Hydrate with Watermelon Water!

Remember my post on Strawberry-Kiwi Water? Well, I thought I'd share another flavored water recipe, using watermelon. I know you are probably thinking that summer is over, but watermelon is a fruit that can be found year round. I have been on a watermelon frenzy lately after discovering a delicious juice recipe, so I wanted to experiment with using it in different recipes.


What you'll need: 1/2 sliced watermelon, 1 sliced mango, 5 chopped strawberries, 3-4 leaves chopped basil, 2 squirts agave nectar (or raw honey), water, ice and a pitcher to mix! Chill overnight and voilà!

Watermelon is also known to enhance moods due to Vitamins B6 and C.

In all things, give thanks!

Thanksgiving is almost here and an exercise that I would do with my counseling clients around this time of year, would be to explore reasons to be thankful. Oftentimes, if you are suffering from a mental illness, like depression, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Though the task is to not only see it, but graciously find the way towards that light.
So what are you thankful for? For the next several weeks, try reflecting on those things. I have kept an ongoing list on my cell phone of things that I am thankful for, for the past couple of years and it allows me to put life into perspective. I have also heard of people keeping a "gratitude jar", where they write their thanks givings down on paper and toss them in the jar. There is no one right way to show thanks, the most important thing is that you recognize them!

Seafood Gumbo

When it's cold outside...fix a pot of gumbo!

I live away from my family and after speaking with my mother (who made gumbo this week), I was inspired to cook my own homemade version of seafood gumbo.
My bowl of Seafood Gumbo turned out pretty tasty!
I'd love to share this recipe with you, though it is very intricate. If interested, please send me an email at jennifer@food-mood.org and I'll be happy to send my recipe your way!

Turmeric and Depression

Here's a tidbit about turmeric: Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have used it as a treatment for depression for many years.

In addition to treating depression, turmeric aids in the following:
  • improvement of blood circulation
  • treatment of digestive disorders
  • stabilization of blood sugar levels
  • stops new growth of new blood vessels in tumors
  • treatment for arthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
  • & many many more benefits!
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family
Turmeric is a spice and can be taken in powder or pill form. Head on over to Vitacost and take a look at all of their affordable turmeric products. The site is having a Veterans Day sale right now, so you may find some really good deals!

Be sure to consult with your doctor before you begin taking turmeric. Also remember, that it is not a substitute to psychotropic medications.

Got a cold? Clear it up!

It's that time of the year when cold/flu season is upon us. Here's a quick recipe that I tweaked from my father's "hot tottie".

So, I mentioned it was "tweaked", right? You can expect it to be cold and lacking in alcohol! It's definitely kid friendly, if I may add. *smile*

Happy Immunity!! 
I grabbed four of my mason jars and filled each with the following:
  • chopped ginger root - the more the merrier, but less for kiddos
  • 1/4 squeezed lemon juice (including the wedge)
  • 1 tbs of 100% orange juice
  • 1 tbs of raw apple cider vinegar (take a look at the ACV benefits here)
  • 1 tbs of raw organic honey
  • water
You can drink yours hot, but I prefer to drink mine chilled and first thing in the morning (1 jar per day). It also helps to jumpstart your metabolism as you get your day started.

Banana-Cinnamon Smoothie Recipe

Maybe you remember my post regarding my colonoscopy this past May, well I am still experiencing random stomach pangs. After the colonoscopy, I learned that my colon was in fact "healthy", but I knew that my concern was still valid.

It wasn't until recently that I decided to learn more about fiber and the downfalls of having too much fiber in your diet. Who knew that you could have too much fiber?! If you have heard me speak, you know that I am all about having a "balanced" diet, as opposed to being obsessed over counting calories and grams. The average DV intake for fiber is between 25-35 grams. Yikes! It appeared that I needed to cut way back on my fiber intake and so far so good (it has only been 1 week)!

For the past 3 years, I have been accustomed to having a green smoothie almost each morning. However, with eating a lot of fruits and veggies throughout the day and night, I realized that perhaps drinking my green smoothies every day can be altered to every other day.

Here is a recipe that I enjoy on the days where I need a nutritious, filling smoothie...minus the greens:
  • 2 bananas
  • 2 tbs of powdered cinnamon
  • almond milk
  • water
  • ice
**The amount of almond milk, water and ice is purely based on how you want the consistency of the smoothie to be.**

Cinnamon is known to regulate the body's blood sugar, by helping to stabilize energy and mood levels.

Bananas contain tryptophan, which can lift also lift moods and is a natural source of energy.

Cheers to a healthy, balanced gut!!

Meaty Mushroom Recipe

There are very few ingredients that I absolutely love cooking with and two of which happen to be mushrooms and garlic. I thought I would post a delicious recipe that I made that includes both of my favorites.

This is a quick and easy recipe to make as your side item or a full plate, if you are a vegan/vegetarian!

Ingredients:
  • 2 garlic bulbs
  • fresh mushrooms (you can add as many and an assorted variety as you like)
  • scallions (pending on the amount of mushrooms you use) 
  • 1 tbs of chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tbs of olive oil
  • garlic salt and pepper
In a saucepan, add the olive oil. Once the olive oil is warm, toss in all of the ingredients and sprinkle on the garlic salt and pepper. Sauté until the mushrooms are tender.

Enjoy!