Spa RECIPES: Clear, Ageless Skin Smoothie from Miraval Resort & Spa

One sip of this frosty, apple-green concoction and we totally swooned, right down to our pores.

The vitamin-packed smoothie, featured in Mindful Eating (Hay House, 2012), a brand-new cookbook from the wellness experts at Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona, can help restore skin’s youthful glow—and it tastes amazing.

“It has bright color and flavor, and just happens to be really good for you,” says Miraval’s executive chef, Chad Luethje. Is it ever! Each batch boasts eight whopping servings of fruits and vegetables. And we all know that ingredients high in water content, like Granny Smith apples, romaine lettuce and celery, help hydrate the skin from within.

“Water flushes out toxins and delivers nutrients to our skin cells,” explains Junelle Lupiani, a registered dietician and Miraval’s nutrition director. Celery and pineapple also pack a skin-saving punch, providing antioxidant-rich vitamins A and C, to help prevent blemishes and minimize the effects of aging.

Despite all those veggies, there’s no grassy aftertaste. “The prevalent flavor is the pineapple and apple,” Luethje says, “and the cucumber gives it a cool finish.” And don’t forget to leave the cucumber’s skin on: “This adds insoluble fiber, which aids in healthy digestion,” Lupiani explains. Healthy insides translate to a glowing exterior, and Chef Luethje’s philosophy is a mantra to eat by: “Healthy food and great flavor do not have to be exclusive of each other.” Guests’ glowing skin and buzzing taste buds couldn’t agree more. –Carolyn Meers