As we enter fresh berry season, many rejoice. The sweet, juicy taste of summer is hidden in the rounded flesh of raspberries, the soft skin of blueberries, and the bold redness of strawberries. There is nothing quite like a handful of fresh berries from the farmer’s market, or picked yourself, right off the bush.

Once you get tired of stuffing berries by the handful into your mouth (if is a better word…) you can then try several other delightful ways to enjoy them, including adding frozen or fresh berries to smoothies, making crepes or pancakes, or in desserts like blackberry pie or raspberry crumble.

For versatility alone, I love berry parfaits. They make a great breakfast, or mid-afternoon or post-workout snack. I’ve written before about my raspberry and honey yogurt parfait, and this is another variation.

Strawberry & banana are two flavors that just complement each other well, so it is only natural to pair them together here with crunchy granola, protein packed yogurt, and healthy cinnamon spice. And the best part is that you can enjoy a healthy parfait year-round! Frozen berries work just as well here, and are great for making overnight and refrigerating. By morning it is soft and ready to go.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 1/4 cup granola
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• Optional: 1 tsp sugar

Step 1: Put the yogurt in a small bowl. I have a mini snack-sized one I use often, it’s just the right amount.

Step 2: Layer the berries, banana slices, and granola. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top and enjoy! You could use any type of berries here, and can change up the yogurt to use a flavored one if you like.