Foods that Make you Mean

Do you find yourself grumbling at co-workers, barking at your mate, or in the middle of a road rage attack? Did you ever stop to think maybe you’re not really a bitch, but maybe your blood sugar levels are the culprit?

Nothing affects your mood more than what you put in your mouth. Food can be the best medicine and the worst poison for your brain and what comes out of your mouth. The brain depends on blood sugar for all of its energy and if you are not providing it enough fuel regularly or junk fuel it will not function properly.

A meal high in sugar and refined foods raises the hormone insulin which raises blood glucose and gives you a shot of energy. However, your energy plummets as quickly as it soars, leaving you cranky and lethargic, ready to snap at the slightest irk.

What are highly refined/processed foods you ask? Simply put: JUNK FOOD. These foods are not really made from food but rather from chemically altered substances like hydrogenated fats and cheap, low quality sugars like high fructose corn syrup. Using common sense it is easy to discern a fake, processed food from real food. Does it come in a bright colored plastic package? Is the list of ingredients sound more like a chemistry experiment than a recipe? Is it a fluorescent color? Do you feel compelled to eat the whole package in one sitting? If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, chances are you are face to face with a mood-killing food that will spike and plummet your blood sugar and leave you mean, nasty or depressed, looking for your next victim to lash out on.

Valentine’s Day is this coming Sunday. If you have a hot date, a stay-at-home with your sweetie night, or a girls/guys night out, keep your blood sugar even-Steven, keeping you sweet, sexy and attractive by:
- eating every 4 hours
- avoid refined sugar and highly processed junk foods
- eat clean protein and healthy fats at every meal
- carry a piece of fruit or some raw nuts with you when you are having a long stretch of time without eating

Enjoy and Be Sweet 

Stay Tuned for tips on replacing junk foods with high quality foods that boost your mood....

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Healthy Valentine's Dinner

Staying in for Valentine's Day? Whether you are on a budget or not, staying home and cooking a healthy meal is a great way to save on calories, funds and show someone that you really care. Here's a heart healthy meal idea for your Valentine's Day.

Seared Salmon with Cilantro-Cucumber Salsa (Serves 4)

Ingredients:
½ cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, halved lengthwise again and thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1 inch julienne
2 tbsp chopped shallot or red onion
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for garnish
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 ½ tsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
½ tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
4 wild salmon fillets, each 4-5 ounces
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Lime wedges for garnish

Directions:
Combine the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, shallot and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, ½ oil, honey, pepper flakes and salt. Pout this mixture over the cucumber mixture and toss. In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat ½ tsp of oil over medium heat. Add the fish to the pan and cook, turning once, until opaque throughout when tested with a knife, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Transfer the salmon to plates and top each with ¼ of the salsa. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

Serve with a delicious salad like this one:

Beet Salad
Recipe of the Month: Beet Salad

4 cups of greens (arugula, baby spinach or mixed greens will do)
4 medium red or golden beets, stems and root ends removed
1/3 cup of walnuts, chopped
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
2 oz. goat cheese

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Wrap each beet in foil. Roast until soft, about 1 hour. Cool slightly; remove foil. Rub off skins; cut into wedges. Toss with nuts and vinegar and serve over a bed of greens. Season with salt and pepper. Add oil, toss and add crumbled goat cheese on top. Enjoy!

Then finish off with an incredible vegan dessert that won't make your stomach explode!

2 dates, chopped
1 banana
2 tbsp of peanut or almond butter
2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp of agave nectar
1/4 cup soy, almond, or coconut milk
3 to 4 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in a blender. Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with some fresh berries. Serves about 3.

Folks, I made up this recipe and I never measure when I cook. So this is an "estimation recipe". You want to keep it thick like a mousse so add the liquid slowly. Add more if you need it. It's really delicious, I promise.