My daughter, the dogs and I spent some time in the garden one evening this week and among pulling weeds, I also picked a quart of sweet, delicious blackberries. You all know that I love baking, but honestly, how many blackberry cobblers can we eat in a week without putting on some weight. In my life, it’s all about finding a healthy balance. I strive to do that every day. We still wanted a treat, so I decided to try my hand at a blackberry smoothie. It’s quick, easy and with only a few ingredients, you have a healthy sweet treat. We loved it. Hope you will too.
Blackberry Smoothie
– 1 cup fresh blackberries
– 2 tbsp. Whey protein powder
– 1 cup skim milk
– 1 cup Edy’s low-fat vanilla ice cream (or you could use low-fat cottage cheese)
Blend well and enjoy!!
Blackberries are so good for us. I found this article that included 10 fun facts about the benefits of blackberries in the Huffington Post. I thought I’d share the benefits with you. Hope you have a great rest of the week.
Blessings,
Gigi
10 Fun Facts About Blackberries from the Huffington Post
1) Much like spinach, raisins, apples, plums and grapes, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, but other nutritional benefits include a very low sodium count and having only 62 calories to a cup.
2) The dark blue color ensures blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits. Antioxidants, well-known for lowering the risk of a number of cancers, are a huge bonus, but be aware the berries are best consumed in their natural state to get the full benefits.
3) The berries are known by a variety of names, which include brambleberries, bramble, dewberry, thimbleberry and lawers.
4) Consumption of blackberries can help to promote the healthy tightening of tissue, which is a great non-surgical procedure to make skin look younger. Prolonged consumption also helps keeps your brain alert, thereby maintaining clarity of thought and good memory.
5) The high tannin content of blackberries provides a number of benefits to reduce intestinal inflammation, alleviate hemorrhoids and soothe the effects of diarrhea. It is important to incorporate berries in your diet in a variety of ways. Have them as a snack or in your cereal or even as a smoothie.
6) Traditionally, the leaves and barks of the plant have also been consumed. The leaves of blackberries have been used to treat mild inflammation of the gums and sometimes even sore throats.
7) The astringent tannins are effective in oral hygiene when used as a gargle or mouthwash.
8) The leaves can also be used in a refreshing cup of tea or enhanced as a therapeutic drink. Not everyone will like the flavor, so to mask the bitter taste, honey or another form of sweetener may be added.
9) The healthy dose of Vitamin K aids in muscle relaxing, so some women use the berries to alleviate labor pains. As part of a regular diet, the juice can also be used to regulate menstruation as it is very effective in helping blood to clot.
10) And finally, if you have noticed that your blackberry plant has turned orange, destroy it. This is a serious fungal disease that cannot be cured.