Pepita Salad With Avocado and Orange, 8 Superfood Salad Recipes for Glowing Skin

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For a more radiant, even-toned complexion, this colorful, Mexican-inspired salad will brighten your outlook. Pepitas, aka pumpkin seeds, are full of collagen-building protein, and they're one of the best natural sources of acne-fighting zinc and glow-boosting vitamin E. Oranges and carrots are insanely rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, the antioxidants associated with brightening skin.

Ingredients
1/3 cup pepita seeds (hulled pumpkin seeds)
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 avocado, chopped
4 cups spring mix
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 oranges, peeled, membrane removed and sliced into segments

Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch sea salt

Directions
In a small blender combine the dressing ingredients and blend until combined. olive If you don't have a blender, whisk the ingredients together.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Toss the carrot slices with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until crispy and cooked through. Place the pepitas on a baking sheet and bake in the oven during last three minutes the carrots are roasting. They should be toasted, not burned. In a large bowl, combine the spring mix, orange segments, toasted pepita seeds, roasted carrots, cilantro and avocado. Toss with dressing.

Recipe and image via delishknowledge.com

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Wrinkles and dullness got you down? This tropical salad will leave your skin smooth and glowing, like you've been on a Hawaiian vacation. Seaweed is one of the most nutrient-rich plants in the world, with potent antioxidants and B vitamins that fight the signs of aging. Ahi has plentiful omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for making skin look youthful. Mango is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and folic acid, which are all essential building blocks of a bright, healthy complexion.

Directions
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ponzu sauce
1/2 teaspoon prepared wasabi
4 ounces sushi-grade tuna, diced in large chunks
1/2 mango, diced in large chunks
1/2 cup store-bought seaweed salad
1/2 teaspoon black sesame seeds
2-3 cups loosely packed spring lettuce mix
1/2 avocado, sliced
1/4 teaspoon pink Hawaiian sea salt

Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, ponzu sauce and wasabi until well blended. Add the tuna, mango and seaweed salad to a bowl and drizzle with a tablespoon or so of the dressing. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and stir to coat. In a different bowl, add the lettuce and avocado, and top with the tuna mixture. Drizzle with more dressing as desired, and sprinkle with Hawaiian sea salt and more sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Recipe and image via foodiecrush.com

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No, "healthy egg salad" isn't an oxymoron -- and this clever recipe is great for fighting skin redness from rosacea and sunburn. By replacing mayo with healthy Greek yogurt, as this recipe does, you benefit from the redness-soothing effects of probiotics. Tomatoes and eggs are excellent dietary sources of vitamin A, which is crucial to healthy skin-cell growth. (Retinoids and certain acne medications contain a concentrated form of vitamin A.) Eggs are also high in zinc, an anti-inflammatory, and lutein, which protects against sun damage.

Ingredients
4 hard-boiled eggs, plus 2 hard-boiled egg whites
3/4 cup diced celery (about 3 medium stalks)
1/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Whole grain bread, toasted (for 4 open faced sandwiches)
Arugula, tomato, additional chopped fresh dill for serving

Directions
Peel the hard-boiled eggs, and cut into a rough dice. Place in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the celery, Greek yogurt, mustard, salt, pepper and dill. Stir to combine. Serve the egg salad on toasted bread with tomatoes and arugula, or enjoy atop greens for a healthy salad.

Recipe and image via wellplated.com

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For more beautiful skin overall, this healthy alternative to a classic Waldorf salad has a great balance of glow-inducing fats, skin-smoothing protein, anti-aging antioxidants and hydrating veggies. Kale is one of the most vitamin C-rich foods on the planet; one cup of chopped kale supplies 130 percent of your daily recommended intake of this antioxidant. Chicken and walnuts provide a big dose of protein and healthy fats. Apples and grapes are high in water, collagen-boosting flavonoids and skin-smoothing polyphenols.

Ingredients
1 bag baby kale (about 6-8 cups)
1 granny smith apple, chopped
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/2 medium ripe avocado, diced or sliced
2 leftover grilled chicken breasts (8 ounces), diced into cubes
1/4 cup walnuts halves (1 ounce)

Dressing
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spread walnuts on baking sheet, and toast in oven for 8 minutes until fragrant and golden. Remove from oven, allow to cool, then chop into small pieces.

In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. In a large bowl, toss kale, apples, grapes and cranberries together. Pour dressing over the fruit and lettuce. Toss again to combine. Top the salad with goat cheese, avocado, chicken and toasted walnuts.

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Yellow Pepper and Corn Salad With Turmeric Dressing

If you have an inflammatory skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, this inflammation-fighting superfood salad may be just what the doctor ordered. Turmeric, ginger and garlic are well known for their anti-inflammatory powers. Arugula provides 50 percent of your daily recommended of intake for vitamin K, which aids in skin healing. And bell peppers and corn are both excellent sources of skin-calming antioxidants. Corn's high antioxidant levels actually increase when it's cooked -- and processed sweet corn (i.e. the canned kind) is even more antioxidant-rich than fresh corn.

Ingredients
3 ears of corn, husked
2 yellow bell peppers
4 ounces cherry tomatoes
2 endive, leaves separated, halved if large, or 1 large head of frisée, torn into bite-size pieces
2 cups dandelion greens or arugula
Kosher salt, to taste

Dressing
1 jalapeno, seeds removed, chopped
1 (4-inch) piece turmeric, peeled, chopped, or 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Kosher salt

Directions
Pulse dressing ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl, and season with salt. Grill the corn on high heat for 6 to 8 minutes until charred and cooked through. Let cool. Cut kernels off the cobs, and place in a large bowl.

Broil peppers on a rimmed baking sheet, turning occasionally, until blackened in spots and nearly cooked through, 12 to 18 minutes. Let cool; cut into one-inch strips, retaining as much charred skin as possible; add to corn.

Broil tomatoes, tossing once, until blackened in spots and starting to burst, about 5 minutes. Let cool. Add tomatoes, endive and greens to corn; toss to combine. Drizzle dressing over, and toss to coat. Season with salt.

Recipe and image via epicurious.com

8 Superfood Salad Recipes for Glowing Skin

Eat your way to smooth, hydrated and youthful-looking skin

Pepita Salad With Avocado and Orange

Ahi Poke and Mango Salad

Healthy Egg Salad With Arugula

Chicken Kale Waldorf Salad

Yellow Pepper and Corn Salad With Turmeric Dressing

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