The Beauty of Cooking

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Eating foods packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, especially A, B complex, C, E, and K help to beautify our skin and bodies. Studies show that combinations of fruits or vegetables may have synergistic effects of phytochemicals.

Now, what if I said you could enjoy all of the above benefits in a rich, savory bite of creamy mac ‘n’ cheese? It’s true! This recipe has been a pet-project of sorts for me—a cooking challenge that took me years to perfect. I wanted to share my thought process with you (along with the recipe, of course!) so you could take some of these ideas and apply them to your own cooking creations.

Start with Foods that Glow

A general rule of cooking-thumb is that the more colorful the food, the better it is for you. Bright-orange sweet potatoes and carrots are two skintastic foods that can work wonders on your complexion. Loaded with beta-carotene, they help ward off damaging free radicals and fend off wrinkles while generating new, healthy skin cells. 

MORE: Recipes for Younger Skin

Dare to Pair

Think of beautifying foods that compliment sweet potatoes and carrots. For smooth texture and creaminess we’ll add a generous supply of vitamin E with the addition of almond milk and tofu. Vitamin E, vital to skin health can help keep your skin firm, elastic and hold moisture. Tofu, considered a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, iron, and calcium will help build collagen—“our skin’s cement” strengthening our skin, bones, teeth, hair, nails and our entire bodies.