It’s strawberry season! Farmers markets are showcasing their beautiful red strawberries and you may even see a strawberry festival or two. For me, this is the first sign that summer has begun.

The strawberry is such a potent little package: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-aging and more! Did you ever notice that the strawberry is shaped like a heart? I take that as the first clue that this fruit is good for you. Here are my top 5 health reasons why I strive to eat strawberries every day!

1. Heart Protection – Packed with fiber,  strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free snack that help lower blood pressure and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.

2. Cancer Protection – Strawberries are filled with antioxidants and  anti-inflammatory compounds. They are among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity and are a good source of manganese and potassium. Just one serving — about eight strawberries — provides more vitamin C than an orange.  The phenols in strawberries also fight against many inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis, cancer, asthma and atherosclerosis.

3. Bone Health – Strawberries have potassium, vitamin K, and magnesium — all important for bone health. One cup of strawberries contains 21% of your daily manganese, an essential nutrient that acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

4. Anti-aging properties – Strawberries have biotin, which helps build strong hair and nails. Strawberries also contain the antioxidant ellagic acid, which protects the elastic fibers in our skin to help prevent sagging and the vitamin C is vital for connective tissue (collagen) formation, which keeps our skin looking young. Sounds good to me 🙂

5. Weight Loss – One cup of strawberries contains only 43 calories, plus fiber which helps to curb over-eating. Strawberries contain a compound called nitrate that has positive effects on blood flow and oxygen around the body. Nitrate stops muscles from becoming too tired after exercise, so you can keep the body moving!

Making your own non-dairy ice cream is easier & tastier than you think.
Give it a try!

Find a way to get these little gems into your daily routine: toss them in your bowl of cereal, enjoy them in a smoothie or make this refreshing strawberry dessert. That all adds up to a delicious treat and a leaner, healthier, happier body.

Strawberry Ice Cream
Here is a delicious non-dairy strawberry ice cream. Using coconut and hemp milks makes for a heart-healthy version of a summer-time favorite. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups strawberries, rinsed and hulled
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk or canned full-fat coconut milk
• 1 cup hemp milk
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp guar gum

Directions

1. Puree ingredients until creamy.
2. Freeze for about one hour or refrigerate until cold.  Pour into ice cream machine, per manufacturer’s instructions.

Optional: Add finely chopped fresh strawberries to ice cream when it is soft serve consistency.

Download recipe now!