Balanced Nutrition Expert McKel Hill On How to Eat Your Way to Great Skin
If anyone understands how simple diet tweaks can drastically affect your mind, body, and soul, it's McKel Hill. After suffering from extreme migraines, lackluster skin, digestion troubles, and lack of energy (to name a few), she decided to go clean and ditch dairy, gluten, refined sugars, and processed foods — and was astounded when she began feeling better and more balanced in just two days.
To toast her new cookbook, Nutrition Stripped, the dietician recently teamed with Fresh to debut its new Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy Boosting Face Mask. Made with crushed oranges, lemons, and clementines from the Mediterranean, the jam-like concoction is packed with minerals and vitamins to give skin a natural-looking glow. Given that Hill's tome is a collection of easy, whole-food recipes, the Nashville-based author took over Fresh's LA store for a simple cooking demo inspired by its citrus-infused face mask.
After learning how to whip up her simple Sunny Overnight Oats, we caught up with the clean eating expert to find out her skincare routine, what to eat for better skin, and more. Read on below, then keep scrolling for two of her easy and healthy recipes.
What's one of your favorite recipes to eat your way to healthy skin?
"Smoothies! They're really nutrient dense and it's a small volume, so you can really cram in a lot of nutrients," she says. "My favorite is the Supreme Smoothie from [the cookbook], it has every green you can possibly think of, almost five to six servings of fruits and vegetables — so a lot of nutrients and antacids for your skin.
- There's a really fun Citrus Good Morning Green Smoothie here that I made with Fresh that you can try too — it has a lot of Vitamin C and really good skin nutrients."
We're hungry already! Can you tell us more about your skincare routine?
"I love masking; I try to do a face mask every day but not the same one; [I always try] listening to my skin, too. If I'm getting a breakout I'll try to do clay masks to bring [the impurities] out. If I'm feeling really dry I'll do a hydrating mask. I love doing the Vitamin Nectar glowing masks that helps add vibrancy when I'm feeling a little dull, like after traveling."
Moisturizing is also huge for me. There's this thermal water spray by Avene and it's amazing; I use that all the time or a rose water mist just to keep a lot of hydration; I moisturize in the morning and at night. I'm pretty religious about my skincare routine. I'll do some Retin-A [treatment] every other night, which is really good for cell turnover."
Now that summer's over, can you share one of your seasonal skincare tips?
"I love oils in the winter, especially around my eyes or dry patches. And then coconut oil for the body, all the time. The only downside is that it's oily, so you just have to let it sit in."
Sunny Overnight Oats
Ingredients 1 cup almond milk 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 clementine, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp. tahini (can also be substituted with almond or cashew butter) 1 tbsp. honey, adjust to taste 1/8 tsp. sea salt (i.e. pinch of salt, adjust to taste)
Optional garnishes: fresh mint, bee pollen, and shredded coconut
Instructions
- In a large mixing bow, combine all ingredients until well mixed. Using the back of a fork, mash the chopped clementine to break it up into smaller pieces. Adjust seasonings to taste and stir. Store in an airtight glass container or in individual mason jars in the fridge overnight. Upon serving, add optional garnishes or enjoy as is.
Tip: Make this recipe ahead of time for a quick breakfast or snack on the go. Double or triple the recipe for 2 to 3 servings, respectively, and store in an airtight glass mason jar for easy and portable storage.
Good Morning Citrus Green Smoothie
Ingredients 1 cup coconut water 1 cup canned organic light coconut milk 2 cups organic fresh spinach 1/2 banana (fresh or frozen) 1 orange, peeled and deseeded 1/4 medium avocado Juice of 1 lemon 2 pitted dates 1/8 tsp. sea salt (i.e. pinch of sea sat)
Instructions
- Using a high-speed blender, add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Optional to add a handful of ice to the blender to chill or pour smoothie over ice.
- For a sweeter smoothie, add more dates and adjust to taste. For an added protein boost, add your favorite plant-based vanilla protein powder. Enjoy immediately.
