Eat This to Look Younger
I was reading AOL Health the other day when I came across an article called Natural Ways to Revive Your Body at Any Age. In the article, Dr. Maoshing Ni (aka Dr. Mao), author of the book Second Spring: Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age shares his tips on how to reduce signs of aging. He suggests everything from organic yogurt for glowing skin to “facial gymnastics” for an all-natural face-lift.
Now as a young 20-something woman, I’m not worried about wrinkles just yet. But something I do have a tough time with is dark under eye circles that appear when I don’t get enough sleep due to late-night partying studying 
So what was Dr. Mao’s remedy for getting rid of dark under eye circles?
Introducing…the Asian pear.
From the AOL Health article:
“Fuji pears — or Asian pears — were used by Chinese courtesans to get rid of dark circles under the eyes,” says Dr. Mao. Fuji pears are chock full of vitamin C and copper, which can help protect the delicate skin around the eye from free radical damage. Dr. Mao suggests adding a tablespoon of honey to a peeled, cored pear and then steaming for 15 minutes. Not only is it a delicious dessert, but the copper in the pear contains superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that helps mop up free radicals that enter the body via air pollution, says Dr. Mao.
Ingredients:
1 Asian pear
1 Tbsp honey
Directions:
Peel
Drizzle
Steam
Cover
Serve
Easy as pie. Speaking of pie, this would make an awesome pie filling (with a delicious graham cracker crust) 
And as for my dark under eye circles…I’ll let you know how it goes! I may have to test this delicious pear+honey combo a few more times just to be sure it really works
Question for you:
What are your “beauty” foods? Do you have any natural remedy tips?
My beauty food is Omega3—i eat a lot of salmon and use flax in my oatmeal and also take an Omega 3 Fish Oil pill daily. I swear after I take it I instantly feel my nails get stronger, and my skin has a little glow to it I’d love to hear what you all use!
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Ohhhh this looks so good. I love Asian Pears, and with a touch of sweetness? Yum yum.
Kristen! Yay! That just made my Friday!! I’ll email you right now
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Asian pears!! And that pumpkin (maybe it’s an apple?) bowl
That looks delicious – any fruit dessert and I’m there! I’m not much of a chocolate/cake/ice cream girl. I don’t think I’ve had an Asian pear before, I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for it
yeah i had a tough time finding one. i finally found it at a really small health store down the street from me!
Beatiful photos! I’ve never had an asian pear, I need to add that one to my list
Fish oil rally does work, I take it too. I also love aloe vera gel, its cool and refreshing for the face. Mix it with some sea salt for a scrub too.
ooh definitely will try the aloe and sea salt face scrub, that sounds great. thanks!
Thanks so much for that info, I have dark circles and could definitely use some help there!
welp, I don’t need any tips to look younger ’cause I already get told I look like a high schooler — but i still love me some pears so i just may eat ‘em anyways
Well these are familiar friends indeed…we buy those colossal Korean pears when the season comes around. If the pears (or any kind of pear) doesn’t taste great as expected, I poach it in a simple syrup with vanilla, a cinnamon stick and a star anise. Light yet delicious way of serving up dessert!
I got no health tips for ya, I’m a guy haha. Because metabolic wastes are also excreted through the skin, I try to eat healthy throughout the week with a splurge once or twice. Gotta live you know!
thanks so much sean! ive never even seen asian pears until I read about them in this article. I’ll have to try Korean pears soon, and do the poaching technique you talked about
I have dark cirlces all the time… I so have to try this. Thanks Kristen.
that look delish! so simple!
my favorite beauty food is fresh carrot juice! i feel so healthy and refreshed when i drink it!
ooh thats a new one! ill have to this. thanks sarah
Wow! My grandmother used to always give me and my sister Asian pears when we were kids to eat. But I never knew they could get rid of the dark circles under my eyes. Thanks for the tip!
My natural remedy tip would be fresh ginger in hot water. I like to sip it all through out the day (and especially at night) – it helps to alleviate bloating and tastes really good!
Hi Kristen! Where are you doing your dietetic internship? I’m also a dietetic intern (at St. Louis University).
Interesting info about Asian pears. I think consuming any antioxidant containing fruits is beneficial in slowing the aging process. Also, merely drinking water and getting enough sleep can do wonders!
Hey Emily! I’m currently in the Coordinated Program at uCONN so we rotate each semester between different settings (hospital, food service, nursing home, schools, etc.) That’s great that you’re doing your dietetics internship at St. Louis, I know a few others who are doing it there as well. Best of luck with everything!
Oh my gosh I MUST try this!!! Thank you for the fabulous tutorial!
Thanks for reminding me about asian pears– they’re a favorite of mine, yet I never seem to eat them! Mmm!
Hmmm interesting! I have large under eye cirlces too (part of it just runs in the german portion of my family) but if pears with honey helps….I’m alllllll in
The more fruit and veggies I eat and the more water I drink- the better I think I look!