We About The Love of ... Blueberries

I still remember the first time that I ever tried a blueberry. I was in my mid-20s, living and working in The Villages in my first full-time position, and trying to learn how to eat healthy.

I had reached a place in my journey where every other morning, I was drinking smoothies after my morning walks. But I was trying to switch up flavors and ingredients; my go-to smoothie often had strawberries and bananas and Greek yogurt and orange juice. I started trying different fruits to see what I liked and I tried a blueberry smoothie. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it; it was just as sweet and delicious, but I was surprised when I looked in the mirror and saw how my hands and teeth had been stained purple!

Blueberries aren't only good for smoothies though; often when you see fruit, somewhere in there are a couple of hidden blueberries. Because of their size, they are easy to include in fruit salads, as a topping for pancakes and waffles, or as a filling for pancakes and muffins, or to add into a smoothie like I like to do.

What health benefits does a blueberry provide? One great benefit of including blueberries into your diet is the addition of vitamin C, which bring plenty of energy to your body. It's also a great low-carb, low-calorie option for a snack in the middle of the day that will keep you full and keep you going.

One benefit that isn't touched on much, but research has brought it to light, is the fact that blueberries can help with short-term memory. So the next time you are at work and your mind is struggling to remember what else you need to get done that day, grab a handful of blueberries and pop them in your mind and see if they help.

We about the love of blueberries, so remember to grab a cup on the way out the door for your afternoon snack.