Celebrate National Women’s Health Week with Healthy Blueberries from BrazelBerries

It's  National Women’s Health Week, and we can't think of a  better way to celebrate than by planting a blueberry bush and growing fresh fruit right in your own backyard.

Having these super fruits on hand will improve your health not just this week, but all year long.

Throughout the celebration, the U.S. Department of Health and Office on Women’s Health are combining forces to empower women to make their health a top priority. Women everywhere are being encouraged to take steps toward improving their health, including exercise, medical screenings, avoiding detrimental habits and eating healthy.

When it comes to eating healthy, not all foods are created equal. Although they might be small,blueberries provide big rewards. They’re known as super fruits for their low-fat content and high concentrations of dietary fiber, antioxidants and Vitamin C. Just one serving of blueberries serves up almost 25 percent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C.

GMG's Friday Find: Winter Care for Berry Plants

Photo Courtesy BrazelBerries(R)

I found myself jumping into the berry craze this year and scored a BrazelBerries® Jelly Bean™ blueberry plant from Fall Creek Farm & Nursery.  I planted my young Jelly Bean in a container on my deck and tended to it throughout the summer.  Now that autumn has arrived and the temperatures are beginning to dip, I needed to find out how to care for my prized plant through the winter to ensure it's coming spring into summer bounty. 

The BrazelBerries® Collection of compact berries includes two beautiful blueberries,  Jelly Bean™ and Peach Sorbet™ and a luscious dwarf raspberry, Raspberry Shortcake™.  If you're lucky to have picked one up this year, the following tips on how to overwinter will help you get the most from your berry plants once spring arrives.  It's easier than you think!

GMG's Friday Find: Celebrate National Blueberry Month!

July is National Blueberry Month, a perfect time to celebrate the mighty fruit, and we invite you to grow, eat, and cook with this powerhouse nature provides.  The health benefits of blueberries are widely known and continue to get attention as studies find even more super benefits from  blueberries.

Among fruit, blueberries have the highest total antioxidant to help us fend off disease. They reduce belly fat, prevent hypertension, improve memory, and help to reduce the risk of colon cancer.  And let's be honest, they are delicious!

Buying organic blueberries is a wise choice, and planting up your own from Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, Inc's BrazelBerries™ Shrub Collection is an even better choice!  These compact blueberry plants not only provide incredible fruit, their foliage is truly lovely as well, from spring to fall.  And how convenient can it be to pot up a container and pick your fruit fresh right off your deck or patio.

There are endless ways to use blueberries, from straight off the vine to salads, drinks, muffins, cakes - you can add them to practically any dish that you imagine.  We've pulled two great recipes for you to consider enjoying this powerful fruit.

James T. Farmer III Sip and Savor

Blueberry Oatmeal Drink 

3 tablespoons oatmeal

Pinch of salt

1 cup boiling water

1cup blueberries

2 heaping teaspoons local honey

6 tablespoons plain Greek-style yogurt, divided

Berries, granola, or nuts for garnish

Spoon oats into heatproof bowl and mix with the salt.  Cover with boiling water and allow to stand for 10 minutes. Place the soaked oats in a blender with the berries, honey, and 4 tablespoons of yogurt. Blend well and scrape the sides of the blender as needed.  Pour blended mixture into two glasses and swirl 1 tablespoon yogurt into each glass.  Garnish..

Kate's Easy Blueberry Cake

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

Stick of butter

2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 Tablespoon vanilla

3 Tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

Powdered Sugar 

Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla.  Add flour and baking powder.  Stir. Grease a 9"springform pan.  Sprinkle 2 cups of blueberries on top.  Sprinkle with the sugar and cinnamon.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Cool cake for 10 minutes before removing the form and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Can be served warm.

And no worries if you have lots and lots of blueberries, you can freeze them without doing any damage to their antioxidant power, which means you can grow, enjoy and store for year-round pleasure. Happy National Blueberry Month!

~Peggy
Garden Media Group