>Healthy Deal of the Week: Red Peppers & Strawberries

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I'm seeing red this week...strawberries and red bell peppers are on sale at Publix! I love colorful produce; more color = more nutrition. Florida Strawberries are on sale 3 for $5.00, what a steal! Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamin c, B vitamins, and a host of other vitamins and minerals. Strawberries can be eaten by themselves, in muffins/cakes, in smoothies, or my favorite...dipped in dark chocolate! Go ahead and buy the 3 containers and freeze extra. To freeze, wash the strawberries and dry them very well. Lay them out on a cookie sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Then take them out of the freezer and place them in a freezer safe bag and they'll stay good for up to 6 months. You can use them frozen in smoothies, muffins, cakes, etc.
The other deal is red bell peppers for $1.97 a pound. People usually stay away from the colorful peppers because of the expense, so take advantage of this sale (they're usually $3.49/lb). Choose peppers that are bright in color and free of blemishes. Red bell peppers are mature peppers (green are picked before they're ripe) and they're rich in carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, fiber, and a whole host of other nutrients. They're great in stir-fry, grilled, roasted, or added to quinoa. Stock up and freeze while the price is right. Simply slice your peppers, blanch (2 minutes max) and then store them in a freezer safe bag.
Happy shopping!