Brain Healthy Christmas Cookies to Spread the Joy

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Holidays and special events…we all overeat, especially at Christmas.  It is so hard to turn away and not indulge during the celebrations. Every specialty food is loaded with preservatives, additives and yes…sugar.  But I have found a Christmas Cookie which gives the perfect ingredients for the proper, nutritious feeding of our head brains and our gut brains without excess sugar.

These cookies date back to the middle ages when the advent of celebrating the birth of Christ began to replace traditional European solstice rituals.  Around this same time, commerce instigated gastronomic changes into the world of cooking, particularly introducing foreign spices.

Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper, along with other spices, were just starting to become widely used with dried exotic fruits like citron, apricots and dates adding sweetness and texture to desserts.

These ingredients, along with sugar were not always readily available and quite expensive.  Combined with lard or butter, gastronomic treats hosting these ingredients would have been prized as expensive delicacies.  Only on the most important holiday could families afford treats like these which led to a baking bonanza to prepare for Christmas.

And unlike pies or cakes, cookies could be easily shared and given to friends and neighbors. Christmas cookies date back to these medieval gifts.

For example peppery Papparkakor from Sweden, lemony Krumkake from Norway, almond flavored Letterbanket from Holland and/or spicy Lebkuchen from Germany are traditional Christmas delicacies.

Granted, however similar, ingredients today are not the same ingredients of the middle ages.  So in translating traditional ingredients for modern day ingredients, we have two basic ‘good head brain and gut brain’ problems…flour, specifically gluten, and sugar.  In analyzing these historic Christmas cookie recipes for healthy brain ingredients, Lebkuchen from Germany, holds the best promise as it calls for no flour, you can make it low sugar and it has a high ratio of nuts.  Honestly:  this recipe is a bit involved but the taste without the guilt is so worth the effort.  Treat you and yours.  Merry Christmas.

Thanks go to economist David D. Friedman for his medieval German cookbook research and Kimberly Killebrew, her website, The Daring Gourmet, for the inspiration for making this dish brain food accessible.

 

German Lebkuchen

Ingredients

  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups honey
  • 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups almond meal
  • 2 cups hazelnut meal ^
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 teaspoons Lebkuchengewürz, homemade preferred(see **below for the recipes)
  • 4 ounces candied lemon peel, homemade preferred, **
  • 4 ounces candied orange peel, homemade preferred, **
  • Blanched whole almonds cut in half lengthwise +

^I did not have any hazelnut meal in the pantry so I used 4 cups of almond meal and cookies were superb!

+just buy sliced Almonds at grocery

For the Chocolate Glaze:

  • 3 ounces quality dark chocolate powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil – do not use butter

Directions: Place chocolate and oil in a small bowl and slowly heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. If glaze becomes firm, reheat.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Pulse candied lemon and orange peel in a food processor until finely minced. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the sugar, honey and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
4. Add the ground almonds and hazelnuts, salt, baking powder, Lebkuchengewürz, and candied lemon and orange peels and stir vigorously until thoroughly combined. (You can use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat for about 2 minutes). The mixture will be wet but if it is too thin to scoop add some more almond or hazelnut meal.
5. Scoop blobs of the mixture onto a greazed or parchment paper lined cookie sheet and press down with the bottom of a glass to make flat. Dip glass in bit coconut oil if dough sticks.
6. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25-28 minutes. Remove the cookie sheet and allow to cool completely.
7. Once cooled, place a wire rack over a cookie sheet (to catch the drippings). Dip half the Lebkuchen in the chocolate glaze letting the excess drip back into the bowl and then place the Lebkuchen on the wire rack. Arrange 3 almonds on each Lebkuchen while the glaze is still wet and leave out to hardened.
8. Keep stored in an airtight container or in refrigerator to keep chocolate solid if you have hot Christmas weather. They will keep for several weeks and the flavor improves with time.
9. Makes about 35

 

Authentic Lebkuchengewürz (German Holiday Spice Blend)**

THE essential ingredient to authentic tasting Lebkuchen, absolutely NOTHING compares to the bold and vibrant flavors of homemade Lebkuchengewürz!
Servings: 4 tablespoons

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground green cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions–Combine the spices together and store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place for up to one year.

 

How to Make non sugary Candied Lemon and Orange Peels**

Store bought candied citrus peels coated in crystallized sugar loaded with preservatives and additives is NOT what we want. Honey is the answer.  Plus the taste is so much nicer.  (These homemade citrus peels are the 2nd key to good tasting Lebkuchen.)

 

Ingredients

  • Peels from 3 oranges and 4 lemons (Can also use grapefruits, Meyer lemons, limes as long as washed and scrubed as citrus is highly sprayed. Use organic if possible.)
  • 2 cups water
  • ¾ cup honey

 

Instructions:

  1. Slice both ends of the citrus fruits and remove peel. You can remove a little of the white pith but not necessary.  (I just keep all my citrus peels and store in freezer and pull out when needed.) Slice the peels into ¼ inch wide strips.
  2. Cover peels in water and boil for 15 minutes, pour in a colander to drain and rinse twice.
  3. Boil 2 cups fresh water and honey to blend honey. Bring peels to a boil then simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally or until peels become translucent.
  4. Use splotted spoon to remove peels to a wire rack to drip dry. Save excess syrup and add to your smoothie or hot tea.
  5. You can wait to cool to immediately use in Lebkuchen or keep drying for one or two days. Can store in airtight container in refrigerator for few months.

