Blueberries, Plump and Sweet

If you haven't realized yet, it is blueberry season for US consumers!  The blueberries are large, plump and sweet.  When they are this good, they should be consumed by the handfuls, not picked at, one-by-one.  If you need a cheaper source that enables you to consume by the handfuls, check out Costco.  Here's a picture!

Blueberries are not just really yummy, they have a reputation of protecting your memory, in other words, brain food (I hope you hare convinced at the end, if this is new to you)!  Put simply, if blueberries can improve my brain health, and I admit that I could use more brain cells :) , why not consume daily and in handfuls!  In a series of tests conducted by Dr. James Joseph, middle aged rats (I know, rats get old too) who were fed blueberry extracts behaved like their younger counterparts.  No mental deterioration, no loss of coordination or balance.  Tests of motor function and memory function came out so positive, that the conclusion was that blueberries make a difference.

Blueberries are found on the superfood list.  They help the neurons in your brain, contain antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory.  Said to help fight Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, heart disease and even arthritis.

Best if fresh, but frozen is a good alternative when not in season.  Great as is, in oatmeal, in yogurt, and in smoothies.

Source: 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, by Jonny Bowden

Love the Fava a Lotta

Say that 100 times for a tongue twister!  Fava beans (also called broadbeans) are not as popular as other beans, but this vegetable has a distinct look and taste.  The peapod is BIG.  Take your typical green bean and magnify it a few hundred percent.  It's like they should belong to food of giants.  The bean is more like a lima bean, but has an even more solid texture and it gets filling when you eat it.  This makes sense because fava beans are loaded with fiber.  A half cup yields 4-5 grams of the 25 grams of fiber that we need daily.*

In addition to the loads of fiber, other awesome benefits of fava beans are that they are low fat, saturated fat free, cholesterol free, good source of vitamin B1, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. Also a really good source of folate and manganese.**

When choosing fava beans, you want fresh and firm.  No markings on the pod.  There is, however, some bronzing on the outside.  You want pods that are slightly weighty and plump to the touch.

So why don't we eat this bean more often?  One downside - you have to shuck them from the pod and so they get somewhat labor-intensive.  Takes some planning rather than just wash and use.  Great as a side dish though and super yummy when sauteed.  Here is my fava bean dish.

Source of top picture: http://www.healthytimesblog.com/2011/05/welcome-these-seasonal-spring-foods-i/ and reference for *
Other sources including **: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=11589