A Healthy Alternative To a Summer Staple

A Healthy Alternative To a Summer Staple

We'll start off with this super simple recipe for sweet potato fries. Unlike their starchier (not to mention, greasier) counterpart, these present a long list of health (and therefore, skin) benefits. They're a great source of Vitamin C, which besides helping ward off viruses is also crucial for digestion, helps heal wounds, produces collagen to improve skin's elasticity (hello, beautiful) and even helps fight stress. They're also high in vitamin B6, vitamin D, iron, magnesium and potassium.

This particular recipe suggests you top things off with macadamia nut "cheese" for added flavor and texture (minus the havoc dairy can wreak on your gut health) and even more health benefits as macadamia nuts provide the kind of good fat we all need as well as vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Yes, please!

Ingredients  (Serves 3-4)  2 medium sweet potatoes or yams  ½ cup toasted macadamia nuts  ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

 Oregano  Salt  Black pepper  White pepper

Method  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Trim the sweet potatoes at each end. Scrub clean and pat dry. Slice into wedge-style fries.  Arrange in one layer on a tray or baking sheet.  Drizzle liberally with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper, to taste.  Roast for 20 minutes. Flip the fries over. Roast for another 10 minutes.  Increase heat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and roast for another 10 minutes or until golden-brown, crispy and caramelized. Their cook time will vary slightly depending on your oven.  While your sweet potatoes are roasting, grind the macadamia nuts with salt and white pepper in a food processor or clean coffee grinder.  When fries are done, transfer to large mixing bowl. Add in macadamia "cheese" and dried oregano, to taste, and toss well.  Taste for salt and pepper and add more if desired.  Serve immediately and enjoy this summer treat sans guilt!

Before you head for that outdoor soiree or to the beach though, don't forget the sun protection. We're thrilled to launch Protec Plus Natural SPF 30, a lightweight, natural mineral sunscreen that works hard to fight free radicals and environmental aging.

This article originally appeared on Sonage Skincare Blog.