HEALTHY FOODS AND BEAUTY

Photos by baju24

Photos by baju24

Photos by baju24

Fabulous Foods to Feed Your Body Inside and Out

       We all know the benefits of eating healthy: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants all help us make the most of the nutritional value in the foods we eat and have health-boosting benefits in our body’s regenerative processes. However, there are some of those foods we love that have beneficial properties for the outside of our bodies as well. Let’s take a look at these Fabulous Foods and just what they can do for us:

       {Note: you should remember that if you’re allergic to certain foods when eaten, you can still be sensitive to them being used as a topical preparation. If you have never had these foods before, you should do a patch test on your skin (applying a small amount onto the skin) and wait at least 24 hours to be sure there is not an adverse reaction to the foods before applying the preparation to large areas of the face or body.}

Olive Oil - Inside

       This Mediterranean staple is renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help combat the cell damage caused by free radicals in the body and reduce inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis and other rheumatoid conditions.

       Enjoy it simply: drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil into a shallow bowl and use it as a dip for freshly-baked whole grain bread. You can zest it up with some herbs if you wish for a tasty, satisfying and healthy snack.

Olive Oil - Outside

       As good as olive oil is for your insides, it’s almost better for your outsides. Ancient Romans and Greeks used olive oil for massages and to soften their skin and hair. It is an excellent emollient and hydrates the skin wonderfully.

       Smooth Your Skin: Use it as body oil; dab a small amount to the lips as a glossing agent and to protect against chapping. You can also apply it to troublesome areas on the body – such as elbows and knees to fight dry, rough patches in the skin. Finally, a hot olive oil treatment a couple of times a month will help your hair stay shiny and supple and protect against all the stresses your usual styling routine brings.

Pumpkin – Inside

       That quintessential fall favorite – pumpkin – gets its color from carotenoids which help to neutralize free radicals in the skin that speed up the aging process. It’s loaded with vitamins (A, C, and E) as well. The seeds of the pumpkin can be toasted for a tasty, nutty snack that’s full of fiber.

       Take two cups of cooked, canned pumpkin and combine it with 4 tablespoons low-fat yogurt, 4 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of low-fat cream cheese and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and either warm it or serve it chilled for a sweet, rich pudding treat.

Pumpkin – Outside

       In addition to its skin-salvaging benefits on the inside, pumpkin also contains enzymes which help to cleanse the skin and break down and remove dead cells, softening the skin’s surface texture.

       Use it as a Face Mask: To use on the outside, simply leave out the cream cheese, vanilla and pie spice from the recipe above and use it as a facial mask. Apply the mixture, leave it in place for 10 minutes, then rinse completely. The pumpkin and yogurt have enzymatic properties that will soften the skin and help remove dead skin cells, while the honey and pumpkin are excellent hydrators. The honey is also an antiseptic and will nourish the skin.Pomegranates – Inside

       Pomegranates are considered to be one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits available, containing even more inflammation fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea. The fruit has been long prized in many cultures for its health-giving benefits, but has only recently seen an emergence in its prominence in the U.S. and other Western cultures.

       Open the pomegranate fruits and remove the seeds (the edible part of the fruit). You can do this by scoring the rind and soaking it briefly in cool water then breaking the rind away from the seed-filled segments. You can then enjoy the pomegranate seeds alone or pair them with a rich, soft cheese (or any cheese you prefer).

Pomegranates – Outside

        Pomegranate is also wonderful for removing dead skin cells and freshening up dull-looking skin.

       Use as a Skin Scrub: Take two tablespoons of pomegranate seeds and combine them with 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal in a blender or food processor. Once pulverized together, add in 2 tablespoons each of honey and buttermilk. You can use this as a facial scrub to exfoliate the skin by applying a small amount and massaging it in gently for a few minutes, then rinse it off.

       If you want to use it for rougher patches of skin, add ½ cup of coarse sugar (like turbinado) or sea salt to the mix and massage it over the rough spots for a few minutes before rinsing it away.

Green Tea – Inside

       Another of the great antioxidant foods is Green Tea. It’s soothing and relaxing and full of inflammation-fighting antioxidants. It’s also been shown in university studies that drinking it may reduce your risk of some skin cancers.

       Boost the body’s antioxidants: Drink at least three big mugs of green tea each day, and add a generous squeeze of lemon juice, lime juice or orange juice to your tea to boost the staying power of the antioxidants in the body by preventing them from being digested too quickly.

Green Tea – Outside

       Green Tea also contains tannins which act as an astringent and makes for a wonderfully refreshing toner for the skin.

       Make Soothing Eye Compresses and Skin Fresheners: Chill dampened tea bags in the refrigerator and place them on the eyes for 10-15 minutes to soothe tired and puffy eyes. Then use the bags to gently wipe the skin and remove trace oils and cleansers from your face, leaving the skin feeling fresh and soothed.

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