Don't worry, eat happy
Ever wish there were a happy pill to spritz up your spirits when you're out of sorts? To make you laugh when you're feeling down? Or to calm your nerves when you're about to bite someone's head off? Well, get this: There are several things in your kitchen that might just do the trick, and they taste a lot better than any pill.
A little dessert
Sugar soothes us when we're stressed – or at least it soothes stressed-out rats – which are remarkably good models for stress in people. But before you race to the vending machine with a license to binge, know that while a little sugar may soothe rattled nerves, too much will re-rattle them by causing havoc with your blood sugar. Here are some treats that'll give you just enough:
- A small slice of cake with 1/2 cup of strawberries
- 2 cookies and a small glass of juice
Toast and jam
Carbs raise levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, which lifts our spirits. That's why we crave bread and other carbohydrates when we're down. Opt for whole-wheat bread and other whole-grain carbs, because they also help stabilize blood sugar levels, unlike refined grains (white bread, pasta, rice), which send blood sugar on a roller-coaster ride, leaving you jittery, grumpy, and hungry.
Get a happy serotonin boost from these snacks:
- Half a toasted whole-wheat English muffin or bagel with jam or honey
- A small bowl of oatmeal with some dried cranberries and a bit of brown sugar
Yogurt and eggs
Numerous studies show that getting more of the omega-3 fatty acid called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in your diet may boost your mood and your brainpower. Even people battling tough-to-treat depression may feel as much as 50 per cent better when they get lots of DHA. To keep your chin cheerfully up, aim for 200 milligrams (mg) of DHA a day.
Spinach
Spinach is full of folate, a B vitamin that's a must for making feel-good serotonin. Like DHA, folate may help ease depression, according to researchers. So if you're trying to stay on the sunny side of life, make chowing down Popeye-style a habit. To get plenty of this happy green, (about 2 cups of cooked spinach) try these tasty tips:
Black bean dip
Black beans, like most legumes, are a nifty source of iron. And if you're low on iron – as many active women are – you may have trouble sleeping, or you might feel constantly tired, both of which can turn you into a major grouch. Here's how to help keep your iron levels – and your mood – up:
Two quick tips: To help your body absorb optimal amounts of iron, combine iron-rich foods with foods that are high in vitamin C – like tomatoes, broccoli and red peppers. But don't wash them down with coffee, tea, or milk; all three can block iron absorption.
Happy foods have another big, big payoff besides brightening your outlook on life: taking care of your emotional health and wellbeing can make you up to 16 years younger!
BABY FOOD RECIPES
BABY FOOD RECIPES - CHICKEN HEARTS APPLE
Baby food recipes
Material:
250 grams of chicken liver
2 apples, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and cut into pieces
3 pieces potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 tablespoons green peas
Directions:
1. Cook all ingredients until cooked.
2. Drain and puree (or chopped finely for children ages 8 months and up)
BABY FOOD RECIPES - FISH APPLE
Baby food recipes
Material:
2 pieces of fish fillets
2 apples, peeled, cut into pieces
Directions:
1. Boil the ingredients until cooked. Drain and puree.
Note:
For children 8 months, the food should not be crushed but only finely chopped. It is good to stimulate the growth of teeth and to train the muscles of the mouth and gums to bite.
BABY FOOD RECIPES - CARAPPEAR
Baby food recipes
Material:
2 stalks carrots, peeled, cut into pieces
2 apples, peeled, cut into pieces
2 pieces of pear, peeled and cut into pieces
Directions:
1. Kl Boil carrots for 10 minutes, then amsukkan apple and pear. Cook until soft.
2. Drain and puree (or chopped finely for children ages 8 months and up)
BABY FOOD RECIPES - steamed fish
Baby food recipes
Material:
1 snapper fillet (or other fish species, according to taste)
Directions:
1. Steam the fish until cooked and then mashed.
2. Can be mixed with pureed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, etc.).
BABY FOOD RECIPES - Broccoli POTATO
Baby food recipes
Material:
7 broccoli florets, discarding the stem
2 potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces
Chicken broth / meat taste (only boiled water chicken / meat, without salt or other seasonings)
Directions:
1. Steam the broccoli and potatoes until cooked.
2. Blend the two ingredients with the processor / blender.
3. Give the broth to taste.
BABY FOOD RECIPES - VEGETABLE INTERFERENCE
Baby food recipes
Material:
1 carrot, peeled, cut into pieces
1 piece of potato, peeled, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons green peas (can be replaced other green vegetables, eg broccoli,
zuchini, celery, etc.)
Chicken broth / meat taste (only boiled water chicken / meat, without garammaupun other seasonings)
Directions:
1. Boiled / steamed until cooked all the ingredients and puree.
2. Give the chicken broth / meat taste.
BABY FOOD RECIPES - CHICKEN SOUP
Baby food recipes
Material:
1 piece of chicken thighs, remove skin, cut meat into pieces (bones were not removed)
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces
1 stick carrot, peeled, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons green peas
500 ml water
Directions:
1. Cook all ingredients until cooked.
2. Discard the chicken bones, then puree all ingredients
BABY FOOD RECIPES - puree CARROT
Baby food recipes
Material:
2 medium carrots, peeled
Boiled water to taste
Directions:
1. Steam the carrots until tender then puree. Add water as needed.
2. Presentation: Give the carrot puree as single or mixed foods
with pulp POTATO / SWEET POTATOES porridge.
BABY FOOD RECIPES - pea puree
Baby food recipes
Material:
250 grams of fresh or frozen peas
Directions:
1. Boil peas until cooked and then mashed.
2. Strain the rough skin so do not take part inedible.
3. Presentation: Give peas puree as a single food or
mixed with porridge POTATO / SWEET POTATOES porridge.
