Whew!  That was close.   It’s the sweet potato and it’s the “it” vegetable of 2011!   Since you can’t eat the Wonderbar (as far as I know), I wanted to share this great little post with you that I found on SELF.com about sweet potatoes and the many benefits of eating them …to our skin.  Plus, some great recipes to boot!  Here you go…

The Sweet Potato-Perfect Skin Connection as seen on Self.com:

Did you know that snacking on sweet potatoes can help your skin stay clear, smooth and young-looking? The reason:  Crayola-colored orange in sweet potatoes comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that’s in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones. A regular influx of new cells keeps the surface of your skin smooth, fresh-looking and resistant to irritants and damage. (It’s no coincidence that some of the best topical healthy-skin ingredients in beauty products, retinoic acid and retinol, are derivatives of vitamin A.) Plus, beta-carotene acts like Pac-Man, eating up free radicals that cause DNA mutations that can lead to wrinkles.

Read on for five healthy, tasty ways to get a sweet potato on your plate.

Cheesy sweet potato crisps
Potato pancakes get a makeover! These appetizers are flavored with cheese and rosemary and have only 5g of fat per 3 crisps.

Sweet Potato and Avocado Sandwich
A scrumptious vegetarian sandwich that beats your worn-out turkey on wheat by a mile. Bonus: Boiling a potato is the only cooking required in this recipe!

Miso soup with sweet potato dumplings
This spicy soup from Shawn McClain, chef at Green Zebra in Chicago, is low in fat and loaded with fiber and vitamins – definitely a win-win warm dinner.

Filet mignon and sweet potato fries
Stay in to eat for your next special occasion! This healthy take on a steakhouse fave upgrades any evening. Though this recipe suggests serving with asparagus, use any green that’s in season.

Sweet Potato Soup
Use up a leftover cooked potato with this recipe for soup for one. Eat with a whole wheat pita for a well rounded, fiber-full meal.

Full of great stuff for your skin!

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop whey protein powder
• 1/3 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/4 cup frozen peaches
• 1 teaspoon vanilla agave (or more to taste)
• 6 whole almonds
• 1 tablespoon Psyllium Husk powder
• 2 tablespoons Ground Flaxseed
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt (optional)
• 1 small banana
• 1/4 avocado!

This is the ultimate smoothie for skin health!  It actually tastes great- I will make two servings at a time and refrigerate it for the next day, so I only have to make it every other day.  Just make sure to take your fish oil supplements, keep using your Wonderbar and you’ll be all set!  (Still cannot believe I just drank an avocado.)