Hooray, it’s BLUEBERRY season in my part of the world!! I anxiously await the end of May/early June every year because not only is it the unofficial start of summer around here, it’s also when my favorite certified-organic blueberry farm opens to the public for picking! My baby and I have been enjoying this annual tradition together since she was small enough to pick from the very bottom branches. Not only are those sweet little blue beauties delicious, they’re also packed with lots of wonderful nutrients!
Blueberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable, which help protect our bodies from damaging free radicals that cause aging and illness (thanks, berries!). They’re also a great source of vitamins K, C, and A, as well as manganese. And their beautiful color is due to their high level of anthocyanin pigments, which can help reduce the signs of aging, risk of cancer, and damage to our DNA.
Are you hopping on the blueberry train with me now?
When I visit my local farm on u-pick days, I pluck off as many fully plump, ripe berries as I can fit in my bucket! Of course, my family can’t eat them all before they spoil (well, I mean, we could but…), so I put a big batch in the fridge for us to enjoy within the first few days and freeze the rest. Have you ever enjoyed a frozen blueberry straight out of the freezer? If you haven’t, you’re really missing out. It’s especially refreshing on a warm summer day. Just pop one or two in your mouth and let them slowly melt away. Mmmm…
Although a frozen blueberry can never return to its original fresh form upon thawing the way some other foods can (like an uncooked chicken breast, for example), there are lots of yummy ways to use them! And the bonus is you can enjoy them any time of year, long after their season has passed. Here are a few ways to put your frozen blueberries to use:
In smoothies (you can even skip the ice cubes)
In a fruit cobbler or tart
In yogurt or ice cream
In pancakes or waffles
In hot oatmeal
In baked goods such as muffins or breakfast bread
In sparkling water (they float at first, and then watch them sink as they melt)
RECIPE ALERT In honor of the hot months ahead, if you’d like my favorite recipe for a healthier twist on blueberry ICE CREAM (dairy-free, honey-sweetened, super yummy and simple), just LIKE this post and FOLLOW my Facebook page and I’ll DM it to you!
Cheers to a berry happy day full of beautiful shades of blue!
No spam here! Just occasional healthy tips to educate, motivate, and inspire you!
