Joel Lewinsohn
Instructor: Brenda McKinney
Course #:ED549G
Course name: Happiness Diet
Date: 6/6/2014
Level: 500
Assignment #5
Assignment #5: In a 1-2 page paper, explore good foods that will improve mood Read pages 56-80 the Essential Elements of Happiness Done How can you make life changes based on the 10 Essential Elements? When I read through the list of the 10 essential elements, I tend to look at the recommended foods that will provide those elements. The ones that are common in more than one area are the foods that I try to incorporate first. Vitamin D was one of the elements that I didn’t really understand as well. I am now more aware of the importance of sunlight and eating foods that are exposed to sunlight as well. Such an interesting concept. What examples in this section would be helpful for you to share with students and why? 1. Healthy sugars include> honey, real maple syrup, real molasses (watch out for
substitutions and artificial flavoring) 2. Green leafy vegetables are key sources for numerous elements. 3. Fatty fish like salmon, eggs from free range chickens, and grass fed beef are all food
sources that are healthier options. 4. Dairy products from grass-fed cows are great sources of calcium and other elements. 5. Fructose is a sugar replacement that blocks the message that informs your brain that you
are full! Make a list of “must-have” foods from this section to prepare for your healthy eating plan •
Eggs
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Grass fed beef
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Salmon
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Honey, maple syrup, and molasses (for sweetening)
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Sardines
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Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables (I’ll only eat kale cooked)
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Fresh in season fruits and vegetables
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Dairy products: yogurt, cheese, and butter (without all the additives)
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Sunflower seeds
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Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts
What are the “must have” ideas for you from this section a. Purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables that are picked when they are ripe. b. Purchase meat, eggs, and dairy products from grass fed free range animals c. Read the label to see what else might be in the product, choose foods free of nitrates,
msg, and fructose. Go to You Tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_tYjsQuEVg to learn about the importance of an annual physical for brain health. How do you connect this information with the Essential Elements of Happiness? Dr. Ramsey talks about the value of having your annual physical as the doctor can be checking for deficiencies in certain elements essential for brain health. By checking on these annually, you have a better chance at catching these deficiencies early before any lasting or permanent damage occurs. Go to You Tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I56Yd43P4z4 to find out about the amazing brain food!!! What did you learn that could be applied to your eating plan? Honey has far more properties for supporting brain health than I ever imagined. I did a little more research on this after watching the video and found an article that talked about taking a teaspoon of honey before bedtime to improve sleep and decrease stress. Apparently, when you are sleeping you release melatonin which improves learning. But when you are consuming to much sugar and have an excess of insulin, this deteriorates the brain’s ability to function. I guess my family and I will be eating more honey!! The Top 100 reasons to avoid processed foods throughout each chapter. Of the 9 listed in this section, which ones will have the most profound effect on your personal idea of healthy eating?
#31 “The pigments that make grapes purple and pumpkins orange protect brain cells, while the artificial ingredients that mimic these colors in processed foods can impair brain function.” Note: need to just avoid fake ingredients and just go right to the source. #40 coffeemate creamer has transfat, even though it say no transfat on the label. Note: I will be sharing this with my wife as she likes cream in her coffee. She doesn’t often use coffee mate, but it seems a good idea to avoid all of those flavored creamers. Send to instructor: bbbrain@comcast.net. Subject line to read ʻHappinessʼ #5.