Okay, I know I once said that if I ever try to pass on any recipes not for facemasks or other strictly not-for-eating skincare potions, I should be ignored. I know I said that I’m scandalously underqualified to scramble an egg. But you can scratch that. I’ve just taken a mini beauty cooking class with chef Patrick Sutton and discovered a crucial-for-your-complexion ingredient – and some scrumptious ways to sneak it onto your daily menu.
So just trust me. And strap on that apron, gorgeous…
Step one: grab yourself a bottle of quality cold-pressed flax seed oil (it must be pure – Patrick used certified organic products from Waihi Bush Organic Farm). Soaked with essential omegas 6, 9 and especially 3 (the one nutritionists say most Westerners are skimping on), flax seed oil is said to be a brilliant brain food and good for your heart, but it’s even bigger on beauty benefits. It’s a staple in Dr Nicholas Perricone’s famous Face-Lift in Your Fridge diet and has long been a natural remedy for everything from dry skin, eczema and acne to lacklustre locks and soft nails.
So let’s get cooking.
Patrick added a splash of Waihi Bush Organic Farm Flax Original oil to a dash of balsamic, Dijon mustard and olive oil for a delicious salad dressing. Then he supercharged an antioxidant-rich berry and yoghurt smoothie with a shot of Flax. But my favourite recipe was for a complexion-perfecting carrot slice.
Here’s Patrick’s recipe…
Ingredients
1/4 cup Waihi Bush Organic Flax Fibre – Original(this is a ground powder; the oil’s best suited to cold recipes and drizzling)
1.5 cups grated carrots
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup sultanas
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup cooking oil
Butter and flour for greasing tin
Method
Beat the eggs and oil together
Add to previously sieved flour and mixed dry ingredients, nuts, carrot and sultanas
Spread mixture into prepared muffin tin (you should have enough for a dozen snack-size serves)
Bake at 180ºc for 15 mins in pre-heated oven
Snack to your skin’s content
Sounds like a cinch, right? If I can do it, you can do it with both hands tied. In the dark. Standing on your head.
Bon appetit, beauties!
