Tag: #skincare tips

THE BENEFITS OF GLUTEN FREE OATS

Faith Mandebvu3 Comments
GLUTEN FREE OATS AND SOFT CITRUS PARFAIT
Gluten free parfait
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. In fact, oats have been the number one  breakfast food for many across the world, for about 130 years.

Most people love the taste of oats but to other’s demise they cannot enjoy oats due to gluten intolerance!

Good News!

There is a special type of oats called the gluten-free oats and these can be safely consumed by people who have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

So, what does gluten free mean?

Gluten free means that food does not contain gluten. Gluten means “glue” in Latin and is a protein that’s mainly found in wheat, rye, and barley. It helps things like pizza dough and pasta keep their structure, and for most of us, eating it is no big deal. But that’s not the case for everyone.

Gluten affects people with celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten causes the body to attack the small intestine. This results in lots of bloating, abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, and fatigue.

So, what are the benefits of Gluten-Free Oats?
Gluten free oatmeal
  1. Gluten free oats are high in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan. Beta-glucan helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, promotes healthy gut bacteria and increases feelings of fullness.
  2. Gluten free oats aid in lowering the risk of heart disease by reducing both total and LDL cholesterol and protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
  3. Oatmeal helps you to lose weight by making you feel satiated. It does this by slowing down the emptying of the stomach and increasing production of the satiety hormone PYY.
  4. Oatmeal has long been used to help treat dry and itchy skin. It may help relieve symptoms of various skin conditions, including eczema. If you want to have the best skin, its best to include oats in your diet.
  5. Oatmeal protects against diabetes. The soluble fibre in oats does not contribute to  blood sugar spikes that can put you at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. If you already have diabetes (either type 1 or type 2) soluble fibre can help keep your condition under control.
  6. Gluten free oats boost your immune system. One specific type of fibre found in oats is beta-glucan. This type of fibre helps your immune cells find and get to sites of infection quicker as it raises your immune system’s response.
  7. Oats contain many powerful antioxidants, including avenanthramides. These compounds may help reduce blood pressure and provide other benefits. They are also nutritious as they are rich in carbs and fiber, but also higher in protein and fat than most other grains. They are very high in many vitamins and minerals.
Gluten free oats parfait and oatmeal
INGREDIENTS:
  • 100 grams gluten free oats
  • 250 ml water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 50 ml full cream
  • 200 grams plain yoghurt
  • 3 soft citruses
  • 20 ml honey
  • 3 strawberries
  • Mint leaves
  • 10 grams almonds
  • 5 grams chia seeds
INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. On a stove, put the water and salt into a pot and bring to boil.
  2. Add the gluten free oats and stir occasionally for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add some cream for more thickness and flavour.
  4. Remove the cooked oats from the stove and cool for 10 minutes.
  5. In a bowl layer the oats at the bottom followed by soft citrus, yoghurt, mint leaves, more oats and soft citrus.
  6. At the top of the parfait, glaze with honey and sprinkle some chia seeds.
  7. Decorate with strawberries and almonds.

At the end of the day, oats are among the healthiest foods you can eat. Enjoy!

Prep & cooking time: 30 min

Gluten free oats

All thanks to The Refillery SA for the amazing ingredients!

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Flat lay of soft citrus and blackberries

7 PRO TIPS TO NATURAL RADIANCE & GLOWING SKIN

Faith Mandebvu2 Comments


Will spending money on skin care products only, get you that radiant look?

Of course not! Healthy skin is a product of your lifestyle, what you eat, how often you work out, how much water you drink and much more. Skin care is not about buying those expensive brands for the perfect look. No, skin care is living sustainably and in a healthy way. Its all about taking care of the inside-out as well as the outside-in.


The first thing that people notice about you is your skin. Your quality of skin tells your overall health and fitness level to any random person you meet! In this world, everyone has a different skin tone and texture making them require different quantities of minerals and nutrients that are essential to look radiant. Thus, knowing your skin type is essential for optimum results. Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you should be doing because the world we live in is under extreme pollution. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It not only controls your physical appearance but, is also responsible for defending your body against various pathogens, therefore, make skincare your priority.


Now, let’s jump into the 7 pro tips to natural radiance & glowing skin!


Glowing Skin Tip 1: Stay hydrated
How much water do you drink daily? 1 liter? 2 liters? Or 750 ml? Also, why should you drink water?
According to health authorities, the recommended amount of water intake is eight 8-ounce glasses or 2 liters. The body is about 60% water, give or take, therefore, you are constantly losing water from your body, primarily via excretion and sweat. To prevent dehydration, you need to drink adequate amounts of water. Drinking adequate quantities of water will give you the glow you are looking for.


There have been numerous debates on whether drinking water gives you a radiant, healthy, younger-looking complexion. Others say it has no effect on skin’s appearance whatsoever.


So, what is the truth?


The fact is that the skin is an organ that is made up of cells. Skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water thus without water, the organs will certainly not function properly or at their best. If your skin is not getting a sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling.The solution is to drink plenty of water to get that plump and radiant skin.

