Food for Beauty: The Natural Gourmet Institute

Beauty is more than just using the right cosmetic and skincare products. In fact, what you eat and how active of a lifestyle you lead can be more effective for fighting wrinkles and dull skin than the powders, bronzers, and highlighters lining Sephora’s beauty aisles. I’ve written extensively about this topic in the past (see here, here, and here for further insight) and, as someone who rarely – if ever – sets food in the kitchen to do anything other than get food I’ve bought from the prepared counters at Citarella and Whole Foods, I thought it was about time I take a cooking class. To that end, I signed up for a 3.5 hour workshop led by Myra Kornfeld, titled “Casual Entertaining for Vegans and Vegetarians,” at The Natural Gourmet Institute.

Among the most useful things I learned was how to make my own quinoa (a fantastic alternative to white rice) and sprout my own beans (yum!). After the workshop, I spoke with Kornfeld, who has authored several books, about what we should also always stock in our pantry, suggestions for healthy snacks, what foods to eat to improve your hair, skin, and more. See below!

How did you come to teach at the Natural Gourmet Institute?

I went to school way back 20 years ago when they first were developing the chef’s training program. That was when I first discovered that eating well (no processed food), made me feel well. I did the first night time program. After that I kept getting jobs – one thing led to the next – and it turned out to be my calling. I returned to teach a lot of recreational classes 10 years later, after a lot of restaurant experience. Now I teach, write, run cooking events and parties (my favorite).

What are the must-haves that those who would like to live a healthful lifestyle should always stock in their pantry?

Oils: Coconut oil, EVOO, sesame oil, toasted sesame oil

Refrigerator: Butter, flax seed oil, or flax seeds, or ground flax meal

Vinegars: Balsamic, brown rice, umeboshi, red wine, white wine, sherry

Shoyu, coconut milk, tahini, nut butters, can of diced tomatoes,

Nuts

Sugars: Maple syrup, maple sugar, raw honey, succanat

Mustard, anchovies, capers, olives, sea vegetables, sardines, mackerel,

Lacto-fermented vegetables (sauerkrauts), assortment of beans (chick peas, mung beans, black beans, mung dal, assortment of grains (quinoa, rice, steal-cut oats)

Lemons, limes, onions, garlic, ginger, avocados

Do you have one quick and healthy snack that’s perfect to whip up in the summer-time you can suggest?

I think a quick guacamole with jicama chips and strawberries is great. To make it, simply mash an avocado, a tablespoon of lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons cilantro, a teaspoon or so of jalapeño, and heaping tablespoon chopped scallions.

Another great idea for a quick pick-me-up smoothie is to blend one 6-ounce cup full of fat plain un-homogenized yogurt with ½ cup frozen berries and a splash of honey.

What are some of your favorite fruits and vegetables to work with in the summertime?

In the summer I get really into the summer squashes, including unusual green-market varieties such as Romanesco, cousa, eight ball, zephyr, and patty pans. I love the variety and vibrancy of fresh herbs and lettuces – so it’s my salad season. It’s also my tomato and pepper season – it’s when I go for the night shades. I love summer fruits – everything from the berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and blackberries), to the stone fruit – peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots, to melons such as watermelon and cantaloupe.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions, you think, about vegan/vegetarian cooking?

That vegetarian or vegan food doesn’t taste good or that one won’t be satisfied with a vegetarian meal; or that there is not a big variety of things to eat.

Have you found there to be a connection between healthful eating habits and energy level? Mood? Skin/beauty?

Absolutely. The more life force in the food, the better the energy levels. I have noticed a remarkable jump in energy since I started going to the Union Square green-market four times a week. I buy my produce there as well as eggs and all animal products. The plants are raised in good soil, the animals are raised well, and you can literally feel the life force in these foods. Plus, I don’t eat white sugar, which is a real energy sapper.

Are there any foods you can suggest that are particularly good for hair, nail, or skin health?

Fat: Good fat is what I have noticed, especially for hair. That means coconut oil, eggs, avocado, butter, fatty fish with lots of omega 3s like mackerel, salmon; also nuts like walnuts and flaxseed. Sea vegetables, like hijiki and arame, are good as well.

Key Vitamins are essential for skin health: Vitamin A, from colorful vegetables like carrots, Vitamin D, Biotin – A b- complex vitamin that controls sugar in the blood and promotes good hair growth is also important and can be found in egg yolks, liver, peanut, protein rich foods, banana, and avocados.

What are some of the most healthful sources of protein?

Pastured eggs, pastured lamb, pastured chicken (raised properly, it is rich in essentially fatty acids), wild fish, especially the small ones like sardines and anchovies, wild salmon, full fat non-homogenized yogurt, tempeh, quinoa, almonds, almond butter, and beans are all great options.

What are some of the herbs and spices we can use in everyday cooking that have the most benefits for health/beauty?

A big variety is the key, however; cinnamon, turmeric, rosemary, garlic, paprika, ginger, oregano are some that come to mind as being especially great.

Cinnamon – lower blood sugar, triglycerides

Turmeric – curcumin, which can inhibit growth of cancer cells

Rosemary – stops gene mutations that could lead to cancer

Garlic – destroys cancer cells

Paprika – contains capsaicin, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

Ginger – decrease motion sickness and nausea

Oregano – highest antioxidant activity

Images: Myra Kornfeld, Barnes & Noble, Buy.com