DIY Life

Summer is here, and the pickin' is easy: the wild strawberries (and farm ones too!) are ripe and ready, the wild blueberry bushes scattered throughout the woods behind my house are showing off their green berries, and the raspberries are just threatening to come out, but they'll be here later in the summer.

What will you do with all of your summer berries? Chances are, we'll be baking with some, but most of them end up in our mouths before they even hit the bowl. If you've got some extras, now might be the time to try making your own wild berry wine.

Beyond a cup of berries, water, and a quart jar, you really don't need anything but a little time to shake it all up each day. After about two weeks, you should be able to enjoy your wine.

WikiHow has more details on your home brewing experiment, and instructions on how to make vinegar or age your wine. If you've got some berries to spare, let the brewing commence!

Summer is here and it's berry season. Mmm: fresh blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are at hand! We went you-pick blueberry picking last June and had the best time, although it was incredibly hot. Are you planning to pick berries this summer? The best source for berry-picking tips is the website Pick Your Own. Here are a handful of their top tips:

1. It's summer: bring lots of drinks, plus snacks, hats, sunscreen and bug repellent.

2. Bend down and look up through the middle of the plant. You will find tons of berries other pickers have missed.

It's time to ditch the excessive supplements and energy drinks and start using natural foods to increase energy and elevate mood. It doesn't take much, and you'll be feeling better and have more energy to take on your next project. Kick-start your day with these 11 mood-lifting foods:

1. Milk
2. Chocolate
3. Whole grain rice or pasta
4. Mackerel
5. Broccoli
6. Coffee
7. Turkey
8. Liver
9. Blueberries
10. Brazil nuts
11. Any food that tastes good

Check out the full article for details on these foods and reasons why they are each beneficial. Add some of these to your daily diet and you'll immediately notice an improvement. These incredible stress busters will have the added benefit of tasting great. After the break I'll point you to some meal ideas that easily include these 11 mood lifting foods into your diet.