I watched Willy Wonka over the weekend. Not that newer Tim Burton mess. Nah. I watched the classic, y’all. The Willy Wonka with Gene Wilder and the incredibly macabre songs. Yep. That’s the one. I just love those strangely sinister children’s stories a la Edward Gorey. Anyway, I’d just gotten to the part in Willy Wonka when Violet Beauregard turns into a blueberry and I got all déjà vu all over again. I love blueberries, and when I was a kid, my mother used to say that if I wasn’t careful I’d turn into one. Ha!
I guess I proved Mommy wrong because I’ve been eating, drinking, and most recently smearing blueberries all over my skin and I still haven’t suffered Violet’s fate. Seriously, blueberries are the incredible, edible, antioxidant rock star of DIY beauty. Internal and external, that tiny purple giant is a beauty powerhouse. There are so many ways to enjoy the benefits of blueberries that I couldn’t settle on just one, so I decided to share a few ways to reap their rewards with you.
For Snacking
Blueberries are an excellent source of fiber, they’re low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium. They’re also jam packed with vitamins. So if you find yourself a little peckish between meals, grab a cup of blueberries and nom nom away. One cup of blueberries is an energy boosting and filling snack at just 84 calories!
For Breakfast
One of my favorite breakfasts is this super simple blueberry banana smoothie. Just blend together 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup plain or vanilla whole fat yogurt, 1/4 cup orange juice, and 1/2 of a medium sized banana. Add a little ice to the blender to make it extra frothy.
For Beauty
Harnessing the antioxidant power of blueberries and coupling it with the antibacterial power of honey, this face mask is easy to whip up and the results amazing. In a blender, mix about 1 cup of blueberries, 2 tbsp raw honey, and 2 tbsp raw sugar. Apply this mixture to your clean skin and allow it to work magic for about 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Eat, drink, and bathe in blueberries, y’all! I promise you won’t turn violet.
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