Seasonal Fruit Picking
Seasonal Fruit Picking is Here!
Summer is almost here and with this time of year, comes one of nature’s most spectacular bounties—freshly picked fruit!! I just have to ask… Is there anything better? (Hint: no.)
Fresh fruit is out of this world delicious! To boot, any follower of Anthony knows how powerful and healing fruit is for our bodies and our minds. With good reason, he often refers to it as “one of the most healing foods on the planet” as a result of all it has the potential to do for us.
…fruit not only prevents illness, it slows down aging, kills off pathogens, and heals our bodies on a cellular level.
-AW
Particularly during this time of year and picking season, I feel so incredibly blessed to have such magnificent fruit at my fingertips (literally). I’m going to share today some reasons why everyone should take full advantage of fresh local (and organically-grown when you can find it) fruit whenever possible, and also provide some tricks to making the best of your treasure picking.
General Fruit Picking Suggestions
Enjoy nature while you’re picking.
Anthony shares that picking your own fruit is one of the most powerful meditations in existence. In “Medical Medium: Secrets….,” he encourages us to meditate on all of the months of development that led to the moment of picking. He discusses how the plant develops from seed to maturity with the seasons. He wisely compares our lives to berries with our similar cycles.
When we take the time to focus on nature’s rhythms, we activate trust and faith within our souls that our efforts to live a good life will be fruitful.
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While you’re out in nature, allow yourself to soak in the sun! For maximum benefit, let the rays soothe your soul and heal your body for about 15 minutes before covering up with a hat, long sleeves, and/or sunscreen.
Take your kids
Fruit picking is a great lesson for our children in respecting and honoring Mother Nature as well as our own bodies and minds! And what better moments for us as parents than to see the look on their faces when they bite into nature’s candies? Precious! Plus – each child picking helps get your family even more to take home!
So what should I pick? + Fruit Picker Tips for each Variety
All of our recommendations for the best time of the year to pick each fruit applies to the American picking season and varies by region/weather conditions and the variety of strawberry, cherry, etc. Check with your local farmer’s markets/growers to see when they open up to the public for picking.
1. Right now (June)? Go for STRAWBERRIES.
Although strawberries are an all-around amazing superfood, locally grown strawberries will have the most nutritional and health benefits. The season is quite short compared to other fruits and veggies, so be sure to get out and pick as soon as you start seeing the road signs for fresh strawberries.
When to pick : April, May, and June
Strawberry picker’s tips : Look for bright red strawberries (with no yellow or green) as they will be the sweetest. (Note: They don’t ripen once they’re picked so what you see is what you’ll get! I have a post on identifying ideal fruit ripeness if you want to learn more about which fruits do and don’t ripen after picking.) Also, avoid any berries that have been squashed or have spots where little critters have worked their way in.
Strawberries are delicious when eaten plain, but can also be eaten in or on a salad, with a whipped coconut cream topping, or in recipes such as smoothies or pies.
2. Be on the lookout for CHERRIES.
As Anthony has shared, cherries are the ultimate liver tonic, cleanser, and rejuvenator.
Cherries promote healthy hemoglobin and are also anti-cancerous, specifically effective at addressing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma (a type of brain tumor). Cherries sharpen the mind by purifying the bowels—they’re better at alleviating constipation than prunes! They cleanse the bladder, too, and help alleviate spastic bladders and bladder prolapse. Plus, cherries are one of the best endocrine-system-boosting foods, stimulating or suppressing the appetite as needed. If it’s weight loss you’re after, cherries are your new best friend.
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When to pick : Typically end of June-mid-July
Cherry picker’s tips : When selecting red cherries, look for the darkest ones. These deeper shades have the most healing benefits as they’ve received optimal levels of minerals from their trees.
Cherries can be eaten as-is (of course taking caution of the pits) or can be included as an ingredient in a recipe such as this Wild Blueberry & Cherry Smoothie. Anthony does advise, however, that cherries are so cleansing and detoxifying that they serve us best in limited quantities. He recommends that we consume cherries in small servings portioned out daily, rather than in a large serving at one sitting.
3. Also, keep an eye out for BLUEBERRIES.
While Anthony highly recommends and prefers wild blueberries (which can be found in grocery store freezers all year round), local and fresh blueberries also deliver healthy antioxidants and are great for your brain, skin, and heart!
When to pick : April-late September
Blueberry picker’s tips : Look for berries that are deep purple-blue to blue-black. (Note: Reddish blueberries aren’t ripe, and again, won’t ripen once they are picked … but you can use them for cooking.) Of course, avoid blueberries that look soft or shriveled or have any signs of mold.
4. Next, consider BLACKBERRIES
Blackberries help with digestion, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, fight infection, provide anti-aging benefits, and so much more! They also help with eyesight and protect against heart disease.
When to pick : Peaks in June in the south and July in the north, but picking season can extend to late August
Blackberry picker’s tips : Select large/plump berries that are deeply colored, and easily slip off the stem. (As with strawberries and blueberries, they don’t ripen once they’re picked so only take home the good ones.)
Blackberries can also be eaten alone, in/on a salad, or as part of smoothies or clean desserts.
Fruits on the Horizon
Plums, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, and tomatoes are some that will be up and coming in July and beyond. In the fall, pear and apple picking begins.
Get Out There & Enjoy!
Life can definitely be busy and chaotic making it tough to find the time to add more activities beyond the daily grind, but I highly encourage you to take this opportunity to get out there and pick yourself some fresh fruit. Grab your kids, allow your heart and mind to just let go, and simply enjoy nature’s bounty! You won’t be disappointed.
Need More Help?
For more ways to incorporate healing foods or meditation in your life, consider an ROH consult.
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