I am so happy to introduce a new BeautyMama series called Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous with the extraordinary nutritionist Esther Blum. Because, as we all know, beauty is hardly skin-deep. What we eat, the supplements we choose and the habits we set have so much to do with how we look and feel. As a busy working mom with a focus on women’s health, in particular, Esther truly understands how we think and what we need to look and feel our best.
Esther is a clinical and holistic dietitian with 20+ years of experience, and bestselling author of Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous, Secrets of Gorgeous, The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project, and Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat.
Plus, she’s hilarious, makes a mean martini and eats chocolate. The ultimate BeautyMama.
To launch the series, I asked Esther to talk about dry skin. So many of my friends are asking me how to amp up their winter skincare. I keep hearing how even the heaviest of creams are doing little to keep skin hydrated. Turns out, it’s way more effective to moisturize from the inside out. Beyond winter dryness, though, keeping skin supple year-round is an important anti-aging weapon.
Here’s Esther’s dry skin Rx:
Eat: Cod Liver Oil
Drink: Water- and lots of it.
Gorgeous Benefits
Cod liver oil contains Vitamin A & D to support respiratory health and immune function. A great rule of thumb is to think about having omega-3s during the warmer months when exposure to the sun (and vitamin D) is greater, and cod liver oil during the months you spend more time indoors. Omega-3s are a panacea for pretty much everything from high blood pressure and cholesterol to fighting inflammation, menstrual cramps and joint aches, to treating depression, autoimmune conditions, and dry, wrinkled skin. To optimize your intake of these lovely fats, steer clear of trans fats and hydrogenated oils, fried foods, corn, safflower, sunflower, and canola oils—these are deal breakers when it comes to inflammation and hydration. You may not actually need more hydration, but you may just need an oil change.
Dosage: One teaspoon per 50 pounds of body weight, taken with food.
Eat: Evening Primrose Oil capsules
Drink: Water- and lots of it
Gorgeous Benefits
Primrose oil seeds are a rich source of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). This miracle oil restores regular menstrual cycles, fights menstrual cramps and inflammation, tackles tough eczema and acne, controls excess sebum production, and hydrates you from the inside out. So I’m a big fan, natch.
Dosage: One 240mg capsule per day for dry skin; 2 capsules per day for eczema and irregular periods.
Eat: Coconut Oil
Drink: Coconut Water- it’s the perfect post-workout sports drink
Gorgeous Benefits
Coconut is without a doubt the healthiest saturated fat on the planet. It stands up well to high cooking temps, tastes incredibly delicious (I actually eat it straight to kill cravings), and is rich in medium chain triglycerides, which are rapidly burned off for energy and help the body burn fat. Coconut oil is also a great source of lauric acid, which is a natural anti-viral fatty acid. This means a better functioning immune system for you! Not only can you cook with coconut oil, but you can keep an extra jar in the bathroom and slather it on your skin after a shower for a cheap but totally effective moisturizer and lip balm.
Check out more from Esther on her Living Gorgeous website, EstherBlum.com
