Glow by Marlowe

Clear acne naturally in less than 90 days with diet and lifestyle changes, guided by the Acne Nutritionist. Doctor-Approved.

Vegan

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Spoon this tasty Pumpkin Seed Pesto over pasta, roasted or steamed veggies, zucchini noodles, seafood, or anywhere you want fresh flavor.

Vegan Pesto

Pesto is typically made with pine nuts, however, they’re sometimes hard to find and expensive. So, toasted pumpkin seeds make an excellent alternative. Pesto also typically uses cheese, but this pesto is completely dairy-free and vegan. All you need is a good pinch of pink salt instead.

Pumpkin Seed Pesto Ingredient Benefits

  • Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds provide a variety of minerals. Just one ounce provides 14% DV of zinc, 23% DV of iron, and 37% DV of magnesium. (1) Zinc supports our immune system and clear skin, iron helps with energy and hair growth, while magnesium fights depression and PMS, reduces insulin resistance, and helps our body better deal with stress. Pumpkin seeds also contain antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E. Antioxidants reduce inflammation and protect your cells from harmful free radicals.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil is the most studied oil, and has the most documented health benefits. It provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits and supports heart and brain health. Unlike vegetable oils, olive oil won’t break you out.
  • Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a touch of tart flavor and a boost of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Vitamin C supports a healthy immune system and collagen production.
  • Pink Salt: Unrefined salt, like pink salt, adds a delicious salty flavor, with less sodium and dozens of more trace minerals. It tastes very salty, so you can use less than you normally would table salt.

I made this Pumpkin Seed Pesto on an episode of The Doctors on CBS. We did a whole segment on the health benefits of seeds and why you should be eating more of them.

Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Pumpkin Seed Pesto
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3.39 from 18 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • First, toast the pumpkin seeds on your stovetop. Heat a pan over medium heat, add the pumpkin seeds (no oil needed). Shake the pan around and stir regularly, so they don’t burn, for about 5-7 minutes. They will get a little puffed up and crunchy.
  • Add the pumpkin seeds, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cup parsley leaves, 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to a food processor or blender.
  • Blend while slowly pouring in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides as needed. You can leave it a little chunky, or blend longer to make it a little smoother. Taste, and add more salt if needed.
  • Spoon over roasted or steamed vegetables, zucchini noodles, seafood, or pasta.

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Pumpkin Seed Pesto Serving Ideas

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If you’re looking for an allergy-friendly sweet-treat full of good-for-you ingredients, try these sunflower butter bars.

Sunflower butter is an allergy-free alternative to nuts while tiger nut flour (made from a root vegetable, not nuts) is a high fiber flour alternative. It has a mild sweetness and incredible prebiotic benefits. What’s more is, this paleo, gluten-free, vegan treat can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes.

Sunflower Butter Bar Ingredients

Here is a breakdown of the health benefits of the main ingredients used to make these sunflower butter bars:

  • Sunflower Butter: A great alternative for those who are allergic to peanut butter or other nut butter. Sunflower seed butter is a good source of essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese. (1)
  • Tigernut Flour: Tigernut flour is rich in fiber, particularly prebiotic fiber, which helps the good bacteria in your gut flourish. They also may be helpful at keeping blood sugar stable. Both good digestion and balanced blood sugar are keys to clear skin and overall health.
  • Date syrup: I love using dates as a sweetener, as they are rich in antioxidants and minerals and low glycemic, despite their sweet taste. You could easily use whole, pitted dates in this recipe for added fiber, but since I didn’t have any, and wanted to do it in a bowl without using (and having to wash) my blender, I chose date syrup for this recipe.
https://mariamarlowe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Sunflower-Butter-Mars-Maria-Marlowe-IG-Story-2-345x480.jpeg
https://mariamarlowe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Sunflower-Butter-Mars-Maria-Marlowe-Ig-Story-1-260x325.jpeg

Sunflower Butter Bars

Sunflower Butter Bars
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3.89 from 18 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings8

Ingredients

Sunflower Butter Bar

Chocolate Topping

Instructions

  • First, combine all sunflower butter bar ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and stir thoroughly to combine. If it is a little dry or crumbly and not holding together like a dough, add more non-dairy milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Next, press the mixture into a 6x6 baking dish.
  • Top with melted chocolate until the batter is fully covered, add flaky sea salt if desired. Then refrigerate or freeze until the chocolate is hardened. Slice into bars to serve.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mariamarlowe on instagram and hashtag #healthybymarlowe for a chance to be featured and win awesome prizes each month.

Looking for more quick and easy desserts made with nut butter? Check out this Cashew Vanilla Freezer Fudge or this Sweet & Salty Almond Butter Date Caramel.

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This Blemish Blast Blueberry Smoothie is packed with antioxidant- and nutrient-rich ingredients that provide anti-inflammatory benefits to help reduce blemishes.

