Brain foods make you think differently for back-to-school
EVANSTON, IL (ContentDesk) August 9, 2005 -- Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn about brain foods, and how they can help their concentration and make their school work easier.
The most important meal of the day is breakfast. Kids who eat breakfast consistently do better on tests. Getting better grades is important, but making time to eat breakfast is tough. "If you don't have time for a sit down breakfast, grab a handful of walnuts, a whole grain breakfast bar, yogurt, or some peanut butter stuffed inside a whole wheat pita," advises Dave Grotto, a registered dietician, nutrition expert and director of nutrition educational services at Block Center for Integrated Cancer Care & Optimal Health."Stay away from the high sugar/caffeine foods like doughnuts, soda and coffee," explained Grotto.
"Eating those foods can provide immediate fuel (glucose) to the brain, but it's a very short-term fix. As your glucose level falls, concentration becomes difficult and you end up feeling tired and ready for a nap. Try making a fruit smoothie the night before so you can grab it in the morning and guzzle it on the way to school," suggests Grotto, who recently coached contestants auditioning for ?Who Wants to be a Millionaire' about specific brain foods that are optimal for concentration, and those that will slow a person down. "Use fresh fruit like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, red grapes, and pomegranates ? all high in antioxidants, which research shows enhances cognitive function, recall and memory. Add some yogurt, mix in two tablespoons of peanut butter, for a supercharged brain smoothie.
This tasty concoction will zap the brain into an A+ charged state of concentration that will last for hours."
One of the best brain boosters is the dependable egg. Eggs contain protein and choline. Choline is one of the B vitamins that participates in many biological processes, and is especially important for healthy brain, cardiovascular, and liver function. Check the label for the type of eggs that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are also naturally lower in cholesterol. Omega 3 fats contain DHA, an essential fat needed for brain development and for reducing harmful brain plaques.
Students who chow down on burgers, fries, chicken nuggets or pizza at lunch, will get a quick blood sugar surge, accompanied by that all too familiar crash, most likely just as it's time to walk into their next class. Studies have shown that consuming a high fat diet can impair learning skills as well as memory. Instead, try a grilled chicken sandwich on a whole grain bun, or grilled tuna or salmon burgers on whole wheat bread. Lean proteins with whole grains, along with some healthy fats, will help students sustain energy and maximize their potential throughout their school day.Like gasoline in a car, students need to fuel themselves in moderation throughout the day. "If hunger pangs hit in mid-morning, mid-afternoon, or as soon as you come home from school, avoid snacking on candy bars, soda and potato chips," says Grotto.
"These foods can raise cholesterol levels, contribute to weight gain and obesity, and an increased risk of diabetes. Instead, choose brain food snacks like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, whole grain cereal bars, peanut butter and fruit juice-sweetened jelly on whole grain bread. Instead of soda, mix non-sweetened grape juice with green tea. Green tea has the same healthful antioxidants as red grapes and berries. If you need a chocolate fix, the news is good.
A small bar of dark chocolate ? rich in antioxidants, is fine. Or. some dark chocolate chips with some healthy nuts ? good for you and tastes great!" Students need to keep their levels of concentration up to absorb all the information teachers are feeding to the brain. At night brain power needs to be maintained to handle homework and studying, to say nothing about extracurricular activities and a busy social life. "Feeding your brain the foods it needs, will help you think in a new way about what you eat," concluded Grotto.About the Block Center for Integrative Cancer CareThe Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care and Optimal Health was founded in 1980 by Penny and Keith Block, M.D.
with a focus on treating the patient as a whole person, not treating just the diagnosis or symptoms. The Center's research-based treatment integrates an innovative approach to the best of conventional medicine with scientifically sound complementary therapies -- therapeutic nutrition, botanical and phytonutrient supplementation, prescriptive exercise, and systematic mind-body strategies -- to enhance the recovery process. Block has pioneered this "middle ground" approach to cancer care and optimal health ? designing a total treatment plan that is tailored to the precise needs of each patient, using a unique set of clinical and laboratory assessments. The Block Center is breaking new ground with the creation and development of Cancer Rehab as an innovative treatment modality, and currently is the only private North American medical center using chrono-modulated chemotherapy. While the Block Center is a full treatment clinic, it is involved in collaborative research with M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas as a Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and is also engaged in clinical cancer research with other university facilities in the United States and Israel..
