Bountiful Berries

Asking yourself what kind of fruit to snack on? 

The answer during the spring and summer season - local berries. Do It Up! Mulberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, wolfberries, boysenberries, currents, gooseberries, chokecherries, etc...There are so many awesome berries to choose from.


Why berries you ask?

• Berries are packed with Antioxidants which combat against free radicals. 
• Berries are also great daily detoxifiers for the body & after the heavy foods during winter everyone can benefit from something light
• Berries are tasty & rich in color
• Berries are fun to eat
• Berries are sweet
• There are SO many varieties

Where to get 'em?

• Pick up seasonal berries at a local farmers market
• Grow your own berries or enjoy a berry picking day with family
• Buy frozen berries

Why now?

• Berries are in season and they grow around here
• The soil & environment is perfect for growing berries outside
• Eating local foods means that the berries will be super fresh

What to do with them besides eating them fresh?

• Add them to mixed green salads
• Mix them in a smoothie
• Make berry sorbet
• Toss them in oatmeal
• Have them with a bit of keifer or greek yogurt
• Make a berry compote
• Make berry flavored lemonade
• Mix up some sprouted nuts with a bit of coconut milk & berries
• Dip berries in 80% dark chocolate

You get the idea. Load up on berries during this abundant berry season!

Custom Bars

Checking my email today I ran across a Groupon for Element Bars. I've NEVER heard of them, but for some reason I was compelled to check out their site.

This website is really cool. Their philosophy sounds great:

"Our philosophy revolves around making the best-tasting, all-natural nutrition bars, which means:

• No artificial sweeteners
• No processed starches
• No new, fancy food technology

Rest assured, you will not find unpronounceable names of ingredients in the labels of these nutrition bars! "                                                      

I have no idea if the bars are tasty or not, but just having the ability to build your own bar is outstanding.

First, you pick your main ingredient, then you can add dried fruits, nuts, a sweetener like agave or maple syrup and even additional boosters like whey protein or omega-3's. Some of the products are organic and some are not and there are several boosters. Not only do you get to build it you can name it. Very cool.

I have been making my own bars lately and I am quite happy with my creations, but I want to know if anyone out there has tried this? Anyone? Let us know.