Berry Season Has Arrived!

Sorry to those of you out there who have been following and have not seen a post from me in a few weeks.  I hope to resume writing weekly soon. Life has been hectic but I am now certified to teach at the Nutrition school that I graduated from (http://www.csnn.ca/) and will begin teaching this September.  I am very excited to return to the classroom,  in a teacher capacity.

Now, on with the blog...
It's official—the berries are out! Recently I picked my first bowl of berries; salmonberries to be precise. They are such a beautiful berry—varying colours of bright orange to dark blood red in colour. And, if you don't mind the seeds, they are fairly pleasant tasting and easy to eat.

We didn't do anything particularly fancy with our bowl of berries other than just devour them. This is often what happens actually. I get this great idea to go berry picking and pick a big bowl of whatver is in season and we get home and Oskar (my 2 year old) has already easten half of them. Then while I try and decide what to make he eats the rest. How can a mother complain though really? These little power houses of goodness are low in sugar, and loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants galore. This is the time of year when we can literally get an entire year's supply of antioxidants.

If you do happen to have extra to make something with try just crushing them with a fork and adding raw honey, to taste, for an instant and delicious fresh jam. Either keep it in the fridge (for up to 2 weeks) or keep it in freezer if you think it will last longer. And if you are a bit finicky about the seeds like I am you can use a fine strainer to reduce the seeds but stil get all the pulp and juice. Then there is of course the pies, smoothies, ice cream, berry soda and more just waiting for fresh berry accompaniment. (More about berries and what to make with them next month when the blueberries and raspberries are out.)

Next up are Huckleberries. I am already eyeing up the spots where they'll be ready to pick any day now (including my neighbours yard!) and especially in the sunny spots. Then, the strawberries will be ready. My patch is full of green ones just waiting for a few consecutive sunny days to ripen their gorgeous red coats and sweeten their juicy flesh.

I'm hoping this year I'll actually have enough to freeze and enjoy when they're long gone. Shhhh...don't tell Oskar! So get out there and pick and get your fill of our incredible variety and wealth of local berries this season - your body will thank you for it!

Note: Be careful around railway tracks and parks where bushes may have been exposed to harmful spraying.