Photo by Rochelle Blank-Zimmer

What's better than the arrival of Spring? The arrival of Strawberries. Local New Jersey farms are ripe with this favorite berry, which is great news for those of you who enjoy your local seasonal bowls of berries.

The local season is short, so now is the time to pick up the first of this season's strawberry crop at farm stands, farmers markets, Whole Foods or at the Whole Earth Center in  (Princeton, NJ). Even Shop-Rite is carrying ORGANIC strawberries at very good prices. If you are lucky enough to still become a member of a local organic CSA (community supported agriculture) strawberries are awaiting.

Organic is the belly of beast here, and a very important consideration when choosing strawberries.

Here's why. Strawberries are thin skinned creatures - they bruise easily and have lots of pores. Any sprays, pesticides or crap used on the strawberries will contaminate them. Their thin skin does not acts as protection and can't be peeled off. Their many pores are openings for chemicals to easily pass through. You can NOT wash those toxic strays off strawberries or any berry for that matter because their skin is too thin.

If you eat berries that were sprayed with chemicals, those chemicals will go into your body, and not leave. Chemicals, as we have learned are known to cause cancers and other unpleasant life threatening diseases. So please don't take a good food and turn it into a bad food by eating one that has been sprayed with chemicals. Instead of spending your dollars on tasteless vitamins and supplements, spend your savings on organic food and "eat your vitamins" via the healthy organic food you choose.

While, local is always my first choice, organic for strawberries and all berries are a must. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG)  Strawberries were listed on their top 12 fruits and vegetables containing high residues of pesticides sprays. Go Organic.

When you do find yourself biting into an organic strawberry, after the intoxicating berry delicious taste hits your happy taste buds, here are some of the nutrient dense power benefits that your friendly strawberry will give you.

The strawberries's deep red pigment tells you they are heart healthy friends, also rich in antioxidants( cancer crusaders). Perhaps that is why they have earned the symbol of romantic love. Easy to remember, anything that inspires love in your heart is good for your heart and health. 

These very berries contain anti-inflammatory properties which could be of value to arthritis, asthma, and cancer concerns. They are an excellent source of vitamin C. Among the many talents that Vitamin C offers is it benefits for your immune system. Loaded with fiber, low in calories, only 45 per cup, these simple spring delights are berry worth biting into.

Paul Pitchford recommends in his book, Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition) to use strawberries to strengthen teeth and gums and to help remover tarter. He suggests to cut a strawberry in half and rub onto your teeth and gums. Leave on for 45 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

I recommend eating Strawberries to your heart's content. Note to mom's - most kids love strawberries.

To Your Vibrant Health, Rochelle Blank-Zimmer - Your Natural Choice - Certified Health Coach

For more info:

• Your Natural Choice Website
• Your Natural Choice Blog
  
• Central Jersey Holistic Health Examiner

 All photos in this article are copyrighted and by Rochelle Blank-Zimmer ( except Healing with Whole Foods - Amazon)