nourish yourself beautiful

this girl knows that what goes into my body is just as important as what goes on it. so, i got to thinking, and then researching, what foods are best for beautiful hair skin and nails? here's what i found:

from thefooddoctor.com

Nutrient Rich Foods for Hair, Skin & Nails:

VITAMIN A AND BETA-CAROTENE (VIT A)
Liver, butter, cheese, eggs. (Beta-Carotene): Sweet potato, carrots, dried apricots, buckwheat, and dark green vegetables.

B-COMPLEX
Eggs, game, poultry, pumpkin seeds, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ, and brewers yeast.

B6
Avocados, bananas, carrots, lentils brown rice, tuna, shrimp, and salmon.

BIOTIN
Egg yolks, liver, brown rice, whole grains, and legumes.

VITAMIN E
Wheat germ oil, nuts and seeds, fish, eggs, avocados, green vegetables.

CALCIUM
Dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, pulses, dark green leafy vegetables.

SELENIUM
Organic meat, fish, muscle meat, whole grains, dairy, fruit, onions, garlic, nuts & seeds.

ZINC
Oysters, liver, brewers yeast, eggs, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms.

ANTIOXIDANT COMPLEX
Red, orange and yellow fruit and vegetables, red berries, blueberries, blackberries, red grapes, dark green leafy vegetables, avocados.

SULPHUR AMINO ACIDS
Beans, eggs, fish, garlic, lentils, onions, and yogurt.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Richest food source: Cold water fish, nuts, seeds and cold pressed vegetable oils.

ALOE VERA AND TEA TREE OIL
Applied topically can sooth and heal blemished and sun-damaged skin. Tea Tree Oil works as an anti-fungal treating skin and nail infections.



and, of course, many other things factor into how you look: stress, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, too much caffeine or sugar and dehydration. so, looking at that long list of nutrients can be over whelming and i know i myself don't eat everything i should. my advice? baby steps. pick one thing to improve upon each week:
*drink more water--invest in a refillable water bottle that you can take with you
*add nutrient-rich veggies to each meal
*try a protein smoothie for breakfast and throw in antioxidant-rich blueberries
*take a multi-vitamin supplement
*replace your peanut m&m's with whole almonds
*do some yoga postures when you wake up to invigorate your body and get yourself ready for the day or before bed to release tension.
*substitute one latte with green or black tea

whatever you choose to do, just remember that it is just as fabulous to feel beautiful as it is to look beautiful! ;)

xo