Comments on: The Little Berry That Could… http://strongerminds.com/the-little-berry-that-could Faster, Brighter, StrongerMinds.com -- helping to promote brain fitness and the best quality of life possible Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:29:39 +0000 hourly 1 By: katie.olson http://strongerminds.com/the-little-berry-that-could/comment-page-1#comment-4 katie.olson Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:29:39 +0000 http://strongerminds.com/?p=82#comment-4 Similar to taking care of ourselves physically, our ability to remember increases when we exercise our memory and nurture it with a good diet. Blueberries are an excellent addition, but I couldn't help but think that all of the fat and sugar of the coffee cake may in some ways outweigh the benefits of the beta-carotene and antioxidants you find in the fruit! Blueberries can be really good plain, or in a smoothie with yogurt and ice, but for a healthier version of the cake recipe, you could try making these muffins: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 3/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup oat bran 1/4 cup oats 1/4 cup wheat germ 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup blueberries 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 banana, mashed 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F & grease a 12 cup muffin pan. In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, sugar, oat bran, oats, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries and walnuts. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, & bake for ~ 15 minutes in the oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched. Enjoy! Also, some other foods high in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and neutralize them include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, green tea, nuts (walnuts as used in the recipe!) and seeds. Katie Similar to taking care of ourselves physically, our ability to remember increases when we exercise our memory and nurture it with a good diet. Blueberries are an excellent addition, but I couldn’t help but think that all of the fat and sugar of the coffee cake may in some ways outweigh the benefits of the beta-carotene and antioxidants you find in the fruit! Blueberries can be really good plain, or in a smoothie with yogurt and ice, but for a healthier version of the cake recipe, you could try making these muffins:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 banana, mashed
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F & grease a 12 cup muffin pan. In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, sugar, oat bran, oats, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries and walnuts. In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed banana, buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix until blended. Spoon into muffin cups, & bake for ~ 15 minutes in the oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly touched. Enjoy!

Also, some other foods high in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and neutralize them include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, green tea, nuts (walnuts as used in the recipe!) and seeds.

Katie

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