The Blueberries of Summer
by Kim Stoltzfus

The official summer of 2025 has arrived, marked by the longest days of the year and heat that’s already rivaled in June what we typically expect from July or August. And while the temperature rises, something else has been ripening just as fast, the blueberry bushes. We’ve been harvesting them non-stop for the past few weeks.

There’s something sacred about blueberry season. For me, it calls back memories of picking wild blueberries along Chestnut Trail in Tioga County, PA during family vacations. Growing up in Pennsylvania, we always knew: if you wanted the best blueberries, you looked to New Jersey. That reputation goes way back—commercial cultivation began there in the early 1900s. But blueberries’ story stretches further still. They’re native to North America and have long been valued by Native American communities for both food and medicinal use. They noted the berry’s five-point star (the calyx), calling it a gift from the Great Spirit—sent to nourish people during times of scarcity [¹][²][³]. In 1974, the USDA officially designated July as National Blueberry Month—a fitting tribute to a fruit so rich in meaning and benefit.

Why Blueberries Are a Summer Superfood

Blueberries (and their berry cousins) are brightly colored thanks to anthocyanins and polyphenols—compounds that pack a powerful nutritional punch. Research has shown they may:

• Reduce pain and inflammation in joints and muscles
• Lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity
• Slow cancer growth and enhance treatment response
• Improve blood vessel function and heart health
• Protect brain function—boosting memory, learning, and emotional resilience [⁴][⁵]

That last one especially resonates with me. As someone who believes deeply in the healing power of Creation, it’s beautiful to think something so small and sweet could bring such restoration.

Blueberry Lemonade: A Taste of Abundance

If you’re looking for a simple way to celebrate the season, here’s one of my hubby, Glen’s favorite ways to enjoy blueberries:

Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade
In a high-speed blender, add:

• A generous cup of fresh blueberries
• One whole lemon (peeled or unpeeled, your choice, but it’s got more zing as a whole)
• 1–2 cups of water

Blitz until smooth. Pour into a pitcher and add another 4–5 cups of cold water. Chill, stir, and enjoy!

A Reflection: Joy in the Everyday

Blueberries remind me of the joy and abundance God weaves into even the smallest parts of life—a burst of sweetness, the quiet delight of foraging, the blessing of sharing a drink on a hot day.

Scripture tells us,

“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”
—Psalm 65:11 (NKJV)

In a world so often marked by scarcity and striving, I want to keep noticing what’s already been provided. May these summer days and this simple fruit remind us to slow down, savor, and receive.

Sources:
[1] University of Illinois Extension
[2] U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
[3] Wild Blueberries History
[4] Food Revolution Network
[5] Sherzai, Dean and Ayesha. The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution. HarperCollins, 2021.

P.S. Want to learn even more about the power of berries? Watch this:
Benefits of Berries (YouTube)

If you want to see if working with me could help you take control of your health and lead to reduced pain and inflammation and increase your energy, mobility and strength, book a Find Your Energy Discovery Call with me on my calendar. If you are just curious about what’s up with my new endeavor or have someone you think might benefit from working with me, book a Virtual Coffee Chat and if you are in the Low Country we can meet at a local coffee shop.