SPRING -- time to rejuvenate. Leafy green vegetables, dandelion root tea, dill, mint, and chlorophyll-rich parsley cleanse the system, balance energy, and aid digestion. SUMMER -- an active season. Rose hips tea, garlic, cayenne pepper, and oregano, along with the Living Beauty Elixir, promote vitality, make the heart strong, and increase nutrient absorption. AUTUMN -- time for inward reflection and preparation for the darkness of winter. Fenugreek tea and warming foods and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg protect the lungs, aid in elimination, and boost the immune system, leaving you with vibrant skin. WINTER -- a season of stillness and rest. Getting enough sleep and eating cooked or warm foods spiced with ginger sustains body heat and immunity.
"Protecting our beauty begins in our youth and continues throughout every age and stage of life," says Anne Louise Gittleman, author of Beyond Pritikin, Super Nutrition for Menopause, and several other books. The answer, however, isn't anything you can buy at the cosmetics counter. "The right nutrition, internal cleansing, and hormonal harmony are the pathways to attaining natural beauty and vitality," says Gittleman. Following her program is not an easy task--you'll be carting supplements from the health food store and warily reading ingredient labels on every item that comes into your house or near your face. Her Living Beauty regimen is based on seven "beauty fundamentals": - a cleansed, detoxed system
- purified water
- powerful proteins
- beautifying oils
- energizing, immune-boosting veggies and fruits
- revitalizing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- balanced hormones
Her major recommendation is to undergo a "seasonal cleanse" four times a year--not a fast, but a diet rich in lean protein, certain oils, and seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables; eliminating sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and white-flour products; and taking herbal teas, cranberry juice, and a "super green food supplement." Each season gets its own chapter with its own specific food choices. Gittleman also gives detailed beauty tips for different life stages, strategies for detoxifying your emotions, and chemicals to avoid in cosmetics and household products. --Joan Price
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