Skin Boosting Kiwi

"The kiwifruit is often underappreciated in our diets and overlooked at the grocery store or farmers market. Many of us find it to be more of a “high maintenance” fruit that requires peeling and mess but it’s time to finally appreciate the kiwi for what it is—an edible skincare must!" says Kirstin Kirkpatric, RD of Eat Pretty.

You might be surprised to learn that kiwi is packed with a vital skin-healthy nutrient. Read on to discover kiwi’s benefits, as well as practical ways to get the most out of kiwi, yep I've included a couple recipes in today's article, D.I.Y. skin care recipes and edible ones for your nutrition!

When most people start looking for anything that will benefit the health, look and feel of their skin, they almost immediately look for beauty products that will deliver exactly what they are looking for. But a key point people worth noting is that looking after your system from the inside out is actually the most beneficial way to achieve flawless looking skin.Your digestive health plays a major role in the health, look and tone of your skin. When your digestive system is out of balance, this will be reflected in skin breakouts and premature aging.

Kiwi fruit are loaded with fiber, vitamin C and E, and potassium. Vitamin E and potassium are the nutrients responsible for slowing the aging process. Kiwi fruit also contains actinidin, a meat tenderizer. The black seeds of a kiwi fruit contain the all important omega-3 oil, and essential fatty acids the body needs to slow aging. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is an antioxidant. That means it protects the body from free radicals. Free radicals are the most important part of the cell structure and are a by product of the air you breath. Every body has free radicals – that is part of the aging process. That is…free radicals make you age. Read Mayo Clinics Food Sources the Best Choice for Antioxidants

To prevent free radical damage to the body’s aging process you need antioxidants that destroy the free radicals. Antioxidants such as vitamin C reduce the formation of free radical. That’s the scientific explanations of free radicals. Kiwi fruit contains more vitamin C than oranges and since vitamin C is an antioxidants your skin is protected when you eat kiwi fruit. The more antioxidants your body has the better it can protect you from the aging process.

Vitamin C is an essential element in maintaining the collagen in your skin, which keeps skin firm and supple. According to Ladies’ Home Journal, kiwi contains more vitamin C per ounce than any other fruit. Plus, kiwi’s furry exterior keeps vitamin C from escaping because the nutrient tends to evaporate when exposed to air, water or heat, according to the magazine. On serving of kiwi ( 2 kiwi 100 calories ) contains 240% of your daily requirements of vitamin C! Not only is that great for your skin collagen but it also boosts your immune system and vitamin C is fabulous for fighting mild acne! See Getting your Vitamin C from Kiwi at fitday

If you're not crazy about eating kiwi, but would like some of the skin care benefits from this nifty little fruit, here are a couple of kiwi inspired spa recipes for D..I.Y. skin care.

Kiwi Toner

1. Mash 1 kiwifruit and pour 1 cup of boiling water over it. Let it stand until cool (20-30 minutes).
2.Strain to remove fruit. Add 1 tablespoon of vodka and stir. Apply to your face using a cotton ball.
3.Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for a week to 10 days.

Kiwi Facial Cleanser

1 kiwifruit
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon orange water
1 tablespoon apricot or almond oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon almonds, finely ground
2 drops orange essential oil

Puree the kiwifruit until liquid. Add yogurt, orange water, almond or apricot oil and ground almonds. Blend until thick. Stir in the orange essential oil. To apply, massage gently over face and neck, and then rinse well. This makes one application.

Now, if you want to add some extra boost to your immune system and natural beauty to your skin, I have a couple of edible recipes for you to try. Eating kiwi is the best way to gain benefits for your health and skin and using the Kiwi toner and Kiwi Facial Cleanser will give you great results and make you skin look and feel beautiful.

Kiwi Cherry Almond Oatmeal

1 packet instant unsweetened oatmeal
1 cup water
1/4 cup soy milk
1 handful sliced roasted almonds
2 kiwis, peeled and cubed
6-8 dried Bing cherries
a few sprinkles of cinnamon
1 tsp vegan buttery spread
optional: 1 tsp agave syrup

Heat oatmeal and water in bowl for 1.5-2 minutes. Add nuts, cinnamon, buttery spread, agave and cherries. Stir well. Put back in microwave for 20 seconds.
Add soy milk and top with kiwis and a few loose almonds and cherries. Sprinkle another dash of cinnamon. Enjoy hot! (In a real bowl with a real spoon.) Recipe courtesy of Lunch Box Bunch.

Strawberry Kiwi Spinach Salad

2 large handfuls of baby spinach
1 kiwi, diced
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2-3 tablespoons Strawberry Vinaigrette

Toss together in a bowl, makes one serving.

Strawberry Vinaigrette

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons all fruit strawberry jam
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Whisk all of the ingredients together in a bowl and drizzle over salad, makes about a cup, which is several servings, 1 -2 tablespoons per salad is plenty. Recipe courtesy of Live Learn Love Eat.

Here's a great recipe for New Zealand Kiwi Cheesecake.

Posted in: Benefits of Natural Ingredients, Cook Book, D.I.Y. Skin Care Recipes