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Newsletter>
Time to pick the strawberries!
June 17, 2008
Dear Friends,
Well, today we made our first visit to the u-pick farm this
season...and the strawberries were ripe for the pickin! In
one hour we picked over 25 quarts of beautiful berries!
Now we are busy processing them for preserves, dehydrating
and freezing whole. We will likely make another two trips
before the raspberries and blueberries are ready in a few
more weeks. I am preparing for any food shortage that
might be in the near future, as well as the high grocery
costs, and I am preparing for it with healthy and
nutritious foods. I hope that you are doing the same.
When properly preserved these berries will provide our
family with a delicious and nourishing treat when the
winter winds blow in again.
Did you know that 8 medium sized strawberries can provide
you with as much vitamin C as an orange? They are packed
with phytonutrients and antioxidants, as well as fiber,
folate, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin K, potassium,
riboflavin, and a host of other good-for-you stuff! You
probably already knew that they also taste absolutely
delicious!
So, other than the obvious pie, shortcake, jam, and other
sweet treats...what are some other ideas for preparing
strawberries? The best way to enjoy any fruit or veggie is
fresh. While they are in season you could easily
incorporate them daily into your meals.
Strawberry Green Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
3 cups of fresh salad greens
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
2 TB sunflower seeds
***************************
3 TB honey
3 TB yogurt
2 TB kefir
1 TB poppy seeds
1 TB vinegar
Blend the last 5 ingredients together well and drizzle on
top of your salad.
Fresh Stawberry Muffins
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/8 cup ground flax
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 cup honey
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup kefir or buttermilk
1/3 cup melted butter
2 fresh eggs
Combine dry ingredients. Add the additional ingredients in
a well and blend well. Pour into muffin cups and bake at
350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Some other tips...
-add fresh raw strawberries to your oatmeal, granola, or
yogurt
-add sliced strawberries to cold pasta salad
-make a syrup (stawberries and a turbinado sugar or honey)
and drizzle into a glass of lemonade or carbonated water
for a sweet soda pop alternative
-blend into smoothies
-add to homemade ice-cream
Use your imagination!
Strawberries are also awesome for the skin! Try crushing
up some strawberries with some sugar for an alpha-hydroxy
facial. Simply combine the two ingredients and scub into
your skin gently. Rinse clean. You can also mix a bit of
crushed strawberries with some honey for an amazing masque.
Leave this one on for 5-10 minutes. Add some goat milk if
you have access to it.
I have a fun summertime "Strawberry Skin Care Duo"
available at my Etsy shop. It includes a strawberry & goat
milk cream scrub and bar of soap made with real strawberry
jam and organic strawberry seeds! I have been lathering up
with that one myself this week! It is yummy!
Blessings,
Jennifer Ferris
www.fromfieldsandgardens.com
www.farmsteadorganics.etsy.com
Jennifer@fromfieldsandgardens.com
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