A salad to make your skin glow

Who else wants beautiful skin?

Smooth, hydrated, youthful, glowing skin.

That's what every woman wants, right?

I'll tell you what's helped me.

I don't have flawless skin, but my skin is markedly different from how it used to be.

When I was in high school and college (pre-vegan days), I'd get weird breakouts on my face (not acne) that even the doctor couldn't figure out. I can't say for sure what caused the funky skin, but I know that once I eliminated dairy, reduced refined foods, and added more vegetables, my skin changed for the better.

The need for less makeup (in fact, I can wear "naked" skin with confidence, although I do still use foundation occasionally, for special events), and my skin looks and feels more hydrated.

I've found adding things like avocados, almonds, and other higher fat plant foods (in moderate amounts) have helped my skin be more supple and smooth.

Drinking plenty of water, is also part of the equation to get the glow.

If you're on a plant-based diet, especially if it's high in vegetables, fruits, and other unprocessed and water-rich foods, take note, you're getting even more necessary hydration. Another plus of whole foods.

Also, eliminating wheat from my diet, as well as Salem's (who suffered from horrible eczema this winter) has helped both my and her skin.

This doesn't mean you have to eliminate wheat or go gluten-free, but consider reducing it, since it can irritate your skin, particularly if you have a wheat intolerance (more on this, future post).

Aside from reducing it, try eating wheat intact (ie. as bulgar, or sprouted or cooked wheat berries) or replacing it with other grains such as millet, oats, or brown rice.

Here's a salad that is incredibly simple and quick to make and will help make your skin radiant, thanks to the high water content, and the many nutrients including the avocado's vitamin E & zinc in the pumpkin seeds.

Both vitamin E (an anti-oxidant) and zinc (a mineral) are nutrients that serve many purposes, one being that they help keep skin smooth and healthy.

Both nutrients are less common in foods, therefore a bit more of a challenge to make sure you are getting adequate amounts. This salad delivers both of these nutrients as well as plenty of fiber and protein (not to mention texture and flavor).

"Get Your Glow On" Cauliflower Avocado Salad

• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 cucumber
• 1 on-the-vine tomato
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 TBS. pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 TBS. Mrs. Dash no-salt seasoning
• a pinch of salt (optional)

Wash and chop cauliflower into bite sized pieces (you don't want the pieces to be too big, so cut them up well, but not too fine either).

Peel and dice cucumbers. Dice tomato. Combine cauliflower, cucumbers, tomato.

Squeeze juice over salad, and season with Mrs. Dash. Toss gently.

Cut avocado in half, cut into chunks and scoop out the "meat." Add avocado and pumpkin seeds to salad. Add a pinch of salt, and toss gently again.

This is one of those salads that tastes best fresh, so eat immediately.

Nutrition Info: Makes 2 servings. 1 serving (1/2 salad): 210 calories, 10 g protein, 10 g fiber, 10 g fat, 100 mg sodium (this does not include sodium from the salt).

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How was your weekend? Did you have lots of jelly beans on your hands? If so, this recipe for Jelly Bean Delight cookies, may be of interest.

Also, I know it's been almost two months since I announced I'd be getting a new site.

These things take time, especially since I want to do it right and I have a fab designer I'm working with.

Things are in the finishing stages, and I hope the site will be up in the next 2 weeks, hopefully sooner.

Believe me, I can't wait!

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Next Post: What I ate for Easter dinner (hint: it didn't include any animals).

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