Monday, July 4, 2011

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
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.

12 comments:

  1. I always read those lists and worry if I don't eat enough good stuff! :P

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  2. You have such interesting posts! Do you have the recipe for those coconut custard cookies. I LOVE coconut. Good stuff! I am sad you missed brekkie tho. I would have turned into a beast.

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  3. Yum! Your cookies look delicious (even though you said they don't look so)!!! It's nice to see Marsha's coffee glazed muffins since I loved it too. And thanks for sharing 100 foods - I like this kind of extra knowledge! ;-) I'll be eating MORE dark chocolate. Yay.

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  4. I laughed a lot at your wisdom vs knowledge definition. I have never tried to put tomatoes in a fruit salad, but wouldn't be surprised to see it somewhere.
    As for the cookies, I am sure they were great. I think all the cookies I make taste 1000x better than they look.

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  5. Love the list. Now if I can only remember what's on it!

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  6. I love quick and yummy cookie recipes! Will have to try these for sure :)

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  7. Mmm those cookies look super delicious! And that is one great list...I'm glad to see I eat most of the things on there!

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  8. The mushroom risotto sounds fantastic!

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  9. Your custard coconut cookies sound delicious!

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  10. Anna A: the recipe is available here: http://easilygoodeats.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-coconut-custard-cookie-recipe.html

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  11. Knowledge vs. wisdom. Tee hee. I love it! Your cookies look and sound delicious! And lean beef...a brain food? Huh. Who knew.

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