under the microscope

There is a little corner in my house where the light is just so. I've set it up with a makeshift. Every time I come across something beautiful, I can't help but take it up to my little laboratory. I study its intricacies, its design -- whether natural or manmade. I play around with the way the light hits it. The two dance together, accentuating each other's beauty. There is so much unspoken. I fall in love with the utter simplicity. 

skin-loving smoothie recipe

Note: this post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

So you love smoothies. There’s no doubt that its healthy, but you really just throw random ingredients into the blender with no rhyme or reason. Why not construct a super-power combination to boost one system or another? The smoothie recipe below will provide a powerful dose of antioxidants and nutrients for the skin. Down it as often as you’d like to help prevent wrinkles, smooth the surface, and get glowing. Not to mention, it's pretty tasty.

THE INGREDIENTS:

70% Dark Chocolate: The darker the chocolate the more the antioxidants. This will help you improve luminosity. 

Spinach: Spinach is chock full of lutein, a carotenoid that will protect your skin from UV damage. 

Mixed Berries: Berries are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. The healthy dose will protect you against free radicals in the environment.

Avocado: Avocado is packed with antioxidants like vitamin C and E, alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. They also have a great amount of mono saturated fatty acids which help to maintain moisture in the epidermal layer of the skin.  

Coconut Water: Healthy skin needs one thing above all: good hydration. Coconut water will hit you with electrolytes and give skin all the drink it needs.

DIRECTIONS:

- Throw ingredients into a blender and drink as soon as possible.

baked lotus root chips with spicy avocado dip

That, up there ^, is a lotus root. If you're not familiar, try one. They are a staple in most Chinese and Taiwanese cooking, and they come in many forms. I've seen acidic lotus root salads, soups with lotus root pieces, drinks, and even chips. If you know what you're looking for, you can find them at most Asian grocery stores. 

Like everyone else, I want to kick off the new year with a healthy start, and so I'm going to do another Whole30 cleanse. The key to a successful cleanse is planning, and so I've been crafting up an arsenal of recipes to have on hand. This is the first that I will share with you all. It is completely dairy, meat, and carb free. The chips make a great side for dinners and lunches, or can be served as an appetizer if you wish. The spicy avocado dip makes a nice accompaniment, and is filled with plenty of good fat to keep you full while cleansing.

Ingredients:

1 Lotus Root

Peanut Oil

Salt & Pepper

1 Avocado

2 Cloves Garlic

1 Tbsp Mayo (Made with Olive Oil)

1 Tbs Rice Vinegar

1 Tbs Chili Oil (see picture above)

1 Tsp Salt

Chip Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F

2. Peel and thinly slice your lotus root. The thinner you get them, the better the texture will be. If you have mandolin it would be a good tool for this.

3. Spread your slices out on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with peanut oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper,  and put in the oven to bake. Depending on how thing your slices are, the baking should take 30-45 minutes. Take the tray out when chips are crispy.

Dip Directions:

1. Lightly brown garlic cloves over low heat in a bit of peanut oil.

2. Throw all ingredients into a food processor and blend until creamy.

Serve!