Blueberries are one powerful little fruit. Their pigment provides some of the highest concentration of anti-oxidants of all the other fruits and vegetables.  From cancer and heart disease, to vision and memory, blueberries pack a punch that fights many of your body’s battles.

From a skin outlook, those little blueberries power shouldn’t be underestimated either.  Their high concentration of anti-oxidants makes them anti-aging fighting machines.  Additionally, the ultra high anti-oxidant properties of blueberries help minimize flushing and  redness.  For those who suffer from severe acne and rosacea, this is an extreme helpful fruit to keep handy.  Blueberries serve this purpose from the inside out.  Meaning you can tastily snack on them as a treat and you can crush them and apply them directly to your skin to reap the benefits.

Blueberry and oatmeal paste recipe – safe for use morning or night, once or twice a week to help combat redness

You’ll need:

• Half cup of plain oatmeal
• ¼ ounce olive (or jojoba, or sweet almond) oil
• 10 – 15 blueberries

Instructions:

1. Grind oatmeal finely
2. Mash blueberries into a paste
3. Combine oatmeal, blueberry paste, and oil into a bowl
4. Apply to face and allow it to sit 10 – 15 minutes
5. Rinse face and apply normal moisturizer

As you can see, from the inside out, blueberries should have a permanent spot on your grocery list and a regular home in your bathroom cabinet.  What’s your favorite blueberry recipe? Leave a comment and share it with us.

Making a sugar scrub at home is a lot easier than you think.  In less than 5 minutes, you can whip up a batch and be well on your way to enjoying the first day of your renewed baby smooth skin.  The recipe below is quick and simple: easy to make, even easier to use; all from ingredients already in your kitchen. I highly recommend adding an “Extra” or two to make your scrubbing experience that much more nourishing and enjoyable!

You’ll need:

• 1cup of sugar (raw, refined, or brown)
• ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil

Extras (optional ingredients):

• 5 to 10 drops of favorite essential oils (aromatherapudic)
• 1 tbs honey (natural humectant drawing in moisture to skin)
• ¼ cup ground coffee beans (enhanced exfoliation; uplifting scent)

Directions:

1. Pour sugar and oil in a glass or plastic container that has a tightly sealing lid.
2. Stir until sugar and oil are well blended.
3. Stir in any listed Extras as desired.

Now, head directly to your shower and apply liberally to your entire body by hand, or with a bath cloth or mitt, paying special attention to known dry areas.  Your scrub is safe to use daily or as needed. Be sure to store it tightly sealed and it will keep for about 1-2 weeks.

Now wasn’t that easy? Happy Scrubbing!

Last week’s post made mention of being able to find hair pampering products right in your kitchen.  There are plenty of commonly known ingredients: olive oil, honey, eggs, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar.  There are also a few less commonly known times that can do wonders for both your hair as well as your skin.

• Baking soda – an excellent replacement for an apple cider vinegar rinse, normally used as a clarifier.  Baking soda will displace the residue left from hair products, without stripping the healthy nutrients from your hair.  It’s a great alternative for those who don’t like the scent of apple cider vinegar and who find the scent lingering in their hair after clarifying with it.

• Tomatoes – provide a variety of benefits to healthy, beautiful hair.  Tomatoes restore your hair color when you’ve been exposed to damaging chemicals such as chlorine.   They also strip away odors that have settled into your hair even after washing.  From tomato juice to sauce to freshly crushed and squeezed tomatoes, use tomatoes to restore your hair’s pH levels back to normal.

• Coffee- an uplifting source of shine for your treasured tresses.  Applied as a rinse, brewed coffee provides not only shine but stimulates hair growth also.  Ground coffee is excellent exfoliating, and has tightening and firm qualities for skin as well.

• Coconut oil – keeps your roots and scalp moisturized without clogging pores.  Coconut oil absorbs easily into skin, is an excellent deep conditioner for restoring health to dry scalps acting as a great combatant against dandruff.

• Bananas – another source of sheen and shine for your hair.  Alone or combined with olive oil or avocado, bananas provide protein and soften your hair.  This is an excellent ingredient to use when you spend a lot of time in the elements to replenish nourishment.  Bananas, mixed with milk or yogurt, can also be used on skin as a mask to combat aging skin.

Take a peek in your refrigerator and cabinets and add one or two of these common kitchen ingredients to your hair care routine today.  Luxurious, healthy skin is just a few steps away.