Blueberries for your Brain

Written by Robyn Holder Robyn Holder

Published: 21 May 2018 21 May 2018

This delicious blue fruit is known for its memory protecting compounds. In fact, blueberries are considered the ultimate memory food by Dr. Jonny Bowden, noted nutritionist.  They may help lower blood cholesterol, promote urinary health and may have anti-cancer properties, too, thanks in part to anthocyanins, which are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.

One of my favorite places to purchase blueberries is from my local library, Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill.  Every year, they have a fundraiser selling boxes of blueberries from Hammonton, New Jersey. A ten-pound box of blueberries costs only $30 and helps the library purchase books and offer many services.  You can order them here.  This year, you can also purchase a tiny recipe book called Very Blueberry, (only $5) to help you use those blueberries.

I literally buy 8-10 boxes every year and freeze the berries for use all year.  Most recipe books will tell you not to wash them; however, I do.  I allow them to dry completely and then put them into freezer bags.  All year long, they go on my oatmeal, in my smoothies, or in many delicious recipes. They defrost easily in a little hot water or throw them into a recipe frozen.  It couldn’t be easier!

Blueberries can be made into a salsa, sauce, jam or jelly. Very Blueberry has a recipe that combines a cup of blueberries with half a red bell pepper, a jalapeno pepper, some minced cilantro and a pinch of sea salt and a twist of lime!  Use it on meats, eggs, just about anything!

To Your Vitality!