And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Genesis 1:29 (KJV)
We harvested a few pears from the pear tree in my Uncle’s backyard. My parents planted that tree about 10 years ago. This year we’ve had A LOT of rain so we’ve had a high yield of pears. Now we have to process them into preserves and freezer bags before they go to waste.
You know the adage: Waste Not, Want Not.
My first two rules of homesteading:
- USE WHAT YOU HAVE
- Don’t waste anything.
- Example: Everything has a use. Scraps can be fed to the chickens and added to the compost pile.
Pears are rich in nutrients and several beneficial plant compounds. They may also help promote weight loss and protect against certain chronic conditions.
Here are some health benefits of pears:
- Highly nutritious – Pears are especially rich in folate, vitamin C, copper, and potassium. They’re also a good source of polyphenol antioxidants.
- May promote gut health – Pears are an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which are essential for digestive health. These fibers help maintain bowel regularity by softening and bulking up stool.
- Contain beneficial plant compounds – Pears offer many beneficial plant compounds that give these fruits their different hues. For instance, anthocyanins lend a ruby-red hue to some pears.
- Boost heart health – Pears are rich in potent antioxidants, such as procyanidins and quercetin, that can boost heart health by improving blood pressure and cholesterol.
- May reduce stroke risk – Eating pears regularly may also reduce stroke risk1.
You can find more information on the nutritional benefits of pears here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-pears
