Beauty is as important to us as our health. It turns out, that health and beauty are two sides of the same leaf. Go figure!

We want it ALL- radiant health, glowing skin, a body to feel good in and lush hair to go with.

Is it too much to ask for in one body? Well according to our ancestors who never relied on a single chemical to boost their natural beauty, it isn't when you know the thousand year old secret super foods that come complete with all the beauty supporting skills the body needs, chemical free!

The new best friends of promoting beauty don’t come from a tube (or a pill, or an infomercial, or the, er, “doctor with knife skils”). The true beauty boost we've all been looking for comes straight from the kitchen!

I think we can all agree that a radiant exterior starts with a well-nourished body, and while there are many foods that offer beautifying benefits, nutrient-dense superfoods are ideal for getting that long-term glow.

Add these 5 extraordinary foods to your diet for the healthiest (and most delicious!) beauty upgrade ever:

Hemp Seeds

Among their many healthful benefits, hemp seeds are an exceptionally rich source of essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFAs serve as a crucial element in the development of new cells by helping to compose the cell membrane itself. Because the cells that compose our body’s exterior have an especially high turnover rate, eating foods with quality EFAs influences an increase in renewed and vibrant skin, hair, nails, etc. Hemp seeds also supply a good source of Vitamin E, the famous beauty nutrient known for its natural moisturizing and anti-aging qualities.
Try them in: Simple Hemp Milk, Hempin' Curry Sauce, Hemp~tastic Hummus

Wheatgrass Juice or Powder

Being a potent natural source of chlorophyll the green “blood” of plants, wheatgrass is profoundly alkaline. This quality means wheatgrass assists in increasing circulation, promotes detoxification of impurities, neutralizes acids and toxins, and at the same time replenishes cells with essential minerals. While all this beneficial activity builds a clean body internally, these perks also translate to vibrant, lustrous skin and bright, clear eyes. A must in any conscious beauty getter.
Try it in:

Berries

Nutrient-dense berries such as blueberries, blackberries, goji berries and acai berries all share a common benefit: concentrated antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body, thus providing defense against cellular oxidation (disease and aging). Research suggests that consistent consumption of high antioxidant foods can delay signs of aging by keeping the body’s cell structure strong on both the inside and out. Eating these “superberries” regularly can be especially helpful in preventing the acceleration of skin damage (like wrinkles!), as well as delaying (even reversing, according to some reports) graying hair.
Try them in: Acai Chia Jam, Acai Crepe's

Camu Camu

As the world’s highest known source of Vitamin C, camu berries are a standout superfood in a beautifying diet. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in beauty because in addition to contributing to tissue growth, this nutrient is also essential for the formation of collagen – a protein responsible for giving skin its elastic quality (among many other things!). Plus, being an antioxidant in and of itself, Vitamin C is another premium tool in the anti-aging arsenal. Consuming vitamin C in a natural, whole food form like camu (as opposed to a an isolated, synthetic vitamin pill) ensures this most beneficial nutrient is digested and assimilated by the body to the fullest extent.
Try it in: Camu Strawberry Mylkshake, Super Strawberry Mousse

Coconut Oil

Once villainized for its high fat content, coconut oil is now one of the hottest health foods on the block due to it's incredible benefits and high lauric acid profile. Coconut oil is now said to be a superfood that boosts metabolism, and helps keep the immune system strong, earning it a paramount position in the natural beauty regimen.
When enjoyed as a food, coconut oil makes a nutritious cooking oil full of energy-giving medium chain fatty acids that are easily (and deliciously) used in place of harmful fats. Used externally, coconut oil serves as nature’s premier moisturizing lotion – an ideal remedy for dry or wrinkled skin. Rubbed on the body or face, the smooth oil is easily absorbed, softens the skin, and provides an instant radiance.
Try it in: Coconut Brownies

These foods can generally be sourced at natural food stores, or online through VivaPure

So here for your viewing pleasure are the TOP

3 best superfood duos for synergy madness!

Camu Camu & Acai  

HOLY AMAZONIA!  These intensely anti-oxidant rich and fruity powders hailing from the Amazon are guaranteed to take your nut milk or smoothie to another dimension!  Acai is a little purple power berry that packs one helluva punch considered to be one of the most powerfully anti-oxidant and nutritious super fruits on the planet!  Camu Camu is a Vitamin C superhero with 30 to 60 times more Vitamin C power than an orange as well as antioxidants, phytochemicals and amino acids.  Together these superfoods make your ultimate oxidant fighting duo!

Cacao & Maca

KERSPLAT!  Real Raw Cacao and Maca together?  Hold on to your pants!  The true yin and yang of the superfood world, the dark, intense chocolatey goodness grown near the Equator for hot, hot, hotness is complimented well by the light, creamy maca that grows at super cool altitudes of 15,000ft!  These two superfoods like to be combined in a rich chocolate bar or nut milk smoothie for ultimate superpowers!

Chlorella & Wheatgrass powder

WHAMMO!  This duo will knock your green smoothie socks off.   Nutrient, phyto-nutrient and chlorophyll dense foods, this heady superfood combo will mineralise and galvanise!  Combining the best of the elements of water and earth, chlorella and wheatgrass pack a protein punch!  Guaranteed to detoxify and cleanse every bad boy in your bod!  They LOVE to be added to your green smoothies for maximum effectiveness!

So there you have it, for a true superfood experience make sure you have one of these superfood duo teams in your life!

What's your favourite superfood combo?

To find delicious recipes using Superfoods check out Emma's rockin' Blog, We paticularly adore her post on Magical Maca and a superfood smoothie recipe to boot.