Yoghurt is another awesome skin super food. Studies have proven that the probiotic bacteria in yoghurt are very effective at reducing T cell-mediated skin inflammation. This is the type of inflammation that occurs when you have an allergic response making it ideal for people suffering from dermatitis and eczema.
Green tea has many health benefits for our bodies but does it have positive effects on the skin also?
There have been more than 150 clinical studies done to determine just this and the answer is ‘yes!’.
Green tea contains loads of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds making it perfect to protect our skin. One of the main benefits it has is the ability to support the process of differentiation and maturation of our keratinocytes, ensuring a strong Stratum corneum that will protect the more vulnerable layers beneath.
Drinking green tea also boosts the levels of the Natural Moisturising Factor chemicals in the corneocytes, reducing the loss of water from the skin and improving the hydration levels.
Omega 3 is often touted as the skin EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) but the reality is that Omega 6 that is vital for the skin to produce ceramide 1 linoleate. Ceramide 1 linoleate is the most important ceramide but unfortunately its levels in the skin decrease in the winter and as we age. So a good solution to this is to boost our omega 6 intake during winter and as we get older. The Bestow Beauty Oil will do this for you if you take it everyday mixed into food.
EFA’s like omega 3 and 6 also reduce skin inflammation and ease dry skin problems like eczema and psoriasis that leave the skin more vulnerable to wrinkling and premature ageing.
We hope you enjoy this raw, healthy (but still decadent) chocolate mousse recipe with avocado and raw cacao.
INGREDIENTS
• 2-3 very ripe avocados
• ½ cup raw cacao
• ¼ cup agave, maple syrup or a few drops of liquid stevia to taste
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ to ½ a cup water, add slowly to getconsistency of mousse
• 2 dessertspoons of Bestow Beauty Oil
• Pinch of salt or chilli
• 1 vanilla pod scraped (optional)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted (optional)
• Berries of your choice (optional)
• Acidophilus yoghurt (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Blend all ingredients in a food processor except for the berries and yoghurt. Layer berries in individual glasses then follow with the chocolate mousse mixture. Allow to sit in fridge for an hour, then top with yoghurt and serve.
NOTE: The coconut oil will set the mousse more firmly but it is not advisable to use if you have blocked skin.
Brazil nuts are a wonderful source of selenium, a mineral known for its ability to improve the condition of your skin, hair and nails.
The Otago University did a study that showed two Brazil nuts a day increased blood serum selenium levels better than supplements. But remember, only two a day, as high selenium levels are toxic.
Brazil nuts also contain good amount of zinc, an amazing skin mineral and one that I always consider when working with skin conditions or preventing skin ageing. Zinc helps heal our skin and ensures proper keratinisation of our Stratum Corneum.
Zinc is also a vital component required to make healthy collagen. Unfortunately it is also the building block we are most to be deficient in so most of us need to boost our levels.
This is the first in a series of articles that we will be running each week about the subject of skin foods.
Lately it seems that more and more of our commonly eaten foods are managing to find their way onto the growing list of ‘super foods’ due to their powerfully protective health-giving properties. Even the good old cabbage has been bestowed with an exciting little phyto chemical, indole-3-carbinol. Studies have shown that people who eat cabbage once a week slash their colon cancer risk by a whopping third.
From a beauty perspective many foods that we eat contain phyto-chemicals that keep our skin looking gorgeous. It is important for us to remember that while it is great to have anti-ageing ingredients in our skin care ranges, nothing can beat delivering these protective chemicals directly to the fibroblasts (the skin’s anti-ageing cells) through our blood supply. This is the art of dermo-nutrition.
Dark Berries
Dark red and blue berries such as blueberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and cranberries, all help your body make strong collagen, keeping your skin supple, smooth and healthy. This action is due to the anthocyanidins found in dark berries. These stabilize the collagen fibres making them more resistant to being broken down by collagenase, a process that gets out of control as we age or are exposed to UV rays.
Another benefit these fruits offer is their ability to help protect our skin from the sun. Blackcurrants in particular reduce the ageing effect of UV rays by neutralising free radicals.
I buy frozen organic berries, defrost them in the fridge and add them to my porridge every day.
Vitamin D is best known for its ability to protect our bones but this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits this important vitamin offers. Vitamin D is also very protective of our health with evidence showing an association between low vitamin D levels and increased risk of colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease. In fact, if your blood serum levels fall within the bottom 25 percent of what is considered normal, this significantly increases your likelihood of dying from most of the common diseases.
