Loving the SKIN You're In... Part 2

Foods for Healthy Skin and Beauty Products from your Kitchen

(click the picture to read Part 1)

Please understand that true, healthy, vibrant skin is achieved from the inside out. Everything else should just be considered maintenance. The majority of people (and most doctors) have become "symptom killers." We go on a lethal attack to kill discomforting symptoms with no regards towards where these things may have derived. Even if you temporarily "cure" a symptom, you still haven't fixed the root problem and those symptoms will surface again.

Again, I stress the fact that you MUST eliminate harmful foods from your diet.

Processed foods

Fast foods

Foods containing Artificial Colors and Flavors

Refined Foods, White Flour Products

Artificial sugars such as Splenda and Equal which should be better known for it's chemical name Aspartame. Aspartame is found is maaaaannnnny processed foods. Check your labels!

All about Aspartame

- Monsanto product. They first developed Saccharin but the compound did not break down in humans and was taken off the market due to much public controversy.

- Aspartame dissolves into solution so it can travel throughout the body and deposit itself into any tissue. It will often affect your weakest body system.

-There are over 90 different health symptoms at the root of modern disease, which are associated with aspartame, such as:

·     Addiction to aspartame and the craving of sweets

·        Eye disorders, sight trouble

·        Ear sensitivity

·        Headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss

·        Depression , irritability, aggression, anxiety, personality changes

·        Shortness of breath, excessive thirst

·        High blood pressure

·        Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pains

·        Itching, hives, aggravated asthma

·        Hypoglycemia, loss of control over diabetes

·        Menstrual changes, severe PMS, gradual weight gain, bloating, birth defects

·       Hyperactivity in children, ADHD, ADD 

·       Thinning or loss of hair

·        DEATH

These are NOT allergies or sensitivities but diseases and disease symptoms. Are you willingly poisoning yourself?

So you know what NOT to eat. What SHOULD you eat for radiant skin?

Foods to Eat for Healthy Skin (Hair & Nails!)  

Skin loves Vitamin A, C, E, D, as well as Zinc! Vitamin A, C, and E work together to reduce free radical damage that derives from pollution, overexposure to the sun, and cooking fats. Free radicals destroy collagen and elastin which in turn, causes wrinkles and premature aging. What foods are packing those skin nutrients?  [*cough* fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds]

-Avocado – a healthy fat and protein, great for a healthy heart, contains Vitamin A, E, and D, 60% more potassium than bananas, fiber, B6, iron, copper, magnesium. Avocado is very diverse, with many benefits both internally and externally for dry, nutrient deficient, and dehydrated skin. We should all add a little guacamole to our lives! :)

-Pumpkin seeds, Pecans, Brazil nuts, and Ginger – Okay so what do these foods have in common? – The Zinc factor. Zinc is especially important for acne sufferers since zinc controls the production of oil in the skin. Could your acne be due to a zinc deficiency?

-Sunflower seeds and sunflower oil – unsalted please; and preferably RAW not roasted. Skin loves sunflower internally and externally and it’s packed with Vitamin E. Other Vitamin E sources include almonds, spinach, tomatoes, cabbage, and asparagus.

-Raw Red and Green Peppers are the best sources of Vitamin C! Add them to your salads and sandwiches! Other nutrient dense sources include cherries, kale, parsley, collards and broccoli. Vitamin C is destroyed by HEAT so eat these RAW as much as possible!

-Carrots – not only good for the eyes, but carrots are a wonderful source of Vitamin A for the skin. Vitamin A is required for developing and maintaining skin cells and a deficiency can cause DRY SKIN. Other Vitamin A sources are dandelion, apricots, collards, kale, and spinach (again) and cantaloupe when in season.

-Sunshine! – The Sun is our GREATEST source of Vitamin D. We should all aim for at least 30 minutes in direct sunlight. No sunscreen!

[..The sun can also be used as an alternative source of energy with practice. Stand barefoot in the Earth during sunrise or sunset and take a nice 10-15 second gaze at the sun. If you make this a daily practice, add 10 seconds a day but never go above [a minute, 30 seconds] and ONLY gaze during the hours surrounding the sunrise or sunset. Otherwise, you will be taking in those harmful UV rays. When done correctly you should notice a lessened appetite and increased energy! Solar Powered!..]

Got it? Now for a little external maintenance..

