AND HOW TO USE THIS TREAT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE What Makes Dark Chocolate Good for Your Skin?
Many of us probably have a bar of dark chocolate sitting in our freezer or our pantry at home. Maybe we’ve heard that it’s healthier than milk chocolate, while still being, you know, chocolate. But how many of you actually know in detail why dark chocolate is so nutritious and particularly good for your skin? In case you’ve ever been curious, here’s some of the science behind the tasty superfood. Protection From the Sun You might not have guessed that dark chocolate can work in tandem with your sunblock. The cocoa in dark chocolate contains flavonoids — the kinds of chemical compounds that give fruits and vegetables their distinctive colors — that give your skin a smoother texture and help deflect ultraviolet rays from the sun. It also helps fight against skin discoloration. Promotion of Cell Growth Minerals like iron, copper, and zinc all promote cell growth, which in turn leaves your skin looking
healthier and better nourished. Just 100 grams of dark chocolate contains 67% of the recommended daily amount of iron, 89% of the recommended daily amount of copper, and plenty of zinc as well. Minerals in dark chocolate also help heal the skin, slough off dead skin cells, and help scars and blemishes fade. Prevention of Premature Aging Cocoa is full of antioxidants, which are chemicals that reduce inflammation and improve circulation. This helps skin to retain moisture and look healthier, which leads to fewer wrinkles on your face. Dark chocolate that’s particularly high in cocoa, between 70% and 85%, is best. That being said, we unfortunately can’t just live off of dark chocolate. It’s still packed with calories and easy to overeat. However, in moderation, it can make for a great treat that comes with some added health benefits for our skin to boot.
Minty
Take a
CARROT TOP
Pesto
BREAK
Pesto may sound like a fancy ingredient on restaurant menus, but you can make it at home in minutes! This vegan recipe is a great way to use spare carrots tops, and it tastes delicious as a pasta sauce (thinned with water) or a cracker spread.
INGREDIENTS
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1 large bunch carrot tops
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2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh mint 4 chives, chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
DIRECTIONS
1. To blanch the carrot tops, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Remove the stems from the carrot tops and add the greens to the water. Boil for 3 minutes, then drain the water and dunk the tops in ice water. When they’re cool, wring out the extra liquid. 2. Use a food processor to blend the carrot tops and all other ingredients except olive oil. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil at a time to the food processor and blend until the pesto is smooth. Taste and serve! Inspired by YupItsVegan.com
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