Nothing says summer like strawberries!!!

Hubs has a whole garden full of strawberry plants and they all have green berries on them. They…Are…Loaded! Another couple of weeks of sun and we will be eating strawberries and ice cream, strawberry shortcake, strawberry crepes and just plain ole’ strawberries!

Here are a few fun fact about strawberries on the Easy Strawberry Recipe website:

Strawberry Trivia
Here are some fun food trivia facts about strawberries that you can use as conversation starters…”Did you know that….” or if you’re an Alex Trebeck fan….here’s your answer (for $200) in question form…”What is the strawberry?”

*Strawberries are a member of the rose family (they are not “technically” berries)
*Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring
*Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside
*The average strawberry has 200 seeds.
*The ancient Romans believed that strawberries alleviated symptoms of depression, fainting, inflamation, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, bad breath, gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen.
*Medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals to sybolize perfection and righteousness.
*During the spring, in parts of Bavaria, farmers tie small baskets of wild strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves. They believe that the elves, who love strawberries, will help the cows produce healthier calves and an abundance of milk.
*Madame Tallien, a prominent figure in the court of Napoleon, was famous for bathing in the juice of fresh strawberries. She used twenty-two pounds of strawberries per bath. Needless to say, she didn’t bathe daily.
*In medieval times, strawberries were served at important functions to represent peace and prosperity.
*Folklore holds that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with the opposite sex, you’ll soon fall in love.
*Strawberry is the second most popular natural flavor. Chocolate is first, of course!
*There is a museum in Belguim just for strawberries

Strawberry Nutritional Facts
When looking for strawberry nutrition facts, you’ll find that nothing packs a bigger nutritional punch than this little berry.

Prized in ancient Rome for their medicinal uses, strawberries are recognized as having more vitamin C than some citrus fruits. They are also high in fiber, folate, potassium and antioxidants, making them a natural means of reducing the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

With only 55 calories per one cup serving, and containing 140% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C for children, it makes sense to add this fruit to your daily menus.

The fact that strawberries are available year round, offers you the perfect opportunity to add great taste and nutrition to your everyday meals. Research shows that 94% of Americans currently consume strawberries and it is strongly suggested that eating them more often will add to a person’s overall long term health.

Nutrition facts:
Serving size: 1 cup fresh strawberries (166 grams)
Calories 50-55
Protein 1 gram
Carbohydrates 11.65 grams
Dietary Fiber 3.81 grams
Calcium 23.24 mg
Iron 0.63 mg
Magnesium 16.60 mg
Phosporus 31.54 mg
Potassium 44.82 mg
Selenium 1.16 mg
Vitamin C 94.12 mg
Folate 29.38 mcg
Vitamin A 44.82 IU

Measuring Strawberries
1 1/2 pounds = 2 pints or 1 quart
1 small basket = 1 pint
1 pint = 3 1/4 cups whole berries
1 pint =1 2/3 cup pureed berries
1 pint = 2 1/4 cups sliced berries
1 cup = approximately 4 ounces

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Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com