Tumeric Brain Boost

Jumpstart finals week with this superfood, mindblowing smoothie to tweak those brain cells to function at an optimum!

 

Packed with nutrients and sunshine, this libation features turmeric, omega-3-fatty acids, vitamins, flax, and walnuts not only beneficial to the rest of your body, but, in particular, beneficial to protecting your brain from from memory loss in your old age!

Turmeric is a tiny peppery, bright orange spice root from India that bursts with flavor and color when you grate the root--it will also stain anything it comes in contact with a beautiful yellow-orange hue...even metal! Curcumin is the actual compound, i.e. active ingredient, in turmeric responsible for both flavor and the color of this spice, and is touted for its powerful anti-inflammatory and strong antioxidant effects. 

Most of the major ailments in Western society stem from conditions directly related to inflammation, i.e. heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, and other disease processes--several studies suggest curcumin counters these effects! 

If you can't find the actual root easily, a small container of the dried version will do!

(Disclaimer: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding; or, have other medical conditions requiring  prescription medications or over-the-counter treatments, please consult first with your physician before consuming turmeric regularly or at all!)

Turmeric Brain Boost
(Adapted recipe from Cooking Light's feature on Alzheimer's and 15 Brain Boosters article)

Equipment:
Nutri-Bullet or Magic Bullet
Grater

Ingredients:
3/4 cup 2% Greek Yoghurt
1 tsp honey
1 cup ice cubes
3/4 cup chopped, peeled mango, frozen
1/2 cup fresh orange slices
1/4 cup toasted (or plain) walnuts
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 Tbls ground flax seed 
2 tsp of grated turmeric (or 1/2 tsp of dried turmeric)
Dash of kosher salt
Dash of cayenne
Dash of cardamom or nutmeg

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Prep each ingredient.
3. Combine the first 11 ingredients into the blender until smooth.

4. Top it off with a splash of nutmeg or cardamom.
5. Share a glass or store it in your fridge for later.

Tips:

• No Money:
• buy smoothie ingredients in bulk when they are in season and cheap.
• cut them up and freeze for future use
• see 'Saving Mangoes' and 'Freezing Bananas'  and 'Saving Pineapples' posts
• No Waste:
• smoothies are great for leftovers and near-rotten fruit--know the difference, however.
• No Equipment:
• not everyone has a blender...so, ask for one over Christmas...it will serve you well.
• ask for a grater or a zester
• No Skills:
• buy from the salad bar where multiple fruits are pre-chopped / -sliced
• learn basic chopping skills
• No Health:
• packed with heart-healthy omega-3-fatty acids, i.e. healthy fats in flax, walnuts
• packed with calcium in rich, creamy Greek yoghurt
• packed with Vitamin C and other vitamins in mango and citrus
• packed with turmeric containing curcumin to possibly enhance cognitive function
• packed with flavor

Nutrition Info:
Servings: 2 (1 1/4 cup)
Calories 245 / Fat 13.1g / Protein 11g / Carb 25g / Sodium 91mg / Fiber 4g / Sugars 19g (honey extra) / Calcium 109mg