 

YOU Decide the Validity of This Alzheimer’s Treatment Study

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“What do I think of this latest Alzheimer’s treatment?” was the question given with this article in a recent FaceBook conversation announcing the results of a Phase II Trial just embarked by West Virginia University.  (Here is the link to the Facebook conversation, feel free to comment.)

Have a Quick Read: 775 Words, approximately 6 Minutes

Following a good four hour+ investigative behind the scenes research quest…here are the cliff notes…

 

The Study Background:

Insightec, out of Israel, makes a helmet MRI/Ultrasound machine which is the machine used to treat Alzheimer’s  in the phase II study done through West Virginia University School of Medicine Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.  This is the first study done in the US, where they separated the blood brain barrier (BBB) with this machine and kept it open for 36 hours.

 

But does it treat Alzheimer’s?  That is the question, followed by what is the promise and what are the specifics?

 

How it Works:

Through sound waves, the ultrasound finds targeted tissues and by increasing the power of the waves trough MRI observation, these tissues are disintegrated.  The machine has been successful with 1.  destroying uterine fibroids or leiomyomas/myomas and 2. after specifically targeting bone nerves, the machine destroys nerve cells at the outermost area of the affected bone to relieve pain.  (If you have ever known anyone with bone cancer you know bone cancer gives pain a new definition, it floods intolerable torturous pain.)

 

While opening the BBB is NOT the cure for Alzheimer’s, the goal of the study is to keep the BBB open to allow ‘medicines’ in to destroy or, through perhaps an additional ultrasound technique, to clear beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

 

My Opinion:

A now retired Dr. David Snowden, PhD spent nearly 25 years studying the brains of nearly 1000 nuns from various convents in the Midwest to understand the causes of Alzheimer’s. These nuns donate their brains to science where after their death, Snowden and his teams extensively dissected, analyzed and probed every brain.

There is so much to be pulled out of Snowden’s study but the main concept, theory, observation was that those nuns who died of Alzheimer’s had the same amount of beta amyloid plaques in their brains as those who died with their full cognizance, with a full functioning brain.

That needs repeating:  the nuns that died from old age or other non Alzheimer’s causes whether an automobile accident, cancer or pneumonia, where they had their full cognition right prior to their death, had the same amount of beta amyloid plaques as those nuns who died while in the full onset,  final stages of Alzheimer’s.

As a brain researcher concentrating on dementia, I’ve got an electronic filing cabinet drawer on beta amyloid plaques and their ‘place’ in the brain. Based on my research, beta amyloid plaques are formed as a protective measure.  They are needed by the brain.

For these ‘cliff notes’ let me just say removing beta amyloid plaques is not the answer, rightly as Snowden and his study of near 1000 nuns showed us.  He has written a book on his study or studies called Aging with Grace.

Opening up the BBB via The Phase II Trial conducted by West Virginia University School of Medicine Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute using Insightec MRI/Ultrasound machine to get rid of the beta amyloid plaques… is questionable.

 

There are three main causes of dementia/Azheimer’s. The proven key, what has worked to reverse dementia in thousands of invaded patients. is to get to the root of the cause of the symptoms and then counter the prognosis or projection.  Through my 9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal/Memory Retention Map, (the map found here, the explanation here), we go step by step with an individualized plan to find and keep your memory. First we scrutinize your causes through medical testing and  your medical history topped with analysis to develop your individualized plan.  The remainder 8 steps follow to find equilibrium and balance in your body, in your brain and in your mind so to keep it fully functioning, for the rest of your life!

 

Would I subject my mother or father to this procedure of the Insightec machine?  Absolutely not.

 

What do I say to/about this study? 

  1. I’ll be watching. There will be a couple of years for trials to be finalized. Again, hats off to those searching for a clue.
  2. Insightec has a business to run and machines to sell. They’ve done well with dissolving myomas and alleviating pain from bone cancers. Has it justified their ROI? Are they trying to find another means for the machine?
  3. UVW, like all other universities, has to prove their worth and showcase their productivity to ensure steady stream of government and private funding.

 

Here is the other side of the story.  What is your decision?

 

Send me more articles and question me about other studies and new drugs targeted to treating Alzheimer’s!

 

If I can ever help you or yours, reach out.  Schedule a 10-5 minute free call by clicking here to see if you/yours would be a candidate for my 9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal/Memory Retention Protocol where we see full results in 3-4 months, immediate changes in as little as two weeks.  And if not for the full program, I can at least provide a lengthy strategy session or make recommendations so to get back your memory and keep it, to keep your brain fully and successfully functioning.

I stand ready to help and assist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule a quick free strategy session click here.

For more information on my 9 Step Alzheimer’s/dementia Reversal Map/Plan click here.

Janet is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and former Dementia Healthcare Administrator.  After years of being at the bedside, holding your mother’s hand trying to caress the dementia way, Janet immersed herself in brain research, attended two neurological ‘brain health schools’ and has been trained in the Dale Bredesen, MD Dementia Reversal RECODE Program.  Now Janet is on a mission to power up people’s brains to prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias and reverse cognitive impairment.  She has a 9 Step Process and counsels many one-on-one, learn about it here. Learn more about Janet here.