The Benefits of Wicker Picnic Baskets
Wicker picnic baskets are a lovely, traditional way to pack a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a well-earned snack. You can take it with you anywhere -- to your backyard garden, your neighborhood park, or as a special luxury treat, on a camping trip. They make for a great gift for a friend, family member, loved one, or new neighbor.
Wicker is a type of natural straw popularly used to make not only picnic baskets but chairs, tables, folding walls, and more. Wicker is made out of any flexible branch or twig, but it is most commonly made out of willow branches. The wicker straws or branches are woven or laced together to create a tight weave that is light but solid, simple but elegant.
Wicker picnic baskets usually have a handle for easy carrying, or two handles if the basket is made to serve more than two picnickers.
Wicker picnic baskets can be neatly packed with plates, bowls, glasses, mugs, silverware, and a variety of extras. For example, one luxury...
The Benefits of Wicker Picnic Baskets
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7 Quick Tips to a Healthier, Happier You
Health and happiness are not that difficult to have in one'slife. It just takes some attention and some action to insurethat you have as much of both as you desire.Far from being difficult, tiring exercises, getting healthycan be quite easy. A few simple acts or lifestyle changescan put you on the path to feeling happier and healthier faster than you can imagine...1. Eat breakfast every day.Your mom was right, it's the most important meal of the day.Don't skip it.2. Drink lots of water.In these days of coffee, tea, sodas, seltzers, colas andcoolers it's easy to think we're getting all the water weneed, but nothing beats good ol' plain water.
Eight glassesa day.3. Get a good night's sleep.As one who deals with sleep problems, I can tell you fromexperience, poor sleep patterns can quickly disrupt yourlife. Research shows that 6 to 8 hours of restful sleep iswhat most of us need to be happy and productive. If you'rehaving problems sleeping, contact a doctor immediately.4. Eat more...
7 Quick Tips to a Healthier, Happier You
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THE TYRANNY OF BLACKBERRIES, CELLPHONES & LAPTOPS
Copyright The Quipping Queen 2005.THE TYRANNY OF BLACKBERRIES, CELLPHONES & LAPTOPS --Or, when will the God of Chaos, Calamity & Cataclysm strike again! --Everywhere you go these days, chaos reigns disguised as "state of the art wireless technology". It seems that happiness has been reduced to having a newfangled whatchamacallit that does absolutely everything but clean the kitchen sink.Speaking of scruffy sculleries, your best bet would be to a visit your local "Tabernacle of Tetrachloride" where you can request a private audience with the "Wizard of Washbasins". Failing that, consult the "Diva of Drudgery" who usually has all the quick and dirty answers to the western world's most innocuous conundrums!Sadly, my days as a professional cherry-picker in Peach Bottom, Virginia are over ...which brings me in a round about way to my favorite comfort food ..."passion fruit" and plums. Besides consuming far too many succulent seeds for my own good, I also enjoy the occasional shopping-spree...
THE TYRANNY OF BLACKBERRIES, CELLPHONES & LAPTOPS
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Gianduia Peaches
Grand Prize Winner1st Prize ? Dessert CategoryRecipe created by Wolfgang HanauWest Palm Beach, FloridaMake It Special Chef Recipe ContestMakes 12 servingsChef Quote: "I enjoy cooking with fruits because they are naturally sweet and healthy. Fruits provide the sugar your body needs to sustain itself and their natural flavors are so good that they sweeten desserts beautifully." ? Wolfgang Hanau(NC)?Juicy, ripe California peaches with espresso-dipped ladyfinger cookies, mascarpone cream, hazelnuts and a warm Gianduia chocolate drizzle create a decadent dessert that's a perfect encore to any meal. The combination of tangy peaches and rich chocolate set the stage for this beautiful, flavorful and elegant dessert.Ingredients:1/2 cup hazelnuts1 cup sugar1 cinnamon stick6 large California peaches, peeled1 cup heavy whipping cream1/2 cup light corn syrup1 cup mascarpone12 soft ladyfinger cookies1/2 cup brewed espresso (or espresso liqueur)2 ounces Gianduia chocolate, chopped*1/2 cup unsweetened...
Gianduia Peaches
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It's Your Day - Have It Your Way!
For years tradition has dictated what was 'acceptable' when planning a wedding. The long white gown, the programmed church ceremony, the rented reception hall with the arranged seating and the sky high wedding budget were all considered to be proper wedding etiquette.
Well it is the year 2006 and those traditions are fast falling by the wayside! Today your wedding can be anything you want it to be. Pastel wedding gowns are definitely "in". Your wedding ring does not have to be...
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Fruit Brain foods make you think differently for back-to-school
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