We interrupt this regularly scheduled post regarding the Rainbow Fitness Flower to bring you – – – the benefits of blueberries!
Today was our family’s annual blueberry picking day. Three hours and three gallons later, we have officially picked our year’s supply of blueberries! {Happy dance!} Amid 75 degree temps and mostly overcast skies, we practically had the entire berry farm to ourselves this afternoon. Where was everyone?!? While it’s a little early in the season, there were plenty of berries to be had.
But never fear, the bushes here are loaded with ones still ready to ripen. If you can find a pick-your-own blueberry farm anywhere near you, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! They freeze so easily – seriously just put them in a freezer bag or container. Period. Try to pick over any remaining stems or stray leaves, but otherwise just freeze. Wash them when you’re ready to use and voila.
Frozen blueberries all year long. (And for only $36!) Awesome for pancakes, muffins, smoothies; To mix into cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream; To just plain eat as a snack. Yum!
And blueberries are SO good for you. Can you say “superfood”?
Benefits of blueberries include:
- Highest antioxidant levels of any fruit or vegetable – great for immune system and neutralizing free radicals from environmental toxins
- Low-calorie food that may actually help break down belly fat
- Good source of soluble fiber. We’ll talk more about fiber another day, but let’s just say… It’s good to poop. (Sorry, I’m a mom of a four-year-old boy. It tends to come in conversation more often than it should).
- Artery wideners – which may reduce your heart attack risk
- Cancer fighters – enough said.
- Memory preservers – flavonoids activate memory and learning areas of the brain.
Basically, blueberries are awesome. Eat lots of them. (Just don’t be alarmed when your poop is purple).
My Favorite Blueberry Muffin Recipe:
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 c coconut oil, melted [or butter]
1/3 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1 c blueberries + 2T flour
Mix dry. Cream the rest. Fold in berries. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes.
But let’s be honest: You shouldn’t even use those numbers, because one batch will definitely not be enough. Double or triple that!
Also, please forgive my simplified “recipe directions” – just one more example of keeping it real. Hopefully “Mix dry. Cream the rest…” is sufficient. If you need more specific instructions, please let me know.
*A note about coconut oil…it will harden again if you add cold milk to it, so try warming the milk first.
And, finally, if you want to modify the recipe you could:
* use half whole wheat flour
* add in ground flax seed meal
* substitute almond milk for dairy
* lessen oil a bit and add 1 mashed banana
What’s your favorite way to enjoy blueberries? (When I asked my son, his response was “with a Krispy Kreme doughnut!” Ha! Not exactly what I was going for buddy!)
Everyday Faith + Fitness 