 

The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or to be a substitute for advice from your healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health.   

My Full Disclosure is Here:

More Discounted to FREE Prescription Drugs (This is not Spam or an Advertisement)

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3 Minute Video on a discounted/free prescription drug company.

Few weeks ago I sent out a quick video giving away the name and web address of a company that searches for the lowest price of your prescription drugs from retailers in your area. A girlfriend told me about it, finding her friend’s mother’s drugs 80% off what they were normally paying. If you missed the video, I’ve include the link here. I have found another pharmacy company that offers substantial discounts on medicines and some medicines are even free.

Full disclosure: there is no affiliation whatsoever with these companies. In the first video I made touting the first company, I sent it to all my electronic magazine subscribers, I have a couple of thousand, the magazine is free, called On The Brain, and two to three times a month I send out quick information on how to have a healthy brain.

I’m Janet Rich Pittman, a dementia practitioner specializing in dementia prevention and dementia reversal. Dementia is a disease, it is not part of normal again, it can be prevented and in most cases, even reversed. There is no magic pill but there are ways, methods, procedures…I have a 9 step process in three tiers where I counsel 1-1 to families to get that brain functioning so to continue to enjoy life and make wonderful memories.

My mother, is a subscriber, she called me right up and said honey, don’t you know about my drug company? Don’t you know I get practically all my medicines for free? And I didn’t. She told me about Optimum RX. They are a pharmacy benefit manager PBM, a subsidiary of United HealthCare in operation with AARP. I did some research on them and unfortunately they have 7 pages of bad reviews over the last 20 months but my mom who is a stickler for details, is okay with them. More importantly, she gets most of her medicines for free. For what it is worth, investigate Optimum RX.

Optimizing health benefits for you, I’m Janet Rich Pittman, a dementia practitioner, but your brain health specialist counseling to prevent and REVERSE dementia.

From her recent training based on clinical trials and scientifically proven studies,  Janet has developed a 9 step process, with results staring in 4 months or less, where she counsels those whose mind is being vacuumed away by Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and develops a reversal protocol plan of action for them so they can continue to enjoy life and make memories.  For more information click here. 

 

Janet is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and former Dementia Healthcare Administrator.  After years of being at the bedside, holding your mother’s hand trying to caress the dementia way, Janet immersed herself in brain research, attended two neurological ‘brain health schools’ and has been trained in the Dale Bredesen, MD Dementia Reversal RECODE Program.  Now Janet is on a mission to power up people’s brains to prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias and reverse cognitive impairment.  She has a 9 Step Reversal Process and counsels many one-on-one. Learn more about Janet here.

 

 The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or to be a substitute for advice from your healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health. 

 

 

 

Here is my 9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal/ Memory Retention MAP!

 

Click here to schedule a quick 10-15 minute call to see if this is right for you or yours!

 

Why Coffee is a Top Brain Food: Interview on Dublin Ireland’s FM104:

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The folks in Ireland want to know about the benefits of drinking coffee. A radio station from Dublin called me out of the blue. They had seen me quoted in a magazine and asked to interview me.

11 Minute Radio Interview

I’ve included the link at the end for you to listen to the interview, what fun with my slow southern idoms and their fast Irish Gaelic! The interview is only 11 minutes but before you click it, let me just tell you what I did not have time to say on the air.

Coffee is a TOP brain food, but it is not for everyone. I give speeches all the time about brain foods and eating for your brain. For some people though, coffee can have negative side effects, two main problems from coffee abuse, you can eat out the lining of your bladder and in synergy with other items, coffee abuse is linked with high blood pressure—and both of these leads to a host of other brain health problems. Plus, for some it just gives them the jitters.

So the question stands, what do you do?

That’s where I come in, your dementia practitioner and brain health specialist.

As a former dementia healthcare administrator, I went back to school and these last few years I have rooted myself in brain research relating to dementia, Alzheimer’s especially, and I have studied under the doctors who have reversed cognitive decline under scientific study and clinical trials. Under their protocols I have developed a 9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal/Memory Retention Map which I specifically tailor to you or through you for a loved one.

Results as soon as Two Weeks!

We can see results in as little as two weeks, but to get a firm latch on your cognizance it takes roughly 3 to 4 months (and we continue to build and improve for a full 12 months!).

Nutrition is definitely one of my 9 steps to getting your Brain in Gear, we go over brain foods and coffee is one of them but it is not for everyone.

9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal and Memory Retention Map

Enjoy this 11 minute radio show on how drinking coffee can be good for your brain. And if you would like to talk about your situation, you give me your story and we can develop a plan of action for you, please make a free appointment for a videocall. Let me know if I can help you.

I’m Janet Rich Pittman, a Dementia Practitioner but YOUR Brain Health Specialist, helping you find your memory, reverse Alzheimer’s via a 9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal and Memory Retention Map so you can age successfully. Enjoy the Irish radio recording!

