When I was growing up, we had a cherry tree in our backyard. What cherries the birds and other wildlife didn’t get to we would consume with gusto, eating so many tart round rubies that we would get sick to our stomachs. Ah, those were the days!

Cherries are known for quite a few health benefits. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, reduce inflammation, arthritis, and pain, and help stop weight gain. It is said that eating 20 cherries a day can ward off inflammation altogether. They also contain lots of antioxidants, good for preserving cells against damage from free radicals or cancer.

Red cherries have melatonin in them, which helps fight disease-causing agents. A good source of Vitamin C and fiber, cherries are a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-sodium food, making them a great healthy snack and dieter’s friend. Just remember that the darker the cherry, the more nutrients and health benefits it has—and sour cherries have more health benefits than sweet ones.

To celebrate National Cherry Month, here are a few ideas.

Give chocolate-covered cherries for Valentine’s Day.

Have a true cherry Coke—with real cherries!

Eat a cherry breakfast. Many breakfast bars and cereals contain cherries, as do some flavors of yogurt. If nothing else, blend the cherries in with your morning protein shake or yogurt.

Reach for a bag of frozen cherries instead of candy. They’ll be sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding too many calories, and with the added benefit of nutrients and antioxidants.

Toss some cherries in your cereal, oatmeal, or ice cream.

Freeze cherries in ice cubes for a cute and yummy way to dress up Valentine’s drinks.

Remember asking, “Please, please, please, with a cherry on top?” Top everything with a cherry this month, from chocolate shakes to Valentine’s cupcakes.

Eat some dried cherries for a healthy snack. Mix them up with trail mix or Chex mix to jazz up snacks at your Super Bowl party.

Cook with cherries. From cherry pie to homemade punch, cherry cake to fruit salad, jams to compotes to soufflés, sweet or tart cherries can add some zest to any dish. Click here for some great recipes.

Make a cherry drink. Add cherries to your favorite berry cocktail; they’ll pretty much go with anything containing grenadine as well. Toss cherries in a wine or seltzer spritzer for a refreshing drink.

Try different varieties. If you don’t like the tart varieties (Morello and Montmorency cherries), try something sweet, like Bing, Royal Ann, Rainier, or Lambert cherries.