4 Beauty Boosting Recipes To Try Right Now

Skin Nutrition Smoothie

With the right ingredients, smoothies are a great go-to for a healthy meal. Celebrity nutritionist Paula Simpson recommends making this skin-loving smoothie for breakfast or lunch. The ingredients pack a ton of nutritional value, not to mention it has the added beauty benefits of antioxidants, amino acids and omega-3s. 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut water
1/2 cup water or almond milk 
1/2 scoop whey, hemp or pea protein
1 handful of organic spinach
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2 tbsp probiotic active yogurt
1 tsp salba seeds 
1 tsp barley grass OR 1 tsp cocoa powder

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Smoked Salmon Egg Bake

If you prefer a little more substance to start your morning, try incorporating foods rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like omega-3s into your breakfast, suggests Stephanie Gaudreau, author of The Performance Paleo Cookbook. “Over time, increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory foods while cutting back on the ones known to promote inflammation can help heal and improve skin from the inside out.”

Ingredients:
1 tsp + 1 tbsp coconut oil
1 lb zucchini, shredded
3 green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
8 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp dried dill
4 oz smoked salmon, chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.

Next, sweat the zucchini and green onions. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and then add 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Add the zucchini, green onions, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the veggies are wilted and lightly browned. You want most of the moisture to cook off, about 6 to 8 minutes. Let the mixture cool.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the eggs together with the dill, and then mix in the smoked salmon. When the zucchini and green onions are cool, add them to the eggs and stir until everything is well-combined. Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is set and not liquidy. (Serves 6), The Performance Paleo Cookbook

Raspberry Lime Gummies

Who says you can’t snack your way to beautiful skin? The key is finding foods with the right ingredients. According to Gaudreau, eating foods rich in collagen are the building blocks to keeping your skin elastic and smooth. “These gummies are a fun and nutritious way to introduce yourself to the benefits of collagen.”

Ingredients:
1 tsp coconut oil
2 cups raspberries
1 cup unsweetened coconut water
Zest of 2 limes
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp raw honey
3 tbsp high-quality grass-fed gelatin

Directions:
Grease an 8″ x 8″ glass dish with coconut oil and set aside. 

In a blender or food processor, puree the raspberries and coconut water. Put the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds, and collect the juice in a medium saucepan. 

Add the lime zest, lime juice and honey to the juice and stir to combine. Gently warm the mixture over low heat. You only want to warm it enough to dissolve the gelatin, so don’t allow it to boil. Once the juice is warm, begin to whisk in the gelatin 1 tablespoon at a time. 

Turn off the heat, and pour the mixture into the greased dish. Refrigerate until set, usually 1 to 2 hours. Store tightly wrapped in the refrigerator and consume within 1 to 3 days. The gummies will lose water the longer they sit, making them chewier. (Serves 12), The Performance Paleo Cookbook

Tender Asian-Marinated Flank Steak

Surprised to see red meat on the list? Red meat (and shellfish) are a great source of dietary zinc. “Zinc is really important for healthy skin and nails,” says Gaudreau.

Ingredients:
1 lb flank steak
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced into thin coins
3 green onions, white and light green parts, roughly chopped
¼ cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp dark sesame oil
1 tsp fish sauce
1 tbsp coconut oil

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients except for the coconut oil in a plastic zip-top bag or a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Longer is definitely better, up to 24 hours. Remove the meat and pat it dry. Discard the marinade.

Heat a skillet to medium-high heat and add the coconut oil. When it simmers, add the steak, and sear for 3 minutes until a golden brown crust has formed. Flip the steak and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Then turn the heat down to medium-low and cook until it’s to your preference, about 4 more minutes for medium.

Let it rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Cut into thin strips, against the grain (muscle fibers). It’ll be really tender that way. (Serves 2), The Performance Paleo Cookbook