EAT LOCAL BERRIES AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY Summer: THE SEASON FOR REFRESHING DESSERTS!

Berry season is the perfect time to stock up and indulge in all your favorites. With strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and other delicious varieties, there are plenty of options to inspire your daily menu.

Breakfast

Cereal, oatmeal, toast and bagels all pair perfectly with a handful of fruit, whether they’re sliced, whole or preserved. Making pancakes or waffles? Syrup, whipped cream, custard and chocolate sauce complement berries brilliantly.

Lunch

Dare to be different by including blackberries or strawberries in your salads. Add goat cheese and blueberries to your grilled chicken sandwich, or use berries to brighten up your salmon poke bowl.

Dinner

Enjoy finger foods like raspberries with cream cheese on crackers or tuna and strawberry tartare. Bruschetta and spring rolls are other ways to include these sweet treats in your meal.

Snacks

Whole berries are delicious when eaten plain, and you can add them to yogurt or include them in your go-to granola bar or muffin recipe. Adding dehydrated fruit to some homemade trail mix adds a delicious pop of flavor.

Beverages

If you have lots of berries, consider turning them into juice and smoothies. You can also freeze them to use as tasty ice cubes in your summer drinks.

Desserts

Berries work with nearly any sweet recipe. Chocolate fondues, upside-down cakes, pies, cookies, popsicles, sorbets — the list goes on.

Visit a fruit stand, U-pick or farmers’ market in your area today to get your berry fill!

The heat of summer and all its pleasant activities often put you in the mood for refreshing desserts. Want to try your hand at making some delicious homemade desserts to help you survive the hot weather? Here are some ideas to inspire you.

Ice cream sundaes

Use local or exotic fruits to create fresh ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt. Mango, raspberries, lemon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and blueberries are great options. You can also opt for classic flavors, such as chocolate and vanilla, or get creative by using edible flowers and fragrant herbs like lavender and mint. Top it all off with granola, chocolate shavings, nuts, fruit coulis, caramel sauce or maple syrup.

Fruity delights

Let your imagination run wild and have fun concocting fruity pies that pair perfectly with a dollop of ice cream. Layer jam, custard, whipped cream and chopped fruit on a delicious, sweet pastry. Mousse cakes, pavlovas and panna cottas are other tasty options you can make with the fruit of your choice.

Unique treats

Enjoy ice cream in a new way by making a bite-sized Japanese dessert called mochi or assembling a cake roll. You could also make oversized ice cream sandwiches by placing your favorite flavor of ice cream between two giant chocolate chip cookies. When it comes to dessert drinks, slushies and milkshakes are also irresistible options.

Many restaurants, snack bars and creameries offer a wide variety of frozen and refreshing desserts. Indulge your appetite this summer!

-Zach Bohn, Occupational Therapist with Ethos