Click here to listen to the interview on Dublin Ireland’s FM104

You Tub Link for video of this post click here

To talk with Janet click here to schedule an appointment

 

From her recent training based on clinical trials and scientifically proven studies,  Janet has developed and facilitates a 9 Step Alzheimer’s/Dementia Reversal/Memory Retention Protocol lasting 3 to 4 months, with results experienced in as little as two weeks, where she counsels and works with those whose mind is being vacuumed away by Alzheimer’s or other dementias.  Janet helps you to find and keep your memory, so you can continue to enjoy life and make memories.

 

The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your condition or to be a substitute for advice from your main healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health.

                                                                                                                                                     www.JanetRichPittman.com

Discounted Prescription Drugs in Your Area (This is not Spam or an Advertisement)

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Here is 1.45min video of text below.  Let me know if you use this company, if there is anything I should know about it or if you have an additional recommendation.

She is 62 and a ½ marathon runner, that is 13.1 miles by the way.  We are in the same running group and boy is she an inspiration.  Twice a week we gather after our run for a hydration and/or meal and social time.

Knowing that I help seniors stricken with memory loss find their memory and get their brain in gear, and I also help their families too, Marathoner Cindy told me about an on line prescription drug company that may help those that I help.

She and her friend found her friend’s father’s heart medicine 80% cheaper than what she was currently paying.  Simply you enter your zip code and then name of the medicine and out pops a listing of the retail establishments that carry this medicine at the cheapest prices.  I was most impressed.  They were in shock.

I am a migraneur and I look up my migraine medicine.  It was about the same price, so not cost savings for me.

But for you?  Who knows.  It’s worth a try.

GoodRx.com

Full disclosure here:  there is no financial relation.  This company does not know me from Adam, they don’t even know what I do.  And that is I help those suffering cognition problems, us middle agers to seniors having trouble keeping our memory, help them find it and get it back, help them prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias from taking over their brains, taking over their lives!  I have a 9 step simple process.  If you need help please let me know. Here is my on line booking for a free 15+ minute call.

I’m Janet Rich Pittman, a dementia practitioner but I am YOUR brain health specialist.  GoodRx and Good Luck!

From her recent training based on clinical trials and scientifically proven studies,  Janet has developed a 9 step process, with results staring in 4 months or less, where she counsels those whose mind is being vacuumed away by Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and develops a reversal protocol plan of action for them so they can continue to enjoy life and make memories.  For more information click here. 

Janet is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and former Dementia Healthcare Administrator.  After years of being at the bedside, holding your mother’s hand trying to caress the dementia way, Janet immersed herself in brain research, attended two neurological ‘brain health schools’ and has been trained in the Dale Bredesen, MD Dementia Reversal RECODE Program.  Now Janet is on a mission to power up people’s brains to prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias and reverse cognitive impairment.  She has a 9 Step Reversal Process and counsels many one-on-one. Learn more about Janet here.

 

 The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or to be a substitute for advice from your healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health. 

 

 

 

Here is my 9 Step Alzheimer’s Reversal/ Memory Retention MAP!

 

Click here to schedule a quick 10-15 minute call to see if this is right for you or yours!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making it Through the 4th, Secrets to Eating Right

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You’re following my emails, blog posts and FaceBook posts giving hints and facts of eating to make you ‘brain smart’ and age ‘successfully’ and healthy. You’re feeling great. But now it’s time to go out to or host the BBQ gathering for the 4th.

Complete with BBQ pork ribs or pulled pork laden with sauce loaded with high fructose corn syrup, HFCS, and other preservative chemicals, a typical 4th of July food table will most probably abundantly host store made potato salad and cole slaw, potato chips, jarred spinach dip, corn chips, hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids, complete with water melon, maybe a box cake with red, white and blue icing and/or ‘gourmet’ cookies size of mini Frisbees.

And that is just the food.

What about ice chest full of sodas, red and blue dye sugar drinks, did you read my article We Are Dying Our Brains? get it here, various beers and low and behold pina coladas and daiquiri’s from bottled premix.

Of course this table and all its accoutrements is the center piece of any July 4th outing. Except for the watermelon and drowned cabbage in the slaw, the table serves no brain foods.

Okay, so what do you serve?

Here is a list of typical 4th of July foods, why they are brain bad for you complete with suggested substitutions.

Store Potato Salad
Why Bad: White potato is one of 5 White Brain Damaging foods. For the others check out the article I wrote here. Plus, what is that white stuff? Dairy? Oil? What type of oil?
Replacement Suggestion: If you have time to make homemade mayo and make your own pickles (some store bought are okay, read the ingredients!!!!) power to you and could you please come to my house? Like me, many of us are still trying to figure out if we invited everyone and who did we leave out along with what is the total to feed going to be and where is the grocery list again? much less cook all day for this event. So, tonight when you go to bed toss in the oven a couple of medium sweet potatoes cut into chunks with skin on and doused in olive oil, bake for about 30-40 minutes because you want them chewy smooth, not mush. Keep in the fridge or if ready to make the salad, add slices of apples (be sure to coat, maybe soak a bit first in real lemon juice so they will not turn brown), raisins and throw in some nuts, roasted walnuts or pecans and salt and pepper to taste. Viola! Great potato salad. (Yea, I always keep sweet potatoes in my refrige for quick go to side dish.)

