Tag Archive for: healthy

Taking vitamins and eating foods high in vitamins is the most efficient way to stay healthy inside. The skin is the last area that those vitamins and foods will reach. We sat down with Dr. Goldfaden to get his break down of vitamins and other super foods for both inside health and outside beauty.

1. We know what vitamin C does for your skin, but what are the 1-2 most crucial things it can do for your body (when ingested)?

Vitamin C is arguably the most important vitamin due to all its capabilities internally and externally. While it is hard to choose 1-2 of the most     crucial jobs this vitamin has, it is an antioxidant that fights free radicals and supports the immune system and helps make collagen in the body.

2. Quinoa which contains Riboflavin is incredibly healthy to eat and one of the newest ingredients in anti-aging skincare. What is Riboflavin and   what other foods can it be found in?

Riboflavin is Vitamin B2. Usually B2 is combined with another type of Vitamin B, such as Niacinimide (B3), when formulated in skincare products. Foods and ingredients that are high in Vitamin B2 are almonds, oily fish, cheese, spinach, mushrooms, sesame seed and chia seeds (see below)

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Image via Nadine Greef

Eating super foods is important for a healthy balanced diet but using them topically in skincare products can be beneficial to the skin as well. A few to look for:

Kale

Kale is high in vitamins A, C and K. Kale protects/fights against free radical damage reduces inflammation and detoxifies the skin. Vitamin A aids in rebuilding skin and Vitamin K helps to diminish dark under eye circles and puffiness.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are high in Omega 3- an omega fatty acid. Chia seed oil hydrates and can also help acne prone skin. Chia seeds contain vitamins B3, B2 and Zinc, which is high in anti-aging benefits.

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Photo via Gourmand in the Kitchen

Yogurt

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is beneficial in exfoliation (removing dead skin cells), fighting/reversing pigmentation and promoting collagen production. Yogurt is a great at-home way to target the above mentioned issues.

The newest ingredient out

White Birds of Paradise. Strelitzia Nicolai or Giant White Bird of Paradise seed extract increases skin luminosity while improving hydration and smoothness. A native South African plant, it belongs to the plant family Sterilitzia. In South Africa it is commonly called the crane flower and is featured on the back of the 50 cent coin. White Birds of Paradise are found in all of our new Plant Profusion collection, as it is one of the main ingredients in our proprietary complex, PURFLORA. White birds of paradise is a multifunctional ingredient that works to restore skin’s youthful appearance by reducing uneven skin pigmentation, dull, lackluster complexion resulting in an increased illuminated glow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On hectic evenings, it can be hard to muster up the willpower to cook up a meal that’s tasty and good for you too. Having said that, we all know that a lot of take-out dishes are laden with belly-bloating sodium and artificial ingredients. This cleaned-up version of Cashew Chicken uses only whole food ingredients and tastes just as good as the real thing. Time-wise, you’ll have dinner on the table in just over half an hour, and after taking your first bite, you’ll be glad you went the home-made route.

Cashew Chicken - Eat Spin Run Repeat 1

Cashew Chicken

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 120g each, diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 4 tsp miso-garlic sauce (see recipe below)
  • 2 tsp low-sodium tamari
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 2 green onions, sliced diagonally
  • 2 tbsp water
  • ¼ cup raw unsalted cashews
  • minced parsley or cilantro, to garnish
  • cooked brown or wild rice, to serve

For the Miso Garlic Sauce:

  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup miso
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp minced fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground Chinese five-spice

Instructions:

  • Prepare the miso garlic sauce by pouring all ingredients into a small saucepan and cooking over medium heat. Whisk constantly until a smooth mixture forms (about 4 minutes), then transfer to a sealable jar or bottle. (This will make about 1/2 cup, but you only need to use a portion of it. The rest can be refrigerated and used as a stir fry sauce.)
  • Chop the chicken and toss it in a resalable bag with the corn starch. Try to coat it as evenly as possible.
  • Melt the coconut oil in a large frying pan or wok. Stir fry the chicken until golden on all sides, but not completely cooked, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisk together 4 tsp of miso garlic sauce with the tamari and rice vinegar. Pour it into the wok with the bell peppers, green onions, water and cashews.
  • Stir fry on high heat for another 4 minutes, adding a little extra water if the wok starts to get too dry. Scrape up the brown bits from the bottom and be sure to stir often for even cooking.
  • When the veggies are tender crisp and everything is hot, transfer to bowls and serve with cooked rice. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

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Angela is an avid runner, fitness instructor, foodie, healthy living blogger, and health coach. Having been overweight, unhappy and insecure as a teenager, Angela took control, changed her unhealthy habits, and adopted a clean eating lifestyle that she continues to maintain today. Her goal is to support, inspire, and motivate others to improve their health and be their best. You can learn more about her on her blog, Eat-Spin-Run-Repeat.com.

Blog: http://eat-spin-run-repeat.com

Twitter: @eatspinrunrpt

Instagram: @eatspinrunrpt

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EatSpinRunRepeat

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/eatspinrunrpt

 

Written by Angela of Eat Spin Run Repeat

Pico-de-Gallo-Shrimp-Cocktails-1

Add some colour to your summer patio parties with this healthy appetizer!

Patio season is here, and along with that comes plenty of opportunities to dine al fresco. I don’t know about you, but I love entertaining and creating a menu is my favourite part of the preparation process. Since it’s summer, I tend to choose dishes that use plenty of fresh produce and are full of colour. Case in point:

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These shrimp cocktails are really easy to throw together, only require about 15 minutes of prep. Serve them in small cocktail glasses, or in a larger bowl that guests can dip into with nachos. Enjoy!

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Pico de Gallo Shrimp Cocktails

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 mins
Makes: 6 appetizer-sized servings

Ingredients

  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1 tsp grated or finely minced ginger
  • 12 large raw shrimp, tails removed
  • 1/3 cup lime juice, divided
  • 1 cup seeded, diced tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup diced avocado
  • 1 cup mixed sweet bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 small jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and very finely minced
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • a few pinches of dried chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro, plus more to garnish

Instructions:

  • In a small non-stick skillet, heat the garlic, ginger and half of the lime juice for 1 minute on high. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until completely opaque. Remove from heat.
  • Chop all vegetables and combine in a bowl with the remaining lime juice, cumin, chili flakes, and cilantro. Toss to coat.
  • When the shrimp are cool enough to touch, chop them into small pieces. Mix into the bowl. Allow it to sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.
  • Divide the mixture evenly between cocktail cups and serve garnished with additional cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.

Angela is an avid runner, fitness instructor, foodie, healthy living blogger, and owner of her business, Spin 360 Health Coaching. Having been overweight, unhappy and insecure as a teenager, Angela took control, changed her unhealthy habits, and adopted a clean eating lifestyle that she continues to maintain today. Her goal is to support, inspire, and motivate others to improve their health and be their best. You can learn more about her on her blog, Eat-Spin-Run-Repeat.com.

Blog: http://eat-spin-run-repeat.com

Twitter: @eatspinrunrpt

Instagram: @eatspinrunrpt

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EatSpinRunRepeat

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/eatspinrunrpt