california, but are well pruned unlike in cold areas
Reply:I live in California, and have been told the the reasont hey are so good here is soil and not alot of water. I live in the desert and imagine that it is true. I have 3 king and 4 queen and the water they get is rain occasionally- 4 times a year
Reply:I live in Florida now, and I love palm trees, too.


When I lived in Savannah, there were palm trees, but not many.


I found this site online which has a lot of info about cold hardy palms. Check it out.
Reply:Palm trees grow in all the balmy climates so most of the south is good palm tree weather.
Reply:I have seen them as far north as North Carolina.
Reply:they're all over sounthern texas


Is there a good palm tree to plant outdoors in the midewest and then bring in in the winter?

I live in North Central IL and would LOVE to be able to have palms in my yard. However, that is impossible! Are there any good palmtrees that can be placed outside in the summer and brough in in the winter? Once concern I have is that the palm not be a big grower as I would need to bring it inside.





Any ideas of planing ideas or species ideas?





Thanks!

Is there a good palm tree to plant outdoors in the midewest and then bring in in the winter?
Here is a really good site, with cold tollerant palmshttp://www.paradisepalmco.com/product/Pi...


We just moved from Fl to Tn for my husbands job, I miss palms too!
Reply:We plant banana trees in our yard in NE IL every year. Everyone always thinks they are palm trees. We have to dig them up and let them go dormant in our basement in the winter. The trees produce babies every year and we keep the babies in the house in pots over the winter and then plant them in the ground each spring. This year our largest tree is about 12 feet tall. As soon as the first frost hits we will cut off all the leaves, dig it up keeping the root ball intact , knocking off almost all the dirt and then stand it in a plastic bag in the corner of the basement for the winter. These are a lot of fun to have around the patio in the summer. Looks very tropical here.
Reply:Parlor Palms... grow well outside and indoors... light conditions outside are almost totally shade- west or north exposure... but indoors they like more light... east, west, or south exposure from a unobstructed window and they can handle the indoor, heated home... other palms that grow in higher light outdoors have a very hard time growing in an indoor environment.. they need a greenhouse environment...

isotoner slippers

How to rid my palm tree of tiny bugs?

These tiny gnat-like bugs are in my apartment. They don't harm anyone but sometimes land in food and really piss off my wife. I have a small palm tree in my apartment and these things must be living in the dirt. I know they like moisture but I have to keep the dirt moist, to keep the palm healthy. Also, I'm not throwing out my tree or my wife.

How to rid my palm tree of tiny bugs?
It sounds like it could be whiteflies. I have included a site for info.
Reply:the best thing is to take it outside, buy new soil and a new pot. meanwhile, take a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, and wipe off every single bug you can find, don't miss a spot. that will take care of the little devils. also, where the plant was in the house, look real careful and you will probably find them on something, get them too. good luck
Reply:I WOULD TAKE IT OUT SIDE IN THE SUMMER, AND RE POT IT. WASH THE WHOLE PLANT VERY WELL. TAKE IT OUT OF THE POT, AND WASH ALL THE DIRT OFF THE ROOTS. THEN THROW OUT THE SOIL, AND BY AN BIG POT WITH FRESH SOIL.








ALSO WHAT TYPE OF PALM IS IT ?


How can I kill a mini palm tree?

I really want to dig up a Canary Island palm that is growing right up against my house. Besides the poor location, I also just removed a Mexican bird of paradise to the ground immediately adjacent to the palm and I suppose its roots are intertwined (or, at the very least, the bird of paradise's root system will impede digging up the palm).





Any suggestions to get it out? I have it cut to a height of about 2' with all the fronds hacked off.

How can I kill a mini palm tree?
DONT!





People pay a lot for palm trees and stuff.





My dad was gonig to hack one down but my mum called a place and they came over and quoted $1200 on it!





Ring up places and ask for a quote. Ring more than one place so you arent getting ripped off by one place, and dont mention to the other people the previous quotes though.





xx
Reply:Sani-Flush.





Seriously, it does work. Dig a little trench around the base, as close to the base as you can get, and sprinkle 1/2 can of Sani-Flush around it, then add a little water to get it foaming. Be careful, though. If you have pets, this is not a good idea. Also, don't get it on your skin.





Continue every three days for 2 weeks. I guarantee, you will kill it.
Reply:Make some fresh cuts on the fronds and paint on some full strength weedkiller such as GLYPHOSATE onto the fresh cuts. Allow a few weeks for poisin to soak into roots etc and it will die from roots up. If you have any foliage at all, spray them as well
Reply:All you have to do is cut the heart out off any palm and it will die. You will have to dig the stump out anyway if you get a local lawn service to come to your house they will dig it out for free and sell it to a customer.


Where does the palm tree seed come from?

I'd like to get the seeds off my Palm Tree. I have a Palm tree (bush) it is 8 foot tall. It has grape looking things on it now. It does this every year, I get one bloom of these things. Where can I get seeds from my Palm Tree? and How, then how to plant the seeds? Thanks.

Where does the palm tree seed come from?
Those grape looking things, that grow after the flowers, are the palm fruit. The fruit will have a small amount of pulp surrounding a seed. In order to get a good percent germination, you have to remove the pulp before planting the seeds. Depending on what type of palm you have, this is done several ways. The most common is to put the fruit in a bucket of water and let most of the pulp rot off of the seeds (this smells pretty bad, but is often the most effective method for large quantities of seed). You can try some combination of removing pulp with a knife, or drying the fruit and then removing it with a knife or your fingernails, etc.. For some palms dried fruit are easier to clean, for others fresh fruit is easier.


There are naturally occurring chemicals in the pulp which inhibit seed germination. After you have clean dry seeds, soak them in water for a couple of days, changing the water once or twice a day to leach out any remaining trace of these inhibitors.


Finally plant the seeds in any good quality potting soil and keep them moist and warm until they germinate. I want to emphasize keeping them warm. Equal to putting the pot in full sun during the hottest part of summer.


Germination percentages are often not high for palms, so sow more seeds than you think you need. Germination times of 2 to 3 months are common for palms, so be patient.
Reply:I think it's a coconut.
Reply:I do not know what type of palm you have but the following comments generally apply to palms.





The grape like things are the fruits of the palm.The seeds are within these fruits,protected by a tough fibrous skin commonly called the husk. In some palms like the coconut,this layer can be very tough and fibrous indeed.





Just wait until the fruits are ripened i.e. when they turn a darker shade of color like dark red or when they start dropping off from the fruit bunches,peel off the fibrous skins and plant the hard-shelled seed in well drained soil.(Most palms do not like too much water).Germination may take some time,so be patient. Scratching with a file the hard shell that protects the the seed often helps water absorption and hence hasten germination.