It’s inbred in the genetics of every human being that has ever walked this planet: we are designed to want to make ourselves as attractive as possible to others. Unfortunately, in our society, this natural inborn instinct has caused us to go astray in the pursuit of beauty in search of artificial or unnatural ways of trying to enhance the way we appear to ourselves and those around us. As a result, our efforts produce at most an unsustainable, artificial attractiveness or beauty that is temporary and doesn’t last.
THE CULPRITS
This superficial effort at wanting to be attractive is largely due to the deception from the food and cosmetic industries. Cosmetic and food product marketing essentially trap us into thinking that if we use or consume their products, we will become sexy, handsome, beautiful and appealing to others. This is a lie.
HOW THE FOOD INDUSTRY TRAPS US
Food marketers and advertising continuously add to the illusion of what many seek after in their efforts for physical beauty. We are led to believe that if we consume their food products, we will be vibrant, young, sexy men and women with perfect figures . Somehow we buy into this deception that leads us into the trap that we must continually buy their product again and again in pursuit of this unattainable and misguided pursuit of physical attractiveness.
HOW COSMETICS HARM US
The cosmetic industry has set the same trap by convincing consumers that using their creams, lotions and “toning” products are the only way to have a beautiful, youthful looking appearance. But let’s look at what really happens when you use these products:
Many cosmetics are toxic and contain chemicals such as carcinogens, endocrine disrupters and reproductive toxins according to CNCA Health. The real danger is that the skin is easily penetrable and it is not hard for these toxins from cosmetics to find their way into the bloodstream once applied and absorbed through the skin. These chemical enhancements eventually result in the exact opposite of what those using these products are after.
BEAUTY FROM WITHIN CREATES PHYSICAL BEAUTY ON THE OUTSIDE
Let’s concentrate on physical attractiveness starting from within. Nature has given us everything we need to maximize our individual potential to be beautiful and handsome. We have nature’s cosmetics and enhancements right at our disposal. The problem is that we do not tap into them. Let’s start using nutrients to make ourselves attractive. The results will last a lifetime.
FOODS TO CONSUME FOR BEAUTY
Start consuming the right foods in the quest to be beautiful and handsome. The following foods have been used to enhance physical attractiveness for thousands of years for both men and women. Start implementing these foods in your diet today:
Olive Oil– Olive oil has been used both internally and externally since ancient times as a beauty food. This amazing oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Rich in vitamins E and A, olive oil lessens skin aging, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and nourishes the skin while rejuvenating skin cells. Use olive oil in all your favorite foods every day.
Beauty tip: Use Olive oil as a makeup remover to gently remove makeup while nourishing the skin at the same time. For extra soft skin, use a half cup of olive oil with your bath. You can also use olive oil as a facial. Use two tablespoons of olive oil mixed with avocado. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, and let it cool. Use the mixture as a super nourishing facial. Try using extra virgin olive oil externally as a replacement for your favorite skin moisturizer. You will not only hydrate and keep your skin youthful and soft but you will nourish the skin cells as well.
Avocados – This beauty food is a significant source of Vitamin A, which helps remove dead skin cells from the body. Avocados are a significant source of healthy fats. These fats minimize and eliminate wrinkles and protect the skin, giving it a healthy glow.
Beauty tip: Avocado is often used externally in masks and facials, but the best way to utilize its benefits for beauty is to consume it internally. Making avocados a part of your daily diet stimulates the production of collagen –essential for keeping the skin soft and smooth. Avocados help moisturize the skin from the inside out and help exfoliate the skin. Consume at least 2 to 3 avocados a week. Worried about the fat content? Don’t be. Avocados are a friendly monounsaturated fat that is utilized by the body and will not hurt weight loss efforts at all.
Red Meat– Surprised to see this one? You shouldn’t be! Red meat is an excellent food for beauty. Although red meat has gotten a bad rap for containing saturated fats and cholesterol, lean red meat from cattle raised without antibiotics and hormones is an excellent addition for those seeking beautiful skin and a healthy glow to their appearance. Red meat contains iron, B12 and zinc. These vitamins and minerals help in the production of collagen which keeps the skin soft, smooth and supple. If you suffer from iron deficiency anemia, your complexion and skin tone will not look its best. Eating chemical free lean meat will supply all the iron your skin needs for a healthy glow.
