It’s a given that if you talk with me on the phone and we’re discussing your skin or hair, I’m going to ask you about the foods you eat. Nutrition plays a very important role in the way we look and feel.

Yes it’s possible to eat a host of chips and chocolate and still have great looking skin. For a while that is. Food, the wrong foods, have a way of eventually catching up with your body and showing you just how much you’ve taken in. I know a woman that used to be a size 2. She enjoyed a bagel, butter and jam every morning with her coffee. That was 4 AM, then she’d have scrambled eggs with salmon at 7 AM, lunch at noon (salad with chicken) and dinner around 6:30 PM (typically another salad).

While she’d end her day on a lighter note with the type of food she ate, her job involved sitting most of the day and at lunch time she wouldn’t take an afternoon stroll. She began to experience breakouts on her skin and her hair started shedding and eventually falling out in mass. She didn’t take supplements or herbs to keep her immune system healthy. She began to see a fullness in her hips giving her curves. She liked what she saw and chocked it up to maturing. Then she called one day and told me her hips were so wide they could take up 3 zip codes.

A lot was going on behind the scene and she was under tremendous stress. She realized that a good skin care regimen was important.  She also realized that her food intake was just as important.   She’s come a long way and lost 60 pounds. She did it by starting with the foods she was eating. Instead of bagels, butter, jam and coffee for breakfast, she replaced them with smoothies and green drinks.

Recipes for Great Looking Skin

Here’s what she shared with me. For her fruit smoothies, her base was always a blend of berries and banana’s. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and a banana. Then she’d add different components to the mix, however, not at the same time. She’d choose a different ingredient each day. This kept her routine fresh each week.

Matcha – This is a powdered form of green tea. It has been known to help raise your metabolism by as much as 4% a day. This is in part thanks to the natural caffeine and EGCG contained in green tea.

Cayenne – Capasicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, revs up your body temperature. This helps you burn more calories and gives your smoothie some kick.

Almond Butter – More than just spread for your bread. 2 1/2 tablespoons a day have been linked to reduced belly fat not to mention the shrinking of your waistline. The protein and fiber are great for giving you the sensation of being full as well.

Avocado – If you’re looking for another way to make your smoothies creamier, add avocado to the mix. It’s also been known to lower inflammation, stabilize blood sugar and burn fat.

If you’re like me, you may not be able to handle all the sugar, even though it’s from fruits. Instead of smoothies, I opt for a green drink instead.

Here’s my choice of drink when I want to give my system a rest. Kale, spinach, cucumber, fresh ginger, fresh lemon juice and an apple. I’ll often add cayenne pepper and maple syrup – from the health food section – and top it off with coconut water.

The blender or nutri bullet will become your best friend when you decide to start your morning off with a healthy drink.

Yes, this is all about caring for your skin and hair from within. Try it, you just might like it. Don’t forget your herbs and vitamins.

That’s it for this week. Until next time …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care