Beauty Food

Raisins to Radiance

2008-10-01T14:11:00.006+09:00

If raisins aren't a part of your diet, you are missing out on an important beauty food. Here is a few reasons why you need raisins.

Raisins are one of the top antioxidants because they contain phytochemicals as well as adding iron and potassium to your diet. (Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that contain protective,disease-preventing compounds.) They also provide two kids of fibre... soluble and insoluble.

They are cholesterol-free, low in sodium and virtually fat-free, making them one of the best snack foods you can choose and second only to prunes which offer twice the level of antioxidants.

Source: About.com

Yogurt Beauty

2008-10-01T10:33:00.007+09:00

Five Reasons Why You Should Stock Up on Yogurt

1. Just one cup of yogurt will help blemishes clear up thanks to the zinc it contains. Look for varieties that do not contain a lot of fat or sugar. Yes, they do exist and they offer lots of taste.

2. For menopausal women, it offers more calcium than milk, which is a good thing to know for those who don't care for the taste.

3. Plain yogurt is often used as a facial mask. I would avoid the flavored varieties, for obvious reasons, but plain yogurt will cleanse the skin quite nicely. Skin however needs to be free of makeup. Yogurt is good... but it's not that good!

4. It is also often used to soothe an itchy scalp. And while it is soothing the scalp, it is also working on your dandruff. Apply, wrap hair in a towel and then rinse after 15 minutes.

5. Your hands and nails can also benefit from yogurt. Simply combine 8 ounces of plain yogurt with the juice of one lemon. Return to the refrigerator for several hours and then use to massage your hands and nails. Rinse and pat your hands dry and you should notice the difference. Hands should be soft and supple. *Keep mixture in refrigerator and use within 2 weeks or so.

Source: About.com

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Wrinkle Control: Good-Mood Smoothie

2008-09-15T00:49:00.007+09:00

There are endless research papers which unravels links between lack of essential nutrients and low mood, depression and other psychological problems. It's no surprise that just like all other parts of the body, the brain and nervous system will only do their jobs when they are adequately supplied with nutrients they need.

This smoothie recipe will help boost your mood and eventually control wrinkles.

Wrinkle Control: Good-Mood Smoothie Recipe:

1/2 cup cold soya milk

1 ripe banana

1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

1 tsp dark chocolate powder

1 scoop high-quality soya protein powder (optional, for slimming bonus)

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Sip your way to good mood.

WHY THIS WORKS?

Bananas makes you merry. Just 100g(4 oz) supply 1.7g of serotonin. This important neurotransmitter makes you serene and resistant to stress and puts you in good mood.

Phytoestrogens from soya milk help even out any hormonal imbalances that might be dragging you down. Add the theobromine in chocolate and the comforting aroma of cinnamon.

This is a great start for a busy day. A double whammy of good-mood and wrinkle control.

More good-mood recipes? Try this: Banana Strawberry Good Mood Mix

Skin-friendly Muesli

2008-08-29T13:58:00.004+09:00

All the main ingredients of muesli are considered important elements of a healthy diet: fruits packed with enzymes,wheat grains are rich in fibre and essential trace elements, multi-vitamin fruit juice as source of healthy nutrients.

Fresh muesli is a tasty way to start the day with one or two portions of fresh fruit. Try this recipe:

Skin-friendly Muesli:

1 can fruit cocktail (medium size)
40g (1 1/2 oz) flaked millet
2tsp wheatgerm
100ml (4fl oz) multi-vitamin juice (try Innergize Orange)

Mix all ingredients. Serves 2.

Why this Works?

adding wheat germ as a source of vitamin E to your diet, moisturizes the skin
Millet is tasty, with a mildly sweet, nut-like flavor and contains a myriad of beneficial nutrients. It is nearly 15% protein, contains high amounts of fiber, B-complex vitamins including niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin, the essential amino acid methionine, lecithin, and some vitamin E. It is particularly high in the minerals iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium
Innergize as a multi vitamin juice is fortified with 100% RDI and vitamin C and nearly two-thirds of the RDI of beta Carotene – two antioxidants that play a key role in cell defense.

Must-try Healthy Recipes:

Beauty Food Editor Recommends:

Skin Resurfacing Recipe

2008-08-25T12:20:00.004+09:00

Protein is needed to repair cells, it is important for energy levels, balancing blood sugar levels, and is involved with glutathione production. Glutathione is an important antioxidant, and antioxidants are essential components of eating your way to beauty.

