We are lucky to have a lot of places locally to get fresh, homegrown fruits and veggies. We are also fortunate because there are many places you can go and spend a fun day out picking your own. But once you have all those berries picked, what do you do with them?

Blueberry season is upon us, so here are some ideas as to what to do with all those berries!

Verywell Health says blueberries are touted as a superfood because they are full of antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and phytosterols, which are micronutrients that can significantly lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Blueberries also are low in saturated fat and may help lower triglyceride levels. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that women who consume blueberries daily have lower blood pressure. Furthermore, researchers in Finland determined a berry-rich diet supports healthy aging and controls the risk of chronic diseases.

Enjoying a blueberry muffin or a cup of blueberries with breakfast are two ways to consume more blueberries. But those are not the only ways to incorporate more blueberries into your diet.

Make a smoothie. Blend blueberries into a smoothie containing frozen yogurt and other fruit. Drink it any time of the day as a filling snack or even a small meal.

Whip up blueberry relish. Diced fresh blueberries tossed with onion, diced tomato, and various seasonings can be used to top fish tacos or spread on toast rounds.

Create a fruit salad. Blend various fresh fruits into a delicious fruit salad. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top to prevent browning of the fruits used.

Whip up overnight oats. Mix equal parts of almond milk, oats, and Greek yogurt together in a container and let sit overnight. In the morning, mix in favorite some blueberries. Add a little pure vanilla extract for added flavor.

Add blueberries to batters — mix blueberries into pancake or waffle batters to add extra nutrients to meals.

Flavor your drinks. Drop blueberries into water, fruit juices, or lemonade for a nutritional boost. Dress up sangria with blueberries for an added punch to this famous cocktail. Freeze them first for extra cooling during hot weather!

Mix up energy bites: pair nuts, oats, chia seeds, flax seeds, and other healthy ingredients with blueberries. Utilize maple syrup or honey to keep components together, and bake until golden brown. Many different recipes are available online for these types of treats.

Give them to your dogs! Blueberries aren’t just a superfood for you, but your furbaby too! Blueberries are great for dogs and are said to help prevent cancer. My dog likes them frozen, along with strawberries! I can’t even open my freezer now without him coming looking for a snack!

Be sure to check out the rest of the paper this week; there are a few places to go pick up some homegrown blueberries throughout the area!