“Life is just a bowl of cherries, don’t take it serious. It’s mysterious. So live and laugh and laugh at love, love a laugh, laugh and love.” Bob Fosse
Cherry Season: May – July
My favorite fruit of the summer is the cherry. I can’t get enough of them, fresh, frozen, or juice. I use them in all sorts of recipes or simply eat them by the handful straight from the carton. There are two types of cherries: sweet (Bing cherry) and tart (sour cherries). These ruby red gems are a nutritional powerhouse, boasting antibacterial, antioxidants, and anticancer properties. Cherries contain Ellagic acid (anticancer agents), vitamins A and C, biotin, potassium, and melatonin. Benefits range from:
- Improved sleep
- Reduced belly fat
- Reduced inflammation
- Lowered risk of gout
- Black cherry juice has also been shown to protect against tooth decay
Long-Distance Runners
Also, for you long-distance runners, tart cherry juice is a great anti-inflammatory elixir, reducing muscle damage, and aches and pains during intense workouts.
Eat Up!
There are many ways to enjoy cherries. My favorite is to add them to smoothies. One of my favorite recipes is the Cherry Bomb. On hot summer days, I pour the smoothie into an ice tray and freeze. Before morning runs and afterward, I pop a few cubes in my mouth to cool off.
Cherry Bomb
Ingredients
3/4 cup frozen cherries
1 kiwi peeled and quartered
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup coconut water
3/4 tsp agave nectar
3 ice cubes
Directions
- Pour orange juice and coconut water into a blender
- Add cherries, kiwi, agave nectar, and ice cubes
- Blend until smooth
Serve immediately or freeze. Makes great popsicles.
*Optional: Add your favorite vanilla protein powder for added protein.
Enjoy!!
E. Denise Billups, Author 