Try this Protein-rich Skin resurfacing Recipe:

1 can Tuna fish in brine

3 tbsp olive oil

1 hard boiled egg

1 tbsp lemon juice

pepper and onion powder

1-2 lettuce leaves

2 whole wheat bread rolls

Drain tuna. Puree with olive oil, egg yolk, and lemon juice using hand held blender.

Season to taste with pepper and onion powder.

Halve the rools and spread with paste. Wash and pat dry lettuce leaves and arrange on rolls. Chop egg white and sprinkle over.

Serves two. This recipe provides 27g protein for skin resurfacing.

Why this Works?

tuna contains plenty of omega 3 fatty acids, a good skin moisturizer

Omega 3 fatty acids and protein are great for healthy skin.

Olive oil also is good for the skin. The oil's fat composition is very similar to that of human skin

protein is needed contantly for cell renewal

Protein Drinks to match with this recipe:

Multivitamin Milk Shake

Quick-lift Orange Shake

Strawberry Kiss Smoothie

Beauty Read

Fit From Within shares precisely how you can stop battling food and the state of your thighs and start embracing life instead. These 101 prescriptive secrets are clear and compassionate. Learn about accepting yourself today; honoring who you are; slowing down; and staying centered in today. Check this book HERE.

Beat Cellulite --- Bottom Line Recipe

2008-08-24T19:53:00.003+09:00

Cellulite is composed of fat deposits encased in fibrous tissue. If the overlying skin loses tautness as a result of the weakening of the collagen and elastin tissues, it will take the shape of any fat lying underneath. What you see is the fat cells around it puckering out, causing bumpy-looking skin.

Most salon treatments for cellulite involve massage. Lymphatic drainage massage is a popular treatment and is said to lessen swelling and ease water retention.

A home treatment recommended involves blending some dead sea salt and virgin coconut oil together, then vigorously massaging thighs and stomach area in an upward circular motion. This will keep you firm and beautiful.

The Bottom Line Recipe

A surefire way to attack cellulite is by adopting a low-fat diet and consistent exercise routine. This is the only indesputable way to attack cellulite.

A balanced diet low in fat is essential. Beauty Food recommends this recipe taken twice a day:

2 cups cold water

2 slices pineapple (fresh is best)

2 scoops high-quality soy protein powder(look for brands with fat burners)

3 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Makes 2 servings. Take half of the shake as a morning snack and save the other half as an afternoon snack.

Why this Works?

Soy Protein contains lecithin which helps get rid of cellulite
Soy protein helps with weight management
Soy Protein prevents your body from storing fat
Pineapple is considered as a low-calorie, high-fiber fat-burning food

Beauty Food also recommends:

Protein Drink for Glowing Skin

2008-08-22T13:45:00.004+09:00

A good start toward healthy, glowing skin is a daily soy-food protein drink. It can be taken in place of any meal, but it makes an especially good breakfast.

Protein Drink Recipe:

1 cup cold water
1 scoop high-quality soy-protein powder (try Reliv Now)
1 ripe banana
3 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Take this Protein Drink twice a day.

Why this Works?

Soy contains essential fatty acids that provide antioxidant protection and skin lightening
Soy reduces mottled hyperpigmentation
Soy reduces the sun damage on the skin
Soy reduces acnes
Soy consumption results in improvement in skin firmness and distensibility
Soy helps improve the skin appearance

Learn more about high-quality soy protein powder: myPowerdrinks

Shiny Hair Express Smoothie

2008-08-22T11:22:00.004+09:00

Hair is protein, a diet that is too low in protein may cause some thinning in hair or a retardation in the growth cycle. If you eat a protein-rich diet it will often result in healthy, shiny hair.

Shiny Hair Shake Recipe:

1cup cold water
1 ripe banana
1/2 slice ripe mango
1 scoop high-quality protein powder (try Reliv Now )
3 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve with a straw. This shake may be taken as a morning snack.
Incorporate this shake in your day-to-day diet and you will notice the difference in your hair within a few weeks.

The Nutrients

2008-08-21T14:04:00.000+09:00

Choosing a healthy diet is alot like putting together a puzzle. In the beginning, it's confusing, but as the pieces fall into place, a picture begins to emerge.

Today, research shows that the body has the capacity to heal itself and protect itself from disease when given optimum nutrients.

Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals are critical factors in maintenance of health and vitality.

In the next articles the benefits of juicing will be discussed.

Recipes for health and vitality HERE