I found a list of get-happy foods in Woman’s Day Magazine recently. Unfortunately, chocolate didn’t make the list. WHATEVER! All I know is Husband will be in BIG trouble if he ever offers me a can of sardines when I’m PMSing! Anyway, here it is…snacks to boost your mood:

The Best Get-Happy Foods
-from Woman’s Day Magazine, by Abigail L. Cuffey

Fight stress and depression with five nutrient-buffed snacks. Sorry, ice cream isn’t on the list! But the following foods do have nutrients that can help fight stress and depression, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Eat Your Way to Happiness.

Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits:
Mood-Boosting Ingredient: Vitamin C
This vitamin helps you cope better in stressful times by lowering your levels of stress hormones. If you get a lot regularly, you’ll feel calmer during tough situations.

Nuts:
Mood-Boosting Ingredients: Vitamin E, arginine (an amino acid) and magnesium
A handful of nuts will keep you full and satisfied because they have a low glycemic index-which means they don’t jack up your blood sugar levels and cause mood swings. It also makes you feel good to eat something that seems decadent (they’re considered a little bit naughty because they’re high in fat) but actually has health benefits.

Leafy greens:
Mood-Boosting Ingredient: Folic Acid
Research has shown that the folic acid in leafy greens such as kale and spinach can reduce depression and even improve blood flow to the brain. If you’re not eating at least one serving per day you’re more than likely low in folic acid, so try getting more or consider taking a multivitamin that contains it.

Salmon:
Mood-Boosting Ingredient: DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid)
The omega-3s in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines have been found to improve your mood while lowering the risk of depression and age-related memory loss. The depression link is so strong that American Psychiatric Association suggests that anyone taking antidepressants and/or going through therapy also boost her intake of omega 3s.

Dried cherries:
Mood-Boosting Ingredients: Potassium, magnesium and vitamin C
These nutrients all work to curb your body’s stress response. Dried cherries also keep your brain healthy because they’re packed with antioxidants (including vitamin C), which prevent damage to your brain cells that can lead to memory problems.

Tags: citrus, dried cherries, foods to boost your mood, get happy foods, leafy greens, mood lifters, nuts, salmon

The Progressive Nut Chopperis one of the handiest tools in my kitchen. If you’ve ever tried chopping a cutting board full of pecans or almonds (or any nut for that matter), you already know that it’s no easy task. This is where the Nut Chopper comes to the rescue. I just did a little experiment to prove my point. I measured out one cup of whole pecans (shelled, of course), filled the nut hopper of the Nut Chopper with them, set the timer then started turning the crank handle. I had the whole cup of nuts chopped in less than 30 seconds.

The Nut Chopper is made of plastic, has a non-skid base and is dishwasher safe. It also has measurement lines so you can easily measure the chopped nuts. For less than $15,a Nut Chopper is one of those indispensable kitchen tools that has made my life easier. And it makes a great gift for a baker!

Tags: Cooking Gadgets, nut chopper, nut grinder, nuts

My first attempt at making granola was a few years ago around the holidays. I gave a sample of it to a few friends to try and they both liked it so much they made it themselves to package up and give out as teacher’s gifts for Christmas. I’d say that’s a hearty stamp of approval!

The recipe calls for rolled oats (the old-fashioned kind not the instant) and REAL maple syrup. You can use pretty much any dried fruit and nut combination that makes you happy (I used dried cherries in the above photo). Be sure to add the dried fruit AFTER the granola comes out of the oven.  

For other recipe ideas, check out Ultimate Recipe Swap.

Granola
- adapted from an Alton Brown recipe – www.foodnetwork.com
Makes 6 servings.

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 to 2 cups dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, cherries, blueberries, etc.)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add dried fruit and mix until evenly distributed.

Tags: coconut, dried cherried, dried cranberries, dried fruit, granola, nuts, oats, pecans

Pecans are the only food that astronauts do not have to treat and dehydrate when flying in space.

Almonds are members of the peach family.

The peanut is a vegetable and a member of the pea family.

- from The Ultimate Book of Useless Information by Noel Botham & The Useless Information Society

Tags: nuts, pecans