Beauty from the inside out

Our diet has an important influence not only in our health, but also in the look of our skin. Eating a diet rich in healthy nutrients nourishes the skin making it to look healthier, younger and glowing.

Now in the spring season, for a tastier and much more nutritional meal, we all can take advantage of  seasonal fresh leafy greens, for example spinach, lettuce, and green onion. And, why not to try something different and add some tasty fresh nutrient-rich dandelions greens to the regular salad. When harvesting dandelions greens pick only the youngest leaves as their taste are not that bitter, and always make sure to harvest from a yard that is not treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

We are sharing with you our dandelion spring salad that not only delights your taste, but also provides full of nutrients and vitamins. This nourishing salad is made with dandelions greens, spinach, radishes, and onions greens, and topped with wild violets and lemon balm, on which we drizzled for taste just a touch of lemon balm infused apple cider vinegar and hot pepper infused extra virgin olive oil.     

Dandelion is a very rich source of beta-carotene which our body can either convert into vitamin A (one serving of 100g dandelions green provides 203% daily value of vitamin A) , or use it as an antioxidant to help protect cells from the damaging effect of free radicals. Also it is a source of vitamin C, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Studies shows that vitamin C, which is found in epidermis (skin’s outer level) and dermis (inner skin level), has antioxidant properties and plays an important role in stabilizing collagen ribonucleic acid production, thus it increases collagen synthesis for repairs of damaged skin. Vitamin C also increases the proliferation rate of fibroblasts which are responsible for collagen production, and by that gives the skin its structure.

Spinach, which is a nutrient-rich food and important source of iron, chlorophyll, vitamins E, A, and C has antioxidants properties that fight against skin problems and help fight inflammation.    

Olive Oil with its healthy fats Omega-3s and Omega-6s, helps the skin to improve its natural oil barrier, and its essential fatty acids and nutrients improve the skin appearance to look healthier and younger.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herbaceous plant from the Mint family which has a mild lemony fragrance. In the traditional Austrian medicine, its leaves have been prescribed for the treatment of ailments related to gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, liver and bile, and in the alternative medicine, it is used for digestive aid and sleep aid.    

Wild violets, Viola, is an edible perennial plant having a light sweet taste, that is culinary used for decorating salads, poultry stuffing, creams or desserts. Studies reveal that many wild violets (Viola) contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which shows strong antioxidants activities.

Love your skin and enhance your skin beauty from the inside out. Enjoy our Dandelion Spring  Salad!

Subscribe to our Newsletter to get free the Dandelion Spring Salad recipe. 

Reference and further readings

Slideshow: Foods for Healthy, Supple Skin, WebMD.com

Vitamin C and Skin Health, Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University

Mellisa Officinalis, Lemon Balm, eol.org

Lemon Balm, Wikipedia.org

Viola (Plant), Wikipedia.org  

Rapid Separation and Identification of Anthocyanins from Flowers of Viola yedoensis and V. prionantha by High‐performance Liquid Chromatography–Photodiode Array Detection–Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry, Research article, Wiley Online Library