I am going to share with you some simple recipes to Boost Collagen in your Diet

 Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It’s what’s found in our skin, bones, muscles, and tendons. Think of it as the glue that holds these things together. And naturally, as we age, our production of collagen slows. (hello, wrinkles and weak muscles!)

Our bodies and dietary needs change as we age, especially as we reach our 40’s.

People become less active, this slows metabolism and energy levels.

Consuming foods high in protein will provide your body with amino acids needed to make more protein.

Making sure you’re eating right from the beginning may help ease any age related transitions.

Why eating more Collagen Helps with Ageing

Luckily, there are plenty more sources of collagen out there, as well as antioxidant – rich foods to help boost your intake, including a high quality, bio-available, ingestible Collagen Elixir supplement so your body is in tip-top shape.

Follow these recipes to jump – start your week and body with these Age Amazingly Anti-Ageing Eats.

Sweet Potato Tacos with Spicy Avocado Dressing

Serves 2, Time 40 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup quinoa, cooked
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 sweeet potato, peeled, chopped
• 3/4 cup black beans, cooked
• 4 corn or flour tortillas
• Coriander to garnish (to taste)

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 avocado
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yoghurt
• 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. each cumin, chilli powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika
• Juice of 1/2 lime

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 200*C.
• On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, add the sweet potato and chicken.
• Cook for 30 minutes or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 75*C and sweet potatoes are tender.
• Add all the ingredients for the dressing into a high – speed blender, blending until combined. Place in the fridge until ready to use.
• Shred the chicken using two forks.
• Add the dressing, quinoa, shredded chicken, sweet potato and onions.

Chicken is packed full of protein, which is essential for the health of our bodies.

This is also a great meal to prep ahead of time, especially if you live that on-the-go lifestyle.

PRO – TIP: Nix the tortilla and add some leafy greens to make it a gut-friendly salad.

Quinoa Bowl with Salmon and Lemon Dressing

Serves 2, Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 600 grams wild – caught salmon
• 2 slices of lemon
• 1 sweet potato, chopped
• 2 cups kale, shredded
• 1 shallot, chopped
• Avocado, pitted and sliced

For the Dressing:

• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 200*C.
2. On a baking sheet lined with Baking Paper, add the sweet potatoes and bake for 30minutes, or until tender.
3. On a separate baking sheet lined with baking paper, place the salmon skin side down, drizzle with olive oil and shallots, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add lemon slices. Add to the oven when the sweet potatoes have roughly 12 minutes left.
4. Add all the ingredients for the dressing in a high-speed blender, blending until combined. Place in the fridge until ready to use.
5. Once sweet potatoes and salmon are done cooking, get out two bowls and evenly divide the kale and quinoa. Add the sweet potato and salmon are done cooking, get out two bowls and evenly divide the kale and quinoa. Add the sweet potatoes, salmon, shallots and avocado, then drizzle with the dressing.

Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for bone and joint health as well as brain function.

Pair that with some collagen-boosting ingredients, such as lemon, sweet potato, kale and avocado and you’ve got yourself a great anti-ageing meal!

Kale Caesar Salad with Chicken

Serves: 2 Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cps kale
• 2 cups spinach
• 4 chicken tenders
• 2 slices of bread, cubed
• 1/2 tsp. avocado oil (for frying)
• Parmesan cheese for topping

For Dressing:

• 1/2 cup plain Greek Yoghurt
• 1/2 tsp. Anchovy Paste
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
• 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp. Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
• 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tbsp. Almond Milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 175*C.
• On a baking sheet lined with baking paper, add the chicken tenders and bake for 30-35mins.
• In a small pan over a medium heat, add the avocado oil and the cubes of bread, stirring occasionally until bread is crispy like croutons, about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.
• Add all the ingredients for the dressing in a high-speed blender, blending until combined. Place in the fridge until ready to use.
• Shred the chicken using two forks.
• In a large bowl, add the kale, spinach, shredded chicken, homemade croutons and dressing, toss together until combined.
• Divide into two bowls and top with Parmesan Cheese.

We all know leafy greens are a key player in a healthy diet. As it turns out, they may offer aesthetic benefits, too.

Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and other salad greens get their color from chlorophyll, known for its antioxidant properties.

“Some studies have shown that consuming chlorophyll increases the precursor to collagen in the skin,”.

Sweet Potato Nice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen, cubed Sweet Potato
• 2 frozen, sliced bananas
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tbsp. almond butter
• 1- 1 1/2 tbs. cocoa
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• Almond Milk as needed
• Optional toppings:
• shredded coconut
• sliced almonds
• bee pollen
• honey

Directions:

• Add all the ingredients for the nice cream in a high-speed blender, blending until combined.
• Add almond milk until desired consistency. You shouldn’t really need more than a couple of tablespoons.
• Top with shredded coconut, sliced almonds, bee pollen and honey.

Packed with vitamin C, Sweet Potatoes stimulate the production of collagen and help minimize wrinkles. A recent study found that people who ate 4 mg (about 1/2 a small sweet potato) daily for 3 years diminished their wrinkles by 11 percent!

While you definitely don’t need to “feel older” in order to try these recipes, research shows physical signs of ageing ( like wrinkles and muscle loss) start appearing when you reach your 40’s.

But you don’t need to be 40 to start eating more collagen-friendly antioxidant – rich foods.

Age Amazingly