5 Surprising Beauty Foods

It’s my birthday today and I feel GOOD, “like you know that I should”. No aches and pains (unless I cheat on a bit of gluten or dairy) AND I feel healthier than I felt in my 20’s and 30’s…bring on the 40’s!

44 and I want more!

More sleep, more dark chocolate, more intimacy, cuddling, rich deep relationships, health, wealth, hours in the day, rock climbing, clients with aha moments and more lake time. Whew, quite a list.

Now don’t think for a second how selfish that may be, because I am here to claim what is rightfully mine, as it is available for all of us. There is plenty to go around, so dream big and call in what you really want.

I have clients (and friends) who are afraid of growing old. Afraid of aging, slowing down, not being able to kayak or have sex, grey hair, wrinkles, saggy this and that. We all know it is part of the process, but some of us still resist it.

How do we embrace “growing up” and experience “aging” in the best way we can, without all of the harsh chemicals found in the cosmetics and cleaning products on the market?

And without Botox and surgical procedures?

Have you ever read the ingredients on your lipstick, night cream, household cleaner, or shampoo?

Take a look. If you can’t pronounce something, chances are, you don’t want it on your face, scalp, or skin. Remember, the skin is our LARGEST organ, so whatever we put on it is absorbed quickly.- faster than if we drank it!

Scary? Yes, when you stop and look at our labels!

My birthday gift to myself this year is essential oils and a DIY book from Dr. Axe, where I can really dive into making my own teeth whitener, all-purpose household cleaner and hand sanitizer.

Did you know that hand sanitizers have ANTIBIOTCS in them?

Yep, so each time you and your children use a quick “pump” to stay clean, you are wiping out your gut and all of the friendly bacteria trying to keep you healthy and strong.

This is the same gut that helps you think, plan, succeed, love, stay calm, and thrive. A healthy gut can also keep you from becoming OCD, ADD, ADHD…you get the picture. There is a serious connection between the gut and the brain. It’s been proven.

So what about food? Can we elevate our beauty with some healthy foods?

Well of course! Let’s start with some good ol’ fashioned beauty foods to help minimize the daily trauma we put these bods of ours through.

All fresh fruits and vegetables contain magical powers when it comes to shiny hair, clear skin and strong nails. However, the ones I’ve chosen below are perhaps not as well known for their powerful beauty benefits.

Try and include these foods into your diet if you want to look your best without the need for Botox or other unnatural remedies.

1. Red Peppers. All red and orange colored foods contain beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Red peppers are particularly beautifying due to the vitamins A, C and K. Vitamins A and C can help prevent cell damage that leads to premature aging and they can also reduce inflammation, which can cause a puffy looking face. Peppers also have Vitamin K, which is an excellent property for protecting our cells from damage.

2. Spinach. All leafy greens are actually very powerful in terms of being a beauty food because of the chlorophyll they contain. There are also loads of other phytochemicals and fiber in spinach that help build blood that is super clean, which will show through in your skin.

3. Turmeric. This yellow-colored Indian spice has a load of powerful antioxidant qualities. Turmeric assists in protecting our cells from free radical damage and also contributes towards cleaning up metabolic waste in our systems. It is also great as a liver flusher to get rid of any poisons and chemicals that are stored there.

4. Pumpkin Seeds. Wow, these really are powerful! What don’t pumpkin seeds have in them?! The humble pumpkin seed contains high levels of zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B, C, and E. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids – all essential for healthy cell maintenance. Make a handful of pumpkin seeds a regular part of your diet and you will definitely notice a change in your appearance.

5. Parsley. Next time your plate is garnished with parsley, don’t push it aside. This is a pretty powerful herb when it comes to anti-aging, as well as purifying and cleansing the body. It contains vitamins A and C as well as antioxidizing flavonoids that protect our cells from free radical damage. Parsley also helps to purify the blood, kill bacteria, aid digestion and cleanse toxins from the liver.

The best thing about these foods is that they are easy to incorporate into your diet. Add turmeric to juice and combine the other foods with some other fixings to make a great, beautifying salad. Who said that beauty was hard to keep?

Click here to learn more how you can make your own natural remedies at home. Keep an eye out for these “dirty dozen” below.

Watch out for these harmful chemicals in your cosmetics and cleaners:

BHA, BHT, Parabens, PEG compounds (polyethylene glycol), petrolatum, FD&C Blue No. 1 etc., siloxanes, sodium laureth sulfate, and triclosan.

For the full list and explanation visit davidsuzuki.org

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