Food Diaries: Jolene Hart, author of ‘Eat Pretty’
As the beauty editor at InStyle Magazine, Jolene Hart was hiding one very big secret — bad skin. Now shes works as a health coach, teaching clients the latest in beauty nutrition. Below, in her own words, Hart shares her typical day of healthy eating.
As the beauty editor at InStyle Magazine, Jolene Hart was hiding one very big secret — bad skin.
Hart had been living with cystic acne, eczema and sensitive skin issues for years and had tried every product and treatment on the market to no avail. At her wits end, Hart decided to take a new approach.
Instead of treating her skin issues after the fact, Hart focused her efforts on preventing them with a total diet overhaul. Not long after the nutrition revamp, Hart saw major success in the form of beautiful skin.
After getting certified at Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Hart, CHC, AADP now works as a health coach, teaching clients the latest in beauty nutrition and helping them discover foods that support their natural radiance.
In February, Hart shared her nutrition secrets with the masses in her book "Eat Pretty" — a seasonal guide to looking and feeling your best all year, from the inside out.
Today, the beauty editor-turned health coach describes her diet as seasonal, colorful and beautifying.
"One thing I discovered as I was researching the book is that foods our skin needs are generally those that are in season," said Hart. "For example, in the summer, we have all of these sun protective foods available to us."
Some popular staples in Hart's kitchen are anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries whole grains and nuts.
"Inflammation is a precursor to redness and sensitivity, but also to blemishes," said Hart. "When I was struggling with cystic acne, nothing changed my face the way that changing my diet did."
Hart often tells her clients that the key to adopting a healthier eating program lies in their approach to food.
"Your meals should be a pampering experience, " said Hart. "I'm constantly thinking about what is going to make me feel good and then I try to approach each meal as if I were going to get a facial or a massage."
"I'm fueled by what I like to call healthy vanity," said Hart. " I always want to look and feel my best and if I don't build my day around healthy meals, I know feel terrible by the end of the day."
Below, in her own words, Hart shares her typical day of healthy eating:
7:30 a.m.: Lemon water.
"I always start my day off with a cup of warm lemon water and then another big glass of plain water. Right now, I'm breastfeeding my 7-month-old so it's extra important that I drink a lot of water throughout the day. "
8:30 a.m.: Homemade cereal.
"I've always been a cereal addict but what I didn't realize was how much sugar is in processed cereals. Eating a bowl would always fill me up in the worse way, so now I make my own healthy alternative.
This one contains gluten-free oats, toasted buckwheat groats, almond milk, spices, shelled hemp seeds and peaches. Oats are really rich in nutrients, which are so important to me, plus the hemp seeds are a good source of healthy fats. During the winter, I'll use raisins instead of fresh fruit."
11:20 a.m.: Green smoothie.
"This smoothie consists of kale, romaine, parsley, basil, mint, lemon, avocado, banana and chia. I'll usually make a big batch so that I have leftovers for the next day. I drink them more often in the spring and summer."
2:30 p.m.: Stuffed peppers and iced rooibos tea.
"I had some leftover stuffed peppers with quinoa, tomatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, cheese, tomato sauce and topped with Cholula. A side of hummus with some celery, radishes, and cherry tomatoes rounded out the meal."
5:15 p.m.: Raw trail mix, banana and iced rooibos tea.
"Every morning, I try to brew a pot of tea and ice it so that I make sure I'm drinking enough throughout the day. Rooibos has a particular antioxidant that's UV protective so I like to drink that especially in the summer — and its antihistamine properties are great for someone with seasonal allergies."
8 p.m.: Stir-fry with a glass of red wine.
"My homemade stir-fry consisted of short grain brown rice, tomatoes, corn, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, onion, garlic, and scallions. I dressed it with coconut oil, basil and balsamic vinegar."
8:45 p.m.: A handful of dark chocolate chunks.
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