A guest post by blogger Beth Waters:
From the minute we are born, our bodies age. As our bodies age, they decline. Our bodies are powerful machines that are working longer and longer as the generations pass, there is no wonder we need a little tune up from time to time.
A scary part of aging is memory loss. So how do we prevent this and make our bodies stronger?
One of the most important things we can do to preserve our memories is to keep using your brain!
Think about this: When we get older we retire, and we stop having to use our brain as a huge source of information. Don’t let retirement stop you from using your brain.
Here are some simple things to do that act as a tune up for your brain:
- Play a game- make your brain pay attention to a game. This will get your brain thinking about numerous things whether it is the next move, word, puzzle piece, number, etc.
- Exercise- just because your body is aging doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. Studies show that exercising, even brisk walking will help your brain grow new blood vessels, dendrites, and neurons. A sedentary life will not only increase the decline in you physical health, but also your mental health.
- Learn something new- It is as easy as learning new information. Learn new activities, words; take on a new hobby, language, or activity. These simple things will make your brain remember new things and do things it has never processed before.
Make this part of every day in your life and your brain will be happy about it. To start you off on the healthy habit to brain health, I’ll make it easy: I bet you don’t know jack about a jackfruit.
Think of the jackfruit as the big, gangly kid on the playground who smells kind of funny. These suckers can weigh up to a whopping 80 pounds, are covered in spikes and (unfortunately) smell rotten once ripe. Mmm… appetizing, right?
Well, don’t be so quick to judge; the jackfruit also happens to be a vitamin/antioxidant powerhouse and is surprisingly delicious! The flavor is sweet, fruity, and an excellent addition to desserts. It tastes a little bit like the combination of an apple and banana.
Here are some stats:
- Good source of vitamin C
- Full of B-complex vitamins
- Contains tons of fiber
- Known energy booster
- Jam-packed full of potassium, magnesium, and iron
When cut open, the jackfruit reveals a series of fruit pockets that contain giant brown seeds and delicious fruity flesh.
If this intimidates you, never fear! You can buy pre-cut, canned jackfruit—but be forewarned, you will lose some of the flavor. For those brave enough to try, I would recommend picking up and working with a fresh jackfruit.
Want to hear something really crazy? Jackfruit is an excellent substitute for meat, particularly in recipes that call for shredded/pulled meat.
My girls and I recently whipped up the recipe described in the linked article, and let me tell you, it was delicious! It really did taste like juicy meat. It’s an awesome option for vegetarians looking for tofu-less alternatives.
It seems like the jackfruit just further proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover!
Take this exercise of learning something new even further by trying something new. I bet you don’t know jack about what a jackfruit tastes like.
Beth Waters is the mother of two rambunctious children, a blogger on health and fitness, and a freelance writer for health companies such as Liberty Medical. She’s been inspired to live a long and healthy life and enjoys sharing her experiences through her blog, Carrots Over Cake. She’s pictured below with her daughter Jena.
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