Store Cole Slaw
Why Bad: Again, what’s the white stuff? Oil? Preservatives? Your brains don’t know how to digest all the hydrogenated oils and it is true torture to our brain cells. (Stay tuned for the how and why, that is my next big article.)
Replacement Suggestion: Buy your own cut up cabbage and add your own homemade mayo, recipe given below except add extra garlic or hot sauce or both. OR you could make a quick balsamic dressing with balsamic vinegar and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Not for the kids? What about ranch? Search the internet and make your own ranch dressing, yes there is a way, bit involved but taste is all natural and NOT commercial, so good for the kids!!! You’ll love it too!

Chips
Why Bad: Again, white potato problem, it’s a White Brain Damaging food. Why? How? Check out 5 White ‘Brain Damaging’ Foods article I wrote here. Plus it is cooked in hydrogenated omega 6 rich bad fat. Over time, omega 6 oils really do a number on your brain. (Again, that article is coming.)
Replacement Suggestion: if using for a base for a dip try sliced cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash as crackers. For a snack,concentrate on serving good dips.  Keep reading, recipes coming.

Jarred Spinach Dip:
Why Bad: It’s a time issue, I get it. But there is nothing natural in that jar of spinach pulled off the rack by the potato chips. I mean really? Again, what is that white stuff.  To be honest, I am afraid to even read the ingredients.
Replacement Suggestion: Make your own spinach dip with homemade mayo, recipe below, and drained and thawed from frozen spinach from the grocery. Throw in few sprinkles of Cajun seasoning, be adventurous and add chopped water chestnuts, jalapeno peppers, cherry tomatoes or red bell pepper. No homemade mayo? When you make a batch once a week, there is no going back. Still no time, go to the gourmet deli cooler in the grocery, pick up spinach dip container and read the ingredients.
How to eat it? Celery hunks are GREAT for scooping, say NO to corn chips!

What about adding some of these following suggested items to your 4th of July table?

Homemade Hummus
How to make it easy: Once a month I soak, then boil up a bag of garbonzo beans, drain, cool, divide up and load one cup into a zip lock bag and freeze. When time to cook, I thaw out a bag night before and get up few minutes early and make the dip when I finish making breakfast. See another easy recipe below. Of course you have not done this for this forth gathering, but maybe next time or next event. For now, buy a can of garbanzo or chick peas at the store. Check the ingredients.
Replacement Suggestion: store bought hummus in the deli cooler, read the ingredients.
Dip with celery hunks, sliced cucumbers, zucchini and/or yellow squash.

Homemade Guacamole
How to make it easy: Easy is an understatement. Making fresh guac is time consuming. Actually peeling and seeding the avocados is the heavy time consuming part. So, next time, divide it up. Buy your avocados say week before needed. For the ripe avocados, peel and pull out the seed the night before you have to whip it up and serve the dip.  For storage, make sure you seal well so flesh will not brown. Then toss all ingredients together and poof, great guac at hand. I do have a great guac recipe but I do not have it ready at this article publication date. Stay tuned.
Replacement Suggestion: You can find all natural store made guac but I have not found one that is fantastic. If you have, tell us from what store and let’s try it out!

 

The 4th of July, it’s a fun event. I get it and it only happens once a year. But instead of grabbing or serving a box cake and Frisbee size cookies, celebrate the summer with blackberry almond/coconut flour cobbler or simple watermelon slices along with all your other foods you have made substitutions for.

If time is not on your side, just serve your best. Hopefully this article will plant a seed, giving other ways of eating healthy for both your brains.

Want more suggestions for everyday substitutions? Check out my three page white paper 5 Secrets to Getting Your Gut-in-Gear, click here for the link.

Maybe you could make spinach dip and hummus your ‘go to’ quick and easy chip and dip food. Over time you will be able to snap them up and get good at improvising, adding different ingredients for additional flavors.

Concerned the kids or other family will not like it? They probably won’t, now. But if you keep serving all natural foods and making suggestions such as these given, they will have no other choice but to starve. Of course they are not going to starve, I don’t mean to be harsh, just making the point. Eventually they will come around, I promise! You are, you are coming around, right? Don’t give in, we all benefit from tough love.

Over time, your family and friends will want no one else’s _____________ (you fill in the blank) but yours.

Happy 4th of July and thank you God for giving us the freedom to make choices and substitutions.

Helping us Get our Gut-in-Gear so to keep our memory, have good brain health and age successfully.

Mayo Recipe
1 egg yolk
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice (got to be fresh or else taste is way off)
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup REGULAR olive oil (extra virgin is tooooo strong)
With an emulsion hand held stir blender, blend first five ingredients. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending. It will get very thick. If you want it a bit thinner, add little bit egg white back in. (Yes it is raw but the lemon juice and salt ‘cook’ the egg!) (What to do with extra egg white?  Throw it in your next smoothie!)

