Foods Alive Feature Recipe & Newsletter
A MATTER OF EMOTIONS
Laughter, happiness and joy nourish the heart while negative emotions like worry, frustrations, sadness and anger lay a big heap of junk at the entry to our heart, liver, kidneys and lungs.
Frightening news can literally make our hearts and breathing stop. Anger and disgust can make your blood boil. Intense grief constricts the chest and breathing becomes shallow. Kidneys and bowels can do funny things when you are scared out of your wits. Need I say more about the connection between emotions and your body?
Some believe that it is only a matter of time before organ functions become compromised if we don’t let go of old hurts. Some say that we become sad, depressed or angry when the organs that relate to a particular emotion do not get nourishment and are overloaded with toxins. Does this remind you of the classic chicken or the egg syndrome? We do know that the body produces chemicals to get us out of a pickle, but a continuous drip of adrenalin in our blood stream is not cool. The body does not know the difference between real or perceived danger.
There is much to be said for happy day to day simply living. Including exercise and fresh air in your lifestyle infuses the brain and heart with feel-good chemicals. Cutting out sugar and/or fat from your diet will decrease feelings of anxiety.
Social isolation is heart breaking and aggravates high blood pressure. Getting involved in a community project or helping your neighbour is healing to heart and soul. I am much looking forward to presenting a workshop for the spouses of our members of Parliament in Ottawa this week. It’s very exciting to take my dream that started as community involvement across Canada. This week’s recipe is pure brain food with ample calcium. It is full of Omega’s to keep joints and arteries well oiled. Lots of heart healthy calories so perfect food for the active child or athlete. I am sending off a jar for my 5 year old granddaughter in Helena along with a box of Apple-Flax Krumbleez.
TYLYN’S BRAIN BOOSTER BUTTER
½ cup tahini
1 tbsp raw honey
1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp hemp or flax oil (optional)
1 or 2 tbsp spring water
½ tsp cinnamon.
Hemp hearts (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl and stir . Add a little more water if needed for spreadable consistency. Sprinkle a tsp of hemp hearts on the spread before serving.