Speaking of summer...
I just found myself today wishing for the first time ever that it would end. I know that sounds nutty coming from a Florida girl who barely makes it through the winter here without impaling myself, but I found myself yearning for sweatshirt weather and football games. The days are getting shorter - well, the sun still sets at about 9:45 here, but shorter none the less - and we did get a little cold front this week that gave a half-day taste of what is to come. I've been rather surprised at this summer, at how warm it has been. Everyone keeps commenting on how this summer was late to get cranking and how it has been cooler than the norm. But it was my first full summer in the U.P., and to me the season has in reality been much warmer and much longer than in my expectations. I think you've all heard me lament before about our 6 week summer with highs in the 70's. Well, I was wrong. By my recollection, we have had a good 10 weeks of temps in the UPPER 70's, and to me that's just perfect.
Enough about weather; I hate weather. Ha Ha!
Some of you don't get this, do you? I'm so sorry...
I meant to say that I hate boring weather. Yah, that's what I meant.
Okay, Blake started football practice yesterday - his second year playing tackle. And boy am I dreading the hustle and bustle of practice days during the school year. It's a wonder he ever gets his homework done on those nights. In fact, I think I am going to start getting them back on SYT (school year time) sooner rather than later. I always shoot for scooting bedtime and wake-up time back by 15 minutes every other night for about two weeks before school begins, but somehow it always gets totally jacked up and backfires horrendously. Maybe I will start NOW! Boy they will hate me. Things were so much easier when we homeschooled! We still began school at 8:30, but they could sleep until 7:45. When you have to go to an actual off site location and be there at 8:30, I swear we have to get up at 6:45! What's up with that???
Oh, and they finally started the pipes in front of our house today. You know, the pipes they were going to replace under the roads... Remember, I posted pictures of them tearing up the road...? Oh yah, that's right, you don't recall what I am talking about because I posted those pics in MAY! Yes, May. Ten weeks later they came back around and decided to dig the hole for the pipes and lay them. They are also planning to pave the road. I'll post the pics in October.
We went blueberry picking this week and I got to, once again, face my ridiculous fear of being mauled by a bear. I am so not cut out for this place. It was fun and we got a ton of delicious blueberries. I took some pics of the hunt, as well as some of Nadia and I making blueberry muffins today. Any good recipes would be appreciated. Otherwise I am making pancakes on Saturday and then freezing some for the winter.
PS - I hate jams, jellies, and all things that are sugary-sweet. Like pie. I had my annual slice of blueberry pie last week and I am done with confections and syrupy things for the next many months. Great time to start my dietary detox!!! More on that later... you will all bear the brunt of my sorrow in those 21 days if you choose to read this blog. Nah, it shouldn't be bad. It's not so different from how I usually eat.
I will post the blueberry pics when I find my camera USB cord. I'm having a little "moment" this week with regard to finding things. Please pardon our dust.
3 comments:
Blueberry picking and fear of bears...you must, must, MUST read the story "Blueberries for Sal" Look for it in your local library or buy it...it is one of my faves.
No recipe, but an article from Moss Greene, a well-known nutritionist:
Blueberries and Healthy Blueberry Recipes
Blueberries are Superheroes. They're not only delightfully delicious, but also super-nutritious. Blueberries may even pack the most powerful health-wallop of all produce.
According to researchers at Tufts University and the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, when compared with 60 other fruits and vegetables, blueberries came out on top. They're bursting in nutrition and flavor, yet low in calories, fat and sodium.
Blueberries contain fiber, vitamins A & C, iron, potassium, magnesium, important antioxidant phytonutrients and can prevent and even reverse some deadly diseases.
Some health experts recommend half a cup of blueberries a day.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLUEBERRIES
Packed with antioxidants called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to cells and help ward off age-related memory problems, cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, dementia, heart disease and cancer.
Rutgers University researchers also found that epicatechin, another antioxidant phytonutrient found in blueberries, helps prevent urinary-tract infections. Plus several studies show blueberries may even improve eyesight.
But blueberry benefits don't end with antioxidants. They're low calorie (a measly 81 per cup), high fiber food proven to help boost immunity and detoxify the body.
"There just isn't any downside," says nutritionist Keith Ayoob of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "Their nutritional profile is incredible. What's not to like?"
BUYING AND STORING BLUEBERRIES
Choose firm, plump, blue berries with a dusty white sheen. Reddish berries are not ripe. Shake the container to make sure they move around freely. If they're soft, damp or damaged, they'll stick together and soon get moldy.
Pick out any bad berries to prevent the spread of mold and store in a covered container in the fridge. They'll keep for about a week, but should be eaten as soon as possible.
Fresh berries are very fragile and should be briefly washed and gently patted dry. Washing removes the protective coating, so don't wash until just before use.
When buying frozen berries, shake the bag to make sure they don't clump together. Clumping indicates they've probably been thawed and refrozen.
To freeze fresh blueberries, spread them on a cookie sheet and put it in the freezer. When frozen, pour into a plastic zip lock bag for storage. They'll keep up to a year.
Frozen blueberries make great snacks.
HEALTHY BLUEBERRY RECIPES
With flavors ranging from mildly sweet to tart and tangy, blueberries are the perfect choice for a flavorful healthy, low calorie meal, snack or desert.
Research shows uncooked berries have more health benefits. So, to get the most nutritional value, choose raw blueberries rather than processed or baked.
• Sprinkle generously over whole grain cold or hot cereal.
• Mix with low fat yogurt or cottage cheese.
• Serve in half a cantaloupe or add to vegetable or fruit salad.
• Blender up a fruit smoothie with unsweetened low fat yogurt.
• Top whole grain pancakes or waffles with fresh blueberries.
To keep the juice from coloring other fruit, add frozen blueberries last to fruit mixtures.
But blue fruit salad, yogurt, cereal or a blue smoothie can be fun. Especially when you realize how much super nutrition is coming from that blue color.
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A good excuse to keep picking! It's a great crop this year, thanks to the rain. Looking forward to the photos!
hi. I'm Jim Correia's wife. I've followed your blog for some time and have wanted to reach out dozens of times in dozens of ways...to connect so you were again reassured you were not alone.
I don't have the words...just directions to a blueberry muffin recipe. I don't eat 'em but have made them now twice for Jim and the crew at his work...they all rave about them and holler for more. Hope you and your family enjoy them.
go to foodnetwork.com and type on "blueberry muffins". The recipe by Alton Brown should come up first...that's the one you want...good eats!
cheers.
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