Thursday, July 3, 2008

Blueberries: True Blue, All-American Stars


This is my 9th Edition
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Thursday Thirteen


1. The Blueberry is native to North America (cranberries and concord grapes too).
2. July is National Blueberry Month in the United States.
3. Blueberry Jelly Bellies were created for President Ronald Reagan.
4. The Native Americans called blueberries "star berries".
5. Each blueberry blossom forms a 5 point star.
6. Native Americans gathered blueberries, dried them, beat them with cornmeal, honey and water to make a
pudding called "Sautauthig".
7. According to a 1998 USDA study conducted by the Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tuft University, blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants.
8. The blueberry rated better than 60 other fruits and vegetables in neutralizing free radicals -- particles which damage cells and lead to cancer, heart disease and premature aging.
9. Blueberries contain vitamins A and C, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium.
10. Early American colonists made grey paint by boiling blueberries in milk.
11. The Shakers used blueberries to make blue paint for their homes.
12. During World War II pilots in the Royal British Air Force claimed that their night vision was improved after eating blueberries. Scientists in the 1960s discovered that eating blueberries improves microcirculation, which allows better blood flow through capillaries in the eyes.
13. This is the first stanza of Robert Frosts' poem, Blueberries:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!


11 comments:

  1. Great post; really informative, and yummy, too. :)

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  2. Oh! That's a blueberry! At first I thought it was some ocean type plant life thingy.

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  3. Great list - don't forget to check out my Blueberry Rum Ice Cream. Have a great 4th.

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  4. I love blueberries! This post was wonderfully read while eating blueberry jam on a bagel. You helped make my breakfast so much yummier with this post! Happy 4th!

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  5. I really love blueberries Joy!!! xxxGloria

    Nice July 4 th!!!

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  6. Thanks to all! And wishing you a great 4th of July!

    Tamy, you have great ice cream recipes and I can't wait for everyone to discover them during the ice cream round up on the 18th!

    Erin, thanks. You made me smile. :-) I can picture you in my mind's eye! Happy 4th!

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  7. Wow! Very informative post--thank you! Now I'll have to get some at the farmer's market on Friday. Meanwhile, I'll eat more of my yummy no-sugar-added blueberry jelly. Mmm...

    PS, Blueberries, along with all berries, are recommended for diabetics because of their low glycemic index. Blueberries for everyone!

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  8. Amanda, that is great information about blueberries for diabetics. Thanks you for sharing that. :-)

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  9. Wonderful facts about blueberries! I haven't ever made anything with blueberries...yet...but I love to eat them-lol! Thanks for sharing...as always!

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