Got Dry Skin?

If winter makes you think of your dry skin instead of beautiful pale blue skies with crisp fresh breezes, snuggling up in soft, warm blankets, or the opportunity to wear the life out of your favourite boots then it may be time to consider adding some of the following foods into your winter cooking repertoire.

ü  Nuts - almond, brazil, cashew, macadamia, pecan etc

ü  Fresh ripe avocado

ü  Full cream dairy products

ü  Fish - salmon, tuna, sardines, herring

ü  Seeds - pepitas, sunflower, flax or linseed, chia

ü  Coconut and coconut oil

The above foods are all laden with good fats, yes GOOD fats and providing you don’t have any serious allergies or intolerances to them they can be really quite beneficial to your body. Before you all rush out and get coconut ice cream sundaes with piles of whipped cream and nuts on top– that’s not where I was headed...we’ll have a brief chat about the how and why.

You’ve all probably have heard names bandied about such as Omega 3, 6 and 9 and Essential Fatty Acids and cholesterol but do you know what these “good fats” do in our bodies? 

Each individual cell in our body is encircled with a border of cholesterol-type molecules, they ensure the fluidity and flexibility of the cell wall as well as assisting in transporting oxygen and nutrients into the cell for energy production and waste and energy out of the cell. Good fats are also used for a multitude of biochemical reactions within the body including transporting important hormones, transporting fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, and E, reducing inflammation, improving nervous system and neurotransmitter function in and around the brain and body as well as supporting our biggest organ and first line of defence – the skin by keeping it supple, flexible and healthy.

On the outside - hot showers, baths, air conditioning and heating can all have a drying effect on the skin especially as the humidity drops off during winter. Gently exfoliating with a natural bristled dry skin brush or loofah before getting in the shower will help slough off dead skin cells.  After the shower dry off and apply a natural, nourishing oil such as coconut to the body and rosehip or jojoba to the face, especially at night before going to bed.

 
So, I suppose my most important message here is when eaten in the right forms and as part of a healthy balanced lifestyle (Disclaimer J - by right forms I mean as close to nature intended as possible and healthy balanced lifestyle means with handfuls of fresh healthy green, red, yellow, orange and purple vegetables and fruit in season along with lean meat or fish (organically grown AND free range where possible) combined with at least 30 minutes of exercise enjoyed daily) you will have yourself on the right track to surviving the winter season with beautiful glowing skin that will last you a lifetime...

It’s ours – we need to look after it!

Til next month, enjoy the short, fresh winter we have here in Queensland.

Rebecca