Tag Archives: Antioxidants

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Blueberries 101

Are you eating the #1 fruit that delivers the most antioxidants? Blueberries1

These babies contain SO much nutrients per calorie they are ranked high on the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index. (ANDI) What is the ANDI? This index rates food, from 1-1000, due to their vitamins, mineral, antioxidants and phytochemical composition. The bigger bang for the buck (per say) the higher the rating. Blueberries are among the top 5 of fruits. With the other 4 being berries as well!

Most of us (yes me included) that want to help aid in the aging process should be eating Blueberries on a regular basis. Buy them, or better yet pick them yourself, when they are in season and enjoy them all year long. They are the easiest to freeze. Put them in a freezer bag, unwashed, then wash them off when you pull them out to eat.

Blueberry Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: One cup of blueberries (148 grams)
Amt. Per Serving
Calories 84
Carbohydrates 21 g
Sugar 15 g
Fiber 4 g
Protein 1 g

That sugar is NATURAL sugar my friend! Unless you have been advised not to eat fruit by a healthcare professional, natural sugar is OK to eat (in moderation, like everything else, of course)! The Lord made natural sugar, He does NOT make refined sugar, humans do!

The Carbs are Complex Carbs. The GOOD Carbs! Here again, unless you have been advised otherwise….eat good carbs!

Here are some reasons why Blueberries deserve a Blue Ribbon!

  • High in Vitamin K
  • High in Vitamin C
  • Contains Anthocyanins which are antioxidants and gives the berry its beautiful blue color
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin E
  • Thiamin
  • Riboflavin
  • Copper
  • Magnesium
  • Beta-Carotene
  • Manganese
  • And more….

They are also said to aid in

  • Fighting cancer, due to their antioxidants that help protect cells against free radical damage
  • Improving mental health
  • Helping prevent Heart disease
  • Managing diabetes

Some of my favorite ways to eat blueberries is to add them to Greek Yogurt, Oatmeal, Smoothies, in Salads and just eat right out of the freezer.

Blueberries are full of ALL kinds of goodness. I hope you incorporate them into your diet if you are not already.

Be Happy. Be Healthy. Be You.

Jennie

References: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287710.php

                         http://foodfacts.mercola.com/blueberries.html

                         http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=8

 

 

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Freeze those Strawberries

Strawberries are coming in! Time to get picking AND freezing! 10277049_540553392721196_5674991866858977377_n

When it’s picking time I get so excited! I guess because it means that winter has come to an end here in the south (YIPEE! I loathe Winter, I really do!) and all kinds of goodness is to be harvested over the next several months. My freezer is becoming empty and is ready to be restocked with all that goodness. Do you and yours go berry picking? If you don’t you should. For many reasons.

  1. You will pay less if you pick them yourself.
  2. You get to pick the berries of your choice.
  3. When you pick any fruit or vegetable yourself you know where it came from. Note: Be sure the farmer does not use any pesticides.
  4. You get to support your local farmers. Now that is a win win for everyone!
  5. Make it a family outing. The little ones typically enjoy picking. (Typically…Lol!)
  6. We should eat fruit and vegetables when in season. This is another win win.
  7. You freeze them and therefore throughout the year you are eating strawberries that are “in season”.
  8. Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants. Eat your strawberries!

How to Freeze Strawberries

It is super easy…

-Wash them off and let them dry.

-Cut tops off (or not if you throw in smoothies or shakes) and place on a cookie sheet, without them touching each other, and flash freeze them. You can cut them in smaller pieces if you desire.

-Once they are frozen pop them off the cookie sheet, while they are frozen, and put in freezer bags.

By not having them touch during the flash freezing process is KEY. This prevents them from clumping together. Don’t you hate that? You know, when you buy frozen fruit and it is one big ole’ clump? It is because they all stuck together due to moisture.

As always I would LOVE to hear from you! Share is caring…if you like what you read please share on your social media outlets.