So what are the chances you fall into the low vitamin D risk category?
There is actually a good chance as 30% of the population have been found to be deficient in vitamin D and this is especially true if you avoid the sun or use lots of sun protection.
In the past it was very difficult to get a blood test to measure your vitamin D levels unless you suffered from a bone disease. Luckily this has recently changed and your doctor is able to order a test or you can simply turn up at your local laboratory and pay for a test, you don’t even need a script from your doctor. Our local laboratory is Pathlab and it costs $30 to be tested with the results being reported directly to you and your doctor.
So what blood serum levels do you need?
So get yourself checked if you think you could be low. It might be one of the best things you do all year to ensure a long and healthy life!
My good friend Liz delivered these fantastic little crackers she made using her Sedona dehydrator, you can use any brand of deydrator or a fan oven. They are delicious and so good for you. Liz added a ‘skin food’ twist by adding some Bestow Beauty Powder to the mix! We topped them with some homemade hummus for extra goodness.
Raw Cracker Recipe
3 cups of linseeds soaked in cold water for 24 hours
2 organic carrots, scrubbed and roughly chopped
2 cups of sunflower seeds, soaked for 24 hours, drained
1 large red capsicum
2 courgettes
2 tbsp unpasteurized miso (optional)
A splash or two of tamari or shoyu
2 tbsp garlic granules or 4 cloves chopped garlic
1 small red onion
1 tbsp dried oregano (optional)
2 tbsp of Bestow Beauty Powder
2 tbsp of chopped sundried tomatos
1 tsp Himalayan salt
½ to 1 cup water
Place all ingredients in a food processor starting with one cup of water and blend into a smooth paste. If it is too thick add more water until it is easy to thinly spread.
Place 1/4 of mixture onto baking paper and spread, place another sheet on top and roll out the mixture using a rolling pin until it is ¼ inch thick. Carefully peel back the top sheet using a knife to smooth the mixture down. Lightly score the mixture into cracker sizes and carefully place onto a baking tray. Repeat with the process with the remaining mixture.
Dehydrate in a fan oven at 50 degrees celcius for 8 to 18 hours until crisp or use a dehydrator.
Add these two wonderful therapies to your detox programme.
1. Detox Mineral Bath
Take a detox mineral bath made from simple ingredients to feel refreshed and awakened.
1 Cup Epsom Salts
1/2 Cup Regular Sea Salt
4 Tablespoons Baking Soda
2. Dry Skin Brushing
Dry skin brushing is a wonderful detoxification aid as your skin is your body’s largest eliminative organ and is responsible for one quarter of the body’s detoxification each day (that’s why it’s also known as our third kidney). If you dry brush regularly your skin will be noticeably smoother with an improvement in colour, texture and clarity and you can improve conditions such as cellulite and water retention.
Dry skin brushing stimulates your circulation, boosting the blood flow that delivers oxygen and other nutrients to the skin, and helping the skin appear more radiant and glowing and warm to touch. Dry skin brushing also stimulates the flow of lymphatic vessels, indirectly aiding the immune function and improving lymphatic drainage throughout the body.
The basic tool for dry skin brushing is a firm, natural bristled, with a head about the size of the palm of the hand.
The recipe below was our Bestow feature recipe for March 2013. Don’t forget if you purchase a bottle of Bestow Beauty Oil through one of our stockists in April, you will receive a FREE Bestow recipe folder for collecting them in.
Chicken and Mushroom Patties with Thai Dressing
1 chicken breast, roughly chopped
Half onion, roughly chopped
1 tbs mixed herbs (dried or fresh)
1/2 cup of lightly fried mushrooms
Crushed cornflakes to coat the patties
Salt, pepper
Rice Bran Oil
Thai Dressing
1 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
1 tablespoon of fish sauce
2 teaspoons of Bestow Beauty Oil
Crush cornflakes in a food processor until they are a fine consistency – place in a separate bowl. Place onion in food processor and blend until it is mashed. Put chicken, herbs and mushrooms and blend until mixed. Transfer to another bowl and add salt and pepper. Make medium sized patties about 1.5 cm thick and place in crushed cornflake mix to coat. Place patties on a lightly oiled non- stick frypan and cook on a light heat until patties are cooked and golden brown or alternatively bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 30 min. Serve with Sweet Chilli Dressing and green salad of your choice.
Serves 2.
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