Walnut Muffins and 10 Foods That Promote Brain Health

Mushroom Risotto

Food Diary (July 03, 2011)

Breakfast: Missed

Lunch: Mushroom risotto

Dinner: Polenta with yellow beans, rolled oats with honey melon and coconut

Baking/sweets: Custard Coconut Cookie

The custard coconut cookie was really quick and easy to make. They will certainly not win any beauty awards but fortunately they tasted much better than they looked.

Interesting distinction between knowledge and wisdom: knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad!

Custard Coconut Cookie

Today's Favourite Photo

Source: The Harried Cook

Walnut Muffins with Coffee Glaze

Today’s Favourite Blog

Source: Care2

Care2 has an interesting and hopefully intelligence boosting article titled “10 Foods That Promote Brain Health”. Here are the 10 magic ingredients, some of which surprise me.

1. Apples: Eating an apple a day protects the brain from oxidative damage that causes neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. On June 14  I wrote a short article about the top 12 ranking of fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide contamination. Apple topped the list. An apple a day may not keep the doctor away, unless the apple is free from pesticides.

2. Asparagus: Asparagus is rich in folic acid, which is essential for the metabolism of the long chain fatty acids in your brain.

3. Lean Beef: Lean beef is rich in vitamin B12, iron and zinc. These vitamins and minerals have been shown to maintain a healthy neural tissue. As you have your beef on July 4, keep in mind it may make your smarter. However not all beef types and cuts are beneficial, but that’s another article

4. Blueberries and strawberries: Studies show that people who eat berries improve their memory and their motor skills. In addition, their antioxidant properties can protect your brain from the oxidative process.

5. Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate offers incredible concentration powers. It is a very powerful antioxidant containing natural stimulants that increase the production of feel-good endorphins.

6. Salmon: Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which studies have shown to be essential for brain function.

7. Dried oregano: Certain spices have powerful antioxidant properties. In several studies, this powerful spice has shown to have 40 times more antioxidant properties than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges, and 4 times more than that of blueberries or strawberries.

8. Walnuts: Walnuts are rich in protein and contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins E and B6 which all promote healthy neural tissue.

9. Whole grains: Whole grains deliver fiber and vitamin E that help promote cardiovascular health, which helps improve the circulation to the brain.

10. Yogurt: Yogurt and other dairy foods are filled with protein and vitamin B that are essential to improve the communication between nerve cells.