Pamper your hair, skin and nails this winter

Gazing out of the window, I watch in excitement as the weather crisps up and the sky paints itself amber a lot sooner than usual. This month I was preoccupied with a winter clothes donation drive to appreciate the beauty of our subdued winters.

Although I'm all prepared with my shawls and sweaters; this time of the year, our skin needs the extra T.L.C. Before you stock up on your body butters and moisturizers, don't skip out on these winter goodies to keep your hair lustrous, skin supple and strong nails.

Fresh Amba Haldi

The arrival of winter is marked by the arrival of fresh haldi that can be easily pickled to make for a delicious condiment. It lends flavour as well as bioactive compound – Curcumin; which reduces free radical damage. This prevents pre-mature skin ageing and protects the skin.

Go orange

Pumpkin and carrots are over-flowing with the orange hued carotenoids. A potent anti-oxidant, they play a major role in healing the skin. In fact, most skin creams contain a synthetic form of the same, so why not have it naturally?

Stay rooted

A sweet potato chaat in the evening or a purple yam bake for dinner? Not only are these irresistible but full of skin protective nutrients. The abundant Vitamin C enhances collagen in the skin and improves elasticity. Vitamin A in sweet potato and anthocyanin in yam also aid in skin protection.

Nuts and seeds

Not a day goes without munching on my assorted nuts and seeds. This fibre filled and protein rich snack also provides anti-oxidants zinc and vitamin E that repair and restore damaged hair and skin. Walnuts and flaxseeds have Omega-3, the natural skin and hair booster.

Green but still lean

Finally it's time to get back the leafy greens, particularly spinach and methi. Add them to your rasam or sambhar and give yourself the much needed dose of iron and folate, protein required to oxygenate your hair and skin.

Veg wonderland

For healthy hair and skin it is necessary to get your daily does of protein. What better way than the fresh green peas and the fresh green chickpeas that come through this season. They also have a fair amount of biotin, a B vitamin that aids hair and skin growth.

Morning glory

The best way to start the morning is with the vitamin C rich Amla and Vitamin A rich dried fruit. These immunity boosters will ensure your skin is radiant.

Fat fact

The mainstay of skin health are antioxidant Vitamin E, Vitamin A. These fat soluble vitamins require a carrier and healthy fats like cow's ghee, coconut oil are the best vehicles.

Fats also carry phytochemicals from spices and herbs that help retard skin damage. Why bother with face-masks, Hair packs and manicures when nature has provided for an edible spa to pamper you this winter.