Dana Talks: Superfoods, Skin Care and Green Lemonade

About six years ago, I had the pleasure of first meeting Miranda Hunt, a chef and holistic health counselor, and over the years I have enjoyed a countless number of her healthy, instructive and creative cooking classes.  Miranda has been a healthy-eating expert basically since birth- she was raised macrobiotic and was leading her own cooking lessons by age 23.

I was so excited when I recently caught up with Miranda and learned that she has taken her love of food to a whole new level- she is currently developing her own line of food-based skin care products!

Miranda explains that the idea was simply an extension of her love for food. She is a totally DIY-type cook who makes from scratch the kinds of foods that most people usually buy, such as ketchup and pickles, so she was used to experimenting and producing her own products in the kitchen.

Miranda is developing a facial cleanser, mask, a balm and a body scrub and plans to launch her products in May. As the basis for these products, she's using such ingredients as neutral oils like grape seed oil as well as fresh herbs and seaweed. Miranda subscribes to the philosophy that "simple is best," and that many people "put too many things on their skin," especially things that are over-drying, such as products that contain alcohol. And of course, Miranda says, "Skincare starts with the food you eat; you have to put good stuff inside" in order to look your best.

I can't wait to try Miranda's forthcoming skincare collection, but in the meanwhile, Miranda is sharing an amazing recipe for "green lemonade," which you can make in a regular blender and which will have you glowing. I have made this drink several times over the past few days and I have to say, I'm hooked! The flavor was surprising at first, but then delicious and oddly addicting and so invigorating that it could make me give up my morning coffee without a fight. And I think my skin just may be glowing...!

See below for the recipe, and for more information about Miranda's skin care products, or for skincare consultations, cooking lessons, nutrition counseling, a "kitchen makeover," menu planning or a "food store tour," contact Miranda at mirandanutrition@gmail.com or via Facebook.

Green Lemonade (Serves 2)

"A great start to your day!  This green juice nourishes your cells from the inside out, tastes great, and gives you a natural buzz unlike a morning java fix.  I love to drink this before my kundalini or bikram yoga practice.  This beverage will make you glow!" -Miranda Hunt

2 cups of filtered water
2 organic granny smith apples, cut into 6 pieces each
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
A thumb sized piece of ginger
1 tumeric rhizome (Found in Indian & Asian markets and some Whole Foods.  If not available, substitute 1 teaspoon ground tumeric.  Make sure it's fresh as ground spices quickly lose their vitality.)
2 cups of kale, packed
1 8" piece of burdock root, scrubbed (Burdock is a great blood purifier.) (Note: You can find burdock at Whole Foods or other health food stores; click here to read more about this wonder-food and see a photo of it so that you will be able to identify it at the grocery store.)

Place the above ingredients in a high speed blender and buzz until everything is homogeneous and smooth.  Pass juice through a strainer squeezing out as much liquid from the pulp as possible. Serve in glasses with ice if desired and a glass or metal straw to keep it natural. Enjoy!