Summer is right around the corner, and that means blueberries. They're some of nature's most powerful disease-fighting and performance-boosting fruit and their peak season is at hand. These tiny, power-packed fruits are good for your health, both internally and externally. Low in fat, coming in at about 80 calories per cup and practically fat-free, blueberries are loaded with fibre to keep you fuller longer, for example. Just a handful can satisfy your daily fibre requirement. They're also an excellent source of manganese, which plays an important part in bone development and converting carbohydrates and fats into energy. Moreover, research on blueberries has shown that blueberry antioxidants protect the skin from cellular damage. Their vitamin C content helps strengthen blood vessels and reduce the appearance of spider veins under the skin. Also rich in vitamin A, blueberries have been successfully used in the treatment of acne. So, the next time you buy blueberries, set a few aside and treat yourself to one of these ideas and feel the magic results yourself:
MOISTURISING MASK: Mix together one-and-a-quarter cups of pureed fresh or defrosted blueberries, half a cup of full cream milk, half a cup of powdered oatmeal, one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey. Apply to the face and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Refrigerate and use the remainder for up to one week.
ACNE MASK: Mix one cup of fresh or defrosted blueberries, half a cup of powdered oatmeal, one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of turmeric powder. Apply to the face for 10 to 15 minutes twice daily.
Research has shown that the antioxidant power of blueberries is retained even after freezing. And because the season of the berries is very short, it's recommended to freeze them if you have a bounty of berries and don't want to eat them all. By doing this you can use them in a delicious smoothie or melt and enjoy eating them any time beyond the summer. Here's an easy three-step way to freeze the berries before they go bad: - Wash the berries and place them in a single layer without touching one another on a cooking sheet. - Freeze for 30 minutes. - Remove, and then transfer to freezer bags. - Suck as much of the air out as possible, seal and put in the freezer.
