What tastes great and helps erase wrinkles?

The incredible, edible blueberry! Behold the blueberry; one of summer's super foods. AND my personal favorite. I throw a handful of these little gems on salads, oatmeal, pancakes, you name it. 

A small but mighty nutritional force, the blueberry combines more powerful disease-fighting antioxidants than almost any other fruit or veggie. Just one serving of blueberries provides as many antioxidants as five servings of carrots, apples, broccoli or squash. In fact, 2/3 cup of blueberries gives you the same antioxidant protection as 1, 733 IU of vitamin E and more protection than 1, 200 milligrams of vitamin C. 

These antioxidant powerhouses offer extraordinary health and anti-aging benefits. Blueberries have a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. These blue gems also contribute to aging gracefully. They help maintain healthy skin and reduce fine aging lines.  Blueberries can be better than your next skin-cream fad. AND not only do they benefit the cosmetic side, there is evidence that they also reduce the effects of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Here are some tips on buying and using blueberries:

• Selection:  Look for plump, firm, indigo blue berries with a silvery frost and avoid berries that look moldy. Be sure to pick the container up to check for freshness in the berries at the bottom.
• Storage:  Store in the refrigerator for up to one week and only wash the berries just before you are going to eat them. To freeze the berries, scatter wash and dry berries on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, they can go into zip-lock baggies. 

You can snack on frozen blueberries or add them to your smoothies.

Since blueberries are beginning to show up at farmer's markets, take advantage of the season  and enjoy these blue juicy gems. (You can tell I just love blueberries, huh?)

How can you add blueberries into  your diet?  Do you have a favorite recipe to share?  Leave a comment below.

Lisa Consiglio Ryan is a Certified Health and Nutrition Coach for busy, active women and their families. Areas of expertise include weight loss, stress management, detox programs, and special diets such as vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Services include private consulting and group seminars.

Contact Lisa at Whole Health Designs for more information: http://www.wholehealthdesigns.com.

Connect with Lisa on Twitter and Facebook. http://www.twitter.com/LisaConsiglioR; http://www.facebook.com/wholehealthdesignsllc     410.570.4597      lisa@wholehealthdesigns.com