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Brain Boosters-October Anagrams


Neuroplasticity challenges the idea that brain...

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Wow, we are almost at the mid point of October and Halloween is just around the corner! As we enter the holiday season, remember how important it is to take care of your health and your brain! Speaking of the brain it’s time to exercise your brain, form new brain pathways, build your cognitive reserve, challenge yourself,  engage in new learning!  Become a lifelong learner, and take advantage of your brain and neuroplasticity skills through new learning.  We are never too old for new learning or too young to begin building our cognitive reserves!  Let’s try some anagrams today. Create as many new words as you can from the following words.

First, go grab a healthy snack-blueberries, strawberries, apples, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, veggie sticks, dark chocolate, paired with a healthy beverage-green tea, water, red wine. I just had some walnuts and iced green tea. Ready? Here are your words.

HALLOWEEN

COSTUMES

CANDIES

GOBLINS

PUMPKINS

DECORATIONS

 

Remember to exercise your body as well! Physical exercise helps pump blood throughout your body-including your brain. Studies have shown that by walking just 35 minutes a day at least 3 days/week it’s possible to increase the size of your hippocampus, which may correlate to improved memory skills! So, get up, leash that dog and take a walk!

Decrease Your Heart Attack Risk – Increase Your Brain Health


An example of a heart attack, which can occur ...

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I just stumbled upon this article  in AARP and found it fascinating! It’s an easy read discussing how to avoid a heart attack and has a few quick questions to analyze your potential risk for a heart attack in the next 10 years. I completed the quiz and was nervous but am glad to report my risk was 1%. I then took a really deep breath!

I encourage you to read the article and take the quiz. It’s important to be well informed about your heath and potential health risks. Be honest with yourself!  By doing this now, you become empowered  to make lifestyle changes to promote healthy aging and  longevity.

Remember, if something is good for your heart, then yes it’s good for your brain! Go Brain!

Decrease Your Heart Attack Risk — AARP The Magazine.

Walnuts are Wonderful!


Two Juglans regia walnuts.

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I really hope you like walnuts! Are you aware of the many health benefits associated with walnuts?  Let’s begin with the obvious. Walnuts are shaped like brains so therefore must be  good for your brains!  Right?  Remember, if something is good for your heart  then it’s also good for your brain. Guess what, if  it’s good for your brain, then it’s good for your heart.

Here are some of the many health benefits of walnuts. Walnuts are high in protein and vitamin and nutrient loaded!  They are a healthy fat and recommended as a part of the Mediterranean diet lifestyle, which includes fruits, vegetables, fish, and of course cold pressed olive oil. Walnuts are loaded with omega 3’s which improve brain function. Our brains need omega 3 fats to function properly, so why not have walnuts?  They also contain antioxidants and fiber. Walnuts promote anti- aging.  All of these good ingredients contained in walnuts help our bodies handle stress better, too. This amazing food has also been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL values. But wait, there’s more. Did you realize walnuts have been linked to weight management and even help with weight loss?

Walnuts are most definitely an  amazing, healthy, anti-aging, brain food!

Here is a recipe I created for spiced walnuts. Enjoy!

Spiced Walnuts

Ingredients:

1 egg white

1 tablespoon water

2-2 1/2 cups walnut halves or pieces

1/2 cup sugar and stevia mixture

2 tablespoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons nutmeg

2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice-if available

Preheat oven to 250* and line a shallow baking dish with foil

In a bowl, combine egg white and water-beat until foamy. Mix the walnuts in and stir until coated. Put the mixture in a colander to drain for 3-5 minutes.

Combine sugar mixture with all the spices in a paper or plastic bag and shake. Add the walnuts, close the bag and shake so all the walnuts are coated with the mixture.

Spread the walnuts on the foil lined shallow baking in a single layer.

Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

After removing from the oven, let the walnuts cool completely. Store in an air tight container. Enjoy!

 

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