Hummus
1 can (15oz give or take) drained garbanzo beans, sometimes called chick peas (really try and boil your own because can brine is taste displeaser)
3-4 Tablespoons lemon juice (juice from one large lemon, got to be real!)
1 large clove garlic
½ cup tahini (this is sunflower seed paste concoction found in many Mediterranean dishes, can get it at the store, check the ingredients, get as all natural as possible with no additives, some processors add soy and other preservatives, again read the ingredients!)
salt and 5 or so rounds of cracked pepper
¼ teaspoon cumin
2 Tablespoons water (you could use left over egg white if making mayo)
3 Tablespoons olive oil (can be EVOO, depends on your taste)

With hand help emulsion blender or in a lid covered blender, add all ingredients except oil. After you get a paste consistency, trickle in oil to emulsify. Next time instead of cumin, add z’atar seasoning or Cajun seasoning, or sundried tomatoes and basil or add a red bell pepper or loaded it up with just garlic.

PS—these are my tried and true recipes.  Hope you enjoy! Get my 5 Secrets to Getting Your Gut-in-Gear.  You’ll get a laugh and learn too!

The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your condition or to be a substitute for advice from your main healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health.

www.JanetRichPittman.com

5 White, ‘Brain Damaging’ Foods

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They kill your brain cells, point blank. Over time, brain fog, lack of memory, and additional cognitive impairment leading to Alzheimer’s and other dementias pursues.

 

What are “they”?  The 5 white brain damaging foods.  These include:

1) white wheat flour

2) white rice

3) white corn (yes it is white when processed, when the skin is removed)

4) white potato and

5) white sugar

 

All of the above damage, stop or even kill the neurotransmitter communication between your gut brain (the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract) and your head brain (the Central Nervous System).   With no communication, the cells in both brains die.

 

Here’s how the killing spree begins:

 

It starts with gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

 

Some perspective. Did you know that we humans have nearly 23,000 genes in our bodies? Guess how many wheat gluten has? The answer: around 150,000.

 

So, in a nutshell, we can’t digest gluten, which essentially eats us, not the reverse.

According to Alessio Fasano, M.D., the father of ‘no gluten’, Harvard scientist and author of book, Gluten Freedom, whether you are a celiac disease victim or not, gluten dissolves the lining of every consumer’s small intestine allowing partially digested foods to seep out of the intestine into gut tissues, eventually ending up in your blood.  Your immune system is called in to attack these invading, partially digested food particles.

 

Think of it this way, your immune system is constantly in attack mode whenever you eat:

 

  • cereal for breakfast
  • a donut for morning snack
  • a  sandwich for lunch, along with crackers and pretzels for an afternoon snack
  • a roll with dinner or
  • a cookie for a midnight snack

 

Do this every day, 365 days a year, for all of your life (but hopefully not beyond this reading) …and your immune system never rests.  It just sort of goes mad, crazy.

As your immune system eats up all the invading chemicals, it eats up the good healthy cells too.  This is called chronic inflammation or hyper inflammation.

 

Gluten eventually gets into your blood, eats the lining of the blood vessels and breaks the blood head brain barrier where these undigested particles seep out into your brain, depositing toxins and other invading chemicals.

 

The head brain’s own separate immune system (the glyphatic system) is then called into action to flush out these foreign invaders.  BUT, it too goes mad, resulting in hyper inflammation and killing more head brain cells, the good and the bad.

 

Additionally, the blood bowel barrier is also broken where foreign invaders run rampant and hyper inflammation ensues (no one ever talks about that—hello IBS, hemorrhoids, constant diarrhea or other elimination troubles!)

 

The solution and the near instant reversal of such problems?

 

Give up the gluten!

 

AND say bye bye to white foods that turn into sugar, like white potatoes, rice and corn — all simple carbohydrates which turn immediately into sugar.

 

Did you now that consumption of excess sugar creates insulin resistance? Let’s take a look at this.

 

Insulin is needed to get nutrients into our cells. It’s also a major switching station for many processes in the body. We all know the pancreas produces insulin.  Well, our head brain also produces insulin and head brain insulin is specifically used to get nutrients into our head brain cells.

 

The more sugar we eat, the more insulin is needed to get the nutrients up in the head brain cells, until finally our brain just gets worn out and quits producing insulin, and becomes insulin resistant.

 

And really, can you blame it?  It is over worked with trying to get rid of the sugar plus it has better things to do like ensure the heart keeps beating and the lungs get enough oxygen.

Kim and Feldman from the neurology department at the University of Michigan published a study reviewing insulin resistance at the core of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Interestingly, another name for some types of dementia and varying stages of Alzheimer’s is “Diabetes III”.

Here, the insulin resistant brain cells are starving, our head brain immune system then goes mad, and all this results in hyper inflammation…all due to our MAD diet (Modern American Diet).

 

Yes, we are doing this to ourselves. The top caloric intake foods in the United States as per the US Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee: grains/dessert breads, breaded chicken, soda, pizza, alcoholic beverages and pasta.  Look at how the 5 White Damaging Brain Foods make up the top of the MAD diet and perhaps the daily diet for many of us.

 

To make sure we keep our memory and full cognizance as well as overall good health, we’ve got to treat and feed both our head brain and our gut brain with all natural, no processed foods, specifically staying away from the 5 White Brain Damaging Foods…I’ll say it again….white wheat flour, white rice, white corn, white potatoes and white sugar.

 

What you eat, affects your brain. Eat to better your brain, not damage it.

