Eat Your Way To Healthy Skin For National Healthy Skin Month
From acne flare-ups to wrinkles, the skin’s appearance can change and evolve with whatever is going on inside the body. Your skin is your largest, fastest-growing organ, and one that can reveal a lot about your overall health, so it’s important to pay attention to it. November is National Healthy Skin Month, and it’s the perfect time to build habits that will keep your skin looking its best. Read on for some science-backed tips for healthy skin all year long!
Keep it clean.
Daily cleansing helps to rid the skin of topical impurities and bacteria that can lead to breakouts. Also make sure to clean your smartphone regularly, as it can harbor plenty of bacteria that could easily transfer to your face.
“Remember to take the time to wash your face and body properly every morning and night,” advises Dr. Mona Vand, pharmacist and wellness expert. “Try to make it something that’s relaxing and enjoyable to you, so that you actually want to take time out of your day to do it.”
Hydrate and moisturize.
Even though drinking lots of water won’t hydrate your skin on its own, studies have shown that your skin will show signs of dehydration if your body isn’t getting enough fluids. Water is also essential for proper bodily function, including lymphatic drainage and healthy organ function, so keep sipping on that H2O throughout the day. To keep skin looking plump with proper elasticity, don’t skip out on moisturizer, and that goes for both face and body.
Protect your skin from the sun.
Even if you’re not the type to burn easily, daily sunscreen use is a must, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Doctors recommend a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, and to avoid direct sun exposure whenever possible by wearing hats and long sleeves.
“Re-apply sunscreen throughout the day,” advises Vand, as one application is not sufficient for an entire day’s worth of protection. “Don’t forget the backs of your hands and tops of ears, since they see the sun more than you think.”
Keep it moving.
Exercise has so many benefits, like reducing cortisol, in turn reducing the effects of stress on the skin. Cardiovascular exercise also boosts blood circulation and aids in getting oxygen and nutrients to skin. All of that will help give you a healthy glow! You can start small. Even 15 minutes of brisk walking a day can help.
Eat well.
“I think of food as medicine for both your body and skin,” says Vand. “It’s really important to recognize how big of a role food plays into skincare before trying all kinds of acne products. If your skin’s acting up and you’re seeing things like breakouts, the first thing most people do is reach for an acne treatment, which means you’re only working on your skin from the outside.”
Vand recommends working on your skin from the inside, starting with a focus on what you’re eating. Some of her top skin-friendly foods include:
Blueberries and Strawberries and antioxidant-rich and can help promote the production of collagen fibers, which keep your skin smooth and youthful, thanks to all the vitamin C they contain. Try this recipe for a berry smoothie.
Bell peppers are loaded with carotenoids that help prevent wrinkles and increase blood circulation to your skin, which keeps you glowing.
Avocados: Amazing for so many reasons, one being that they contain compounds that can protect your skin from sun damage. Try this recipe for guacamole.
Cucumbers can reduce swelling and inflammation and help support hydration since they’re mostly water.
Sweet potatoes are illed with vitamin A which promotes an even complexion and brighter skin. Try this recipe for sweet potato burgers.
Other foods that are important for skin health are fatty fish like salmon, walnuts or chia/hemp seeds, all of which contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help regulate oil production, protect the skin from sun, fight inflammation, and keep the skin hydrated from within.
If you are struggling with getting clearer skin, Vand recommends cutting out two well-loved and sometimes hard-to-part-with food items: refined sugar and dairy. Studies have shown a link between eating sugar and premature aging and dairy has similarly adverse effects.
“Dairy is inflammatory and is super hard for us to digest, which causes acne and skin breakouts,” says Vand. “I recommend cutting out both things for about 3 months,” says Vand.
Easier said than done, but try to stress less.
When we’re stressed, excess cortisol production can cause inflammation and can increase the amount of oil production in our skin, possibly resulting in breakouts. Stress can also make a lot of skin conditions worse, like eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Reduce your stress by adding calming routines to your day like meditation, or finding ways to optimize your time like organizing your weekly meal prep.
Thermomix® can help you jump start your healthy skin habits. Want to start reaping the wellness benefits of using Thermomix®? Book a Cooking Experience today to learn more!
Nothing beats starting out New Year’s Day with a classic pot of black-eyed peas and greens. The legacy of this lucky legume, also known as cowpeas, comes from many cultures. In the South, the story goes that cowpeas were considered animal food during Civil War days. When General Sherman’s Union troops were raiding the pantries of Southern homes, they would take everything but the lowly cowpea. A Southern family could survive many cold nights on this meager ration. And, on January 1, 1863 the more than 3 million enslaved people who were then freed, celebrated with…you guessed it…Cowpeas.
Follow the legendary tradition by making a piping-hot Thermomix® pot of peas on New Year’s Day, and may your 2019 be filled with hope and purpose.
Cowpeas and Greens
serves 6-8
2 cups dried peas
1 yellow onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1-2 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp olive oil
3-4 cups greens of your choice, roughly chopped
4-6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flake
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Cover peas with salted water and bring to a rolling boil for give minutes. Turn off heat and let peas soak overnight. Drain and rinse the peas. Pour peas into a standard-sized (6 quart) slow cooker. Heat medium sauté pan on high heat with olive oil, black pepper, red pepper and thyme. Sauté onion and pepper until soft. Stir in garlic for just a moment, before adding the greens a little at a time. As the greens begin to wilt, drizzle balsamic vinegar, and pour sauté over the peas in the slow cooker. Stir in stock, oregano and salt. There should be enough stock to fill the slow cooker about halfway. Cook on high heat for three hours. Reduce heat to low for another 4-8 hours, until desired consistency. This can be served immediately, but flavors will develop on the second day.
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Hallmark told us that this day is a really big deal, so many people go overboard trying to organize an extravagant evening, replete with multiple courses and decadent, three-tiered desserts. But that can cause unnecessary anxiety that’s sure to be a mood killer, so go with something simple that both of you enjoy to be the star of your show. Maybe you had a steak dinner you loved on your anniversary or a favorite cocktail on vacation. Pick a dish and a drink you love that reminds each of you of something you shared and that closeness will come through in your cooking and give you lots of memories to reminisce over. Need some recipe inspiration? Check out our 
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The French have a term called ‘Mise en place,’ which translates to ‘everything in its place’ that chefs around the world employ to ensure the best results every time. Basically, it means that you should lay out all of your ingredients you’ll need before you start cooking so you can grab them easily when the time comes and don’t have to worry about missing a step or overcooking your food. This is made even simpler with Thermomix®’s state-of-the-art guided cooking, which walks you through the entire process to give you restaurant-quality results, even for a novice cook. (Sorry, we did it again!) So, make a complete list of ingredients and spread them all out on your workstation to prep and cook your meal. (This also makes for easy clean up.)
Whatever you decide to whip up, relax and have fun. The right dress, dish, or drink won’t outshine the smile on your face and spending quality time together. And we know it may sound a little sentimental, but food that’s made with love always tastes the best. We may have the world’s most revolutionary countertop sous chef, but that’s the secret ingredient.
