The Supergreens Facelift Diet - The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible

Alas! I have neglected my beloved beauty blog due to the hectic hubbub that is London's erratic working/social scene.

But here I am again, nested on my beloved sofa with a turmeric-infused green tea in hand ready to blog away  to reckless abandon after a rampant copywriting stint at Wowcher - the gloriously cheesy daily deals site.

I feel a strong urge to blog to about a rejuvenating three day beauty diet I have recently been following which has made quite a difference on my previously parched complexion.

I came across this skin-enhancing diet in The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible by my beloved beauty gurus, Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey (£19.99, Kyle Cathie Limited - beautybible.com).

The diet consists primarily of the consumption of green leafy vegetables. These anti-ageing superfoods contain skin-loving vitamins A and E which protect cells from free radical damage, minimize the production of sebum to prevent acne and strengthen protective tissue to help eliminate toxins - resulting in enviously luminous skin.

Chlorophyll-rich greens have been known for years to nourish the skin from within and reverse the pitiful signs of aging. Since its availability in the UK five years ago, a Japanese food supplement called Sun Chlorella (£21.95 for a 30 day supply), containing the highest known concentration of chlorophyll, has evoked considerable attention in holistic circles and gained a cult following among natural beauty junkies and health conscious folk.

Chlorella is a freshwater single-celled green algae which promotes growth and repair of cells and tissues as well as stimulating the immune system, maintaining a healthy gut and detoxifying the body – resulting in a healthy, 'plumped-up' complexion.

This ‘natural multivitamin’ is composed of 60% plant protein, amino acids, vitamins A, D, B12 and B6, folic acid, fibre and iron. I was impressed to discover that a daily dose of Sun Chlorella contains the equivalent iron content of nine cups of spinach.

The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible coaxes us to incorporate five of these emerald pills into their Supergreens Facelift Diet daily via a refreshing anti-ageing Supergreen Smoothie - which also consists of the following wondrously wholesome ingredients;

600ml mineral water
½ chopped cucumber
¼ peeled avocado
1 chopped celery stick
juice of half a lemon or lime
¼ teaspoon unrefined salt

Plus two small handfuls of mixed green leaves (60 – 80g) from the following : spinach, rocket, kale, watercress, chard, bok choy, mint, basil, parsley, coriander.

When making this comely concoction I usually add a generous teaspoon of Fushi's The Best Superfood Green Blend (containing skin-beautifying chia, spirulina and wheatgrass) to the mix for optimum antioxidant benefits.

Come to my wholesome bosom.

Roguish red meat, dairy and foods which accelerate skin ageing such as caffeine, alcohol, refined carbohydrates and sugars are also eliminated from this ethereal diet - which ideally should be 100% organic.

Whilst I was in the throes of ardent smoothie making, my favourite beauty therapist and buddy Sara Sedaghat popped in for a coffee. Sadly for her, coffee was not permitted in my innocent detoxing abode that day - so she was offered a wholesome drink of vitamin-rich green gloop instead.

Eye say!

Here she is drinking this potent beauty potion with surprising vigor. As you can see from her vibrant green eyes, the effects were rather instant... (OK I lie. Those are coloured contact lenses and we were on our way to a Halloween party).

Anyway, if you want to have nails and eyebrows as ravishing as Sara's look in this photo, book yourself in for a preening session at her idyllic beauty lodge here.

The daily diet plan

Breakfast

·Half of freshly made Supergreen Smoothie

Mid-morning snack

· A few sips of remaining smoothie
· 50g soaked almonds and 100g white grapes OR raw peas, carrots/cucumber sticks

Lunch

· 100-175g steamed or grilled fresh fish OR 100 – 175g fresh tofu OR half an avocado
· 200-400g mixed salad with some or all of the following: lettuce, rocket, watercress, basil, spinach, broccoli, red/green pepper, cucumber, carrot, beetroot, radishes, spring onion, living sprouting seeds – eg alfalfa, pulses, mung bean shoots, 1 teaspoon pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Dress this ridiculously healthy salad with a sprightly squeeze of lemon, one tablespoon of olive oil and a light dusting of salt and pepper.

Pudding – 200g mixed berries OR 100g papaya/apple/pear/grapes

·Sip 350ml natural spring or filtered water (more if desired)


Mid-afternoon snack

· Drink remainder of smoothie
· Apple or Pear or 100g grapes
· 350ml spring or filtered water (more if wished)


Evening Meal

·100 – 175 fresh organic chicken OR tofu OR avocado OR roasted/steamed vegetables seasoned with fresh  herbs
·Mixed salad and pudding as above
·350ml spring or filtered water (or more if you wish)

Give meh some!

A day from my Supergreens Facelift Diet Diary...

On waking, I drink a large glass of water with lemon to stimulate my metabolism and kick start my liver’s detoxification process.

I partake in a spot of Hatha yoga and mind clearing, guided meditation – which admittedly doesn't quite go to plan due to the random conglomeration of screaming children outside my window.

I enjoy the 'garden-fresh' taste of the Supergreen Smoothie which I readily drink for my breakfast. Not a single fried egg fantasy crosses my mind. Oh no.

After my humble healthy snack of almonds and grapes I am feeling full of energy and almost euphoric in mood for some reason. Put it down to sudden consumption of copious amounts of superfoods.

Lunch is a large salad with pomegranate and mackerel. I decide to choose an oily fish full of skin-beneficial omega 3’s.

Big Mac? I'll Big Mac you mate.

Pudding is a seriously sweet mango (Pakistani of course). I am not used to the absence of carbs but feel comfortably full after my meal, rather than bloated.

After lunch I feel slightly lethargic and fall into slight food coma. Have mini semi-snooze before being awoken by same screaming school children. What the...?

I go for a brisk walk before returning home for my eagerly awaited afternoon snack. Feel proud of self for not submitting to naughty carb craving and avoiding evil crisp shelf at newsagent.

After snack of smoothie, apple and water I start to feel considerably more alert so decide to get down to some long overdue writing.

For dinner I make a curry by sauteing (using vegetable broth instead of oil) onion, garlic and ginger and adding cumin, chili powder, coriander seeds, paprika and turmeric. I then add diced fresh tofu and cook for 10 minutes before adding coconut milk, lime juice, bok choy, spinach and kale - which I leave to simmer for 20 minutes.

I eat this nom-worthy dish (bizarre at first without rice) with another massive salad and follow with some antioxidant-packed blueberries.

The result

After three days my skin definitely looks a lot brighter and clearer than usual. My energy levels appear to have increased too -so no more excuses for avoiding that energetic Vinyasa yoga class...