 ALMONDS
The almond reminds us to watch for God’s faithful fulfillment of His promises to us. God also used the almond to perform a miracle among the Israelites: He caused the staff of Aaron, Moses’ brother, to burst into blooms with ripe almonds (Num. 17:8). This staff was kept inside the ark of the covenant for remembrance. Scientists haven’t been able to find the famed ark, but they have found some key facts about almonds. Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, a vitamin that is believed to protect against photodamage and wrinkles, and may even improve skin texture.
 APRICOTS
Did you know that apricots are believed to be the “forbidden fruit” of the Garden of Eden? Apple trees were not indigenous to the biblical lands, and the word apple is used in the Bible as a reference to the apricot. For example, Proverbs 25:11 compares a beautiful word to a beautiful apricot nestled in a silver serving dish: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Today, we know that apricots are rich sources of carotene, a phytonutrient that helps protect skin against harmful UV rays.
 PISTACHIOS
Pistachios were both eaten and used to make skin preparations in biblical times. They are believed to have been part of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built by the biblical king Nebuchadnezzar and considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, we know pistachios are rich in carotenoids, the phytonutrient that can help “block sunlight induced inflammation of the skin, which leads to wrinkles.” As an added bonus, “one ounce of pistachios contains more fiber than a half-cup of spinach and the same amount as an orange or apple.” More fiber means you’ll stay full longer, which helps with appetite control.
 POMEGRANATES
Pomegranates were a luscious food in biblical times and are enjoying a resurgence in popularity today. During the Exodus, the Israelites complained loudly to Moses that he had led them into the wilderness and they didn’t have pomegranates to eat. When Moses sent spies into the Promised Land, they brought back pomegranates. Pomegranates must be a favorite fruit of God’s, too, because He commanded that their design be woven into the priest’s robes and the architecture of the temple.
Today, this once-exotic fruit is available at most groceries every fall. Just split, drink the juice, and eat the seeds. When it’s not available, buy 100 percent pure pomegranate juice, kept in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle.
Shown to contain more antioxidants than red wine or green tea, pomegranate juice is good for you inside and out. Pomegranates are loaded with a particularly powerful type of antioxidant, called polyphenols, which fights aging and may also protect against heart disease. Many high-priced skin creams contain pomegranate extract to fight wrinkles, but it’s always more fun to eat delicious fruits than apply a wrinkle cream.
 WALNUTS
Although almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned by name in the Bible, we know that walnuts were cultivated and enjoyed. In Mark 6, Jesus walks on water across the lake towards Gennesaret, a region that the ancient historian Josephus said was known for growing walnuts. Experts tell us that walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to help prevent dry skin and help the skin retain moisture. Consuming these essential fatty acids is also linked with a reduction in symptoms of psoriasis. Also, omega-3s have an anti-inflammatory effect. Many studies are being done to examine the role between inflammation and aging and you can expect to hear more about the overall benefits of consuming walnuts.
 RAISINS
In Jeremiah 2:21, God calls Israel a “noble vine.” The fruit of the vine—grapes and raisins—was much loved as food and drink. In 1 Samuel 25, a very wise, and very beautiful, woman named Abigail, took one hundred clusters of raisins, along with other foods, as a peace offering to David to persuade him to call off a deadly attack on her household. It worked. The Bible references raisins many times, usually as “cakes,” which were simply dried raisins pressed together. Modern women know that raisins are antioxidant powerhouses. (Only the humble prune has more antioxidants than raisins.) And since a new study reports that people who eat antioxidant-rich foods will have fewer wrinkles, it’s smart to add raisins into your daily snack routine.
 BSB TRAIL MIX
Mix equal parts of the following:
Raisins
Dried figs
Raw, whole almonds
Raw walnuts
Darkest chocolate chips
Set out in an attractive bowl and watch it disappear. This snack has synergy! It fights premature aging, excess weight, heart disease, and hunger pangs. (If you are a chronic breakfast-skipper, package this mix, minus the chocolate chips, into individual baggies and keep in the pantry or car. A healthy breakfast—instead of starving— helps return you to your natural weight.)
 Dark Chocolate Chips
Okay, so these aren’t mentioned in the Bible, but there is a fun connection between chocolate and God: nuns were the first to discover that it was delicious to mix cocoa with sugar.
Adapted with permission from Beauty Secrets of the Bible: The Ancient Arts of Beauty and Fragrance. © 2007 Ginger Garrett. All Rights Reserved. Purchase your copy of Beauty Secrets of the Bible here.
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