STRAWBERRYLICIOUS



LUSCIOUS STRAWBERRIES



Strawberries are as delicious on the outside as their inside - they are filled with many key nutrients your body needs.

The heart-shaped member of the rose family is neither a berry or a fruit, but the enlarged receptacle of the flower. These "berries" are also known as "The Queen of Fruits".

Strawberries are packed with vitamin A, C and B6, folate, potassium, fiber, and various antioxidants and flavonoids. Your immune system needs these fighters to protect against diseases related to heart and cancers. Just one serving -- about eight strawberries -- provides more vitamin C than an orange.

We now know strawberries are powerhouses of nutrition and help prevent disease. They are also one of the top 10 foods for skincare. Regular intake of strawberries can improve your skin and hair.

Strawberries can clear up oily skin, reduce under-eye puffiness, make skin smoother, whiten teeth and make hair shiny. Strawberry’s main skin-pleasing ingredient is alpha-hydroxy acid, a great little substance that helps us slough off dead skin cells so that new, youthful skin is revealed. A super easy way to get some of strawberry's benefits in a minute: cut berry in 1/2, rub it all over your face, let it set there for a few minutes, then rinse well. Instantly softer, smoother skin!

Let me share a couple of strawberry skin treatments:

STRAWBERRY CREAM MASK

ingredients:

3-4 medium strawberries

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoon organic honey

Mash strawberries with the back of a fork. Add cream and honey, blend until a thick mixture.

Apply to face and neck, avoiding eye area. Leave on 10 minutes, then rinse off.

STRAWBERRY HAIR CONDITIONER

ingredients:

8 fresh strawberries

1 tablespoon of mayonnaise

Mash ingredients and massage into damp hair. Cover with shower cap and warm towel. Leave on hair at least 10 minutes, then shampoo as usual.

WHITEN TEETH WITH STRAWBERRIES

Simply rub crushed fresh strawberry pulp directly on your teeth to clean and gently remove stains.

STRAWBERRY-BAKING SODA METHOD TO WHITEN TEETH

Crush the strawberry to a pulp and mix with baking soda until blended. Using a soft toothbrush, spread mixture on teeth and leave on 5 minutes. Brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove baking soda-strawberry mixture. Rinse. May use once weekly.

Strawberries are a fast, cheap way to brighten your smile. Combined with baking soda, they buff away surface stains such as wine, coffee and soda. Be careful not to use this too often, as the acid from the berries could damage the enamel on your teeth.

Strawberries are fat-free, high fiber, low calorie beauty powerhouses. Try to include more strawberries in your diet. Add them to your breakfast cereal, make a smoothie or replace your afternoon snack.

I know I will be purchasing strawberries this weekend and trying out these yummylicious recipes.

enjoy,

Amy