About Blueberries

	HOW TO BUY BLUEBERRIES Fresh blueberries are most plentiful during the summer months, but you will find them in the market all year round, along with frozen, canned and dried blueberries. When purchasing fresh blueberries, look for firm, plump, dry berries with smooth skins and a silvery sheen. Size doesn't matter, but color does- reddiesh berries aren't ripe, but can be used in cooking. Avoid soft or shrivled fruit, or any signs of mold. Containers with juice stains indicate that the fruit may be bruised.

	HOW TO STORE BLUEBERRIES Refrigerate fresh blueberries as soon as you get them home, in their original pack or in a covered bowl or storage container. Wash the berries just before use.   HOW TO FREEZE BLUEBERRIES The secret to successful freezing is to use berries that are unwashed and completely dry. Discard berries that look bruised or shriveled. Place the berries, still in their original plastic pack, in a resealable plastic bag. Or, transfer berries to freezer containers or resealable freezer bags. The berries will freeze individually and you can remove just the portion you need. Remember to rinse them before using.

STUDIES PROVE BLUEBERRIES: Help guard against cancer Fight Infection Strengthen eyesight Promote urinary tract health Improve circulation Improve your mind, coordination and balance Reverse short-term memory loss Reverse the effects of aging Fight chronic and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's

	BLUEBERRY SERVING SUGGESTIONS Add blueberries to your favorite muffin recipe- about 1 cup for each batch of 12 muffins. Gentily stir in the blueberries at the end (unthawed, if frozen) Dot pancake batter with blueberries as soon as batter has been poured on the griddle. Make a breakfast parfait by layering blueberries with flavored yogurt and granola cereal in a tall glass. Sprinkle blueberries and chopped walnuts over dressed mixed greens. Serve blueberries with sour cream or yogurt or with a scoop of cottage cheese.

	BLUEBERRY NUTRITION FACTS   Only 80 fat-free calories per cup, berries are a good souce of dietary fiber and vitamin C. Blueberries rank high in antioxidents that help protect against cancer, heart disease and other age-related diseases. Researchers have found compounds in blueberries that help prevent urinary tract infection. Just one-half cup of blueberries helps meet the recommended 5 to 9 servings a day of colorful fruits and vegetables. 1 cup of Blueberries contain 16% DV of fiber. 1/2 cup of Blueberries can provide as much antioxidant power as 5 servings of other fruit and vegetables.