National Strawberries and Cream Day

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By Akindman

Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring and have high levels of Vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. Research has shown that strawberries are America’s favorite fruit, topping grapes, bananas, watermelon, and apples. Another fun fact: did you know that strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside? Some estimate that each one contains approximately 200 seeds.

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The recipe for strawberries and cream is quite straightforward and can be as simple as topping fresh fruit with whipped cream. There are, however, many variations that you can use to spice up your fruit. Try flavoring your whipped cream with amaretto liqueur or substituting a combination of fat-free sour cream and brown sugar instead. For a more elaborate dessert, put together a trifle with alternating layers of fruit, cream, and a sweet pastry such as ladyfinger cookies. Strawberries and cream are also the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles, cheesecake, or shortcake. For even more ideas, check out these recipes for stuffed strawberries.

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To start off your celebration, head to a local farm and pick your own fresh strawberries as a fun spring activity for the family. Then head home to enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious snack of strawberries and cream! (from our friends at Punchbowl)

Vitamin C Day

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By Diane Forrest, RN

It was in 1984 when I first became introduced to Vitamin C.  I was never much of a fan of vitamins.  When I was younger my mother used to give me these multivitamins, not the good chewable Flintstone vitamins, but these little orange multivitamins from Upjohn.  It tasted like cod liver oil (or what I imagine cod liver oil would taste like) and every morning when she gave one to me, I would make a trip to the bathroom and flush it.  However, when I was away from home, going to college I had started to develop that "you are fixing to get a cold" feeling.  You know the one, scratchy throat, watery eyes, and sniffles.  I was at the home of my future mother in law, who happened to also work part time as a pharmacist assistant, and she gave me some Vitamin C.  She instructed me to take one a day until the cold symptoms passed.  I followed her instructions, and the full blown cold never occurred, and I have been a believer ever since.

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Many sources disprove the benefits of Vitamin C and the common cold, but I have always had positive results when using it.  Vitamin C is also beneficial with other health problems.  Scurvy, a disease caused by the depletion of Vitamin C, has been around for centuries.  In 400 B.C Hippocrates wrote about it.  It mainly affected travelers on the seas, because do to their long voyages; they were not able to transport fruits and vegetables without them spoiling.  Scurvy was not related to vitamin C deficiency until 1932.  Other benefits of Vitamin C include, but are not fully supported, treatment of pneumonia, lowering uric acid levels for the treatment of gout, and decreasing the chance of strokes.

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When I take Vitamin C, I normally take 1000 milligrams in the morning and at night, however consult your doctor for your personal dosage.  Supplements are a good way to monitor your intake; however Vitamin C is found naturally in Citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables and even small amounts occurring in meat and dairy.

Plant source	Amount (mg / 100g)
Kakadu plum	1000-5300
Camu Camu	2800
Acerola	1677]
Seabuckthorn	695
Mica Muro	500
Indian gooseberry	445
Rose hip	426
Baobab	400
Chili pepper (green)	244
Guava (common, raw)	228.3
Blackcurrant	200
Red pepper	190
Chili pepper (red)	144
Parsley	130
Kiwifruit	90
Broccoli	90
Loganberry	80
Redcurrant	80
Brussels sprouts	80
Wolfberry (Goji)	73 †
Lychee	70
Persimmon (native, raw)	66.0
Cloudberry	60
Elderberry	60
Papaya	60
Strawberry	60
Orange	50
Kale	41
Lemon	40
Melon, cantaloupe	40
Cauliflower	40
Garlic	31
Grapefruit	30
Raspberry	30
Tangerine	30
Mandarin orange	30
Passion fruit	30
Spinach	30
Cabbage raw green	30
Lime	30
Mango	28
Blackberry	21
Potato	20
Melon, honeydew	20
Tomato, red	13.7
Cranberry	13
Tomato	10
Blueberry	10
Pineapple	10
Pawpaw	10
Grape	10
Apricot	10
Plum	10
Watermelon	10
Banana	9
Carrot	9
Avocado	8
Crabapple	8
Persimmon (Japanese, fresh)	7.5
Onion	7.4
Cherry	7
Peach	7
Apple	6
Asparagus	6
Horned melon	5.3
Beetroot	5
Chokecherry	5
Pear	4
Lettuce	4
Cucumber	3
Eggplant	2
Raisin	2
Fig	2
Bilberry	1
Medlar	0.3

Today is Vitamin C Day, a great way to start the day is with a nice ice cold glass of orange juice!  It tastes good, and is good for you.

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For more information about Vitamin C, click here: http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c