Book Review: Glow

Glow by Nadia Neumann is a lovely book that focuses on The Nutritional Approach to Naturally Gorgeous Skin, something that fits just right with the theme of Purposeful Nutrition. Nadia Neumann is a nutritional therapy practitioner and Founder of Body Unburdened so she has some experience and credibility on this issue. Ms. Neumann lays an excellent foundation on this topic as she teaches about what makes healthy skin and how important it is to look at our diet and our gut health when analyzing the why behind good or bad skin health. I always appreciate recipe books that include the why of a particular approach before giving the recipes. This book has great explanations along with easy to follow recipes and great photos.

The book has a large section of skin loving superfood recipes including things like Herbed Sardine Cakes, Strawberry Fields Salad, Sweet Roots Sauerkraut, and Good Morning Anti-inflammatory Elixir. Skincare recipes include pH-Balancing Toner, Antioxidant Green Tea Toner, Pore Perfecting Clay Mask, and Favorite Face Oil. There are lovely photos with each recipe, whether food or skincare.

I made the Asian Fusion Salad and we all though it was very good. A few people in my family commented that it was spicy and that was a negative for some and a strong positive for others. If this is an issue for you, the red pepper flakes could be left out.

Asian Fusion Salad with Sweet and Spicy Dressing

Here’s the thing about radishes: They look so cute and innocent but actually have quite a bite. I like that in a vegetable. Which is why I love this salad. In addition to a ton of glow-getting nutrients, this recipe’s got gumption! This dish provides the skin with all the necessary tools to build and maintain healthy cells—protein, healthy fat, cleansing fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But it also keeps skin healthy by aiding the gut and liver—cabbage is one of the gut-healing superfoods, and it contains unique forms of sulfur that support liver detoxification.

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

1 tbsp (15 ml) avocado oil

2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut aminos

1 ½ lb (680 g) pasture-raised chicken breast, cubed

Sesame seeds, for garnish

SALAD

2 cups (140 g) chopped cabbage

2 cups (95 g) chopped romaine lettuce

1 cup (90 g) grated carrot

3 Persian cucumbers, sliced

4 radishes, sliced

¼ cup (25 g) chopped scallion

DRESSING

¼ cup (60 ml) coconut aminos

¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil

2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp (30 ml) raw honey

2 tbsp (31 g) grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, chopped

½ tsp red pepper flakes

In a skillet, combine the avocado oil and coconut aminos over medium heat. Add the chicken. Cook, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through.

To make the salad, combine the cabbage, romaine, carrot, cucumbers, radishes and scallion in a large bowl and toss to combine.

To make the dressing, in a blender or food processor, combine all the dressing ingredients. Blend on high speed for 10 to 15 seconds.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad, and top with the chicken.

Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

 

 

Antioxidant Green Tea Toner

This Antioxidant Green Tea Toner is incredibly simple because it just doesn’t need to be any more complicated. The antioxidant powers of green tea combined with the natural toning properties of witch hazel provide skin with the ultimate protection. This toner helps defend skin cells from damaging free radicals and protects sebum from blemish-provoking oxidation, all while maintaining the skin’s delicate pH. It’s therefore a great addition to anti-aging and anti-acne skincare routines alike, and it’s especially perfect for adults with acne who are concerned about both issues simultaneously.

I tried the toner because as a middle-aged woman my skin is aging as well. I have never been one to do much with my skin. I don’t wear make up and just don’t tend to fuss with my face much. I still have young looking skin, but I know that won’t always be true. So I decided to make this toner and use it. It is very simple to make and I used the green tea bags, as I didn’t have the loose tea. It feels good on my face and after a few days my skin feels good so I will continue to use this. Beats the high prices of some of the expensive skin regimes.

YIELD: 4 OZ (120 ML)

1 tbsp (3.5 g) loose green tea leaves

½ cup (120 ml) witch hazel extract

Place the green tea leaves in a jar and pour the witch hazel on top. Screw the lid onto the jar and give the jar a little swirl to saturate the tea. Let the mixture steep for at least 8 hours.

After allowing the mixture adequate time to steep, strain the tea from the infused witch hazel, using cheesecloth or a coffee filter, giving them a squeeze to remove as much witch hazel as possible.

Pour the infused witch hazel into a bottle or jar.

Apply to clean skin, using a cotton ball or clean cloth, and follow with moisturizer.

NOTE: Instead of using loose green tea leaves, alternatively you can use 2 green tea bags. Simply cut the bags open and empty the tea into the witch hazel to infuse.

 

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. If you would like to order your own copy,  you may use my affiliate link  to order from Amazon.