National Banana Bread Day – 23rd February

Today is National Banana Bread Day (yes really?!!….well in the USA it is) and so us UK peeps dont feel left out  the lovely folks over at  Foodimentary have some fab banana facts as well as some other foodie history facts for us to to enjoy.

Five Food Facts about Bananas

1. Banana trees are considered  giant herbs, not ‘trees’ at all

2. A cluster of bananas is known as a hand, each banana are fingers.

3. Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on bug bites are said to relieve itching and inflammation.

4. Over 95% of American households purchase banana at least once a month.

5. Bananas are one of the only fruits harvested every day of the year. They do not grow in regions that have dramatic seasonal changes.

 Daily Quote:

“I’m getting so old, I don’t even buy green bananas anymore.”~George Burns

Events of February 23

Today’s Food History

on this day in…

• 1884 Casimir Funk was born. Funk was a Polish-American biochemist who came up with the word ‘vitamine’ later changed to ‘vitamin.’

• 1896 Leo Hirshfield introduced the Tootsie Roll at his small store in New York City. It was supposedly named after his 5 year old daughter, whose nickname was ‘Tootsie.’

• 1931 RIP Helen Porter Mitchel, her stage name, Nellie Melba was a world famous operatic soprano born in Australia.  Melba Toast and Peach Melba were named for her.

• 1944 Leo Hendrik Baekeland was born. He was a chemist who invented Bakelite, the first plastic that did not soften when heated. Those black plastic knobs on stoves were made of bakelite.

• 1997Scientists in Scotland announced the first successful cloning of an adult mammal, Dolly, a sheep.
  Also, next week is the last week for you to have the chance of a half price nutrition workshop!! Get in touch if you are interested in learning more.    www.glo-wellbeing.co.uk.
  

Top Nutrition Tips on how to Beat the Winter Blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder

As we are now slap bang in the middle of Winter then lots of our clients talk  about the grotty weather and short days making them feel lethargic, lacking in energy and even a bit depressed.  This is common at this time of year and if you feel the same way, then you may well be suffering from some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD is caused by an imbalance in the brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin, both of which need exposure to sunlight for us to produce them.

Serotonin is the ‘feel good hormone’ which helps to regulate our mood, appetite and sleep, so if we don’t have enough we can end not sleeping well, gaining weight and being anxious, irritable or depressed.

The body uses melatonin to make serotonin. Melatonin is also responsible for balancing our body clock, so has a huge impact on our sleep. And we all know how grouchy we can feel if we miss a good night’s sleep.

Another reason why we might not be feeling our best at this time of year is because the lack of natural sunlight can also have a detrimental effect on the body’s production of vitamin D which we need to make healthy bones and protect us against heart disease, high blood pressure and various autoimmune diseases.

So what can we eat to help us beat the winter blues and stay in tip top shape until spring arrives?

In order to boost serotonin production:

1. Eat foods rich in tryptophan (another precursor), such as chicken, turkey, oats, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds, chick peas, bananas and brown rice

2. Eat some protein with every meal. Protein will contain tryptophan and will also help to keep your blood sugar balanced which will help to increase energy and reduce anxiety. Good sources include fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, nuts and seeds, pulses and tofu

3. In order to help tryptophan pass into the blood stream you need some complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and pulses.

4. Eat loads of magnesium and vitamin B6-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, avocados, whole grains, oats, bananas, nuts and seeds

5. Get plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids (which will make your skin look great too, which will make you happy!). Good sources include oily fish like salmon, mackerel and anchovies, nuts and seeds, avocadoes and dark green leafy vegetables

6. Doing some kind of aerobic exercise can also help increase serotonin levels in the brain.

In order to boost vitamin D production:
1. Make the most of any sunshine we do get and get yourself outside in it and expose as much flesh as you can bear (or is decent)

2. But you can also get vitamin D from foods, especially eggs and oily fish So you’re here’s your winter feel-good shopping list
· Chicken and turkey
· Oily fish like salmon, anchovies and mackerel
· Whole grains like oats and brown rice
· Dark green leafy vegetables
· Avocadoes
· Eggs
· Pulses like beans, lentils and chick peas
· Nuts and seeds
· Bananas
· A walk in the park

Make sure you get some of these every day and hopefully you’ll feel better in no time!

compiled by Sara Jubb at Naturopathy

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