This time of year we are looking toward winter and the holidays. During the winter months our selection of fresh fruits and vegetables are limited in most areas of the country. With the holidays just around the corner there is one particular fruit that is at everyone’s holiday table, the cranberry.

Cranberries are packed with nutrition

Cranberries are full of antioxidants, which protects cells from the damage of unstable molecules called free radicals. Cranberries contain flavonoids, that may combat atherosclerosis, or what is commonly called “hardening of the arteries”. Flavonoids also help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol at the same time increasing the level of good cholesterol. Research is also showing decreased production of cavity and plaque producing bacteria in your mouth and reducing the bacteria associated with peptic ulcers also, for many years cranberry juice has been linked with preventing urinary tract infections.

Cranberries are available fresh throughout the winter months, so when your holiday table is set make a toast with a glass of cranberry juice and enjoy a few spoonfuls of cranberry sauce with your meal.

Here is a recipe for cranberry sauce you may enjoy. Very simple to make.

• 2 cups chopped cranberries
• 1 chopped orange
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 oz orange juice

Mix all together and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Note you may substitute ¼ to ½ cup honey (depending on amount of sweetness you prefer, do a taste test and add gradually) for the sugar.