July is National Blueberry Month!

July has crept up on us very quickly, at least for me.  What better way to begin the month by picking blueberries?  According to the USDA, July has been declared as “National Blueberry Month” (http://www.blueberry.org/USDA%20Proclamation.htm)!  How exciting, fellow co-eds!  There are many fun activities that you can do to celebrate this unique holiday while spicing up the middle of summer.

• Before you go out and pick blueberries at the local farm, decorate a bucket to bring along with you.  I know the Target Dollar Spot carries little buckets sometimes, but if not then go out to your local Dollar Tree and grab one there.  Paint with ceramic or acrylic around the sides; write your name, a short poem about blueberries, draw a group of blueberries, whatever hits your mind at that moment you look at your bucket!

• Paint your nails blue!  CoverGirl nail polish can be found at most department stores for just over 3.00.  It’s a great deal and you’ll still look as fabulous as ever in your shade of blue.
  

• Buy a blue cover-up for the pool!  Have a little blueberry spirit for this month of July, even if blue is not your favorite color.  You never know… blue might bring out that little twinkle in your eye and catch someone else’s!
  

  Target; ~ $17.99

• Bake!  Make some blueberry muffins, pie or a mixed smoothie!  Check out this site for some creative and fun recipes!

• Are you a die-hard blueberry fan?  Prove it and go to a local Party City or similar store and get some blue body paint and paint a smiley face on your face or go extreme and smudge it all over!  Have a fun, crazy adventure with a friend and go on a walk downtown or see a movie.  Don’t forget to spread the Blueberry “news” while you’re out, too.
  

  Friends Margot and Brigid as blueberries at a costume party

• While picking blueberries, wear sunscreen, bug spray for your legs and feet and most importantly- SUNGLASSES!  Had my fellow CL Intern, Abby B, and I not worn them, it would have been a struggle to tell which ones were the most ripened – seriously!  We even took them off and back on and that was proof enough for us that we were fortunate to bring them along in the sunlight.
  

  Our blueberry bucket results!

Now that you have a few ideas, it’s time to gear up and celebrate July as National Blueberry Month!!  Enjoy your tasty, healthy fruit by wearing its color or taking in your freshly baked goods.

Kayla Norris is an Intern of College Lifestyles (TM).  She is a senior at Georgia Southern University and loves nothing more than eating frozen blueberries.