 

Helping get and keep your Gut-in-Gear so you can keep your memory, have good brain health and age successfully,

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Alessio Fasano, M.D.

https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?id=19184

Info on no gluten:

His book, Gluten Freedom

And video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=0rTAhlJ9PMM

Kim and Feldman from the neurology department at the University of Michigan published a study reviewing insulin resistance is at the core of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

https://www.nature.com/articles/emm20153

 

 

Special thanks to Healthy Meals Supreme, reprinted from their blog https://healthymealssupreme.com/5-white-brain-damaging-foods/

 

 

The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your condition or to be a substitute for advice from your main healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health.

www.JanetRichPittman.com

 

Janet is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and former Dementia Healthcare Administrator.  After years of being at the bedside, holding your mother’s hand trying to caress the dementia way, Janet immersed herself in brain research.  Now Janet is on a mission to power up people’s brains to prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias, even reverse cognitive impairment.  Learn more about Janet here.

 

President Trump, to quell the Alzheimer’s questions, here is what to do:

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(a quick 3 minute read)

Former White House Aid Omarosa Manigault Newman in her book Unhinged claims that changes in President Trump’s actions stem from his mental decline which is leading to dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s. This ‘does Trump have Alzheimer’s?’ question has been raised by opponents since his candidacy. And now various articles from Business Insider, The Hill, Page Six, Washington Examiner, USA Today, The Splinter and The Wall Street Journal , while covering Omarosa and her new book, print the question again.

The August 14, 2018 issue of Quartz Magazine specifically points out 4 examples – each of which don’t have scientific backing. In my article, “Does Trump Have Dementia? Not So Fast! “, I countered each of Omarosa’s accusations WITH scientific backing. Here is the article for your review, a quick 5 minute read.

Coupled with Business Insider’s article January 16, 2018 by Hilary Brueck “Trump got a perfect score on a screening test for dementia and Alzheimer’s”, both articles should nail shut the coffin of continual questions pertaining to Trump suffering from mild cognitive behavior.

But let’s just say, Mr. Trump does have dementia percolating in his brain.

But let’s just say, Mr. Trump does have dementia percolating in his brain. He is the president of the United States, now what? It’s not like a parent, where you are troubled by their actions, consequently seek help from a neurologist. Plus in Brueck’s article, Trump has already been through the neurological testing.

‘Presidential Brain Health Counsel’

The last step to quell the question: create a Presidential Brain Health Counsel.  Have the top Trump advisers discretely gather three, five to seven dementia experts comprised of PhDs, physicians and neurological nutritionists scattered across the county who are responsible for reversing the various diseases of dementia. After observation, blood and nutritional testing as well as brain scans and secretive mirrored observations to reflect response times, thought processing and oxygen intake(physical exertion)[your general neurologist just isn’t going to do that], the group could issue a report on President Trump’s current neurological health with a prognosis for his future head brain health. This assessment report, from the nation’s top dementia experts, would give the final answer, once and for all.

I’ve created a list of 17 scientific leaders who have reversed and curtailed the progression of various dementias, including Alzheimer’s. A ‘Presidential Brain Health Counsel’ could surely be appointed from this list. I would be more than happy to offer my continual advisement to the White House.

 

 

Omarosa raises new questions about Trump, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease but she’s got it all wrong.

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Omarosa Manigault Newman claims in her new book “Unhinged” that changes in President Trump’s actions stem from his mental decline which is leading to dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s.

As highlighted in the August 14, 2018 issue of Quartz Magazine she points out 4 examples – each of which don’t have scientific backing.  I say that as a brain health specialist and dementia practitioner, a former dementia healthcare administrator, who has spent years studying the brain and causes of dementia.

It is not mental decline Omarosa is describing, it is change in mental direction, actually mental enhancement, specifically mental perspicacity.

Let’s assess her accusations:

     “Apparent difficulty retaining new information, he doesn’t recognize new hires…”

Continual lack of instant recall, based on ill cognitive reasoning, is a precursor to dementia.  Of the 50 to 100 people the president of the US has to meet on a daily basis, as well as the dozens of issues needing attention, it is common and understandable to only remember that person who is most important to the situation at hand and the situation that calls for immediate priority.

It’s the same with memory.  Trying to stuff one more item for recall into the president’s brain holding quadrillions of facts is daunting. He is only going to immediately remember that which is most important.

Psychologist Dr. George Miller gave us the Miller Law in 1956 which holds professional acuity, to this day.  His law states the average person can only remember 7 items at once. [i]   Dr. Nelson Conway, a working memory specialist and director of the working memory laboratory at the University of Missouri says ability to remember boils down to cognitive ability combined with the amount of information to retain; for most us, we can only recall 3-5 items at a time, an average of 4 items[ii].

 

             “…reliance on notes in public speeches”

You’d be hard pressed to find a public speaker who doesn’t rely on notes or a teleprompter for their speeches. Anyone who has to deliver a speech every day, sometimes two to three a day, under the weight of being the leader of the world, would have trouble remembering what to say and scrounge for notes, especially if giving different speeches. If someone is truly suffering from dementia they may forget the purpose for their speaking engagement and could appear rattled and confused. Additionally, reference Miller’s Law.

 

          “His father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s…family history, heredity are the most important factors for determining if you will get the disease.”

