Stretch Your Brain

The brain is an amazing organ. It controls all bodily functions, all organs, thoughts, emotions, memory, and ability to be self-aware. Like other body parts, it is natural for the brain to lose some its sharpness; but it can deteriorate even more if you do not take care of it. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is important to stay physically active, to adopt a brain-healthy diet, and to remain socially active and mentally alert.

Two studies, one here in the U.S. and the other in the Netherlands, found eating a diet rich in vitamins E and C may help to lower your risk of Alzheimer's disease. Both found that eating foods high in vitamin E may reduce your risk of Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disease. The studies did not show the same affect for taking vitamin E supplements.

Have a safe, fun, easy and tasty Thanksgiving.   

Having leftover turkey and other dishes means you can have additional tasty meals after your feast. But there are limits on how long you can safely keep leftovers. Even when refrigerated properly (below 40 °F), leftovers should be eaten, frozen or discarded within 3 to 4 days.

• Refrigerate cooked leftovers promptly - within 2 hours. Use an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator to ensure your refrigerator is at 40 °F or below.
• Divide leftovers into smaller portions and store in shallow containers in the refrigerator.
• Reheat leftovers to 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Sauces, soups and gravies should be reheated by bringing them to a boil.
• When microwaving leftovers, cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking. 

With special treats and family gatherings, the holidays are the perfect time to teach your child about cooking and nutrition. Kids will not only get to try the new foods they prepare, they will also get a big boost to their confidence when they see family and friends enjoying their creations. Most importantly, cooking with your children promotes future health by teaching them about nutrition and how to prepare healthy meals.

The holiday season brings eating and drinking temptations galore, and many people gain a pound or two – but usually not any more.

“The problem is that any weight gained during the holiday season tends not to come off the rest of the year, unless the person makes a commitment to weight loss,” said Beth Reames, LSU AgCenter nutritionist.

The best advice is not to add any weight during the holiday season at all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your holiday favorites.

If the thought of all that holiday feasting leaves you worried about eating too much fat laden food, or simply overeating, here are some tips to help you enjoy the holidays without expanding your waistline. Remember, many of the traditional foods served during Thanksgiving and Christmas are perfectly healthy. It’s what we do to them that loads them with extra calories and fat. Let’s start with the basic foods at the center of the feast.

As Thanksgiving approaches, cooking the traditional turkey dinner gives rise to anxieties and questions. What kind of turkey should I buy? Should I buy a frozen turkey or a fresh one? How do I store my turkey?

A few simple steps will not only ease your holiday fears, but will ensure a delicious and a safe meal for you, your family, and your friends. The following information may help you prepare your special Thanksgiving meal and help you countdown to the holiday.

During the holidays we often indulge in rich foods we might not normally eat at other times of the year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says there are ways to enjoy these bountiful foods during this season and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Leisure-time physical activity is associated with longer life expectancy, even at relatively low levels of activity and regardless of body weight, according to a study by a team of researchers led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study, which found that people who engaged in leisure-time physical activity had life expectancy gains of as much as 4.5 years, appeared Nov. 6, 2012, in PLoS Medicine.

In observance of National Diabetes Month, including World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) urges people to take action and make simple but important lifestyle changes to achieve their health goals — whether they have diabetes or are at risk for the disease.