THREE DAYS ONLY!

By Randall Barnes

The strawberry is truly a special treat of the summer season. At harvest, most of the fruit should be heart shaped, but vary in size. Color should be vivid red to dark crimson skin, speckled with dry, diminutive seeds. The berry should have a flowery fragrance, be juicy, and have a sweet taste.

Wild strawberries, also known as Fraises Des Bois, will be about the size of a large raspberry and heart shaped. They can be red and white. The fruits are extremely fragrant, tartness is overshadowed by sweetness, and the taste is incredible, very power packed.

Berry Blast Smoothie
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Number of servings: 8
Cups of fruits and vegetables per person: 1.0

Ingredients:

2 cups blueberries
2 cups raspberries
2 cups strawberries
2 cups blackberries
1 cup 100% cran-raspberry juice
1 cup low fat blueberry yogurt
2 cups ice

Directions:

Place all items into blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Strawbrosia Parfaits
Number of servings: 6
Cups of fruits and vegetables per person: 1.0

Ingredients:

2 cups sliced strawberries
1 banana, sliced
1 orange, peeled and sliced (or 11 oz can mandarin orange segments)
1 cup cubed pineapple, fresh or canned
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup (8 oz carton) non-fat vanilla or lemon yogurt
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
6 mint sprigs

Directions:

In a bowl mix strawberries, banana, orange and pineapple. Pour orange juice over fruit and toss. Refrigerate until chilled. To prepare parfaits: Divide one half of the fruit mixture equally into 6 parfait glasses. Top with heaping tablespoon of yogurt. Add remaining fruit divided equally; top with remaining yogurt. Sprinkle each parfait with Grape Nuts. Garnish each parfait with a mint sprig.

Rainbow Fruit Salad
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Number of servings: 12
Cups of fruits and vegetables per person: 1.0

Ingredients:

1 large mango, peeled & diced
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 nectarines, unpeeled & sliced
2 cups halved fresh strawberries
2 cups seedless grapes
2 bananas, sliced
1 kiwifruit, peeled & diced
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1-1/2 Tbsp honey
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Dash nutmeg

Directions:

Prepare the fruit and place in a large bowl. Combine orange juice, lemon juice, honey, ginger, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Whisk together until well combined. Just before serving, pour honey orange sauce over the fruit.

Paradise Freeze
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Number of servings: 4
Cups of fruits and vegetables per person: 1.5

Ingredients:

2 large, ripe bananas
2 cups strawberries
1 ripe mango, cubed
2 cups cranberry juice
12 ice cubes

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor container. Cover; blend until thick and smooth.
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These recipes are from the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can get the nutritional facts and diabetic exchange information from the website for each recipe. The website is http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnparecipe/recipesearch.aspx

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) are leading this initiative and are in partnership with other health organizations. The goal is to achieve increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables.

For more information on the Fruits and Veggies More Matters health initiative, brand and logo, please visit PBH at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. You will also find activities and tips for getting children involved as well as more recipes.