One of the side effects of a diet high in starchy carbohydrates, sugary and processed foods is poor quality skin. We have all experienced it at some stage, after a seemingly innocent night of bread, white pasta, followed by a dessert bursting with refined sugar, we wake up the next morning feeling andlooking quite unfortunate. Common side effects are red puffy eyes, dry, dull, flaky skin, often accompanied by breakouts. Eeek! It was such a good idea at the time! Our skin reflects our diet almost immediately, revealing a lot about what is happening on the inside. These nasty side effects are our bodies way of telling us that the food we are eating is unwelcome.Wheat flour and wheat products can wreak havoc on your body’s largest organ by causing spikes in insulin, causing insulin induced skin inflammation within the follicles. The skin is also commonly affected by food allergies related to wheat and gluten, resulting in conditions such as eczema, hives and rashes.
These conditions can be avoided by replacing wheat flour for almond meal, buckwheat or coconut flour when baking your own healthy snacks. Almond meal is simply the flour that is produced after grinding almonds. When choosing almond meal, try to look for flour that has been made using the whole almond, skin included, rather than blanched almond meal. You can make your own fresh almond meal at home by grinding up raw organic almonds in a coffee grinder.A study shown in the Journal of Nutrition revealed that almond skins contain twenty potent flavanoid antioxidants, and that eating almonds with the skins significantly increases flavanoids and vitamin E in the body. The two work together as an antioxidant team. The flavanoids found in almonds include catechin, kaempferol and epicatechin, and have fantastic anti ageing skin benefits due to their ability to prevent skin cells from oxidizing and dying. Significant amounts of vitamin E are found within almonds, approximately 45% of your daily value in a quarter of a cup! Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and has been found to reduce the effects of sun exposure on the skin by modifying the photoaging process and protecting skin cell membranes. Almonds are also rich in short-chain Omega-3 fatty acids with powerful anti inflammatory effects, significantly improving skins moisture, texture, smoothness and suppleness.
I love almonds in baking, blended into a delicious milk replacement (almond milk recipe) and as a delicious savoury treat bursting with living enzymes Apple Cider Vinegar Activated Almonds.
If you are going to have occasional fruits then Blueberries are a great investment to your health. The frozen variety are fine, and are often more economical and more convenient that buying them fresh. I just love these little antioxidant rich gems, and their juicy sweetness is so much more fulfilling than any other nutrient depleted treat. The goodness in these berries are a must have for optimum skin health. The high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals in blueberries neutralize DNA damaging free radicals, reducing cell damage, keeping the skin looking younger for longer. Studies show that the anthocyanins within blueberries are responsible for the protection of the skin against collagen degradation. Blueberries also contain vitamin C, which is enhanced by the presence of these anthocyanins, thus improving circulation, strengthening capillaries and stabilizing collagen, maintaining the skins strength, flexibility and resilience.
Consider these scrumptious mini muffins an investment into your skin health, as well as a deliciously sweet guilt free treat. Replace starchy, sugary, processes snacks with sweet recipes from the Supercharged website, and you will notice a significant improvement in the quality of your skin.
Mini Blueberry Muffins
Makes 12 Muffins
- 2 cups almond meal
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup grapeseed oil
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1/3 cup coconut milk
- 8 drops liquid stevia
Here’s How to Make Delicious Muffins:
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius
- Grease a 12 cup muffin tin
- In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients
- In a separate bowl mix eggs, grapeseed oil, coconut milk and stevia
- Add wet ingredients to dry then carefully fold in blueberries
- Spoon mixture into 12 cup muffin tin so that each cup is two thirds full
- Place in oven and bake for about 15 minutes
For more gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar-free recipes visit www.superchargedfood.com
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