Mental Health Food

Folate: The Big Little B-Vitamin for Depression Folate, also known as vitamin B9, plays a crucial role in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and others responsible for regulating mood. Likewise, folate is a crucial nutrient that plays an essential role in maintaining good health. It is essential for the proper functioning of the body, particularly in the production of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. Additionally, it has been linked to mental health, with research showing that it...

Say “No” To Trans Fats

We have known for a long time that trans fats are bad for your waistline and your heart, but trans fats could also be affecting your anger management, according to a study from the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.

Pumpkin Power!

Pumpkin is a powerhouse of mental health nutrients. It is also one of the most versatile vegetables that can be served many different ways. Pumpkin can be baked, boiled, roasted or pureed. It can be made into soups, smoothies, desserts, and casseroles.

Depression, the Internet and Critical Thinking

Via the Internet, we now have access to an almost limitless amount of information. That access happened quickly. In the space of a relative few years, people from all over the globe had access to computers at schools and Internet cafes, then portable laptops became more affordable, then smartphones ensured that almost everyone who wanted it could access the Internet from even some of the most remote places on the planet. What did not keep pace with our ability to access information however, was the critical thinking necessary to filter it.

Katharine’s Greek God Salad

To go along with my recent post about the mental health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, I’m sharing this recipe for “Katharine’s Greek God Salad” from the “Cooking to Cure, A Nutritional Approach to Anxiety and Depression” book. It is a delicious, colorful salad that is highly anti-inflammatory and high in calcium, potassium, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin E, as well as many other important mental health nutrients and has 80% of your daily requirement for vitamin B12! And all for just over 400 calories.

The Mediterranean diet – why it’s impo...

In addition to the many proven physical health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, research has shown that a diet of fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, whole grains and good quality sources of protein is essential for decreasing the risk of anxiety and depression. This type of diet is rich in the nutrients that are critical for the regulation of mood by providing the necessary fiber and probiotics involved in proper digestion (if we don’t digest our food properly our bodies don’t utilize the nutrients we ingest) to the production of neurotransmitters that make us feel calm and happy. Processed food has been stripped of the enzymes and many of the nutrients necessary for good mental health.

Fermented vs. Pickled

A lot of press recently has been about the benefits of fermented foods. Fermented foods are full of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion. Proper digestion means fully breaking down all of the food we eat so the body can disperse those nutrients for maximum functioning of both body and brain. This is referred to as “gut health” and there is some speculation that good gut health is more important for good...

SmashDepression interview

I was interviewed earlier this week by David Joshua Kline from SmashDepression.com. David has started a podcast series on his website and I was honored to be his second guest. He gives some valuable lifestyle tips for alleviating depression for the first 12 minutes or so and then interviews me for the next 40 minutes. Except for a few minor issues with the sound (probably due to my fluctuating internet connection), I...

Wonderful Weeds

One of the best sources of super nutritious and *free* food might be an unwanted intruder growing in your garden, lawn, or even in the cracks of a sidewalk! I’m talking about weeds. Not all weeds are edible of course, but a surprising number are.

The Power of Potassium

Potassium is a major mineral and critical electrolyte that is abundantly present in seawater (and sea salt) and soil. Potassium contains a positive electrical charge and works closely with chloride in regulating blood pressure and PH balance. Potassium is necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally. Potassium allows our muscles to move, our nerves to fire, and our kidneys to filter blood. The...

Yummy Meatball Recipe

I made a version of “Mainstay Meatballs” from the “Cooking to Cure” book and they came out so yummy that I just had to share. There are so many ways to play with this recipe – I hope you love these versions and create new ones that you love as much!