Skating Uphill - June 2024

“I hope you have a berry good summer!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Still hanging on to peak season, strawberries are just about the best thing there is, both in nutrition and deliciousness. Available in abundance, I urge you not to pass up the little basket of strawberries at your grocer or favorite farmers’ market.

If we put nutrition aside for a moment, I have to say the very best way to have strawberries is in strawberry pie. Of course, that is my opinion, and I’m sure you have your way, too, like dipping them in chocolate. However, since this is supposed to be a column about good health, let’s discover just how good strawberries are for you, that even in a pie, can be counted as one of your five servings of required daily fruits and vegetables. 

I can feel your “she’s wrong” vibes, and I must say, I’m OK with that. My own husband disagrees with me, as he believes strawberries with vanilla ice cream is far superior to strawberry pie. And my best friend, Carol, tweaks Bill’s fav by replacing ice cream with whipped cream. My grandson says right off of the vine in the backyard is better than anything, but his mom says no. She loves a big bowl of these juicy red berries drizzled with brandy. I could go on and on, as we each have our personal favorites, and that is part of the beauty of this delightful berry, along with tons of vitamins, antioxidants and actually being a low-calorie treat.

But I refuse to relent. I know strawberry pie is, in fact, the best way to enjoy strawberries, and here is a recipe to prove it:

Strawberry Pie
1 box Strawberry Jell-O
1-quart Ripe red strawberries, de-stemmed, slice or whole
1 cup of Sugar
4 Tbsps Cornstarch
2 cups Water
1 pie crust, pre-baked as directed on package

Cook the sugar, cornstarch, and water until it thickens. Stir in Jell-O. Let stand for about 10 minutes and add strawberries. Pour mixture into prepared crust.

Believe it or not, it’s that easy.  If you’re not a strawberry lover, this can work with your favorite summer fruit just as easily. Peruse the produce department looking at the different types of fruits, then look at all of the different kinds of Jell-O. Think peaches, blueberries, blackberries! Not only do they all work, these fruit pies also look like you worked long and hard making them. For added summer yumminess, don’t forget to top each slice with ice cream or whipped cream. (We’ll give my hubby and best friend a little credit here!)

Be the summer berry fairy, sneak in that “berry good” nutrition, and enjoy a berry delicious fruit pie! Love, Judith

Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas. Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.

Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and Girls' Club. Judith is also a long-time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others, balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her blog www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.

Though I do tons of research, and have done so for many years, I am not a doctor and I share only my opinions. I enjoy research and subscribe to several magazines and publications and read up on all new trends. I hope you do, too!