Pass the Berries

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With summer here it can be tough to make consistent power pantry choices. Picnic food, ice cream treats and cold soft drinks may be a huge temptation to leave wellness choices behind... 

But for every tempting distraction from a wellness lifestyle, I think there's a silver lining which waits for us to notice and choose well. So what is a summer food silver lining? Berries! We just finished strawberry season in PA and the blueberries are quick on the heels, offering sweet, healthy distractions from standard summer fare.

Have you had some fresh blueberries recently? Even if you don't live close to NJ (the blueberry capital of the North East), I'm certain you'll find fresh blueberries at the farmer's market and grocery store in the days and weeks to come. As a matter of fact, 98% of US blueberries come from just 10 states. Check out the Blueberry Council for great facts, recipes and history on this nutrient-packed healthy choice.

Believe it or not, blueberries have only been cultivated for farm-to-table production and enjoyment for 100 years, and with the tremendous phytochemicals and antioxidants available in blueberries, it's great that they are now a staple. Berries offer a long list of benefits through their nutritional density. All we need to do is make them a regular part of our diet.

Check out this great article from Dr. Joel Fuhrman about all the benefits from berries:
The Benefits of Berries, Cherries and Pomegranates 
According to the information in the article, after making berries a part of your diet, you'll be sleeping better, recovering from exercise more quickly, and keeping heart disease at bay. That's quite a list of healthful results from simply enjoying berries

So stop at the roadside stand, or swing by the produce section, and stock up on some sweet, low calorie, nutritious blueberries to enjoy a little slice of summer today.

By the Way

Don't forget to shop for berries in the frozen foods aisle, if you can't find the fresh ones. Frozen berries may be cheaper and more consistent from a ripeness, sweetness and size standpoint, than fresh ones. Either way, enjoy!