a blog for women… I'm just sayin'

Being quite fond of cooking (and eating) you can imagine how excited I was when I learned of Thinkfood, a Food Blogger cookbook project collaborated with Posit Science.

The Thinkfood cookbook features 50 delicious, original, brain-healthy recipes, each created by a different food blogger.  In addition, what is even more exciting is anyone can sign up for the Recipe of the Week program. With this, you receive and preview a tasty new recipe from the cookbook, delivered to your inbox every week…. Imagine getting fifty brain healthy recipes free!  Included is information about the foodie blogger who created the recipe, exclusive cooking tips, and the science behind the brain healthy foods and nutrients in the recipe.

photo - Carrots 'N' Cake: carrotsncake.com

The first week ThinkFood shared with me this awesome Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie by Tina Haupert and this week the recipe is a main course dish, Garlic Salmon over Spinach by Kristen, author of Dine & Dish.

The ThinkFood area of Posit Science has a whole host of information is offered regarding brain healthy foods in addition to the weekly recipe. Below is as excerpt from the ThinkFood glossary:

“Sage – Sage has long been thought to have medicinal properties, and current science has borne that out. Administration of sage or sage extracts has been shown to improve memory, attention, and mood in healthy young adults, and may improve outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease. Reference: 23

23. An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers. http://bit.ly/ThinkFoodSage1

The pharmacological effects of Salvia species on the central nervous system. http://bit.ly/ThinkFoodSage2

Effects of Salvia officinalis L. (sage) leaves on memory retention and its interaction with the cholinergic system in rats. http://bit.ly/ThinkFoodSage3

Medicinal plants and Alzheimer’s disease: Integrating ethnobotanical and contemporary scientific evidence. http://bit.ly/ThinkFoodSage4

Salvia lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) enhances memory in healthy young volunteers. http://bit.ly/ThinkFoodSage5

Positive modulation of mood and cognitive performance following administration of acute doses of Salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil to healthy young volunteers. http://bit.ly/ThinkFoodSage6 ”

I thought it interesting to learn that Sage may improve the memory. This is a helpful tip for those approaching middle age. Being a bit beyond that, I have noticed that my memory is not what it used to be. Perhaps I should load up on the Sage?

Eat more of these foods and weigh less, sounds somewhat crazy. According to Self magazine, the right foods aid in dropping pounds by accelerating calorie burning and curbing cravings.

The top twenty weight loss super foods listed include steak, eggs, kale, oats, lentils, Goji berries, wild salmon, apples, buckwheat pasta, blueberries, almond butter, pomegranates, chilies, yogurt, quinoa, sardines, tarragon, Parmesan, avocado, and olive oil. Plenty of high fiber and high protein foods included however, the list is rather surprising to me.  A first glance the list appeared to be foods that supported weight gain not loss.

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Are multivitamins effective as part of a skin care regiment? Is the condition of your skin a major concern for you as far as the signs of aging go? Consider the following facts:

The best Anti aging Vitamins to choose are ones that contain the antioxidants Vitamin C, A, B6 and B12, and most importantly, Vitamin E. Vitamin E has been shown to be the most effective “Anti aging vitamin” to date; it prevents many common diseases and reverses wrinkling skin that occurs from sun exposure. Taking 400mg of vitamin E a day has been shown effective enough to reduce wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and texture.

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David H. Murdock is Chairman and owner of Dole Food Company, Inc., the world’s largest producer and marketer of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, packaged and frozen foods.

Is it possible to live to 125 or maybe 150? It’s certainly a possibility, as discussed on Oprah Winfrey’s recent show on longevity. She visited me at my farm to learn how, at 86, I am enjoying the robust health, energy, and mental creativity of someone many decades younger. My secret: large quantities of fruit and vegetables, plus an hour of daily exercise.

No pills, not even aspirin, and certainly no supplements ever enter my mouth — everything I need comes from my fish-vegetarian diet, which incorporates 30-40 different kinds of fruit and vegetables every week. Even though I am Chairman and Owner of Dole Food Company, I do most of my own grocery shopping, and even took Oprah on an impromptu trip to Costco, in a day that included bike riding, exercise in the gym, and juicing vegetables in the kitchen. Oprah marveled at how much I eat, and yet never gain a pound. In fact, I expend a lot of energy in my 50-60 minutes of cardio and strength training every day. Plus there’s the fact that fruit and vegetables tend to be lower in calories, but higher in filling fiber and other nutrients that help you feel satisfied.

By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity. Obesity accelerates aging even faster than smoking, according to scientific research.

We created the North Carolina Research Campus to study the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. It is the only campus in the world encompassing eight universities all working together for the benefit of health and longevity. These include Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University, UNC Charlotte, North Carolina Central University, NC A&T State University, UNC Greensboro and Appalachian State University. We’ve gathered a comprehensive array of famous scientists and scientific equipment under one roof, including a two-story, 950 megahertz, 8-ton superconducting magnet. It is the largest and most powerful magnet in the world and will help us look at both plant and human cells at the most minute level. We are constantly doing research on all fruit and vegetables, including the ones listed below, which are the mainstay of my diet.

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Winning Recipes for Healthy Living

Beef helps fuel an active lifestyle by providing a powerhouse of protein. This is good news considering research by Donald Layman, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, that suggests many Americans may need more protein in their diets. Americans can feel good about loving beef because the protein in beef is a powerful nutrient that strengthens and sustains their bodies. Protein is essential to building muscle and helping enhance strength.
These recipes are all winners, literally – not only do they provide powerful protein, they were also chosen top finalists in the 2007 National Beef Cook-Off(r).

Lean Beef
-There are 29 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean, including favorites such as sirloin, T-bone and flank steaks. It’s easy to “go lean with protein” and follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
-Lean beef is a naturally rich source of nine essential nutrients, including high quality protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins, that people need for a healthy, active lifestyle. In fact, a 3-ounce serving of lean beef supplies more than one-half the amount of protein most people need each day.
Visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for nutrition information, recipes and more.

Healthy Living
“I’ve always loved the taste of beef and that it provides protein,” says Christine Riccitelli from Incline Village, Nev., the 2007 National Beef Cook-Off grand prize winner.
Exercise is important to Christine. She enjoys daily hiking as well as swimming, pilates and lifting weights. Describing her recipe, she says: “I like to pair beef with colorful vegetables or fruits or wholesome grains. Plus, I can take a nice long hike while it cooks in the oven.” Her recipe, Nuevo Chipotle Beef in Butternut Squash Boats, is loaded with flavor, looks great and fits a healthy lifestyle.

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