2 Recipes for Mental Clarity

Sometimes I feel like I was living under a raincloud for the first twenty years of my life. Despite periods of progress, I was extremely unfocused, unorganized, and all over the place. It was difficult for me to complete tasks and to feel motivated and inspired to do so. I find it interesting that during this time I was eating processed, artificial junk food on a daily basis.

Do you notice a shift in your energy when you drink caffeine? Do you notice a difference when you drink alcohol? Eat sugar? What we put into our bodies affects us on so many levels. Sometimes food’s effects are not as obvious and sudden as the implications of caffeine and alcohol, but on a subtle level, what you choose to ingest will inevitably influence you… your body and your mind. Certain foods build our brain health, and a healthy brain will assist us in concentration and focus, clear-mindedness, making good choices, and when it comes down to it, feeling better overall!

Here are 2 unique recipes specifically designed to assist with brain function and mental clarity. They contain beneficial omega-3 fats, and they are comprised of all whole foods. When you eliminate processed foods from your diet, you will immediately notice shifts in your mood and energy level. Eating whole foods also improves digestion. When digestion is running smoothly, we are better able to process life.

Berry Good Brain Smoothie

-1 cup frozen organic berries

-1 tbsp hempseeds or chia seeds (or both mixed)

-1 cup coconut water

-1 tsp organic cold-pressed flax oil

-1 handful kale (approx.three stalks)

-1 handful spinach

-1 tsp spirulina powder (optional)

-1 tbsp raw organic almond butter OR 1tbsp raw organic coconut butter OR 1/2 avocado (optional for added texture/flavor)

-Blend all ingredients in a blender. Add or subtract ingredients to create a consistency you enjoy. Some people like thick smoothies, and some people prefer a lighter consistency.

Silly Dilly Serotonin Salmon Salad

Serves 4

Serotonin, also known as the ‘feel good chemical’ is a hormone that helps fight depression, food cravings, and insomnia… just to name a few. This salad contains specific ingredients that boost serotonin levels. Good mood food, indeed!

Ingredients:

SALAD

12 oz wild caught salmon fillet (bones removed)

¼ cup uncooked quinoa

4 cups organic mixed greens (options include arugula, spinach, romaine, kale, iceberg)

½ avocado

½ medium cucumber

-1 nori seaweed sheet

¼ cup organic raw pumpkin seeds

CREAMY RANCH DRESSING (without the cream)

½ to ¾ cup cashews (depending on consistency you desire)

¼ cup organic dill

1 clove raw garlic (peeled)

¼ chopped onion

½ cup olive oil

-sea salt

-black pepper

-fresh lemon juice (just a little)

Directions:

SALAD

-Season salmon with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Grill or cook in pan with coconut oil until cooked through (around 6 minutes or so). Set aside to chill, or you can prepare ahead of time so it will be cold on your salad.

-Cook ¼ cup quinoa in ½ cup water. Simmer after quinoa is added to boiling water, and cook for ten minutes. You can also cook the quinoa in advance and store in it fridge so it is cold on your salad. Hint: I like using tri-color quinoa (available in bulk section of Whole Foods), because it makes the salad look prettier!

-Slice avocado and cucumber as you desire.

-Break up nori sheet into small ½ -inch squares.

-To put the salad together, start with your greens as the base. Add sliced cucumber. Add quinoa on top of greens/cucumber mix. Spread the quinoa over the salad, and then add salmon filet on top of everything. Add sliced avocado and nori ‘sprinkles’ on top of the salmon. Then add dressing (bonus dressing recipe below).

DRESSING:

-Add all ingredients to a food processer, Nutribullet, or high power blender. Blend on high until creamy. Feel free to adjust the amount of ingredients and/or add water to create a consistency you desire. I love a ‘ranch dressing’ consistency (it tastes like ranch too, just without all the unhealthy dairy!)

Bon appétit!

For even MORE energy, focus, and mental clarity try my new essential oil blend, ‘Clear Your Mind’.