Fabulous Food For Beauty

Antioxidants and Skin - The Benefits of Red Wine

2011-07-31T14:26:00.000-07:00

The connections between antioxidants and skin health are ever expanding. Now it seems we can add the benefits of red wine to that list of super antioxidants!

Researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Pennsylvania recently conducted a study on the benefits of resveratrol - the active antioxidant ingredient in red wine. After conducting a comprehensive review of human clinical research, the results showed that the benefits of resveratrol are indeed associated with strong anti aging, anti cancer, anti inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

One of the reasons that moderate amounts of red wine can be so beneficial is because of the way it is made. Unlike grape juices which discard the seeds and skin in processing, red wine contains both. Skins and seeds are included in the fermenting process of red wine, creating a much higher concentration of resveratrol.

There are definitive associations between the benefits of resveratrol and skin health. According to WebMD, there are a number of studies that have shown that people who enjoy moderate amounts of red wine are less prone to suffer from skin lesions. Research focusing on the healing qualities of resveratrol can be traced back for years.

Research - past and present - concludes that resveratrol promotes heart health, reduces the risk of cancer, and can play a role in controlling cholesterol.

And what's good for your body is also great for your skin and beauty. The healing properties of resveratrol extend from acne, to lesions, to improved cell health and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Its antioxidant properties also help your skin to resist sun damage.

Resveratrol can play a major role in making your healthy fresh skin, well - glow!

Clearly this is not an invitation to drink bottles of red wine. Too much of a good thing …
Even doctors are suggesting that assuming the patient does not have other conditions which could be aggravated by alcohol, a glass or two of red wine a day may be healthfully beneficial.

If red wine is not for you, you can find resveratrol in pomegranates, blueberries, or dark chocolate - how's that for too much of a good thing! And, of course you can find the benefits of resveratrol in a number of supplements.

Beauty need not be painful. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

So What's the Big Deal Over Collagen and Elastin?

2011-07-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

It can make your head spin. Anti aging moisturizers and other skin products ever promising to enhance collagen production and stimulate elastin. There's no two ways about it, increasing collagen and elastin is a good thing! But why?

Collagen and elastin are vital to skin health. Collagen is actually a protein found in body tissues. In terms of the skin, collagen is what gives it its firmness. Elastin is also a protein found in body tissues. It is what keeps skin tight and flexible.

Unfortunately for all of us, our bodies produce less of both as we age. The result - sagging and wrinkled skin. A reduction in collagen can also lead to cellulite and dry skin. Even the hair and nails can suffer.

Age isn't the only culprit. Free radicals from sun, pollutants, and other environmental sources are constantly working to diminish the effectiveness of these vital proteins.

All is not lost!

We can stimulate production of both collagen and elastin and diminish the effects of free radicals by eating the proper foods. And, yes, quality anti aging skin care products can also help. The key is to combine the two.

Foods rich in antioxidants fight the effects of free radicals, and work to stimulate the production of more proteins - namely collagen and elastin.

Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and low fat dairy products contain significant levels of the amino acids that aid in the production of collagen and elastin. Wheat germ is also a good source.

Foods rich in vitamin C enhance the positive effects of protein, and hence the increased production of collagen and elastin. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are vital in the fight against free radical damage.

Green vegetables including asparagus, cabbage, and spinach are high in vitamin C along with citrus fruits and tomatoes.

Other foods beneficial to collagen and elastin production include berries, avocado, and nuts. They are also active in the interruption of free radicals.

And finally … quality anti aging skin care products can absolutely work to approve the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. Peptides and hyaluronic acid in particular penetrate deeply into the skin where they can do their most good.

So let's put it all together. You can fight sagging skin with a combination of anti aging skin care products and delicious skin healthy foods. Why not start now with this quick and natural collagen and elastin booster!

Chicken and Avocado Wraps

2 cups sliced or cubed cooked deli rotisserie chicken meat
2 whole wheat sandwich wraps
½ cup prepared guacamole or one small avocado mashed with lime juice and salt and pepper to taste
Shredded lettuce
½ cup prepared salsa
Salt and pepper to taste
Spread the avocado on the wraps. Top with the chicken, then the salsa, then the lettuce. Roll and enjoy!

Discover the Difference With Hair Healthy Foods

2011-07-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Shampoos and conditioners have come a long way. Hair science provides us with terrific products for every type of hair and every type of hair problem. But as fantastic as these products can be, they cannot work alone.

Want the ultimate benefits from radiant, glowing hair? The magic's in your groceries!

Hair healthy foods are abundant, they're not fattening, and best of all they're delicious! Healthy proteins, hair healthy vitamins, and plenty of iron are a good start. Boring? Hardly!

