Eat for Better Health...... Making Up Your Mind!!!

The frontal lobe of the brain is where information is processed to make decisions. It’s also where the seat of the will resides. If we practice lifestyle habits that numb our fontal lobes (through reduced blood flow) it is harder for us to make and follow through (willpower) on things we really want to do. If you want your brain to be clear and RULE, you’ve got to make better choices about what you feed it.

Lots of research is confirming the value of healthy lifestyle choices on brain health. Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD and Ayesha Sherzai, MD, MAS https://teamsherzai.com are doing some amazing research at Loma Linda University, around how to prevent cognitive decline by living better and eating healthier as they co-direct the Brain Health & Alzheimer’s Prevention Program there. And, their teenage children are fully on board with the lifestyle/diet. That’s truly amazing!!

During March, which is National Nutrition Month, I’ll be sharing some food choices you can make to help not only your brain, but other health conditions as well. When it comes to nutrition, plant foods are complex carbohydrate foods, which when digested are converted to glucose, the brain’s source of energy. Those foods are found freely as - fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables. They are FREE of cholesterol and saturated fats found in animal products (which will help your heart disease). Because they are naturally LOW in Sodium and HIGH in potassium, they will help your blood pressure. And, since they are also WHOLE GRAINS, they will be digested more slowly helping your glucose numbers to stabilize. They are PHYTOCHEMICAL rich which can turn genes on or off to improve your health. As your overall circulation improves, your brain will improve as well. You will be able to think and reason more clearly and make even better decisions in your life.

Here’s one of my favorites that is full of so much brain improving ingredients. You really need to make you some!! IJS!!

Shirley’s Big Ole Pot o’ Plant Powered Gumbo

1/3 - 1/2 cup olive oil

½ cup flour

1 cup celery, chopped

1 cup red onion, chopped

1 cup green pepper, chopped

6 cloves garlic, chopped

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 cups fresh sliced okra

½ cup green onions

½ teaspoon (more) ground bay leaves OR 2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon kelp powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon NO MSG McKay’s Chicken Style Seasoning OR Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian Seasoning

CAJUN SEASONING TO TASTE (OPTIONAL)

File’ powder to taste (optional)

3-4 large tomatoes, crushed (Creole Version)

1 cup veggie ham, diced

2-3 cups veggie sausage links, cut in half

2-3 cups veggie sausage patties, cut in fourths

2-3 cups veggie chicken, broken into pieces

Water as needed

Add oil to a large pot, heating on medium heat. Add flour and stir in well to achieve a beautiful brown color (making a roux) Watch carefully so as not to burn it. When desired color is reached, add chopped vegetables sautéing for about 3-5 minutes. . Add seasonings and continue sautéing for about three minutes. Add 1 cup water, tomatoes, veggie-meat, chilies and okra. Bring to a boil, simmer 15-30 minutes. Add more water if necessary. Adjust seasonings to taste. Put gumbo into serving bowls and heap a serving of rice into the center of the gumbo. Yum, yum, eat ‘em up!! Serves 10-12 Variation: Add 1-cup fresh corn.

Plain Brown Rice

2 cups uncooked, long grain brown rice 5 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

Place Rice, water and salt in an oven proof dish. Stir. Cover and bake at 350 degrees

until water is completely absorbed and rice is dry (1-1 1/2 hours usually). Serve plain or with your favorite dish.

Cooking whole grain brown rice takes some practice. If you want dry rice every time, use the INSTANT version of brown rice. National or store brands work well.

It’s time to Eat For Better Health!! Ready to Phyt for Your Life?? Happy Wellness Wednesday!!

I’m Still Shoutin’ Ova Here!!

Donna

#nationalnutritionmonth #plantpowered #mindhealth #eatforbetterhealth #phytforyourlife #cookinupgoodhealth #wellnesswednesday