If you’re sweet tooth increases during the fall and winter season, you’re not alone, it
happens to a lot of Americans.

Why?
Some say that like our ancestors, we go into a hibernation phase because of the
shorter days and less sunlight and then some say that staying indoors because
of the colder temperatures leaves us with little to do except eat and then are
those that say we give ourselves permission to eat more from Halloween to Valentine’s
day thanks to non-stop partying and celebrating.

Well whatever your reason for indulging is just make sure one of the treats
you choose is a brownie, muffin or piece of cake made with chocolate,
pumpkin, egg yolks, walnuts and peanut butter.

Why these 5 ingredients?
Each food possesses nutrients and compounds that sharpen your smarts
and slow down brain aging.

That’s right, peanut butter, chocolate, pumpkin, egg yolks and walnuts often get
a bad rap, but in moderation, they can actually do you some good, need more proof?
Listed below, are the foods and how they enhance brain health.

The 5 foods:
Peanut butter, egg yolks, chocolate, walnuts and pumpkin.

a) Peanut Butter-
Boosts recall and reasoning ability by 60%, plus it cuts your risk of
age-related memory lapses by 40%. Peanuts contain unsaturated fats, vitamin E and
polyphenol, and combined they tame the inflammation that causes so much of the
damage.
Recommended dose: For better brain health, try and get 2 Tbs. of natural peanut
butter each day.

b) Chocolate-
For the chocoholics out there who feel guilty for indulging this habit, stop feeling
guilty, getting 2 oz. of dark chocolate each day will bolster focus and mental energy for
2 to 3 hours and reduce your risk of brain aging by 45%. Dark chocolate contains
theobromine, which kick-starts the production of the energizing brain hormone
dopamine.
Important tip:
You may be tempted to spend as little as possible on chocolate, but in this case,
it pays to buy a top quality chocolate. Remember, it’s for your brain.

c) Walnuts-
Cut dementia risk, boost short-term memory and increase multitasking ability
by adding a Tbs. or two of walnuts to your daily meals.
Walnuts contain polyphenols and alpha-linolenic acid, 2 nutrients that speed
the breakdown of wastes, plus help neurons absorb a steady trickle of energizing
glucose.
Important tip:
Like the chocolate, look for a top quality organic brand of walnuts.

d) Egg Yolks-
Too many people are still misguided about egg yolks. Yes, they contain
calories and cholesterol, but they (the yolks) will do you way more good than
harm, and that’s especially true for your brain.
The yolks contain choline and lutein, 2 nutrients that energize a key area of the
brain that helps you organize, think on your feet and express yourself more
clearly. Plus, the yolks can cut your risk of foggy thinking and memory lapses
by 45%.
Another tip: If you’re a pregnant mom or a mom who’s just given birth, eat more
egg yolks to give your future offspring a head start on brain development
and for new moms: give your little one some egg yolks and salmon to help
them get a head start in the “smarts” department.

e) Pumpkin-
If you enjoy pumpkin lattes, muffins, coffee, pasta this time of year,
you may want to eat some (canned) pumpkin year round.
Pumpkin calms the anxiety centers in your brain that makes it hard to
concentrate and focus, plus boosts levels of the focus-enhancing hormone
serotonin.
Important tip: Buy up cans of pumpkin this fall and winter, store it
your garage or basement and use to flavor soups, sweet treats,
pasta sauces or morning bowls of oatmeal or millet.
Find great deals at B.J.’s, Costcos or Aldi, or Imperfect Foods

f) A Sweet Treat For Your Brain-
Now that you know which foods will help boost brain health, it’s
time to put those ingredients together and make something that
not only tastes great, but is also great for your health, your brain health.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Brownies With Walnuts!
Ingredients:
Buy a box of dark chocolate brownies, regular or gluten-free
Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 yolks and 1 large whole egg
1 cup of pumpkin puree
2 Tbs. of peanut butter
2 Tbs. of walnuts
1 cup of water (add more if needed)
1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
1/2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice
To make:
Preheat the oven to 350*F. Line a 9X9 baking pan with parchment paper
or spray it with Pam.
In a pot, melt the butter and chocolate chips until smooth.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Pour the brownie mix into a bowl and add the egg and yolks, the peanut
butter, the pumpkin puree, the spices and water. Stir well and make sure not
to overmix. Add the chocolate chips, butter and walnuts to the mixture and
then pour into the pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or insert a toothpick into the center and if it
comes out clean, remove the brownies from the oven.
Allow to cool for 10 to 30 minutes and then enjoy with your favorite beverage-
(green tea, coffee, or almond milk).

Sources:
* AllRecipes Blog
* Love From The Oven Blog
* Australian Researchers
* Journal of Neurology
* University of Florida International
* University of California, Berkeley
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++