It's all a bang in July!
Summer
There is nothing better than biting into a sweet fleshy cherry. It burst in your mouth, and all you want is more. It's always been a reminder of summer's past for me, and those cherry {pit} spitting contests we used to have when I was young. In retrospect it's not the most mannerly thing one could have done. Nothing is better than being an unmannerly kid. Adults should give it a try now and again. Surprisingly, or not so. What we loved as a kids is very good for you. Another way nature has provided everything we need to live and eat well. Let's start in the east, as in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as to why cherries are so good for you.
- Qi in TCM is "vital life force." It is thought to be in everything. It is always in flux. "It is neither created nor is it ever destroyed; it simply changes in its manifestation." Qi can be stagnant, it can be blocked, it can low, and you can have too much of it. When it is out of balance it can create disease. Cherries are used to boost qi.
- Cherries are also believed to build blood which helps with the strengthening of the spleen.
- Sometimes cherries are proscribed for a patient dependent on their symptom and patterns, to relieve digestion issues and stimulate appetite. As well help with conditions related to inflammation, including gout, arthritis and fibromyalgia.
From a more western perspective, cherries have been found to
- Help with sleep and insomnia (also believe in TCM) due to its melatonin properties. Although it appears that the tart cherry variety can have a greater impact.
- They are high in potassium. Just 1 cup per day is enough to give you your recommended amount. Potassium is vital for the healthy functioning of our heart, kidneys, brain and muscular tissues. Thus, reducing the risk of stroke, hypertension and high blood pressure.
- Cherries are a high source of antioxidants (due to anthocyanin-see Rhubarb below for more explanation) which aids in the decrease of free radicals (which adversely alter lipids, proteins, and DNA and trigger a number of diseases). A balance between free radicals and antioxidants is necessary for proper physiological function. Cherries can also decrease inflammation.
Spring
We need to find other ways to cook Rhubarb
Rhubarb is such a great healthy vegetable. But it has its issues. First, is its very better taste. Which leads to its second issue which is you mainly only find it in sweet things, such as desserts and syrup {my favorite}. So the question is, "How do you get its healthy benefits without negating them with sugar?" The follow-up question is: "What are its health benefits?" We may not be able to answer the former, yet! But we can clue you in on the latter.
- It improves heart health, by reducing inflammation and preventing the hardening and narrowing of the heart's blood vessels. This may have to do with anthocyanins, an antioxidant which gives plants their red to blue colors. Based upon many studies, it's suggested that anthocyanins possess anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activity, cardiovascular disease prevention, obesity control, and diabetes alleviation properties.
- Great for your digestion and gut health. This is because tannins is a major compound of this vegetable. This is also the reason why rhubarb and other plants of its ilk taste so bitter. It's nature's way of protecting the plant from predators, such as humans!
- Rhubarb is a natural source to stimulate collagen production. What is collagen exactly? Firstly, it's the most abundant protein in our bodies, making up 30%. Collagen is the primary building block of our body’s skin, muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, and other connective tissues. For more detailed information go here.
- It can lower cholesterol. In a study of hypercholesterolemic men {meaning men who have too much cholesterol in their blood), it lowered overall cholesterol and LDL readings. How was this bitter vegetable served to the study participants? The fresh stalks were blanched, dried, and ground, and 27 grams per day were fed to the participants (for 4 weeks). That is one way to eat rhubarb without being encased in a dessert!
What you didn't know about Strawberries
It's so easy to take strawberries for granted. We see them in grocery stores all across the county throughout the year. Do we even know what season they are at their peak?? We do! It's late spring and early summer. What more do we know about these berries despite the fact that a ripe one straight from the plant is divine. Nothing else like it. Here are some cool facts about strawberries, the fruit that almost everyone loves {but everyone should love, in our opinion}!
Not Really Berries: Despite their name, strawberries aren't technically berries. True berries have their seeds on the inside, unlike strawberries which are considered aggregate fruits because their seeds are on the outside.
High in Vitamin C: Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, containing more than oranges when compared by weight. This makes them an excellent choice for boosting your immune system. Next time you have a cold eat some strawberries!
Symbol of Love and Purity: In medieval times, strawberries were often served at important functions to bring peace and prosperity. They were also considered an aphrodisiac and a symbol of purity and passion. This explains the chocolate covered strawberries we see so often near Valentine's Day.
Seeds Galore: The average strawberry has around 200 seeds on its exterior. These tiny seeds are actually the plant's ovaries. Is that TMI?
Ancient Fruit: Strawberries have been enjoyed for centuries. Native Americans ate wild strawberries long before European settlers arrived. The first garden strawberry was grown in Brittany, France, in the late 18th century, and today there are over 600 varieties of strawberries grown worldwide.
