Once my clients book their boudoir session, they often want to start preparing right away, and I'm always more than happy to help them along! Some women want to make an appointment for a massage or tone up a little at the gym, get a fresh haircut or start a new skincare regime.
Whatever your self-care goals may be, booking a session becomes a perfect opportunity to focus on yourself.
Yes. "You deserve the love you so freely give to others."
Since I wanted to let you in on some insider secrets that will leave your skin feeling and looking its' best, I went to the experts.
Chef Zissie, a gourmet chef based in Israel, and Sarah Oliveira, an eating psychology coach from Germany, have come together to offer you the best advice on
how to take care of your skin leading up to your boudoir session!
Firstly, everything comes down to WHAT you are putting in your body.
"Usually people either go to a nutritionist on how to eat or just find recipes online. I think it's vital that you have both perspectives in order to find foods that are not only healthy but taste incredible." -Zissie
We will start with 10 NATURAL FOODS that are amazing for your skin, according to expert, Sarah Oliveira. (Some might surprise you!)
1. Avocado
Avocados are rich in healthy fats, which moisturize your skin from the inside. The high amount of vitamins and antioxidants protect your skin maintain your skin’s firmness and structure.
2. Kale
The high vitamin C content in kale prevents premature aging of the skin. Kale also has a very high content of vitamin A and K, which play a crucial role in repairing our tissue. Vitamin K can even help in getting rid of dark circles under your eyes.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries have a high amount of proanthocyanidin, which makes your skin glow. They are also rich in salicylates, which helps in fighting acne.
4. Walnuts
Thanks to the nourishing fats Walnuts sooth dry skin, reduce skin inflammation, and protect our skin from UV rays.
5. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes have a high concentration of beta-carotene and vitamin A. These have antioxidant properties protecting your skin from free radicals in the environment preventing premature aging and improving skin texture
6. Turmeric
Turmeric has multiple health benefits for our skin. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant. Not only does turmeric support a healthy and glowy skin, but it can also heal wounds.
7. Green tea
Green tea soothes irritated skin and has anti-aging properties. It supports your natural detoxification system and keeps your skin hydrated. Matcha tea has an even higher concentration of antioxidants than regular green tea and tastes delicious.
8. Oats
Oats support a healthy digestive tract and a healthy digestive tract supports healthy and glowing skin. Oatmeal has also been found to treat itching associated with dry skin.
9. Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are the best food source of selenium. Selenium protects the cell membranes, the protective coating around cells, preventing compounds to damage our cells.
10. Tomatoes
Tomatoes help our skin stay clear and look fresh. They can be the solution for oily skin since they have oil- reducing components.
Eat these foods.
Drink a lot of water. Exercise. Relax. Sleep. Repeat.
If you're not into eating a vegetable whole (I'm sure not), then Zissie has provided this delicious recipe for a salad which includes kale and sweet potatoes, two of our "super foods" listed above!
Kale Salad
Ingredients:
1 sweet potato large, cut into thin wedges
1 onion sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala spice blend
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt pink Himalayan
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (optional)
2 tablespoons honey
4 ounces kale cut into bite size pieces
1 mango cut into cubes
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place sweet potatoes, onions, garlic powder, curry powder, ½ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil and mix well. Place in oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until golden.
In a large bowl whisk together the rest of the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey and salt. Add mix with your hands until the kale gets softer, about 1 minute.
Add mangoes, almonds, sweet potatoes, onions and cilantro. Mix well. Serve warm or room temperature.
For more healthy and flavorful recipes with full meal planning, www.chefzissierecipes.com
We have one more treat for y'all, which I think is the coolest thing ever. Zissie wanted to share a facial scrub recipe with ingredients you can literally find in your kitchen!
Photograph from www.chefzissierecipes.com
Coconut Facial Scrub
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil all natural
- 3 1/4 tablespoon brown sugar all natural
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coffee beans all natural
- 2 drops lavender essential oil optional
Directions:
- In a small jar, mix all the ingredients together. It may take a few minutes if the oil is solid.
- If possible; leave jar or container in the shower (so it heats up before using it) Using your fingertips, take about two teaspoons worth into your fingertips and massage the scrub on your face, especially under your eyes.
- After massage, rinse face and if necessary use a damp washcloth and remove excess oil and sugar.
When it comes to delicious food and living a healthy lifestyle, Chef Zissie and Sarah Oliveira really know their stuff. Personally, acne is a skin problem I've struggled with, and skincare is something that I'd like to make more of a priority in my life. Knowing that there are so many natural and easy things I can do for my skin truly inspires me!
Zissie and Sarah's advice on how to revitalize your skin is perfect for anyone and especially those whose boudoir session is coming up! Get on it, ladies.
Self-care is self-love!
Special thanks to the wonder women behind www.chefzissierecipes.com and www.beingmebysarah.com!