Much Love,

Jennie B

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Jennie B Got, GOT

Yep…I got, GOT! Me being me, you would think I would know better and that I would have done my research before purchasing something new to me, Teavana teas, especially when  you pay such a high price. Well, Teavana sucked me in and after spending a pretty penny and not doing my research first, I was just about sick at my stomach once I realized what I had just bought for my family and I to drink! UGH!!!Teavana

Here’s how it all went down…

I have started drinking more tea. Especially green tea and a night time tea. The ones I had been drinking, Traditional Medicinals and Yogi, are a third of the price and they are organic and nonGMO teas. I wanted to get some different teas for my husband to try that might help with his Rheumatoid Arthritis and thought I could get a “fun one” that our son might enjoy drinking as well (Hence the berries you will read about further down). I have never purchased anything from Teavana, because of their price tag. BUT I had a little extra Christmas money and thought I would treat us all with some of their wonderful teas. Well, guess what, their teas are not so wonderful. Oh and a side note, you are also advised to buy tins to store the tea in and you need something to steep the loss leaf teas.

Have you ever been into a Teavana store? They always have samples for you to taste. They are really yummy if I do say so myself. They start telling you all about their teas while handing you more samples to drink. They will pull out different teas from behind the counter and wave the lids back and forth above the teas for you to smell how scrumptious they are. Oh they smell SO good, some of them you almost want to eat they smell so darn good! Some even have dehydrated berries, coconut, pineapple, etc. which just adds to the whole yummy experience. Very impressive! Right? Well, Jennie B got GOT. I came home all excited about my tea purchases. I fixed my husband and I a cup tea. The teas were very good and he actually liked his. We sat on the couch together enjoying our tea (I know, doesn’t this just sound lovely). Then it hit me! I said to my husband (while drinking my tea), “Surely this is an organic and nonGMO tea? I didn’t even ask that question? With the price I just paid for all of this they better be organic and nonGMO” All the while I am opening the Mac to do my research, which I should have done before hand. What did I find? Well, it is NOT organic or nonGMO! Damn It! (Excuse my French, but that is what I said!) I say to the hubs, “What I have been drinking is a third of the price, comes in a bag, (that’s a whole nother blog about the chemicals in the bag) is organic and nonGMO!”  One of the sources I used is Food Babe who has done some great research on teas. If you would like to read a more in depth blog on teas check hers out.

Next step…

I could not get to the phone fast enough to call the store and ask them if my findings were true? I told the employee that answered the phone my concerns AND I told her that it was partly my fault for not doing my homework before purchasing their products, as well as, not asking questions while I was in the store. (But remember I was in heaven while sampling and smelling those tasty teas all while I was being told about what each teas health benefit can be). Her response to my question of, “Are your teas organic and/or nonGMO?” was,  “I’m sorry but we, as employees, are not allowed to comment on your concerns. You will have to call customer service.” WHAT? Oh yeah, you know what I did, I called customer service. Their mailbox was full so I emailed them.

This is my email I copied and pasted. I sent this on January 16, 2016 and have not heard back as of Jan. 20th.

Hello there! I bought four different types of your teas the other day. It was my fault for not doing my homework before I purchased your teas, but when I got home and my family and I each had a cup of tea I got to thinking. I didn’t even ask if their teas are certified organic, NonGMO and Fair Trade certified. As I started researching via the internet I became very disappointed in my findings. I called the store and the lady said she could not comment and to contact customer service. So that is what I am doing. I have called with no success in speaking with someone nor am I able to leave a message as it says the voicemail box is full. My stomach sunk when I began reading some of the findings about Teavana teas. I hope to hear from someone soon to answer my question, “Are your teas organic, nonGMO and/or Fair Market certified?” Thank you so much and look forward to your response.

I did call again on the 20th of January and spoke with someone. She answered my question. No their teas are NOT organic, nonGMO and/or fair market certified. Only one of their teas, Matcha, is organic and you will pay about a third more for it than other organic Matcha tea on the market.

The take away…Never Ever assume anything! I know not to assume, as I’m sure you do too. For whatever reason I did assume. I hope that my mistake helps someone else and if by some chance it makes you more aware of what you are drinking when you are drinking your teas then it was worth my assumption.

Much Love,

Jennie