7 Foods That Will Give Your Skin Its Vibrant Summer Glow

 Looking for ways to get that gorgeous summer glow naturally? Here are 7 foods that will do just that. Get out this summer and show off that beautiful looking skin

Photo credit: jirihnidek

1. Water: What an easy and most effective way to get great skin! The amount of water in the human body ranges from 50-75% which means we must hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Drinking your eight daily glasses of water will flush your skin of toxins and keep you refreshed and looking radiant.

Photo credit: Three Layer Cake

2. Avocado: Full of Vitamins A, B, C, E, K and minerals such as potassium and iron, avocados assist in keeping skin soft. It helps reduce skin redness and irritation. You can slice them up and add to just about any meal!

photo credit: Chandrika Nair

3. Coconut: Coconut oil not only boosts your metabolism but it rejuvenates your skin and prevents wrinkles. It is full of Vitamin E which is the most moisturizing thing you can give your skin. While coconut is great for that natural looking glow it can also be used externally as a frizz decreasing hair mask.

Photo credit: Harsha K R

4. Almonds: A fantastic way to cleanse your skin pollutions! You can eat this nut frequently, making your skin smooth and glowing from inside. Almonds can reduce the appearance of acne, along with blackheads. These are a great snack when going about your day.

Photo credit: Lee McCoy

5. Dark Chocolate: More chocolate? We are all for it! Be sure that it is dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. It can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration. If you’re planning on a beach vacation, consider loading up on dark chocolate in the prior weeks and months.

Photo credit: Maria Gall

6. Blueberries: These high in fiber little gems help keeps your cholesterol low which keeps your heart healthy. The help protect our skin tissues from further harm and premature aging. Start the day with berries in your yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, or smoothie. Catechins found in blueberries activate fat-burning genes in abdominal fat cells. Don’t leave the produce aisle without berries in your shopping cart.

Photo credit: Bobbi Bowers

7. Leafy Greens: Leafy greens such as kale and spinach have a chock full of vitamins that help your skin produce fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones. Both kale and spinach are low in calories and high in fiber. Kale has zero fat and is a great detox food. Enjoy a spinach salad for lunch and decrease your risk for wrinkles.

The Best You Ever! New Year - New You

(photo: Time Inc. Digital Studios)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! HAPPY 2014!!!

What a truly amazing thing to finally be able to say!  I don't know about you, but I am so very excited that 2014 is finally here as I know it is going to be beyond the best year ever!!!

And in the true spirit of starting a new year and new year's resolutions, I thought I'd post about a few things that can make it not only a new year, but a new, revitalized you.  Let's start off with what we're putting in our body.  Inner health creates outer beauty, so this is a biggie.

Try adding some tart cherries into your diet. Not only are tart cherries packed full of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body, but they also make a great nighttime snack, instead of reaching for those typical desserts that are only going to pack on the pounds.   Cherries actually have a high melatonin content that helps you sleep better at night.

(photo: ALMAY)

Speaking of sleep, this is also a major factor in determining how you feel each and every day. Try to go to bed and wake up in the morning at the same time every night. This helps set a rhythm with your body which will naturally then provide the amount of energy you need to carry yourself through the day. If you happen to find yourself waking in the night, rather than getting up and pacing around which will only wake you up further, simply lay back in bed and focus on something monotonous and boring. Experts say try to count from 300 backwards in multiples of three. It is so complex and dull, but should be back to sleep in no time.

(photo: Chictopia user - JADOREFASHION)

What you put on your body also plays a key role in how you feel throughout the day. By making simple changes to your wardrobe, without spending lots of money, you can automatically feel updated, refreshed, and renewed for the new year. Try incorporating bright colors into your wardrobe that you may ordinarily pass on, like warm citrus yellows and oranges.  Bright warm colors brighten your mood and make you feel energized for your day.

(photo: Debbie Vanstory/Startracksphoto)

And finally, you can simply add a nice shiny new accessory to your wardrobe. But wearing something fun and useful, like a headband, you're not only adding an elevated look to your current wardrobe, but it's something unexpected that makes you feel revitalized and brand-new on the inside.  It may sound a little silly, but simple changes like an excess three, can really go great lengths to make you feel like a brand-new person.

And of course, what counts most beyond all of this, is what you plan to do with your time. Make a plan of action of the goals that you want to achieve, and make sure to incorporate things that involve helping others. The more you do for others, and as you check off things on your personal to do list, the better you will feel, and the more motivated you will become to continue on to living out your new person.

What are your New Year's resolutions?

Posted by:  Spankie V
@SpankieV