The onset of fall is such a beautiful time — orange trees, crunching leaves, dry pine smell in the air… and a sudden slowing of the world. As summer bonfires make way for cosy hearth fires, and trips to the pool are replaced by a book by the window, even our dietary habits change. But for those who are conscious of their skincare, and have been nourishing their skin even through their food during summer, fall may seem like a challenging time. There aren’t many fresh fruits and vegetables available, but there are other ways of loving and caring for your skin with seeds, nuts, grains and fish. Here are some of the best recipes this fall for your skin:
1. Healthy Apple Slice Pie
An apple a day keep the doctor away. And it also keeps your skin healthy and glowing!
Nutritionally, apples have high amounts of Vitamin A, C and copper. While A vitamin is essential for anti-aging, C is good for the skin’s texture and tone. And they both help in the collagen-building of the skin.
During fall, fresh apples are usually made into apple pies. But here we have a healthier option, where you can avoid all the processed flour and sugar that are detrimental to the skin.
Ingredients:
- Large apples (pluck out the core)
- Vanilla extract
- Clove powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed walnuts or almonds
- Brown sugar (optional)
How to Make Apple Slice Pie?
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl, combine clove powder, cinnamon and a couple of drops of vanilla essence.
- Mix well.
- Cut thick (half an inch) slices of your apples and coat them in the spice mixture.
- Lay them on a baking dish filled with 1/4 inch water.
- Bake them for about 10-15 mins until they look soft and the fragrance spreads.
- Drain the water and serve!
This is such a light and delicious dessert, without high GI value. The fruit and spices are great for your skin, you get your sweet tooth satisfied, and it’s made so quickly and looks so fancy! You can also serve it with a side of sugar-free vanilla ice cream.
2. Pumpkin Glory Muffins
These pumpkin muffins are derived from San Francisco’s favourite sweet breakfast — morning glory muffins. They are so nutritious and full of fall colors. And why not? The muffins are ripe with carrots, walnuts, raisins, orange juice and wheat germ! We have added a twist of pumpkin into this mix so that you also get added Vitamins like A, C, E and beta carotene from this veggie. These muffins turn out great and may help you fight sun damage, skin aging, and dryness, and promote a healthy skin glow.
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin Puree (half a cup)
- 3 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup grated apples
- 1 cup shredded/desiccated coconut
- Handful Pecans
- Handful Back raisins
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
How to Make Pumpkin Glory Muffins?
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line your muffin tray with paper cups and glaze with butter and flour.
- Mix all the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl — pumpkin puree, eggs, shredded fruits and veggies and maple syrup.
- In another mixing bowl bring together all the dry ingredients — almond flour, nuts, spices and baking powder/baking soda.
- Pour the dry bowl into the wet bowl and mix, mix, mix.
- Once the batter is combined nicely, scoop individually into the lined baking tray.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.
A very healthy, very yummy, and very glowing breakfast! You can even bake them at night and store them for morning. Serve warm with an omelette and you are full until lunch!
3. Ruddy Fall Salad
Let’s replicate the colors and flavours of the fall season in a healthy salad! And this salad is great for the skin. It has lots of fibre that is good for the gut, coconut oil that brings a healthy shine to your skin, and greens that are going to promote a youthful appearance. And then there’s a twist of lemon, which ensures lots of Vitamin C for brightness, hydration and immunity.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 cups of cooked quinoa
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Rocket
- 1 sweet potato boiled
- 1 tomato
- 1 onion
- Handful of cranberries
- A handful of pomegranate seeds
- Coconut oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon
How to Make a Ruddy Fall Salad?
For the Dressing:
- Heat a tablespoon of coconut oil in a pan. Sauté onion slices on medium-low heat until golden brown.
- Add salt and freshly ground pepper as per taste.
Salad Bowl:
- Assemble the cooked quinoa in a large salad bowl.
- Add chopped mixed greens, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
- Add the dressing-onion mixture.
- Throw in the cranberries and pomegranate seeds for some crunch.
- Finish with a twist of lemon and serve warm!
You will be seeing the whole season on your table — with the varying shades of salad greens, browns of sweet potatoes, reds of tomatoes and a sparkle of cranberries and pomegranate. This salad is a great lunch boost, and it fills you with energy. What’s more — it is very light but very healthy for your skin.
This fall, cook up delicious skin-healthy recipes and treat yourself well. After all, good food, glowing skin and nature’s bounty is all that one needs to feel good!
