They’re the fourth largest selling fruit in North America (following apples, oranges and bananas) and they’re available year round. Truly, it would be very difficult to find someone who doesn’t just love a big, juicy, sweet strawberry. Aren’t we glad it’s strawberry season!

And not only are they tasty and pretty to look at, they are packed with health benefits. For instance, did you know that...

Eight medium strawberries contain only 45 calories, yet provide you with more vitamin C than one orange?

Because they’re packed with fiber and are high in folate and phytonutrients, this berry can boost your general health, lower heart disease and cancer risk, and improve your memory.

And what’s more, they also make skin younger and smoother, clear up acne and oiliness, whiten teeth, reduce under-eye puffiness, leave hair glossy and beautifully conditioned, and so much more! Here’s some cool information found on a favorite health website, Care2:

Quickest Strawberry Scrub Ever. 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. You can pay big bucks for any skin care product containing this acid, OR you can make your own. Here’s a ridiculously easy way to make an alpha-hydroxy acid-loaded treatment: just cut a berry in half, rub it over your face, and let those fresh juices sit there for a few minutes, then rinse. Instantly softer, smoother skin!

Strawberry Foot Scrub. For the prettiest, sandal-ready feet, use this scrub to slough away any dead skin: Mix 8 strawberries, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt into a paste. Massage this into your feet; allow it to sit a bit and then rinse. Alpha-hydroxy acid works it magic!

Puffy Eye Remedy. Just place a few strawberry slices under your eyes and relax for 10 minutes, then remove the slices and moisturize.

Berry Good Acne Remedy. Some of us can testify: you don’t have to be a teen to have acne! But whatever your age, if you get occasional blemishes, this formula is for you. Simply mash ½ cup of strawberry slices into 1 tablespoon of sour cream and apply the mixture to your face. It just takes 10 minutes for this combination to effectively do its job. Then rinse thoroughly.

Strawberry Mask for Oily Skin. Acne isn’t the only skin condition to benefit from strawberries. If you’re dealing with oily skin, substitute the sour cream for yogurt and notice the difference this mask makes. Use equal parts berries and yogurt for best results. After 10 minutes, rinse, apply toner, and moisturize.

Strawberry Tooth-Whitener. Who knew? But it’s true…simply rub crushed fresh strawberry pulp directly on your teeth to clean and gently remove stains. (Alpha-hydroxy acid benefits more than skin!)

Strawberry Hair Conditioner. If you want glossy, silky hair without the all the mystery ingredients that commercial conditioners contain, then do this: Mash 8 fresh strawberries and 1 tablespoon mayonnaise together. Massage this into damp hair. Cover with a shower cap and a warm towel. Allow to stay on hair for at least 10 minutes, then shampoo as usual.

And of course, how could we talk about strawberries without dipping into the cheesecake realm? Here is my all-time favorite cheesecake recipe that pairs perfectly with fresh strawberry slices. This tastes fantastic and is amazingly easy to make!

EASY Sour Cream Cheesecake

Serving size: 6
Calories per serving: 750

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups shortbread cookies
2 tablespoons butter melted
24 ounces cream cheese softened
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
8 ounces sour cream
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
fresh strawberries for serving


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the cookie crumbs with the melted margarine. Press into bottom of a spring form pan. In mixing bowl, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk. Beat until smooth. Beat in eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 50-55 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges (center will be slightly soft). Cool and then chill in refrigerator. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries.