Inner Beauty Makes Outer Beauty – Part 1 of the Spring Beauty Essentials Series.

Happy Spring Beauty lovers! As we slowly take off the layers, (and then put them back on in NY as the weather has a bi polar moment), let’s step up our inner beauty so that our outer beauty radiates for this new season. A little side note before we get flawless. Everything is interconnected. A healthy body creates a healthy mind – so let’s raise our standards and commit to greatness and watch what happens….on every level! Can we turn up the music as we beautify ourselves from the inside out…a little Alicia Keys…This Girl is On Fire….

I’ve been working hard on my body lately and fine tuning it. One of the major adjustments I made at the beginning of the year was to cut out alcohol. This was a gradual process that started last year and evolved effortlessly; Inspired by the love of my life. However after consciously making the choice not to drink I’ve not looked back. I don’t even miss my beloved Pinot Noir and I feel great. When your body is clean it automatically rejects anything that does not support it. I am also doing everything I can to avoid late night dinners, late night eating has a negative impact on your body in so many ways. If like me you work long hours and sometimes finish really late it’s a challenge but it can be done. This is a work in progress and progress I am making! I’ve consciously stepped up my workout routine. I say consciously as It takes conscious planning to see the results you want and like anything, consistency shows results. And as an added bonus all of the above reflects in my skin and my eyes are even whiter and I’m more energized. You really are what you eat (and as I’m learning how you eat). For example sleeping on a full stomach not only adds weight but ages you faster! I recommend the book ‘Your Healthy Journey’ by Fred Bisci, PhD.

Before I workout in the morning I have the Vibrant Health ‘ProMatcha’ which is protein and matcha tea. This plant based powder has 22 grams of protein per serving and matcha is a shade-grown green tea with 10X the antioxidants of regular green tea! Matcha provides L-Theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxed alertness (oh yes please give me some relaxed alertness baby) with no caffeine crash and chlorophyll, a major detoxifier. I’ve spoken very highly of chlorophyll previously and used it for years. It is fabulous for the skin and assists in keeping it clear. I’ve been taking ProMatcha for a week now and I already see a difference (this is now my go to morning shake). It certainly enhances the metabolism, curbs hunger and helps in weight management and concentration. I’m a lover of turmeric and its beautifying magic. I’m using the Maximized Turmeric by Vibrant Health. It supports liver function (and good skin starts with a healthy liver), healthy inflammation (disease in the body is a result of inflammation so it is vital to be aware of this and support your body) and this wonder herb also helps support minor aches and pains if you suffer from those. It assists the skin by improving the elasticity, being anti aging and cures acne. Zinc is another beautifying mineral and a key part of your skin’s dietary defense squad. The mineral lessens the formation of damaging free radicals and protects skins lipids (fats) and fibroblasts – the cells that make collagen, your skin’s support structure – when skin is exposed to UV light, pollution and other skin-agers. Zinc gives a huge boost to your immune system and as a vegan I find red kidney beans are the best source of zinc and for non vegans, oysters and lobster. I absolutely love the Vitamin Code ‘Raw Zinc with vitamin C’ by Garden of Life. This is food based and also includes 75 alkalizing trace minerals as well as live probiotics to support healthy digestion.

Another protein option I have in my vegan kitchen is Garden of Life ‘Raw Proteins & Greens’ – I’m loving this! It is an organic plant formula of spinach, kale, broccoli and alfalfa grass juice. So another good source of protein, 20g to be exact, and greens and 1.5 billion live probiotics and 13 enzymes and my favorite one is the raw chocolate cacao. For those of you who are not vegan another source of super greens and fruit with live probiotics and an ORAC of over 2,000 is the ‘Perfect Food Berry’ again by Garden of Life. We need a vegan version!  Garden of Life happens to be one of my favorite brands. They have a line called ‘MyKind Organics’ which is vegan, organic and non-GMO food based. I’m loving their ‘Women’s Once Daily’ multivitamin. I like to take a multi to fill in the gaps and there are a lot of multis to chose from. MyKind is my choice as it focuses on our needs and promotes energy, metabolism, blood and heart health and radiant skin and nails. In addition their ‘Raw Enzymes’ Women is great for digestive health and supports gut related immunity. I also like the ‘Raw K-Complex’ by Vitamin Code which has a raw chia and flax seed oil omega rich lipid delivery system. Vitamin K is an overlooked vitamin and it is not stored in the body so must be provided daily. It is necessary for optimal digestion, bone strength and a healthy heart (and our heart never stops working so let’s show it some love). It also plays a key part in protecting skin elasticity. I could talk at length about the benefits of this wonder vitamin.

Lets glow! One of my all time favorites is the Vega ‘Antioxidant Omega Oil blend’ which includes organic hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, and the following organic oils; pumpkin, green tea, coconut, black cumin, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry and pomegranate. This organic, non-gmo omega blend works hard to give you glowing skin and lustrous hair from the inside out. And Vega also offer wonderful plant based shakes. Try the ‘Essentials Shake’ with 20g of protein, 16% of your daily fiber and a good helping of skin loving vitamins. Another option by Vega is ‘Clean Protein’ this helps build and repair strong muscles with a complete multisource blend of plant based protein made from pea, hemp, alfalfa and pumpkin. Work that body! I am also loving their ‘Clean Energy Electrolytes’ before my workout, it contains green and black tea, just add it to mineral water. I have mentioned my love of ‘Maca’ before as it is a natural way to balance, invigorate and energize yourself. AND it’s packed with goodness including skinloving vitamins C & E and zinc, iron, magnesium and amino acids. It is amazing for the skin and a great option if you suffer from the occasional blemish. Vega has an organic Maca that I use.

Our greatest investment is our health and a healthy body equals a healthy mind equals healthy skin. So create your outer beauty by starting with your inner beauty.

All products are available at your local Wholefoods. This is part 1 of the Spring Beauty Essentials series. Part 2 follows next week….

Emma is a model, actress and writer living in NYC. Represented by The Mary Anne Caro Talent Agency.

View all of Emma’s posts here.