The Freshest Of Blueberries

    Long before Fats Domino was crooning about “Blueberry Hill,” Native Americans used the potent fruit to treat coughs.  Blueberries rank among the highest of any fruit for antioxidants, and one cup delivers 14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. We were given a blueberry plant from our sweet friends, and we love it!  We have been picking berries for everything; snacks, cereal, smoothies and whatever else.  I highly recommend buying one.  The care for them is very easy and the money you’ll save (if you go through as many blueberries as we do) is huge.  Here are some pictures of our little new addition.

Chia Delight

Chia seeds: A nutty-tasting whole grain.  Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, they have among the highest antioxidant activity of any whole food.  They also do a lot of good things for your body, like keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control.  They are loaded with calcium, protein, fiber and many other vitamins.

Chia seeds are a member of the mint family.  You can put them in muffins, cereals, smoothies and salads.  Chia seeds are a vegetarian source of protein.  They are available at Whole Foods.

Chia Banana Date Cookies

 4 tbsp of chia seeds

4 tbsp of plain flour

1/2 of a banana (dried cranberries are good to)

2 tbsp chopped dates

2 tbsp rolled oats

1 large egg

2 tbsp honey

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp water

Put seeds and flour in bowl and mix together, adding oats.  Set aside.

Blend together the banana, egg, dates, honey, baking powder and water.  Add this to the dry ingredients in the bowl.  Mix together.  The consistency should be similar to a cake batter.

Drop dessert spoons of mixture on to an oiled cookie sheet.  bake at 350, for 15-20 minutes.

Black Is The New Berry

 Blackberries are one of the top ten antioxidant foods, they are packed with polyphenols helping to prevent cancer and heart disease.  They strengthen blood vessels, and improves eyesight.  The high tannin content of blackberries helps to tighten tissue, relieves intestinal inflammation, and helps reduce hemorrhoids (lovely), and stomach disorders.  Blackberries are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, manganese and fiber.

Here is an easy recipe for blackberry-blueberry cobbler

Blackberry-Blueberry Cobbler 

  1 1/2 c fresh blackberries

1 1/2 c fresh blueberries

3 tbsp sugar

1/3 c fresh orange juice

2/3 c whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 c butter

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375

Combine berries, sugar and orange juice in a lightly greased 8 inch baking dish, set aside.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

In a medium bowl, add butter and beat egg and vanilla extract together. gradually add flour mixture, stirring just until ingredients are combined.

Drop batter over berry mixture.

Bake 35-40 minutes

HAPPY BAKING!!!

FYI: Santa Barbara Farmers Market Saturday