Skin Benefits of Kale + Glowing Recipe for Kale Salad

Having just finished the GLOW PROJECT with Summer Sanders from Radiantly Raw Lifestyles, Conscious Beauty Co-Founder Merlyn has a new found love for Kale! The 7 day raw food cleanse helped her to reach her goal of weaning herself of dairy (complexion killer seriously), and reduce sugar cravings while learning some new healthy recipes.  Loving the experience so much, we wanted to share one of our favorite ingredients with all of you- Kale. This leafy green helps to promote overall health, and also keeps your skin healthy and stong by increasing the intake of skin-friendly essential nutrients. Summer has created a special salad recipe we are delighted to share with all of you.

 

Here’s why you should start chomping down on this gorgeous green:

Vitamin C- Your skin contains cooagen fivers, which are long strands of protein that form a network that holds your skin cells together. Vitamin C helps you make the collagen needed for skin strength. A cup of raw Kale contains 80.4 milligrams of C. This provides 90 percent of the recommended daily intake for me and the entire recommended intake for women of Vitamin C.

Copper- This mineral boosts the synthesis of melanin- a pigment that protects your skin from the sun. Like vitamin C, it helps you make collagen. It controls inflammation, and might offer anti- inflammatory benefits for your skin.

Vitamin A- Kale contains 335 micrograms of retinol activity equivalents in a 1 cup serving, which makes up 37 percent of the recommended daily vitamin A intake for men and 48 percent for women. Vitamin A promotes healthy cell growth, including the cells that make up the dermis and epidermis of your skin.

 

Recipe for Kale Salad
1 head of kale
1 medium red bell pepper
1 large cucumber
2 carrots
1 avocado
1 cup cashews
1/2 shallot
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (for massaging kale and for dressing) salt to taste.
Black pepper
1/4 cup of water as needed (for dressing)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
Micro greens for topping
Method
De spine kale and chop. Set into a bowl with a bit of salt and apple cider vinegar. Massage the kale to break it down and then let it set while you prepare other ingredients.
Use a spiralizer to make noodles out of your peeled cucumber and carrot.
For the dressing, combine cashew, shallot, apple cider vinegar, sea salt to taste, pepper and water as needed. Blend in your vitamix or strong blender until smooth and creamy.
Toss your kale with desired amount of dressing. Add cucumber noodles, carrots, and sunflower seeds. Top with avocado and micro greens. Enjoy!

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