Miraculous Cherry Medicine

Cherry Love

We are upon on of my favorite times of the year – late spring, early summer – the time when berries, and most importantly cherries, come into seasonal abundance. For me there has been something incredibly magical and seductive about the cherry. Like asparagus, their season is short, but oh so sweet!
Normally, I begin to get anxious about 2 or 3 weeks before their arrival at the farmer’s market. Finally, I am driven to inquire, “how are the cherries coming along?”. My anticipation is temporarily satisfied with a date of arrival. Then, the arrival! Being one of the more expensive purchases I make at the market, I reign myself in from giving it all up for a frenetic cherry feast. I tell myself that if I can keep it under ten dollars I am still getting my fix without breaking the bank. Each cherry then, has inherent value, treasured like a precious jewel.
This year I was blessed with some cherry magic. A gift I am now seeing as pure cherry medicine. A physical, spiritual and emotional healing that could only be experienced with this enchanted fruit.
I received a call from a yoga friend and apparently he had some cherries to share. My heart went “thump, thump” and I nearly stuttered my acceptance. Visions of living on cherries alone began to dance in my head.
“How many would you like?” he inquired.
“Well . . . ” I paused, as the greed monster struggled to take hold of my vocal cords.
“Whatever you would like to give.” Yes, that sounded fair and reasonable.

Fast forward twenty-four hours later and I am about eight cherry pounds richer. Initially, I eat them just out of hand, the way I always do. Then, realizing my enormous supply, the creativity begins. Cherry smoothies of all variations, cherry pie, cherry jam . . . never straying too far, of course, from the true and perfect nature of this gem.
The feeling was akin to winning the lottery after being broke. I was gradually becoming accustomed to spending money (or eating cherries) freely without counting every penny. And of course, the ability to share with reckless abandon is just sheer cherry joy!

Cherry Medicine
What makes these little berries so miraculous?
Cherries are rich and sweet (as long as they are not the sour variety), but never cloying.
No peeling, just pop and enjoy.
People travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles to see the fleeting blooms of the cherry trees.
They are one of the few fruits that are warming in nature.
Cherries increase vital energy and tone the spleen-pancreas, liver, and kidneys.
They are one of the few fruits that are truly alkaline.
Cherries assist with blood stagnation, making them invaluable for gout, numbness in extremities, rheumatic pain and paralysis.
They are an indulgent treat with chocolate.
Cherries are a safe treat to be enjoyed by diabetics as they actually help lower blood sugar levels.
Cherries are an excellent source of iron and contain some phosphorous, potassium, calcium and vitamin A.
You cannot be depressed while eating cherries!
Life is like a bowl of cherries.
Cherries contain queritrin, a flavonoid found to be one of the most potent anticancer agents.
They contain ellagic acid, which some researchers say may be the most effective cancer preventative.
Cherries also contain a compound (perillyl alcohol) shown to be powerful in reducing the occurrence of all types of cancer.
Eating 20 sour cherries (or the equivalent in juice concentrate) has the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving power of aspirin or ibuprofen, without the negative effects.
They contain specific antioxidants shown to slow down the aging process.
Cherries anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties help eliminate migraines.
Cherries are rich in melatonin, which can assist in improving your body’s circadian rhythms and help with sleep.

These berries are truly worthy of worship.

Cherry Bliss

My gift to you is my latest cherry creation. YUMMMM!

1 cup fresh (or frozen) organic cherries, pitted
½ ripe medium avocado or 1/3 cup soaked raw cashews

1 scoop chocolate or vanilla Dream Protein (http://GreensFirst.com/4550)

½ cup vanilla or chocolate unsweetened almond milk

Make it special:

add 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
add 1 scoop green powder (see my recommended products)
add 1 teaspoon bee pollen
add a dash each cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger
add extra stevia if you like it sweeter
add a squeeze of lemon if you like a zing
add crushed ice if you like it cold and thick

Place all the ingredients in the blender and puree until smooth.
Enjoy!