According to Dr. David Perlmutter, author of various books on the brain, Grain Brain, Brain Maker and The Better Brain, genes are “a predisposition, not a determinant, meaning that while some people have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s by virtue of their genetics, that isn’t written in stone”.   Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The Ultra Mind Solution, also notes, “our genes do not dictate our destiny”.

Our surroundings and our lifestyle turn on or turn off our genes.

 

      “He’s paranoid and irritable, anything could trigger fits of rage.”

If someone has always been typically sweet yet on a consistent basis becomes very angry and mean, this could be an early sign of dementia. Yes, severe behavior and personality changes are key components of cognitive impairment.  And that is just it, Trump has always been demanding and short-tempered, key personality traits the public has been aware of since following his life’s accomplishments prior to his candidacy as well as the presidency.

 

Omarosa Manigault Newman raises the question if Alzheimer’s disease is present in Trump.  To date, a true diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can only be made post mortem.  The average viewer can attest, the president’s job is mentally demanding, taxing and trying.  Whether you like him or not, President’s Trump discernment and shrewdness in managing our nation, not Alzheimer’s or dementia, shine through his actions.

Giving the counter measure from an experienced expert, I treat you to a fair and balanced view,

 

 

 

 

[i] “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information“[1] is one of the most highly cited papers in psychology.[2][3][4] It was published in 1956 in Psychological Review by the cognitive psychologist George A. Miller of Princeton University‘s Department of Psychology. It is often interpreted to argue that the number of objects an average human can hold in working memory is 7 ± 2. This is frequently referred to as Miller’s law.

 

Miller, G. A. (1956). “The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information”. Psychological Review. 63 (2): 81–97. doi:10.1037/h0043158. PMID 13310704.

 

[ii] Nelson Cowan, George Miller’s Magical Number of Immediate Memory in Retrospect: Observations on the Faltering Progression of Science, Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2010 Feb 1; 19(1): 51–57. doi:  10.1177/0963721409359277,  PMCID: PMC2864034, NIHMSID: NIHMS167613, PMID: 20445769

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486516/

 

If you would like to read the August 14, 2018 Quartz article referenced here, click the link here.

Doctor’s Warning Against Food Additives

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is cautioning parents and pediatricians to avoid exposing children to eight chemicals found in food and in plastic packaging. But it’s not a warning that should be advised just for kids because of their small size, it should be advised for everyone! Everyone has a developing and maturing brain.

In the electronic magazine On The Brain, my article titled We’re Dying Our Brains tells about color in foods damaging our brains, young and old alike. This recent study from AAP shows us the damage plastics, found inside foods (yes, inside) and in housing foods, do not only to our brains but to our overall health.

8 Major FOOD Chemicals to Avoid

The eight chemicals they studied are:

-Nitrates (preservative in meats)
-Nitrites (preservative in meats)
-Bisphenol A or BPA (lining inside metal cans)
-Phthalates (inserted to make plastics stronger and more flexible)
-Perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) (used to keep food from sticking)
– Perchlorate (controls static electricity in food packaging)
-Polybrominated diphenyl (PBDEs) (flame retardant put in plastic packaging)
– Artificial food colorings (This study did not specifically cover individual coloring agents. See my article We’re Dying Our Brains for coloring damage details.

The damage to the brain and the body…

The chemicals nitrates and nitrites, as well as bisphenol A, or BPA, have been linked to cancer, obesity and cardiovascular disease (SN: 10/3/15, p. 12). Phthalates and perfluoroalkyl have been associated with endocrine disruption, obesity and insulin resistance, which is when cells don’t respond properly to insulin (SN Online: 2/9/12) leading to starvation of brain cells. Percholorate is known to disrupt the thyroid hormone function and polybrominated diphenyl ethers are found to be association with hypothyroidism in toddlers. Some of these chemicals may also have neurocognitive (head brain) effects, such as increased hyperactivity in children, says study coauthor Sheela Sathyanarayana, a physician and epidemiologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Because scientists are unable to test the effects of these chemicals directly in humans, evidence shows only that there is correlation, not causation, between exposure and disease.

To avoid these chemicals, the report suggests that parents, but I say all who buy, should buy fresh or frozen produce and skip processed meats packaged in plastic or food in metal cans, which can be lined with BPA. (Plastic is a major head brain disruptor, read more about it in my free booklet 9 Signs You’re Experiencing Brain Drain and How to Keep Your Brain Fully Charged.) Certainly, everyone should avoid storing foods in plastic, not allowing cooked foods to touch plastic. Also never put plastic containers in the dishwasher or microwave, as the report states heat can draw these chemicals out of plastic.

The researchers say that they hope the report prompts more strict regulation of these additives.

Bottom line, all of us who buy and cook foods for ourselves as well as for our children should know to stay away from heavily packaged and processed foods and eat as all natural as possible.  (How to get started doing that? check out my 5 Secrets to Getting Your Gut in Gear found here.)

Wishing you and all, the very best in good brain health,

 

The purpose of this information is to convey knowledge. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your condition or to be a substitute for advice from your main healthcare professional. Sincerely, I wish you and yours the very best in brain health.

www.JanetRichPittman.com

 

AAP study:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2018/07/19/peds.2018-1408

 

Science News

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pediatricians-warn-against-chemical-additives-food-kids?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=latest-newsletter-v2