Alright...so I've been on a health food kick lately and I recently watched a segment on the Today Show. They featured power foods filled with nutrients and vitamins that could keep us looking gorgeous...naturally! I thought I`d share some of the great things I learned, here they are...
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. That’s because a medium-sized apple only contains about 60 calories and virtually no fat. With 2.7 grams of fiber, this makes them one of the best sources of fiber when eaten with the peel on. Eating the peel of an apple will aid in protecting your skin from skin cancer. Apples are also rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes provide your skin 25% of the protection it needs against sunburn. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, one of the most potent of all the antioxidants and no other food can match them. Remember this..."Eating RED prevents you from turning red!"
Strawberries
1 cup of strawberries to be exact! Provides 130% of your daily value of vitamin C intake. Eating these delicious berries will prevent your skin from sagging and promote collagen. So skip those collagen injection appointments and eat some strawberries!
Soy
Eating soy proteins such as edamame beans will show significant improvement in skin firmness and fine lines.
Eggs
Eggs are a treasure trove of health benefits that can help your body, hair, skin and nails. It quadruples protection from uv rays, fine lines, brown spots and cancer -- not to forget that it also adds lots of moisture into your skin. Eggs are rich in vitamins A, D, E, B1, B6 and B12.
Did you know?...
Eggs have beauty benefits for skin and hair. Egg yolk contains, lipids, protein, Vitamins A, D and E, and minerals like calcium, iron, iodine, phosphorous and zinc. The yolk is nourishing for the hair. Due to its lipids (fat content), it has a softening effect on your hair, as it helps add lustre. The protein content in egg yolk coats each hair shaft, adding body to your crop. Egg yolk is a good conditioner for dry and damaged hair.
Egg white has a clarifying and cleansing effect. It also helps reduce oilyness. When used regularly in face masks, it nourishes the skin, refines the pores, tightens the skin and lightens dark spots. Hence, it helps delay aging signs, if used regularly.
Chocoholics rejoice! Dark chocolate (not milk) is good for your heart and will soften and firm your skin. Flavanols, found in cocoa beans, relax blood vessels, stop cholesterol gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries. Dark chocolate is an antioxidant. It contains over 300 chemicals, some of which are stimulants while others can alleviate pain and give you a sense of well-being.
Romaine Lettuce
In their natural state, nuts have an equal amount of protein and fat to meat so they make a good meat replacement. They also contain vitamin E, folate, phosphorus, potassium, copper and magnesium. In fact, nuts contain the same heart-healthy antioxidants as red wine.
Try these homemade beauty facials!
Oily Skin - Add egg white and 1 teaspoon each of yogurt and honey to 4 teaspoons of oatmeal. Mix and apply on your face. Wash after 30 minutes.
Dry Skin - Mix 2 teaspoons choker (wheat bran) with 1 teaspoon each of almond meal, egg yolk, yogurt and honey. Apply on your face and wash after 15 minutes.
Dry Skin - Mix 2 teaspoons choker (wheat bran) with 1 teaspoon each of almond meal, egg yolk, yogurt and honey. Apply on your face and wash after 15 minutes.
Open Pores - Mix egg white with oatmeal and apply on the areas with open pores. Wash when dry.
Did you know?...
Egg white has a clarifying and cleansing effect. It also helps reduce oilyness. When used regularly in face masks, it nourishes the skin, refines the pores, tightens the skin and lightens dark spots. Hence, it helps delay aging signs, if used regularly.
Dark Chocolate
Chocoholics rejoice! Dark chocolate (not milk) is good for your heart and will soften and firm your skin. Flavanols, found in cocoa beans, relax blood vessels, stop cholesterol gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries. Dark chocolate is an antioxidant. It contains over 300 chemicals, some of which are stimulants while others can alleviate pain and give you a sense of well-being.
Romaine Lettuce
6 pieces of Romaine lettuce provides 100% daily value of your vitamin A intake and will help prevent circulation problems in your legs -- vericose veins.
Nuts
In their natural state, nuts have an equal amount of protein and fat to meat so they make a good meat replacement. They also contain vitamin E, folate, phosphorus, potassium, copper and magnesium. In fact, nuts contain the same heart-healthy antioxidants as red wine.
See...now tv isn't all that bad!
Happy eating!!!!