Glowing Skin Tip 2: Nutrition
If you desire that radiant look, turn to your kitchen! Your kitchen is your best friend when it comes to having a naturally glowing skin. Actually, the answers to all your beauty problems may already be in your kitchen! The olive oil can make a great natural body moisturizer – and brown sugar can be mixed with olive oil to make an exfoliator. For those suffering from acne, ice, honey, and salt may be your skin’s new best friends. Run an ice cube over spots to help reduce swelling, follow with an antiseptic and soothing honey mask, then finish with a saltwater toner. For those with eczema, try putting some oatmeal in your bathwater to help soothe your skin.


A healthy skin not only adds to your personality but also reflects how healthy you are on the inside. Whatsoever happens on the outside is a sign of what is going on in the inside.
That radiance can be achieved by incorporating healthy fats into your diet such as the avocado fruit. Vitamin A is responsible for smooth immune functions, a good vision has antioxidant properties and is extremely vital for maintaining healthy-looking skin. Fish oils are rich in Omega 3. Unlike plant-based oils, fish oils contain DHA and EPA, essential fatty acids the body can’t make for itself. Fatty acids form a protective web around the skin, helping to stop moisture being lost and giving skin a healthy appearance.

Glowing Skin Tip 3: Pamper yourself with essential oils
Many of us are afraid of putting oil on our faces, especially those who suffer from oily skin. However, non-comedogenic oils can actually help to clear out pores, reduce sebum production and naturally moisturize the skin.Oils such as almond oil and grapeseed oil are great natural moisturizers. Jojoba oil is an effective multi-functional oil which is particularly beneficial for acne-prone and oily complexions as it can help to normalize sebum production. Jojoba oil can be used as a cleanser, using the oil cleansing method, and can also replace your regular eye makeup remover and moisturizer.

Glowing Skin Tip 4: Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. Our skin continually produces new cells and, as these new cells appear, dead ones can accumulate on the skin’s surface, leading to dull, dry skin. Regular exfoliation is important for removing dead skin cells. It will not only leave your skin looking much brighter but will allow skin products and moisturizers to penetrate the skin more effectively. If done regularly, you can improve your skin’s texture and help stimulate the production of new cells and collagen. Additionally, it provides a smoother surface for foundation to glide evenly over your face! Simply put, if you want healthy and radiant skin, you need to exfoliate.

Glowing Skin Tip 5: Facial Masks
Strawberry Face Mask– strawberries are packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help slow down the aging process, treat burns and offer the best form of UV protection. They are rich in alpha-hydroxylic acid which helps to get rid of dead skin cells.


Aloe Vera Face Mask– Aloe Vera rejuvenates the skin, hydrates it, and keeps your skin looking fresh all the time. It has antimicrobial properties, making it ideal to treat acne and pimples. It is a great natural antioxidant that reverses the oxidative damage experienced by the skin. This will reduce dullness and give your skin a natural glow.


Cucumber Face Mask- To make your skin glow, you need the cucumber. It is full of antioxidant nutrients as well as beta- carotene, vitamin C and manganese. Cucumber is a natural toner that has cooling features and helps to lessen dark greasy complexion.

Glowing Skin Tip 6: Exercise
We all know that exercise is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. But, were you aware that there are ways you can exercise for skin that glows? Whether you’re hitting a treadmill or heading to an aerobics class, the cardiovascular exercise of any kind increases blood flow. As your heart starts to pump faster, it delivers oxygen rapidly to all of your organs, including your skin.


Extra oxygen delivery isn’t just crucial for keeping your skin healthy; it combats the free radicals you produce after encountering pollution. Whether you live in a rural area or a city setting, your skin encounters pollutants. Without the right amount of oxygen and antioxidants, your skin and overall complexion can start to look old before its time.


If you do choose cardiovascular exercise, complement the process with adequate hydration. Failing to up your H2O intake after a heavy workout impacts your skin’s elasticity, leaving it looking dry and unhappy. Similarly, drinking plenty of water reduces the risk of electrolyte imbalances, which may reduce the amount of collagen you should produce naturally.
Rather than relying on makeup for glowing skin and rosy cheeks, why not get a natural glow with some outdoor activity? You will achieve that radiant look.

Glowing Skin Tip 7: Get enough sleep!
During sleep our skin cells renew themselves and collagen production increases, helping to keep your skin looking beautiful, healthy and youthful. According to the British Medical Journal ,sleep-deprived people were rated as having dull skin than those who had had a normal night’s sleep.To get glowing skin with minimal effort, try to establish a regular bedtime and get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Stress affects our skin in many unfortunate and undesirable ways. A study has shown that chronic stress can actually accelerate cellular aging, leading to wrinkles. Stress has also been found to exacerbate many skin conditions, including eczema and acne, as well as robbing us of our much-needed beauty sleep.


If you relax and get plenty of sleep, you will get that radiant and glowing skin. Following these 7 pro tips to natural radiance & glowing skin will get you the results that you desire.

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