Did you know you can keep your skin looking silky and "glowy" from the inside out? Your body has the ability to naturally boost and perfect your complexion when it's fed the right ingredients. A diet rich in Vitamins A, C, & E, is your new secret weapon to a flawless complexion! What better way to flood your body with these vitamins than by putting them directly into your bloodstream through juicing!
I have been juice fasting now for two weeks - I feel amazing! I have to say that the biggest physical difference I've noticed this week is my skin and my complexion. I have literally had people tell me every single day (at least 20 people total) that my face is glowing - just the thing every girl wants to hear! I've missed my glow in recent months, so, it's nice to get your bulb changed and even nicer for people to notice. My first week, I had some break outs as the toxins were exiting but my face is clear, smooth, and shiny now. My skin everywhere else is super silky and soft too!
So, I'm sure at this point, you are wondering: "What minerals do I need to look for and what do they do for my skin?" Here's a little glimpse into my healthy complexion beauty secrets!
Vitamin A: Maintains and repairs skin cells, helps prevent the skin from premature aging, has an anti-inflammatory nature, and has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals.
Vitamin C: Helps fight off skin damage and wrinkles, a great skin restorer, helps produce collagen which keeps the skin plump and smooth, and is important to building strong cartilage, joints and blood vessels.
Vitamin E: Important in eliminating pollutants from the body, helps the body form antibodies, builds natural antihistamines, contributes to a healthy circulatory system, aids in proper blood clotting, improves wound healing, and some studies have shown that vitamin E decreases symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and certain types of breast disease.
What do I need to juice to get clear, healthy skin? Let's take a look at the top five foods to incorporate into your juicing to get back that youthful glow and maintain your skin's vitality:
Berries
Berries are naturally sweet, which is what makes them so perfect for juicing - YUMMY! Berries pack a tremendous punch in the vitamin department. They are super rich in Vitamins A, C, & E. Berries are also an excellent source of folic acid which helps protect against colon cancer, lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Folic acid also prevents some birth defects. When eaten whole, berries are high in fiber; fiber protects against colon cancer, lowers your risk of heart disease, and helps regulate blood sugars.
Berries are flowing with phytochemicals. What is exactly is a "phytochemical," you ask? Well, they are a natural powerful antioxidant that berries get their distinctive color from. Studies have shown phytochemicals to be a leader in the fight against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, alzheimer's, memory loss, and high blood pressure; they even curb the aging process.
Many grocers have berries that were actually picked before they were ripe and allowed to ripen on their journey to your kitchen. While these still contain many health benefits, they have significantly less vitamins and phytochemicals. The berries with the most benefits are of course fresh berries that you would pick from your garden or from the local farmer's market and, as always, are organically grown.
BERRY BONANZA: Juice a handful each of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries and add that to ½ Cup of Bolthouse Farms Berry Blast and ½ Cup of Odewalla Pomegranate juice for an antioxidant punch. I have this as a snack every day and I wholeheartedly attribute it to my new complexion.
Spinach / Kale / Chard / Watercress
Popeye the Sailorman didn't just have bulging biceps - he also had a flawless complexion - ever notice? Spinach - and other leafy greens like cabbage, kale, chard, and watercress are also a great source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and the mineral iron. Iron is very important in keeping your blood healthy which keeps your skin looking bright and "glowing." They're also rich in B vitamins, so they have the added benefit of boosting your energy, which naturally increases your activity levels, keeping your body fit and your skin conditioned. All greens are rich in chlorophyll, which purifies the blood of the toxins that cause skin eruptions. If you are juicing, try adding a handful of any leafy green spinach or chard or one large kale leaf to any live juice recipe - it will turn your drink green, but not your tummy - you won't even notice! Try adding rocket, watercress, baby spinach, or cabbage to your regular salads and in sandwiches - you won't know it's there but your skin will thank you.
Mango
Mangoes contain more than 80% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin A and have fewer than 70 calories per serving, making it a perfect fruit for your figure, not just your face. Beta-carotene is a dominant mineral found in mango; it is converted by your body into Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is so important to skin vitality, that it's often prescribed as a topical ointment for acne. It is the mineral that is responsible for the vivid orange color found in mangos, pumpkins, carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, and, of course, oranges and that is accredited for improving eye sight and helping the body protect itself against sun damage. Don't just look for it in the orange foods though, plenty of beta-carotene can be found in dark green foods as well: spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and green peppers.
"A"- 1 Juice: ½ peeled orange, ½ peach, 1 apricot, 1 Handful Spinach, and ½ a Mango - mix with 1 Cup Bolthouse Farms Mango Madness - so yummy!
Acerola Cherries
Your average cherry doesn't supply a significant amount of vitamin C, but this is no ordinary cherry! One single Acerola cherry supplies 100% of the daily recommendation for vitamin C, which is great news for your skin. Acerola cherry is one of the top ingredients found in Bolthouse Farms' C-Boost. (www.lifescript.com)
"C" the Way - live juice 1 orange (peeled), 2 small Gala Apples and 2 Carrots; add to 1 cup of C-Boost and you have a vitamin rich, face friendly smoothie to start your day off right.
SUPERFOOD: Wheat Germ, Spriulina, & Blue-green Algea
Don't let the word "germ" scare you - it's actually just the embryo within a grain of wheat, and it's very nutritious. Wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that is crucial to skin health. Biotin is so important to healthy skin that a mild deficiency can actually cause dermatitis, a skin condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin. Spirulina and blue-green algae have cooling, detoxifying natures which keep the skin cool and the body flushed of any skin damaging free radicals. (www.lifescript.com)
SUPER SUPERFOOD: To get in these vitamin rich foods, twice a day, I drink 1 cup of Odewalla Superfood mixed with 1 Cup Naked Superfood and mix that with a live juice combo: ¼ cantaloupe (with rind), 3 carrots, and a handful of spinach - I mix in my fiber & protein and I have a tasty, nutritious lunch and dinner that I know is nourishing, cleansing, and protecting my body.
Stay tuned for the next article on how to plan, organize, and execute a juice fast - both economically and organically!
Katie Snyder is the Customer Service Director for a Simplicity Gourmet, a gourmet cookware and kitchen accessory company in Nashville, TN, where she develops and teaches nutrition based organic cooking classes for newlyweds and young families. She has been in this industry for 4 ½ years. She has also helped develop and manage Simplicity Gourmet's bridal registry program and you can find your weekly wedding planning and handy home maker information on her blog.
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