Slow Cooker Meatballs

This dish is perfect for all the busy women out there juggling numerous tasks and responsibilities daily. The slow cooker does the hard work so you can focus on slaying your day. Simply set up your slow cooker in the morning and let it work its magic. The reward? A delicious, skin-friendly meal waiting for you when you get home.

Making It Your Own

We also encourage our clients in The Clear Skin Solution to get creative with their meals. Take our Slow Cooker Meatball recipe—it’s perfect for experimentation. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the ingredients; feel free to use any ground meat or poultry that’s available. I’ve personally tried it with grass-fed beef, chicken, and turkey. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try bison? It tastes so close to beef you’d hardly notice the switch!

And spices? Mix them up to match the flavours of your favourite international dishes. If you need a little culinary inspiration, here are some suggestions. Instead of the Italian seasoning called for in the recipe, try these combinations:

• For an Indian twist: 1 tsp of turmeric, 1 tsp of cumin, and 1 tsp of ginger powder.
• To go Greek: 1 tbsp of finely chopped mint leaves, ½ tsp of dried marjoram, and ½ tsp of dried oregano.
• For a Spanish flair: 2 tsp of smoked paprika, 1 tsp of oregano, and ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper.
• To capture Mexican vibes: 2 tsp of finely chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp of oregano, and 1 tsp of cumin.

Feel free to let your taste buds lead the way and have fun with your meals!

The Power of Protein: More Than Just Muscle

It’s common knowledge that protein can help build muscle, but its role in skincare is equally impressive. Proteins assist in the repair and regeneration of skin cells, acting as caretakers that ensure your skin remains resilient and rejuvenated.

Amino Acids

Imagine amino acids as the dedicated handymen of your body, meticulously repairing and maintaining the structure of your skin. They are fundamental for synthesizing collagen and elastin, the two proteins that maintain your skin’s firmness and prevent sagging. Without sufficient protein intake, we might not only compromise the strength and elasticity of our skin but also disrupt the delicate balance of hormones. This imbalance can manifest as chronic acne—a common challenge among adult women. Integrating high-quality proteins like chicken, turkey, and grass-fed beef into your diet ensures a robust supply of these essential amino acids, supporting your health and complexion.

Blood Sugar Balance

Moving beyond skin health, protein has a superpower—it can make you feel full longer. This feeling of satiety is crucial when trying to maintain a healthy diet without succumbing to unnecessary snacking, which can be a nightmare for your waistline and your skin. Protein takes time to digest, reducing the urge to indulge in a sugary treat that could spike your insulin levels and potentially lead to an acne flare-up.

Speaking of sugar, protein is like a gentle regulator for your blood sugar levels, helping to temper the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. This regulatory role is vital for avoiding those sugar highs and subsequent lows, which not only contribute to skin issues but also to those all-too-familiar energy crashes. By incorporating adequate protein into each meal, you set the stage for a more balanced and sustained energy supply throughout the day, supporting your overall well-being and helping to maintain that radiant, clear skin.

So, while protein’s reputation as a muscle builder is well-deserved, its multifaceted roles in skin, hormone, and metabolic health underscore its importance in a holistic approach to wellness, especially for women managing chronic acne.

Tomato Sauce: Your Skin’s Ally

Tomato sauce is not just a tasty addition to your meals—it’s also packed with benefits for your skin health. Incorporating tomato sauce into your diet can love up your skin by:

Rich in Lycopene: Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives them their vibrant red colour. When you cook tomatoes to make sauce, the lycopene levels increase, and this compound helps protect your skin against damage from UV rays. Although it’s no substitute for sunscreen, lycopene-rich foods like tomato sauce can provide an extra layer of protection against sunburn and photoaging.

Vitamin C: This essential nutrient is vital for the skin’s ability to repair and grow new cells. Vitamin C also boosts collagen production, keeping the skin firm and youthful. A serving of tomato sauce can contribute a good amount of this skin-loving vitamin.

Fights Free Radicals: The antioxidants in tomatoes, including lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin A, work together to combat free radicals. These are the unstable molecules that contribute to the aging process and can cause significant damage to skin cells. Regularly consuming antioxidant-rich foods like tomato sauce can help keep your skin looking younger and healthier.

Herbal Trifecta: Flavour and Function

Italian herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano do more than spice up your meatballs; they’re little skincare boosters in disguise.

• Antioxidants: Keep your skin looking youthful by fighting off free radicals that promote disease, aging and acne.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Help reduce swelling and puffiness.
• Antibacterial: These herbs can help combat the acne-promoting opportunistic microbes in the gut.

Like the best backup singers, these herbs not only make the star (your meal) shine brighter, but they’ve also got some killer solos (skin benefits). Italian herbs kick up the flavour while helping you kick out your acne.

Slow Cooker Meatballs

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Servings: 6 servings

Author: Katie Stewart

Ingredients

• 1 litre marinara sauce about 32 oz
• 1 pound ground meat grass-fed beef, chicken, or turkey
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp parsley dried
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp nutmeg ground

Instructions

• Prepare the meat: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, spices and seasonings. Combine well and form into about 8 balls.
• Sear the meatballs: In a large pan, heat a little avocado oil over medium heat. Sear each side of the meatballs for 1-2 minutes. Set aside.
• Set up the slow cooker: Pour the marinara sauce into the slow cooker and place the meatballs on top of the sauce. Turn the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours.
• Serve with cauliflower mash, spaghetti squash, or your favorite gluten-free pasta.