Blueberry Parfait

Wild blueberries from Paradise, Michigan

Wild blueberries from Paradise, Michigan

Last summer, while on a family vacation to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I spent a few hours picking wild blueberries along the beach. It was one of those contemplative, repetitive, yet incredibly rewarding tasks, which resulted in two pounds of my favorite natural treats. I took them home and froze them, planning to use them off-season, when ripe berries are scarce.

I love blueberries not only because they are delicious, but also because they are nutritious. Blueberries have been shown to produce several health benefits, ranging from improving memory, reducing blood pressure, promoting digestion, reversing premature graying, and stimulating hair growth. Since they are so healthful, blueberries are considered by many to be a "super food." 

As you can imagine, there are countless uses for blueberries - blueberry muffins, blueberry pie, blueberry juice, blueberry pancakes, blueberry smoothies, blueberry salad, blueberry jam, blueberry shortcake...the list goes on. As a lover of the simpler things in life, I prefer blueberries in their natural element: raw, unbaked, and unadulterated. And, as a lover of breakfast, I really love blueberries first thing in the morning, with a bit of muesli and yogurt. Below is a simple recipe for blueberries and yogurt - a blueberry parfait!

Blueberry Parfait - One Serving

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened (plain) Greek yogurt, such as Wallaby's Greek lowfat plain yogurt
  • 1/3 (or more!) cup blueberries
  • 1/2 tbs flax seeds, ground or whole. Flax is rich in Omega 3s and best absorbed when ground
  • Agave syrup, if more sweetness is desired
  • 1/4 cup muesli, such as Familia Swiss muesli, with no sugar added
  • Sprig of mint (not displayed)

Directions:

Layer all the ingredients in a clear vessel. Try a wine glass! Start with a dab of yogurt, some muesli, blueberries, yogurt, muesli, flax, agave, and then another dab of yogurt and the remaining blueberries. Keep doing this until the glass is full. The result is a satisfying display of B12, fiber, and protein. If you like, you can place a spring of mint on top, and the effect is complete.

Enjoy!