Being stretched on a budget doesn’t mean you have to give up the beauty lark. Natural and simple has worked for centuries for other women and can work for us too.

One of the main things is an inside/outside approach. Eating a good diet and your skin will benefit form it.

• The bad news is though that sugar is one of the no’s for the skin. It makes your skin less elastic resulting in sags, bags, lines and wrinkles. Also products made with flour and processed foods. 
• Eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids will help keep the skin plump. That’s the oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines and herrings) but also walnuts, fresh vegetables and non-citrus fruit (blue and other berries). 
• Try and eat less animal protein like red meat and dairy products. 
• Drink lots of still pure water – we all know this one but do you follow it and are you getting at least 8 large glasses a day? 

Can it really be that easy? Well your skin reflects what you eat, as my grandmother use to say. So instead of looking at this as a time of being poor and not being able to afford the luxuries in life, look at it as a way of going natural and greener. 

Whilst I am wittering on about foods, there are also a few foods called super foods. No they wont make you sprout a cape and have super powers (oh I wish) but instead they help protect you against all the diseases of aging, from cancer to memory loss. 

Antioxidants – these vitamins and minerals are mainly found in fruit and vegetables. They prevent a damaging process called oxidative stress which is caused by pollution, ultraviolet light and smoking. It leads to the formation of excess free radical molecules – the real big baddies behind disease and aging. The top foods to look out for are prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, garlic, kale, strawberries, spinach, raspberries, Brussels sprouts, plums, broccoli, beetroot and avocado. Now if I can incorporate some of those into my week I have every confidence you can too. 

Organic Eggs – these are the top foods for protein. They also cleverly contain nutrients that prevent fat deposits, help memory, concentration and emotional balance. 

Green Tea – is really good for helping protect against heart disease, cancer, tooth decay, arthritis and bone loss. 

Millet – now I know it doesn’t sound very exciting but it is gluten-free and is rich in silica which will benefit hair, skin and nails. Surely there must be something vaguely exciting we can figure out to put it in?

Nuts – almonds are protein rich and collagen building. Brazil nuts for selenium to protect against cancer and improve thyroid function. Walnuts will help a healthy heart. 

Oats – are a fantastic source of slow release energy but also lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Spices and Herbs –Try rosemary and sage to help memory, thyme for lung function. Then there is yellow turmeric to help prevent Alzheimer’s and IBS, reduce joint pain and boost immunity. Fresh ginger will help reduce inflammation for conditions like rheumatism and heart disease.

This is only touching the surface on all these super foods and eating healthily. Just having a day a week binge on them may be a start and least you’re trying but to gain the most out of these super foods they need to be introduced into your daily eating.