Foods That Boost Your Health

There is evidence that our brain responds to the foods we eat, and that nutrients can trigger neurotransmitters and hormones that impact our mood and improve our mental sharpness. Not only has this been shown in children at school, but studies have also found that adults can help maintain brain health as they age.
The way things are going, I don’t anticipate a break until at least Thanksgiving. So until then, here’s what I’m focusing on during this grueling work-a-thon.


Brains are very hungry


The brain and nervous system are the hungriest organs—meaning that they require a constant supply of energy that can only be delivered in the form of glucose, the end product of carbohydrate metabolism. The brain uses more than 20 times the energy ounce-per-ounce of exercising muscle than any other part of the body; in fact, as we age, it’s the natural loss of gray matter that makes a significant contribution to our drop in metabolism.

What this means is that breakfast is very important, and so is eating every two to three hours throughout the day. The constant stream of glucose to the brain will help keep your concentration and mood elevated. A meal or snack that contains low-glycemic carbohydrates, or combines carbs with lean protein and/or some healthy mono or polyunsaturated fats, will help keep the fuel to the brain steady.


Eat a slow-burn breakfast



Reams of research show that kids who eat a healthy breakfast have improved concentration, and they perform better on tests compared to those that skips out on the a.m. meal. I’m no student, but I do know that eating my low-glycemic steel-cut oats gives me energy to start the day and raises my blood-sugar levels that have plummeted overnight. Other studies have found that a breakfast of low-glycemic-index foods like oatmeal increased mental acuity over high-glycemic-index breakfasts with the same number of same calories.

Eggs with a whole-wheat product—toast are great option to boost brainpower. Eggs contain choline, which helps the body make the memory-boosting chemical acetylcholine.



Eat more fruits and veggies


You’re probably aware of studies showing that blueberries improve the memory and cognitive function of aged animals, but all fruits and veggies are great cerebral choices. In addition to providing carbs to fuel the brain, they supply folic acid, a B-vitamin integral for the nervous system. In addition, they’re loaded with powerful antioxidants that help keep the blood vessels of the brain healthy and more flexible so that the brain gets adequately nourished.
I’m making more of my snacks fresh or dried fruits and veggies. Today I had raisins in my oatmeal, a banana with peanut butter at lunch, and a spinach salad with my dinner.



Enjoy caffeine and tea


affeine has been shown to improve concentration in studies, and tea has also been shown to have a compound, L-thiamine that impacts alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves are supposed to help the brain focus when it is bombarded with all kinds of competing tasks (read: nonstop emails and phone calls). The combination of L-thiamine and caffeine in tea is akin to rebooting my mind to help me focus on finishing one task at a time, instead of being completely frazzled by a long to-do list all day.


Be a (healthy) fat head


Yes, your brain is a muscle, but about 70% of its gray and white matter is composed of fat. And it’s not just any fat; it’s the long-chain polyunsaturated fats that are part of the cell membranes and crucial messenger system of the brain.
These beneficial fats are called DHA and EPA, and you can find them in fish and algae-based supplements. Research shows that adults who eat the most tuna and other fish rich in DHA have healthier brain mass as they age, compared to those who eat the least amount of fish. But there’s one caveat: Interestingly, fried fish consumption does not provide the same brain-boosting benefits.

Make mental moves


nothing goes better with a healthy diet than a healthy lifestyle. To keep the blood and nutrients flowing to your brain, strive to get daily exercise. Exercise also clears your mind, gives you a natural endorphin rush, and staves off depression. Research also shows that among older adults, those who exercise the most have better cognition and improved mental states compared to those who move the least.

Food Remedies for Allergy

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away and while this may not be necessarily true, there are in fact foods that can help limit trips to your M.D.

So, the next time your child complains of aches and pains, take a look around the house for these home-remedy ingredients before running off to the doc!


Below are the foods that are the best to eat, and do not cause allergy reactions.



Beverages:
Almond milk
Herb teas (no lemon or orange)
Pure freshly-juiced fruit juices without sugar or additives (dilute 50:50 with water)

Cereals:

Puffed rice and millet
Diluted apple juice, apple slices, and nuts go well on cereal.
Use almond milk or rice milk on cereal.

Grains and flour (All organic):

Bean flour

Cooked whole gains, such as oats, millet, barley, rice macaroni, spelt (flour and pasta), brown rice, rice, or millet breads (that contain no dairy, eggs, sugar, or wheat)
Potato flour


Legumes (Organic):

Black beans
Lentils
Peas
Tofu (eat no more than 2x weekly)

Protein (Organic and free-range):
Fresh (not farmed) tuna and other cold-water fish



Vegetables (Organic):

All vegetables except corn are generally acceptable.
Tomatoes sometimes cause problems and should be avoided by susceptible individuals.


Fruits:

Treat a skin allergy with papaya seeds -

To help with the unbearable itch of a skin allergy mash some papaya seeds and apply to the rash.



Treat skin allergies with poppy seeds -

Grind 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds with 1 teaspoon of water and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Apply this to the affected area. This method will help reduce and itch and redness.


Allergy treatment using tea's and juices -

Try any of the following teas and juices to help overcome symptoms: carrot juice, celery juice but don't use it if you suffer from high blood pressure.



Allergy treatment using local honey - That means, honey made by bees living near you - they forage the pollens of plants growing near you which may be causing the allergic reactions. Eating their honey helps to build up immunity to those pollens.


Allergy treatment using vitamin C -

Vitamin C 1,000 mg three to five times daily. Cut back on dosage if loose stools occur. Vitamin C has a natural antihistamine effect on the body.

Cloves

Toothaches can be unbearable, but instead of rushing off to the drugstore to buy the latest product that might not work, use ground cloves to ease the pain. Cloves are a popular item in most spice racks, so there is a good chance you’ll already have this pain-reliever stashed away. Simply crush them up and apply to the affected tooth. Clove oil also works well, but is less common in households.

Powdered Mustard

Mix powdered mustard with flour, add a little bit of water and make a good paste. Spread the paste on a tea towel or cloth. Then, fold the cloth over and place it on your child’s chest or throat. The burning of the mustard miraculously helps to stop irksome coughing. Be sure to remove the cloth if skin becomes irritated or burns.

Onions

Though onions usually make you cry, when it comes to bee stings they may actually help stop the tears. Applying a freshly cut onion to a bee sting or other bug bite helps relieve pain. In a pinch, onions can also be used to treat hives. Steeping some onions and honey together makes an effective cough syrup as well. Breathing in the onion fumes as they are boiling can also help to clear up chest congestion.


Olive Oil

When your child comes to you complaining of an earache, some olive oil just might be the solution. Put a little oil in a container and place the container in boiling water to heat it. Place a few drops of olive oil (you can also use garlic oil) on a cotton ball and place it in the ear, or put a drop or two in the ear and cover with a cotton ball. The cotton should be left on for 10 - 15 minutes. The heat will help to draw out unwanted liquid in the ear.


Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a miracle substance with all kinds of uses. First, it’s great for cuts and scrapes. Applying a small amount to the latest skateboarding or biking injury will help fight infection and speed up the healing process. Second, using 3 or 4 drops can help clear up swimmer’s ear—a common problem with the younger set. The vinegar will disinfect and dry the ear out, eliminating itching and pain. Finally, placing a little daub of apple cider vinegar onto a cold sore can help heal it. The vinegar should be applied several times a day to assist with healing.