This California Fruit Doesn’t Dance!

Disclosure

Maybe I’m showing my age a little because if I was playing that match game and was given California ______, the first thing I would say is “Raisins.” I remember all the commercials with them dancing around and even the collectible little plastic figurines that were all the rage.

But when I was invited by Mom Central to participate in a Blog Tour for the California Strawberry Commission, I was overcome by sweet memories of road trips during our years living in Los Angeles.

We used to take these leisurely trips out to Oxnard and the beach at Port Hueneme. On the trip there, we would pass by field after field of strawberries and I would eventually cave and ask hubby to pull over at one of the roadside produce stands.

I love strawberries but have never really researched all the benefits behind them. If they taste good, they surely can’t be good for you. Right? Wrong. Strawberries are an excellent source for Vitamin C, fiber, folate, potassium and antioxidants. According to their website, “The California Strawberry Commission has funded over $1.5 million in nutrition research since 2003.” When I experience muscle cramps, I typically grab a banana for potassium… I didn’t realize that strawberries would work too!

If you love strawberries but are looking for new ways to prepare them, the California Strawberry Commission has a wealth of recipes on their site. As an example, check out the “Strawberry Tree” I’ve pictured. Did I create that? Heck no. It’s under Miscellaneous in the recipe section. It’s an awesome centerpiece for an event – which would be cool… if I ever hosted a brunch or something!

I’m all about blogs these days, so I think it’s only fair to point out some strawberry recipes from my favorite cooking blogs. Cookie Baker Lynn posted and linked to David Lebovitz’s recipe for Strawberry Frozen Yogurt. Steph at A Year of CrockPotting posted a CrockPot Strawberry Jam Recipe. Nemmie at Cast Sugar posted a beautiful Strawberry Party Cake recipe.

And if you’re looking for an educational site for your kids, be sure to check out Strawberryville. It has a few different games (vary depending on age), some trivia, general facts as well as a list of recipes geared toward kids. There’s even a section for parents and teachers that includes some classroom activities like “Strawberry Playdough”.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up a pack of California Strawberries… even if they don’t dance.

1 thought on “This California Fruit Doesn’t Dance!

  1. Hi Nicole,
    thank you for the shout-out, and THANK you for that edu strawberry page! How fun!
    I am looking forward to digging through the activities, we love strawberries.

    xoxo
    steph

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