6 Foods For Glowing Skin

Whether you're slathering them on your skin or including them in a fresh meal, these 6 foods will have lasting health benefits for your body.

Avocados

Eat em': These buttery fruits are leading the pack of superfoods. With their richness in antioxidants and essential fatty acids they will keep your skin supple and be great source of healthy fats. Spread on a sandwich or diced into a salad they are a delicious addition to many meals.

Wear em': Pureed avocado used as a face mask is said to increase collagen production and skin elasticity. They are also a great source of potassium, which is known as the "youth mineral".

Tea

Drink it: Tea has been an herbal remedy for thousands of years. More recently its antioxidant properties have been show to help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol; and bring about mental alertness. 

Apply it: Wanna bring out the natural highlights in your hair? Brewed teas like Chamomile and black tea can be used to amp up your locks. Just saturate your hair with 8 ounces of cooled tea, place shower cap over head, wait 15-20 minutes and rinse.

Almonds

Eat em' or Drink em': Rich in vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium, they are the most nutrient dense of all the nuts. The tryptophan in them can aid in relaxation before bed and almond milk is a great alternative to cow's milk (my kids love it).

Apply it: To make an invigorating body scrub, grind 1/2 cup almonds in a food processor until fine, combine with 2 tablespoons organic virgin olive oil and mix into a paste. In the shower rub on any rough spots like your feet or elbows and rinse for super smooth skin.

Cocoa

Eat it: Cocoa is made by fermenting and drying the seeds of the cacoa tree. They have a high concentration of flavanols, plant compounds with antioxidant properties (more than tea and red wine) that help protect skin from sun damage and improve blood pressure for coronary artery disease patients.

Apply it:  The flavanols help protect the skin from damaging free radicals from the sun. Get all over protection by adding 1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to your bath water. 

Yogurt

Eat it: Consuming this creamy goodness can actually help brighten your smile. The calcium and phosphorus strengthens tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Non-fat organic yogurts are also high in protein, which is essential for collagen production in your skin. Yogurt also contains lactobacteria, intestines-friendly bacterial cultures that foster a healthy colon, and even lower the risk of colon cancer.

Wear it: Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy that's great for sloughing away dead skin cells and unclogging pores. A simple plain yogurt facial applied two or three times a week will leave you with soft, supple skin—and save you a load of cash on beauty products.

Strawberries

Eat em': These red berries pack a powerful punch! The have over 100% of the daily recommended dose of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immunity. Their anti-inflammatory properties can fight against many inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis and asthma. Strawberries are also very high in fiber, which can help maintain regular digestion. Just make sure to buy organic as the non-organic ones are on the dirty dozen list.

Apply em': In addition to being a yummy snack when covered in chocolate they also help clear up acne and oiliness, make skin younger and smoother, whiten teeth, reduce under-eye puffiness, leave hair glossy and beautifully conditioned, and so much more!

What's your favorite "double duty" food?

Nourishing my skin in Granolaville,

If you want to GLOW during your pregnancy and beyond, check out my doula services over at Soulfueledmama.com

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Taste it Tuesday: 5 Funky-Fresh Summertime Smoothies

I know that Summer is winding down, and I'm sure as hell ready for these kids to go back to school (even though I love them dearly), but I figured why not share one more way to take advantage of the fresh fruits and veggies while the weather is still warm.

If you've visited Granolaville before you know that I LOVE me some fresh juice (apple, carrot, ginger is my go-to staple). But, if you are looking for something to really fill you up that tastes equally delicious smoothies are a refreshing, healthy, and colorful alternative.

Here are my Top 5 picks for Funky Summertime Smoothies:

Watermelon Frosty

Nothing says summer like a cool piece of watermelon. Add some vodka to this smoothies and you'll have the Best. Party. Ever!

2 1/4 cups frozen watermelon cubes
1/2+ cup water (depending on how thick you want it)
2 Tbsp real maple syrup
1 large lemon, squeezed (lime juice also works very well! use 2 limes)
1 fresh banana
Blend and Enjoy! 

Berry-vocado

Now ya'll know I've shared how bangin' (yes I'm bring that term back) avocados are---especially on a grilled cheese sandwich. Who knew it would taste just as yummy in a smoothie?

1 1/4 cups orange juice
1/2 avocado
3/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries (or strawberries)
1 kiwi, peeled
1/2 – 1 banana, frozen
1/2 cup ice
Blend

Almond Butter

If you are dairy-free then this is the perfect recipe for you! Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk is a MUST in our house.

2 cups almond milk, vanilla flavor
2 large frozen bananas, ripe
2 Tbsp almond butter
1/2 cup ice
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Chocolate Almond Pick Me Up

If you need a fix of chocolaty goodness, but don't want to dive into a candy bar calorie fest, try this smoothie out. All the taste, none of the guilt.

2 cups plain almond milk
2 bananas, chopped/frozen
1 1/2 Tbsp sweetened cocoa mix – dairy free and high quality dark chocolate
2 heaping Tbsp almond butter
3/4  cup ice

Frosted Strawberry Lemonade

Nothing beats the summer heat like a cold glass of lemonade. Try kicking yours up a notch with this simple recipe.

2 cups lemonade (I like Newman's All Natural)
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 large frozen banana
2 Tbsp raw cashews
1 cup coconut water (or regular) ice cubes
squeeze of fresh lemon juice

]What's your favorite smoothie recipe?

Still Holding onto Summer in Granolaville,

 
 

Taste it Tuesday: The Perfect Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I didn't used to be a fan of avocado. Frankly any food that was green and mushy reminded me of baby poop. But when I started introducing solids, to my now 20 month old, avocado topped the list of non-allergenic foods that contained oodles of  healthy fats, with little taste to frighten his forming taste buds.

I figured if he could try something new, so could I. WOW. It was nothing like I imagined. It was smooth and had a buttery quality without the salt. From that day on I was putting avocado on EVERYTHING! Sandwiches, burgers, in salads, and one of my favorite easy meals tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Here's my no fail Perfect Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Via Two Peas and Their Pod

Use whatever kind of bread you like. I like a crusty white bread so you get a lot of crunch to go against the gooeyness of the cheese and avocado.


Here's what you'll need:

1 ripe avocado (make sure its soft to the touch)
1/2 lime
1 tbsp red onion
2 slices Colby Jack Cheese
1 small Roma tomato
Butter
2 slices of bread
Salt and Pepper

Begin by mashing up the avocado with a fork until it's creamy. Add in the juice from the lime and the red onion finely chopped. Salt and pepper to taste. Butter one side of bread, then on the other side spread avocado mixture, add the cheese and Roma tomato. Close up shop with the other slice of bread, buttering the top. Place sandwich in a hot pan and flip once the first side is golden brown. Have this on the side of a bowl of soup or just by itself. Either way your tummy will thank you!

Here's my yummy lunch!

What's your favorite way to use avocados?

Stuffed in Granolaville,