Recipes – La Beauté d'Être

Dorm-Friendly Beet Toast

Cooking for oneself in college can often be daunting due to limited finances, limited kitchen appliances, and limited time, but the following recipe (in truth, it is more like a non-recipe) for beet toast was created with all three in mind. Whether eaten for a light breakfast, a snack, or a light lunch, beet toast serves as an ideal source of fuel between classes and study breaks, club meetings and seminars. The versatility of it also invites experimentation, which can add excitement to one’s daily routine while also increasing the range of nutrients. Beet toast can also be made in one’s dorm room and can be adopted for any diet. It is truly a valuable asset in the life of a college student.

Ingredients:

2 slices of beet, approx. 3/4-1 in. thick

Suggested Combinations:

Sweet…
almond butter
cacao powder
cacao nibs
cinnamon
walnuts
pumpkin seeds

Savory…
tahini
avocado
kale
olive oil
turmeric
walnuts
broccoli florets

Other Optional Toppings:
greens
broccoli
cauliflower
fennel
nut/seed butters
nuts/seeds
spices/herbs
chèvre/ vegan chèvre

Instructions:

Slice the beet into rounds of desired thickness. The beets can be eaten raw or can be placed in the microwave until tender if preferred. Add desired toppings and enjoy!

Dorm-Friendly Noatmeal

Eating healthfully as a college student can often seem daunting, time-consuming, and expensive. The seemingly inefficient nature of nourishing one’s body with healthy foods, however, is simply an illusion. While indulging every once in a while is certainly healthy, beginning the day with a nourishing and delicious breakfast provides the brain power needed to ace those classes, as well as the energy needed to attend an endless list of collegiate events. Below is a recipe that meets the above requirements and can easily be made in a dorm room. I hope you enjoy:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup raw cashews
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 cup cauliflower florets
cinnamon, to taste

Instructions:

Add all ingredients except cinnamon to a food processor or blender, and pulse until the mixture resembles course sand (or desired consistency). Transfer the mixture to a bowl for storage and mix in the desired amount of cinnamon. To serve, spoon out the desired amount of the mixture into your favorite bowl and soak in either water or almond milk overnight. The amount of liquid you use for soaking depends on the desired thickness. In the morning, heat for 1 minute and serve, adding any desired toppings.

Optional toppings: almond butter, cacao nibs, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, berries, almond milk, etc.

Natural Skincare

Our skin, the body’s largest organ, is constantly bombarded with myriad chemicals and pollutants, especially when living in a large city like New York. Because of the seemingly constant daily exposure to harmful substances, it is best to avoid skin products that would only cause further damage. The modern skincare industry produces countless products that are rife with harmful chemicals. Our skin is able to absorb topical products, so it is crucial that one takes into account the body as a whole when pondering various skincare avenues. Luckily, there are many natural ingredients that greatly benefit the skin. Listed below are some key ingredients that can be uses to care for the skin in the healthiest, most wholesome manner possible. Each ingredient is a nutrient powerhouse and will flood your skin with nutritional benefits. Self-care is essential, and the skin is indeed a major part of it.

Raw Honey

-honey contains antibacterial properties and aids in the skin’s pH regulation. It also helps regulate the production of the skin’s natural oils, which, when disrupted, can cause acne, oiliness, and dryness

Matcha

-matcha is rich in chlorophyll, which helps slow the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Its caffeine content also aids in the tightening of the skin and shrinking of pores

Apple Cider Vinegar

-apple cider vinegar’s pH is very similar to that of the skin’s, thus helping to keep it in check

Cucumber & Mint

-both cucumber and mint aid in reducing redness and inflammation. As an added bonus, cucumber seeds contain Vitamin E and potassium, therefore delivering essential nutrients to the skin

Blackberries

-blackberries are an extremely good source of antioxidants which protect the cells from free radicals. Free radicals are produced as a result of radiation exposure, pollutants such as smoke, and the breaking down of food and pose a great threat to the health of the skin

Incorporating these ingredients into one’s skincare routine will undoubtedly benefit the skin in myriad ways. They are a welcome alternative to the many chemical-laden commercial products on the market. All of these ingredients are edible, and simply eating them is a powerful first step towards taking better care of your skin. However, to further reap their benefits, topical application is highly effective. For ingredients that are slightly more difficult to apply manually, there are several vehicles that aid in facilitating the process, such as natural Greek yogurt. One can mix any of these ingredients into the yogurt to create a more economical way to apply them to the skin. Raw honey is another useful vehicle as are smashed banana or avocado. Hopefully these ingredients will bring you much joy. Please always remember the importance of self care and how our bodies always welcome a respite from the noise and pollution of modern life.

For further information and inspiration regarding all-natural skincare, the blogs Kale & Caramel, The Beauty Chef, and Hello Glow are all lovely resources. Much of the information in this article was inspired by their wisdom and provided an abundance of knowledge to aid in natural skin care.