It never fails. Around this time of the year, every single year, I start craving fresh strawberries really, really badly. It is even tougher this year because my wait will be a little bit longer than usual. In California, strawberries are available almost year round. I use to pass two strawberry fields, on my way into town, as late as October and November and see them return as early as February and March. Strawberries don’t grow like that here.

In my efforts to support the local produce market, I have endured unbearable pain. Strawberries are now being sold at my local grocery store and I have continued to walk past plastic containers of ones that are primed and ready to eat. Guess where those strawberries are from. Yep! California. So, now, I sit and wait patiently until the harvesting of local strawberries begins.

My obsession with like of strawberries began when I was pregnant with Lily. I had the “great fortune” of experiencing six months of 24-hour “morning sickness.” Whoever made up the phrase “morning sickness” must have never experienced it because I have not met any mom who only had it in the morning. Well, ginger worked for a few days and saltines never quite cut it, but strawberries carried me through that sickly time with her and also while pregnant with Canyon. Instead of growing an aversion to strawberries due to the cognitive experience of morning sickness, my love for them continued.

I was glad to learn about the nutritional benefits of strawberries since I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 365 days a year. One serving of strawberries (about eight) is a great source of vitamin C and provides more vitamin C than one orange serving. Strawberries also provide potassium, fiber, and phytochemicals (you don’t say) which have been shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer which runs rampant in my family.

The American Heart Association has certified strawberries as a “heart-healthy” choice which defines a food as having ‘low levels of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol’. How can you not like the strawberry? They are ‘America’s favorite fruit and enjoyed by 94% of Americans nationwide’.

What fresh and local produce are you waiting for this spring and summer seasons?

Is there a food that got you through your morning sickness?

Forget the cream, Angel Food Cake, and chocolate. I just rinse, cut, and pop them in my mouth.