It is obvious from the vast quantities of anti-aging creams and procedures available that smooth, supple skin is the holy grail of beauty. Although you may be spending a lot of money on skin products you may not be feeding your skin properly from the inside out. Here are recipes featuring fresh ingredients known to rejuvenate and support glowing skin.
(pictured) ZUCCHINI PASTA RIBBONS WITH CHUNKY TOMATO SAUCE AND PINE NUTS-4 servings
A YUMMY raw ‘pasta’ chock full of glowing ingredients. It is SO GOOD and the most requested recipe among my non-vegetarian friends and their dedicated carnivore husbands and partners!
The beautifiers – Zucchini hydrates the skin and restores moisture. It is a good source of Vitamins A and C — A maintains healthy skin and C fights free radicals which age skin. Zucchini is also high in the amino acid manganese which aids in collagen production. Olives are a glowing skin food they contain oleic acid which keeps skin soft and healthy. Tomatoes are full of lycopene which eliminates free radicals and protects against sun damage.
Tomato sauce
6 ripe tomatoes coarsely chopped
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oioil
2 tbsp minced onion
1 large garlic clove minced
1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp finely shopped fresh basil
2 tsp minced fresh oregano
Generous pinch of crushed red peppers
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Zucchini Pasta Ribbons
4 – 8” green zucchini
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp minced Italian parsley
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
½ cup soaked pine nuts*
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped kalamata olives
Coarsely chop tomatoes and place in blender or food processor with oil, onion, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and seasonings. Pulse on and off until mixed together but still chunky. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Wash zucchini and peel into ribbons using a potato peeler. Place in large bowl and drizzle with oil. Gently massage into zucchini. Toss with parsley salt and pepper.
Arrange several zucchini ribbons on each plate and top with chunky tomato sauce. Sprinkle with pine nuts, parmesan and olives.
*How to soak pine nuts- dissolve 2 tsp sea salt in 4 cups water. Soak nuts in salted water at room temperature for at least 7 hours or overnight drain well an blot dry..
SUPER EASY GAZPACHO – 4 servings
This so easy and you’ll be surprised at how YUMMY it is. I serve gazpacho in small mason jars with a spring of celery and topped with chopped avocado.
The beautifiers – Cucumbers are high in enzyme-charged water, B vitamins, electrolytes and silica all building skin radiance from within. Tomatoes are full of lycopene which eliminates free radicals and protects against sun damage. Peppers are a great source of silicon which smoothes wrinkles and makes skin more supple and radiant. Avocados are one of the best foods for skin rejuvenation and moisturizing for the inside out.
1 cucumber
2 red bell peppers
2 large tomatoes
1 red onion
1 avocado
3 garlic cloves
3 cups tomato juice
¼ cup white wine vinegar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ tbsp sea salt
1/3 cup crumbled feta
Freshly ground pepper
Optional – tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
Cut cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes and red onion into large pieces. Put vegetables and garlic in food processor or vitamix and pulse until coarsely chopped. Do not over process.
Transfer to bowl. Add tomato juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well and chill. The longer the gazpacho sits the more the flavors develop.
Chop avocado into bite size pieces. Spoon gazpacho into bowls or jars and top with avocado and crumbled feta.
For those who like spice add hot pepper sauce to taste.
YUMMY SALMON SALAD
The Beautifiers – Salmon is one of the very best foods for glowing skin and reducing inflammation in the body. Tomatoes, olives (above) This is a super easy, yummy recipe that can be made quickly.
2 cups frozen edamame
2 – 5 1/2 oz cans wild sockeye salmon (or pink), drained
2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
½ cup pitted chopped kalamata olives
½ cup feta cheese crumbled
½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
¼ cup olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
1 ½ tbsp za’tar*
1 garlic clove finely minced
Pinch of chili flakes
Sea salt and freshly ground pper
Prepare edamame according to package directions. Drain well and cool. In large bowl toss together cooked lima beans, salmon, cherry tomatoes, olives, feta, parsley and mint. In small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, za’tar, garlic, chili flakes, salt and peer. Add dressing to salad and toss to coast.
*Za’tar is a vibrant spice blend consisting mainly of thyme, roosted sesame seeds and ground sumac berries. It is easily found in Middle Eastern shops and well stocked spice stores.
THE ULTIMATE GLOWING SKIN JUICE – 1 serving
The beautifiers – dark berries-packed with antioxidants, regulate blood flow to skin creating rosy glow mint – rejuvenates and refreshes skin fennel – flushes out excess fluid and toxins kale – full range of vitamins and minerals apple – cell builder and rejuvenator broccoli –vitamins A,B,C, F and K adds luminosity to skin Water cress – full of antioxidants, flushes out excess fluids and toxins lemon – known for skin cleansing properties when consumed daily has illuminating effect on skin.
1 cup blackberries or blue berries
4 sprigs mint
½ fennel bulb with greens
2 stalks kale
1 small green apple
1 stalk broccoli
1 handful watercress
1 small cucumber
1 lemon peeled
Run through juicer.
GLOWING SKIN DETOX JUICE – 1 serving
1 green apple
1 cucumber
1 small lemon (peeled)
2 handfuls kale (or spinach, chard, romaine)
1 handful parsley
Add to juicer to make fresh juice.
Don’t have a juicer? Here’s a smoothie variation – using blender add I cup coconut water or plain water (add more if needed) and 5 ice cubes to ingredients.
Blend until smooth.
ENJOY!
FINAL THOUGHT – A 2012 study in journal PLoS One found that people who ate a lot of colourful produce were perceived as being healthier and more attractive.
Leave a Comment