Beauty tip– Eat lean red meat that comes from organic cattle raised without antibiotics and growth hormones. Suffering with acne or blemishes? Red meat is one of the best sources of the mineral zinc, which can treat acne and blemishes better than medicines as recent studies are suggesting.
Lentils and Kidney beans– If you’re a vegan and red meat is not your thing, try foods such as lentils, cabbage and kidney beans. These all contain significant amounts of zinc, which will help in collagen production to keep your skin looking great.
Kale– If there is one food that does more for physical beauty than any other, in my opinion kale would win hands down. This amazing plant food is not only an incredible antioxidant but supplies Vitamins C and A –essential for beautiful skin and hair. This super leafy green also contains the mineral copper which boasts the stimulation of collagen production essential for soft, supple, healthy skin. The antioxidants kale supplies help to slow down aging and help keep a youthful appearance.
Beauty tip– Despite its benefits, kale is famously bitter in the raw. But ingesting this amazing food raw is the best way to make it work for your skin and hair. Try juicing 5 leaves a day in your favorite smoothie or juice recipe. Add an apple or orange to give it a sweeter flavor and to make the taste more palpable.
Carrots– Want to have that healthy glow that a suntan gives? Try carrots as part of your diet. We all know that too much sunshine can cause serious damage to the skin and yet many of us want that healthy glow and tint to our appearance that a suntan gives. In addition to the beta carotene, antioxidants and vitamin A carrots provide, carrots also contain carotenoids which naturally give your skin a healthy tint without the effects of the sun.
Beauty tip: As with all plant foods, the best way to incorporate carrots into your diet is to eat them raw, since this can be quite a challenge for many. I recommend you juice 5 carrots a day or puree them to incorporate them into your favorite smoothie recipes.
Cucumbers-Well known as one of nature’s beauty foods, cucumbers contain Vitamin C, Zinc, Sulfur, Iron, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. Cucumbers contain three amazing properties: ascorbic acid, caffeic acid and silicon that make the skin soft and supple.
Beauty tip: Cucumbers taste great eaten whole, in salads, juiced or in smoothies. It’s best to consume cucumbers raw. Try juicing 2 cucumbers everyday with fruits such as apple, watermelon and grape for an energizing and healthy skin promoting beverage. For external use, try rubbing a few cucumber slices around problem areas on the face to release collagen to tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles.
MINERALS FOR BEAUTY:
Manganese– This amazing mineral improves the connective tissues and musculature of our appearance. Manganese is available as a supplement or in foods. Good sources include oatmeal, spinach and pineapple.
Sulfur– As the third and most abundant mineral in the body, sulfur plays a vital role in healthy skin, hair, and nails. The presence of sulfur is critical in the production of collagen, which promotes healthy, supple skin. Fish and beef from grass fed cattle are the best sources.
Iron – This mineral is crucial not only for healthy red blood count and energy but to give a healthy skin tone and hue to the complexion. Iron is also essential for healthy hair and nails. Good sources are chemical free lean red meat, apricots, kale, spinach, and oatmeal.
When we use nutrients as beauty foods, we will sustain a physical appearance and aurora that will transcend any artificial method we could use despite any physical limitations. Let’s start using them today and then watch that transformation in yourself take place that will catch people’s eyes and give you an appearance that gets noticed!
Sources:
Laskey, Jennifer. “The Best Foods for Your Skin.” 2 February 2013. Everyday Health. http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/best-foods-for-your-skin.aspx. 15 March 2015.
Sarich, Christina. “Food Beauty: Carrots Beat Sunshine in Creating Attractive Skin Tones.” 28 July 2014. Natural Society. 15 March 2015.
“The Beauty Mineral That Helps to Ward Off Wrinkles and Acne.” n.d. n.d. n.d. One Love Organics. http://oneloveorganics.com/2014/09/the-beauty-mineral-that-helps-to-ward-off-wrinkles-and-acne/. 15 March 2015.
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