Youth Pills Are Here: Blueberries
August arrived and with it the realization that Summer 2016 is ending. The month of August also brings to fruition the fruits of your labor that was doled out while working in your garden planting, watering and weeding. But all this work will not be in vain when you delight in all the wonderful bounty in return from Mother Nature.
Speaking of Mother Nature, I witnessed a beautiful display of love, companionship and parenting into the lives of two mourning doves for well over three weeks. The saga began early one morning when I lifted the shade on my side porch door. Staring at me with a rather frightening glare, was a huge bird perched on top of potting soil in a hanging basket, I had yet to plant.
Every morning and early evening I would look out the window to check on any new activity. Sure enough, one morning there was momma and two little babies. She would peck at them to clean them and cuddle them under her wing. She seemed never to leave their side, so I thought.
When anyone came to visit I was so excited to show off my little family, I would hussel them over to the side porch door. This day. my visitor happen to know more about birds than I, and said “that is not a female, it is a male and pointed out the markings and the shape of the feathers on it’s head. That evening when I checked, there was two huge birds sitting in the basket. It seems that they co-parent caring for the babies and foraging for food.
The next morning before leaving for an appointment, I checked and I could not believe what I saw. The mom and dad were sitting in the nest and the babies were frolicking and climbing all over them and they would gently push them down in front of them to make them behave. You really had to see this to believe it.
Saturday morning I had a surprise visitor and she asked about the birds, so we went to the door to see them and the nest was empty. My little family moved on, which of course made me a little sad because I really enjoyed watching them and even had an opportunity to photograph them, but a few days later, I was at my kitchen sink and looking out the window I saw the mother bird sitting on top of one of the bushes in my yard and just below her were the two little birds flapping their wings going from branch to branch having a grand old time!
On March 3, 1512, Ponce De Leon led an expedition from his colony in Puerto Rico in search of Bimini, and as we all remember from our geography classes, the reported miraculous Fountain of youth.
On April 11, 1512, he discovered what he then believed to be an island, which he named Florida because it was Pascua Florida, the Easter season. The country abounded in spectacular healthy flowers and greenery. Everything just seemed to flourish beyond believe in Florida. Little did Ponce De Leon know back then in 1512 that the mere mention of Florida could conjure up fantasies of youthful activities and relaxation, how millions of people would flock to Florida’s sunny skies to rejuvenate their bodies and brighten their dispositions.
If you were to check the demographics stats of Florida you would find a huge percentage of senior citizens that reside there. In the winter months, many tourist seeking to get away from the cold join them. If you really think about it Ponce De Leon might have discovered the Fountain Of Youth after all. But according to some amazing scientific discoveries we may find a less expensive way to rejuvenate our bodies. Yes, the secret of youth may be closer than we imagined. As close as the local pick-your own farm or you local supermarket shelves. Yes I am talking about blueberries
Many scientific test using blueberries conducted on laboratory rats proved very encouraging according to many recent reports. Elderly rats were fed the human equivalent of only a half cup of blueberries a day. There was a marked improvement in balance, coordination and short term memory.
Blueberries contain chemicals that act as antioxidants. According to reports on the subject, scientist believe antioxidants protect the body against oxidation stress; one of the biological processes that cause aging. Also new studies show that blueberries aid the immune system, contain anti cancer compounds and improve eyesight. Also blueberries may help to prevent or treat diarrhea, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Blueberries contain vitamin C, fiber-a handful of blueberries can help to meet your daily requirements, manganese-helps the body process cholesterol, nutrients, carbohydrates and protein into energy and Vitamin K. Well it looks like blueberries are a Fountain of youth in a cup and at only 84 calories, that is a bargain.
CREATIVE CORNER-Featured in the Creative Corner today is Carrie from Connecticut surprising her family with her delightful homemade PlumTomato and Pesto Pizza made from fresh vegetables from her garden.
If you would like to share a photo in the Creative Corner you may send your photo and any information that you would like to share to my contact e-mail MAY@HealthyCookingForToday.com. Readers love seeing what real people are doing and many of the submissions appear on Google and Bing search engines.
Like strawberry picking on our local pick-your-own farm, there also was a few extra weeks of picking due to the colder weather that we had in the spring. Again I was unable to do my own picking, but fortunately I have very generous family members and friends. So with my greatly appreciated supply I worked on some tasty blueberry recipes for this update. It may be too late for picking, but you can buy some large beautiful blueberries at your supermarket.
Borrowing from Facebook the practice of using past memories photos periodically, here is a photo of my youngest grandchildren on one of our blueberry excursions a more than few years ago-a dead giveaway is the once popular fanny pac. Time sure flies , one is entering college and one is starting high school this year.
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