Include these delicacies in your regular diet and discover the difference …

Protein is essential to your beauty routine. Without it, hair can be brittle and dull. Especially good proteins include salmon, lean beef, poultry eggs.

Salmon is not only high in protein, it is also rich in omega3 fatty acids which are essential to a healthy scalp. It's also loaded with iron and vitamin B12, both of which are viral to your shining locks. Salmon could well be one of the best foods for healthy hair on the planet.

Salmon too pricey? Don't despair.

Consider lean beef. Like salmon, lean beef is high in B vitamins and iron, as well as zinc - another hair healthy powerhouse. And speaking of proteins, don't forget your eggs. They're loaded with essential B vitamins.

Dairy products are also a good source of protein. Plus they are rich in calcium - an important contributor to healthy hair growth.

Round out your hair healthy food choices with green vegetables, lentils or beans, and whole grains.
Broccoli and spinach are right up there. These hair healthy foods are loaded with vitamins A and C - both of which contribute to the production of your hair's natural moisturizer - sebum. And, all green vegetables are high in iron and calcium.

Whole grains aren't only delicious (do you love whole wheat pasta!), they're also hair healthy. Think zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Sound familiar!

Likewise for the beans. Plus they contain a good dose of the hair healthy B vitamin biotin.

Try this delicious blend of hair healthy foods. Oh, and by the way, garlic and olive oil are not only healthy, they also have serious fat burner qualities.

Who said beautiful hair has to be a chore!

Broccoli with Garlic Olive Oil and Penne

1 large head of broccoli, large stems removed, and cut into small florets
1/3cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
12 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano cheese, or a combination of both
Freshly ground pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the broccoli florets. Cook until just tender, 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain in a colander.

Return the broccoli water to a boil and add the pasta cooking until al dente.

Meanwhile heat the olive oil over low heat in a separate skillet. Add the garlic and cook until it begins to color, about a minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Add the drained broccoli florets and cook for several more minutes, breaking the broccoli with a spoon as it softens. Season to taste with a little salt.

Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the cooking pan and add the broccoli and oil mixture, tossing gently to blend. If the mixture appears dry, add a few spoonfuls of the cooking water and gently toss. Season generously with freshly ground pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl if desired.

Serve in individual bowls with the grated cheese.

Enjoy more skin healthy fat burning recipes >>>

Antioxidants and Skin - Introducing The Not-So-Humble Tomato

2011-07-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Next time you savor the aroma of a fresh marinara sauce you can rest assured - it's not only your nose that's reaping the benefits.

Antioxidants and skin care is nothing new. Premium anti aging moisturizers are rich in antioxidants for their healing and skin regenerating properties as well as for their ability to fight the effects of environmental free radicals.

As fabulous as these skin products are, beautiful fresh skin thrives not only on nutrient rich topical ingredients, but also on tomatoes!

Tomatoes?

Say what you want about the lowly tomato, but the fact remains - it's hard to beat when it comes to beautiful skin health.

Tomatoes contain remarkable levels of lycopene. Now while this may not be of interest unless you’re a chemist, studies have shown that lycopene actually protects the skin from sunburn. What could be more beautiful than that!

Seriously, in a study performed by the universities of Manchester and Newcastle in England, volunteers were fed 10 grams of olive oil and 5 tablespoons of tomato paste daily. A second group was fed only the olive oil. After three months researchers discovered that the group that received the tomato paste exhibited 25% more sunburn protection than the group that received only olive oil.

And as if that wasn't enough, those same volunteers displayed higher levels of collagen. Collagen is the protein that gives skin its firmness. Less collagen means more sagging and more wrinkles.

The lycopene found in tomatoes is also a powerful antioxidant. Tomatoes also contain impressive amounts of vitamin C, another super antioxidant that is considered vital to collagen production. Speaking of vitamin C, the high content found in tomatoes makes them a serious fat burner food to boot!

Talk about antioxidants and skin health, tomatoes also contain flavonoids, plant nutrients that have antioxidant qualities of their own. Flavonoids - also found in green tea and red wine - help fight anti aging in part by helping to repair cell damage.

A note for "lazy" cooks … the flavonoids are found in the skin of the tomato. Now how's that for a perfect reason not to "peel" the tomatoes!

Here's a good basic process for roasting tomatoes. Use them in soups, with beans and legumes, or on sandwiches. Antioxidants and skin have never been better matched!

Roasted Tomatoes
6 plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1/3 cup olive oil
1tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
Toss the ingredients together and place in a shallow baking dish, cut sides up. Bake at 450° for 30 - 35 minutes until there are brown patches.