In order to live beautifully on the outside, we must focus on the inside. Over time, the acceptance of the concept “beauty is only skin deep,” has (re)emerged – and at full force for that matter. Self-care and self-love are buzz words all over Insta these days. Health, wellness, and beauty articles are reinforcing how important personal care, downtime, and nurturing activities are for an individual. How we choose to take care of ourselves from the inside out, is beauty at its best. No one person is the same, so understanding ways to take care of your body – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually – all add up as we individually seek to find balance in our lives.

I was wandering through Target one afternoon and noticed the book/journal, Eat Pretty, Live Well. I skimmed through thinking it could be a great tool to use for my own personal beauty issues (skin at the moment), as well as a resource for my client work as we all are evolve our beauty routines. As I perused the journal a little deeper in the comfort of my own home, I noticed the author is also an IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) graduate…no wonder I gravitated so heavily towards the concept and layout! 🙂 Jolene Hart so gracefully outlines the things related to nutrition and beauty we all need to be reminded of; beauty nutrients and the foods that provide these benefits, enjoying the abundant variety of whole foods available each season while sharing those foods with loved ones, and the importance of journaling and reflection to become clear about intentions and lifestyle patterns.

Transforming the way you look and feel is a process that is well worth the work. “The deepest, longest-lasting, and most profound changes to your beauty and body are made through your diet and lifestyle.” Beautifying foods, a rainbow of color on your plate, and major H2O hydration are some tips to get you started. We truly are what we eat. Finding foods that directly support beauty, digestion, and hormone balance is the secret to feeling fresh, rejuvenated, and insanely healthy. Take the time to care for yourself daily and begin to realize your capacity for self-love. It not only benefits you individually, but all those around you.

How do you look and feel each day? What foods can you eat to help skin, hair, nails, energy, and overall mood? What foods should you avoid to slow down the aging and inflammation process? (Even at 33, it dawned on me a few weeks ago how I need to get after an anti-aging skincare and beauty routine!)

Here are a few suggestions to start you on your journey of “beautifying practices” and daily healthful habits:

A multitude of nutrient dense whole foods, such as:

  • Fresh fruits & vegetables – the more color the better, so search the produce section or local farmer’s market for in-season goodies that have detoxifying and healing benefits
  • Healthy fats – stabilize blood sugar and assists with hormone balance
  • Clean protein sources & Protein-rich carbs – support energy, immunity, and cell growth/repair (the building blocks)
  • Whole grains – steadies blood sugar and supports mood-boosting serotonin
  • Probiotics – gut-strengthening benefits to keep digestive health in check
  • H2O – skin is 70% water; hydration keeps skin glowing and helps with nutrient absorption, metabolism, and waste removal

Self-Care Practice, such as:

  • quiet time (meditation/journaling/reflection)
  • physical activity
  • daily affirmations, intentions, gratitude
  • beauty sleep
  • mindful eating
  • connection with friends and family
  • self-love (a tiny way each day to increase your happiness)

Super charge your meals and make small adjustments that work for your body and lifestyle. Listen to what your body is telling you! Crowd out those processed foods and sugary sweets to make more room for all the foods that make you glow, from the inside out. 🙂

Your body is constantly rebuilding itself, so the quality of food you put in your body directly impacts the way you look and feel. Food is your greatest tool, so how will you empower yourself to become your best self today?!

xo,

AC