Eating the right nutrients is crucial for self love and self care. Loving our body comes in many forms, and the foods we put into our system directly impacts the state of our health, happiness, and outer glow! I always like to tell my clients health is not about striving for the “perfect” diet, it’s about simple understanding of how each nutrient plays a role in our inner and outer glow, and how to create balance for ourselves. I always believe balance is the key to many secrets in life, and when we obtain the right balance of macro and micronutrients that our bodies require to feel our best it can make a great difference in how we feel, and give our bodies the love it deserves through nourishment.
This smoothie below will have you glowing inside and out by providing a balance in macro and micronutrients to provide love for our skin and body, promote balanced hormones, and stabilize mood.
Valentines Beautifying Berry Smoothie:
1 scoop Vegan Protein Powder or Collagen Protein Powder
½ cup Goat Milk Yogurt (or Coconut Yogurt for Vegan)
½ cup Frozen Organic Strawberries
½ cup Frozen Organic Raspberries
1 cup Organic Spinach
Filtered water + ice
Blend all of the ingredients in a blender and enjoy!
Benefits of this smoothie:
Vegan Protein/Collagen Protein:
I always teach my clients on the importance of Protein, for so many reasons! When we prioritize protein at each meal, we set our bodies and minds up for balance. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient, so it balances blood sugar very well which contributes to feeling satisfied from food longer and a reduction in cravings. Protein has a thermogenic effect which also means it increases your bodies metabolic rate for weight balance and is also well known for repairing and maintaining muscle. As protein contains the building blocks of skin tissue, hair, and collagen production, it is important for maintaining youthful, glowing skin and strong hair/nails. As for mental health, protein is essential to combat stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts because the amino acids from protein help our brain feel balanced and produce happy hormones and neurotransmitters.
Vegan Protein Powder brands I like: PVL Plant Protein, Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Protein
Collagen Protein brands I like: Bulletproof Collagen Protein, Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate
Goat Milk Yogurt (or Coconut):
Goat milk contains an incredible amount of beautifying and body loving vitamins and minerals. Even if you are sensitive to cow’s dairy products, many people find goat milk yogurt to work well for their body. One of the reasons is because it comes from A2 protein rather than A1, which makes it anti-inflammatory rather than pro-inflammatory. Not all dairy products are created equal in my opinion. Goat milk is an amazing source of the most absorbable form of Vitamin A (retinol) for beautiful clear skin as it fights against acne and helps with collagen production. It is also a great source of calcium and magnesium to calm our brain and bodies for reduced stress. Reducing stress through diet is important for our mental health and to fight against premature ageing.
If you are vegan, simply swap out Coconut Milk Yogurt instead! It may not have the same benefits as goat milk, but coconut milk does provide the body with beautifying anti-inflammatory healthy fats for glowing skin and a healthy metabolism as well. I recommend choosing a yogurt with no added sugars, so the plain varieties are usually best.
Frozen Raspberries & Strawberries:Berries are a nutritional powerhouse and one of my favourite fruits to recommend for our health and glow. This is because they are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C which helps with collagen production, clear skin, immunity, inflammation, and stress reduction. Berries contain natural sugars for energy, and fiber for regular digestion and liver support. They are a lower glycemic fruit making them better for blood sugar balance to help with mood support, skin conditions, and weight management.
Organic Spinach:
Spinach and other leafy greens are great to add to your smoothies for an extra nutrient boost, to support liver detoxification, and for the beneficial fiber to regulate digestion. Our liver and gut health influence the health and radiance of our skin. When the liver and digestion are congested, we are more likely to experience skin conditions like acne and eczema, mood irregularities like anxiety, and hormone imbalances. I also love spinach in smoothies as opposed to kale because I find it has a more of a mild taste and doesn’t overpower the taste in smoothies. While I also love kale, it is a cruciferous vegetable which can be harder to digest raw and can have negative impacts for people with thyroid issues. If you suspect or know you have thyroid issues, spinach can be a more gentle form of greens than kale. Always choose your leafy greens organic as conventional varieties are highly sprayed with pesticides, which is not great for our skin, health, and glow!
About Corinne:
Hi Beauties! I’m Corinne, the creator of The Beauty Files. I am a Certified Nutritional Practitioner based in Vancouver, BC., that offers online nutrition coaching, meal plans, and beauty/wellness tips to help others transform their health and glow. My major passions in life surround Health, Beauty, Psychology, and Spirituality. I am obsessed with all things health and beauty and absolutely love helping others transform through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
You can find my Instagram @thebeautyfiles_ and my website www.thebeautyfiles.ca to learn more.
