I love to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables.  Sometimes I buy too much so we have to play the game of how to eat it all before it spoils…it is a game we always seem to win!

Today at the store, I saw am abundance of strawberries and asparagus, both of which are great this time of year.  Here is a little information on each one.

Strawberries:

Last year, when I was picking strawberries with my granddaughter Grace, we learned to pick the ripest berries because once picked, strawberries do not continue to ripen like peaches or cantaloupe. We also learned that they loose some nutritional value after 2-3 days in the refrigerator.  So, after picking 10 pounds, we had to be creative as to how to use them.  They are a great source of Vitamin C, are high in antioxidants and have many other nutritional values.  Here are some of the ways we ate our 10 pounds of strawberries:

• With Yogurt
• Waffles
• In salads
• Side dish with other berries
• Pie, crisp, some kind of dessert
• Blender drink
• Muffins, scones
• What else would you add to the list?

Asparagus:

When I was little, I did not like asparagus but I do remember it grew wild in our back yard in Virginia.  I even think I threw up once when I had to eat it.  I am glad my taste buds have changed because now I love fresh asparagus. Did you know that asparagus has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits?  It is also a great source for many vitamins and other health benefits.

I think of Forrest Gump as he listed all the ways to fix shrimp.  Here are some of the ways we eat asparagus:

• Steamed
• Sautéed
• Grilled
• Roasted
• On pizza
• Pasta
• Salads
• Omelets
• Stir Fry’s

Bottom line, eat fresh produce that is in season and add to the lists as to your favorite ways to enjoy them!