Blemish Blast Blueberry Smoothie Ingredients

Here is a breakdown of how the blemish blast blueberry smoothie ingredients support clear skin:

  • Blueberries: Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to acne, inflammation, aging, and chronic disease. (1, 2, 3)
  • Pumpkin Seed Protein: My favorite protein powder for a source of clean plant protein. It is made simply from powdered pumpkin seeds, not an isolate, and is a beautiful vibrant green instead of a dusty brown. It also contains various minerals including zinc, which is a critical nutrient for clear skin and a common deficiency amongst acne patients. Use code Maria20 for 20% off.
  • Flaxseed: Fiber-rich flaxseed is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Omega-3 rich foods can help reduce the size and redness of pimples and speed the rate at which wounds heal. (4)
  • Hemp seed: Hemp seeds are an excellent source of easy-to-digest plant protein. They also provide fiber and omega-3s, as well as a variety of phytonutrients. (5, 6)
  • Chia seeds: Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, providing a whopping 10g of fiber per ounce. Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar, which is key to maintaining blemish-free skin. They’re also rich in antioxidants and omega-3. (7, 8)
  • Banana: rich in fiber and powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals. (9, 10)

Blemish Blast Blueberry Smoothie

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5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings1

Ingredients

Blueberry Smoothie

Toppings

Instructions

  • Combine all blueberry smoothie ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.*
  • Pour smoothie into a glass and top with coconut shreds and blueberries.

Recipe Notes

*If you prefer a thinner consistency simply add more water or ice.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mariamarlowe on instagram and hashtag #healthybymarlowe for a chance to be featured and win awesome prizes each month.

Clear Skin Recipes

Want more skin clearing recipes? Check out these 5 Drinks For Clear Skin. Also, check out my Clear Skin Plan, a science-backed, doctor-approved program and meal plan to clear acne naturally through dietary and lifestyle changes. If you’ve tried everything else to no avail, it’s time to get to the root causes and support your skin from within.

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This vegan feta cheese recipe tastes just like feta cheese and is perfect on top of a Greek salad. It’s made with 4 simple ingredients and requires minimal effort to make.

Simply press the excess water out of extra-firm tofu, cube it, marinate it, and it’s done. How easy is that?

Vegan Feta Ingredients

  • Tofu: Extra-firm tofu gives us a feta cheese texture with minimal effort. Simply dice and marinate. Even better, if you can find it, use fermented tofu (which is even firmer and my personal favorite). When buying tofu, always choose organic tofu to avoid GMOs.
  • Lemon Juice: Lemon juice provides the tang that is characteristic of fermented foods like cheese. It also provides a Vitamin C boost and a plethora of phytonutrients and antioxidants which support clear, glowing skin from within.
  • Oregano: Oregano does more than give this tofu flavor. It’s a surprisingly antioxidant-rich spice that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Just a pinch packs a punch.

Vegan Feta Cheese (That Tastes Just Like Feta)

Vegan Feta Cheese
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings2

Ingredients

Instructions

  • First, press the tofu: Lay out a clean kitchen towel, wrap up tofu in it and put a heavy book on top for 30 minutes.*
  • Next, combine lemon juice, oregano, and salt in a shallow container and mix well.
  • Once the tofu is done being pressed, slice it into cube-sized pieces and add to the container with marinade. Then close the container with a lid, shake it up and let it sit for at least an hour. The longer, the better.
  • Serve over greek salad or any salad of choice.

Recipe Notes

* This step is key to press out excess water so the tofu absorbs the maximum amount of the marinade.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mariamarlowe on instagram and hashtag #healthybymarlowe for a chance to be featured and win awesome prizes each month.

Why dairy-free vegan feta cheese?

Because of a wealth of data, it is widely acknowledged that dairy consumption is associated with acne. So, this dairy-free alternative is a delicious choice that gives you the taste of feta, without the risk of a dairy-related breakout. For more dairy-free alternatives, check the recipe section of my website.

Clear Skin Recipes

Want more skin clearing recipes? Check out my Clear Skin Plan, a science-backed, doctor-approved program and meal plan to clear acne naturally through dietary and lifestyle changes. If you’ve tried everything else to no avail, it’s time to get to the root causes and support your skin from within.

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These decadent, fudgy, gluten-free zucchini brownies are the perfect treat when you’re craving something sweet. No one will detect the zucchini, but it keeps the brownies moist and fudgy.  Made only with good-for-you ingredients, and free of dairy and eggs, they’re suitable for even the pickiest of eaters. The best part? They get even fudgier the next day.

Fudgy GF Zucchini Brownies

Fudgy GF Zucchini Brownies
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3.95 from 18 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings12

Ingredients

Brownies (Wet)

Brownies (Dry)

Cashew Vanilla Frosting

Toppings (Optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Blend all wet ingredients together in a blender or food processor until a smoothie-like consistency forms. Set aside.
  • Add all dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add the wet to the dry and mix again.
  • Pour batter into an 8x8 greased pan. Top with chocolate chips for double the chocolate and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. If desired, add a drizzle of cashew vanilla frosting (whisk all frosting ingredients together in a small bowl with a fork until thoroughly combined).

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mariamarlowe on instagram and hashtag #healthybymarlowe for a chance to be featured and win awesome prizes each month.

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*non-cystic acne **This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ***All testimonials are by real people. Individual results may vary.

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