Homemade Do-it-Yourself Beauty Recipes

I often go by the motto: “If you can’t eat it, you don’t need it.” Many foods can be used internally as well as externally for the sake of beauty, such as:

Avocado and Avocado Oil are great friends to healthy skin. Here are a few ways to use it.

• For puffy eyes, cut a fresh Avocado into slices and place under each eye (similar to cucumber). Relax for about 20 minutes and then check your amazing results! (Eat if you like!)
• Try mashing the rest of your avocado up for a rejuvenating face mask for dry skin. Apply liberally to your face, leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water!  Feel the difference? Mix it with honey for another yummy treat for your face. Love bees? Feel free to add a teaspoon of a healthy vegetable oil such as coconut oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, or even avocado oil instead of honey.

But wait, there’s more!

Avocado can also be used as a moisturizing deep conditioner for thirsty hair. I use this treatment regularly about once every 1-2 weeks (as needed). Sometimes I combine it with healthy oils such as coconut oil, castor oil, or olive oil as well as vegetable glycerin which makes it easier to rinse and helps to retain much of the moisture. Sometimes I'll mix my avocado with Coconut Milk. Everyone has different hair types so I would recommend experimenting, as I have done, to see what your hair loves and needs J

As for me, I have very thick [and lengthy] hair, so I apply in sections while detangling and then braid or 2-strand each piece to ensure it remains detangled. I leave this in for up to an hour, covered with a bag, before rinsing with cool-warm water.

-Feel free to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for some added aromatherapy and a nice scent to your hair treatment. I use tea tree for its strong mint-like aroma and the benefits it brings to my hair and scalp - Be careful though, too much is drying. I also use lavender for its soft, feminine smell and relaxing effect.

Olive Oil – Be sure to get organic extra virgin olive oil for best results. Most people are very acquainted with this diverse "cooking" oil, although you really shouldn’t cook with it! Heating unsaturated fats can release free-radicals and carcinogens so try this with raw meals and salads instead.

Aside from partnering it with meals, this oil has many diverse uses:

1.     Shave with it. It’s much safer and less drying than shaving cream which is filled with alcohol and un-natural preservatives. This is great for men too!

2.     Hot oil treatment – amazing for DRY hair.

3.     Bathe with it. Add a couple teaspoons to your bath water to soften skin.

4.    Moisturize with it. As I stated in Loving the Skin You’re In Part 1, this is an age old lotion replacement. I know many older people who use this on their skin daily. This may also benefit those with eczema and its light enough that you don’t have to cut it with anything. Apply directly to skin!

5.    Make- up remover. Healthier for those areas around your eyes and removes mascara and eyeliner remarkably well. Give it a try. Your skin will thank you!

Banana – Find a ripe one and mash it. Add a bit of honey and apply to your face! Vwa-la! - An amazing face mask.

Banana can also be used in conjunction with Avocado as a hair treatment but PLEASE BE CAREFUL! If your banana isn’t RIPE enough you will have particles in your hair that take days to retrieve! Trust me, I’ve already made that mistake! To avoid the worry over if it’s “ripe enough,” just opt for a couple jars of organic banana baby food. It’s only pureed banana with Vitamin C (if that) as a preservative. Easy application - easy washing.

Oatmeal  (oats have gluten, for the sensitive!)– Now, as long as you don’t use the instant stuff, oatmeal is skin soothing, skin tightening, softening and refreshing. It is great for oily and acne prone skin. Combine 3/4 cup of cooked oatmeal with 2 Tb of honey, and a chopped or mashed banana (or berries!). Apply the mixture to your face, leave for 5-10 minutes while you eat your leftover oatmeal, and rinse with warm water.

It seems that this post has gotten pretty long as well, and I have much more to say! This information train will have to continue in Loving the Skin You’re In Part 3: Acceptance, Attitude, and Self love [<--click here]. In the meantime, please give a few of these recipes a try and let us know how they work for YOU! There are many, many more natural beauty recipes out there, but this should be an interesting and fun start J Comment below!

**This post is for educational purposes only. Make it a habit to always do your own research!

- <3 Brooke Jay

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Brooke Johnson aka Brooke Jay is a Social Entrepreneur, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Wellness Coach,  for RAW! on Wheels., a DMV based live vegetarian service. 

RAW! offers Meal Plans, Juice Cleanses, Coaching, Catering, Yoga, & more! Click the link below for more info! http://www.RAWexclamation.com

Contact her directly at BJohnson@rawexclamation.com