Have you ever noticed that when you walk down a path one way you observe what you think is the only view, but when you turn around and go back, it’s like walking a different path. When I walk on the beach, if I walk south, I’m noticing everything the 
ocean encompasses, people in it playing or surfing, boats sailing. When I turn around to go back, I’m drawn to the houses. I notice the colors, people on the decks, how far from the dunes they are. It’s the same with a hike up a mountain. 
The hike up takes in a different path than the hike down, the trees don’t even seem to grow in the same direction. Driving a narrow road offers the same different viewpoints. Always a different perspective on the same view. Quite interesting, and I always notice something different each way, no matter how many times I’ve traveled that road.
Do you think the same could be said for other views we take in? What about the people we meet? Could there be two different views on them? Are we quick to see only the one outside view? What if we walked down the path to getting to know them in a different direction. Would we see something completely different? The colors of the houses, or the surfers in the ocean?
The same could apply to our health and lifestyle. We tend to look at ourselves with the outside physical view. Are we thin enough? Are we muscular enough? Do we sag in too many places? Does our skin glow? But how about the inside? Have we looked at that to see what in there is contributing to the things we see on the outside? Could our skin look dull because we aren’t eating enough green leafy vegetables to bring out its radiance? Or is it sagging because we aren’t consuming enough vitamins to help build more collagen? What we put in our bodies is just as important to the outside appearance as exercise, skin care products and sunscreen. I am all about a great skin care regimen at night and in the morning, but I also think about what I’m putting in my body and how it will affect the outside. And for me, none of this needs to be complicated. At my age, simplicity is the spice of life!
Just as important to the gut, our energy level and brain, there are many foods that contribute to the well being of our skin. I think for today, I’ll start with Kale. It’s such an
easy food to work with and very versatile, a great source for the many needs of our bodies, as well as our outside glow. And so easy to incorporate into a meal. It can go in one-pan-wonders, soups or a fabulous salad. There are some tricks to using Kale…like don’t forget to massage your kale before eating it raw! It is definitely a bit tough raw, but if you give it some love and care by gently massaging the leaves after putting them in a bowl, it makes all the difference. And you will feel the love you’ve given it. I prefer the whole kale bunches to the prepackaged cut up kale. It’s easier to work with because you can just tear the leaves off of the big stems and put in the bowl. With the bagged kale, I always feel like I’m spending way too much time picking out those large stems, only to end up with more in the salad after it’s made. One of my least favorite things in a salad!
Now the beauty facts about kale… Each cup contains just 33 calories to your daily intake. A single serving of kale provides all the vitamin K you need for the day, and eating kale also increases your intake of calcium and iron. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce puffiness and redness in the face and around the eyes. The omega-3 fatty acids are excellent for a more supple and nourished complexion from within. Making kale a regular part of your diet not only promotes overall health, it also keeps your skin healthy and strong by increasing your intake of skin-friendly essential nutrients.
Kale boosts the health of your skin because of its high content of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C helps you make the collagen needed for skin strength. Vitamin C’s antioxidant function also means it might provide natural protection from the sun, preventing skin damage caused by exposure to the sun’s rays. Vitamin A promotes healthy cell growth, including the cells that make up the dermis and epidermis of your skin.
Beautiful hair is another benefit of kale. The vitamin C in kale can increase circulation in the scalp along with the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help improve hair elasticity. Kale’s high amount of iron is also essential to healthy hair.
So, when you’re bombarded with all of those anti-aging cream and lotion commercials, remember that what you put inside your body may be even more important than what goes on the outside.
Here’s a great kale salad that you can play with to make it your own. You may read the recipe and think of some other things you would like to add. That’s what recipes are for…a starting point for you to create something spectacular of your own. When I create recipes, I keep in mind that we are usually cooking for one or two at this point, so I keep them simple, and sometimes enough for one more meal to enjoy another day. One of my favorite recipes for kale is not only delicious, but easy to put together. The dressing is included in the salad, which cuts one more step out. Simple, yummy and oh so good for your healthy glow!
Beet and Kale Salad
1 Bunch or Combination of a variety of Kale
Off the stem and massaged in the bowl
1 Cup Arugula
1 Red Onion thinly sliced
1 Cup Daikon Radish cut in rounds
1 Cup Sunflower Seeds
1 Avocado
Juice of one Lemon
Juice of one Lime
1 Tbls Grated Fresh Ginger
Sea Salt
2 Cups Roasted Beets diced
Put all ingredients except beets into a large bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Add beets and toss. Incorporate all ingredients well.
Here’s to your healthy glow from the inside out!
Until next time…
Embrace your age…it’s who you are!
References:
Wende Rowe: Eat Beautiful
Ann Moore -Health Coach for Women Over 50 