Eating comfort foods makes us feel better. Our brain releases endorphins as we enjoy every satisfying bite. Did you know that? Food makes us feel good. Some foods make us feel better than others but here they are.

1. Tea – Drinking tea does wonders for the body. The caffeine in tea has been linked to improvements in mood. Caffeine increases alertness and our ability to function well. Many people rely on caffeine each day in some form to wake up and get the body moving. The rush we feel motivates us to get going with our daily tasks. Tea is healthier than drinking soda. There are many kinds of tea. Green tea provides antioxidants to the body. Antioxidants prevent disease and slow the aging process.

2. Chocolate – Women always knew they were right. This is not just any chocolate though. Dark chocolate contains the largest percentage of pure cocoa. It works to increase our mood. Serotonin levels rise and so do the happy feelings. People who ate chocolate on a consistent basis noticed they had more energy as well as a better outlook on life. Besides that, the calories obtained from this chocolate don’t outweigh the benefits of eating dark chocolate. The rest of the diet can be adjusted to account for it.

3. Salmon – This cold water fish contains vitamin D as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin D is synthesized by skin cells after exposure to the sun. When the sun is not as forthcoming like in the winter months, we have to obtain it from other sources. The canned variety of salmon and fortified milk along with some vegetables provides vitamin D to our bodies along with supplements. Vitamin D increases serotonin which has to do with mood.

4. Walnuts – Most tree nuts are good for you. They contain nutrients vital to health and healthy fats. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids just like salmon.

5. Lentils – Lentils are part of the legume and bean family. They provide protein for the body to build muscle. Lentils release a lot of fiber when we eat them. Insoluble fiber carries a measure of fat from the food we eat out of the body as it passes through the digestive system. Folate is a component of lentils and it deals with brain activity and health.

Are you looking for something good to eat? These five foods are good for you and good to you. Using them as a component of a healthy diet boosts mood and health.

Serve it warm with a little icecream, or cold topped with whipped creme, or serve as is.

Ingredients:
6 large croissants, toasted and cubed
1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1/8 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar

For topping –
3-4 T. butter (cubed)
brown sugar
cinnamon

Preparation:
1. Combine all ingredients and put the bread in last.

2. Spread evenly in a casserole dish and sprinkle top with some extra brown sugar and cinnamon. Place cubes of butter on top to help create a nice brown sugar topping.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 – 20 minutes. Let it cool some before serving.

2T. margine
1 med. onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced (optional, but I add it)
1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 cans tomato soup
1-1/2C water
3 cans dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3T. chili powder (my husband swears it has to be McCormick brand)
1/2t. salt & dash of pepper

Saute minced onion and garlic in margarine. Add ground beef and brown. Drain off excess grease, if necessary.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish as desired-ENJOY!!!

How to Manage Your Mood with Food
by Susie Cortright

Here’s a meal-by-meal guide to eating for energy and managing your mood with food.

Breakfast
Eating a good breakfast boosts your concentration and revs your energy, particularly in the morning when you may need it most. Without breakfast, you’re more likely to make that second pot of coffee by mid-morning.

Instead, keep your blood sugar on an even keel with complex carbohydrates. Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white sugar. These have a high glycemic index, which can cause spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels.

The right complex carbohydrates provide your brain and muscles with the steady flow of the energy they need. Grains are great sources of B vitamins, which aid in the metabolic production of energy. The best carb choices for breakfast are natural whole-grain breads and cereals.

For the best breakfast, add a low-fat protein, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, or skim milk, and watch your fat intake as well as your meat consumption (meat takes more energy to digest).

Mid-morning Snack
Turns out, snacking may not be such a bad idea. Eating every few hours helps your body use nutrients more efficiently. It stimulates your metabolism, keeps your blood sugar levels steady, reduces stress on your digestive system, and decreases hunger, which means you’ll be less likely to overeat when mealtime finally rolls around.

If you’re craving carbs, which many of us do at this time of day, choose whole-grain bread, cereal, or fruit.

Fruits and vegetables deliver a low-fat, high-fiber alternative to the vending machine choices. Raw carrots and sugar snap peas, for example, provide a crisp, satisfying crunch and won’t zap your energy. Challenge yourself to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day
.
For maximum energy throughout the day, avoid foods that are laden with simple sugars, such as cookies, pastries, candy bars, and sodas, which can bring on erratic blood sugar levels.
Instead, try some lean protein (low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese or lean meat) to help tide you over until lunch.

Lunch
At midday, go light. Because a hefty helping of carbohydrates can increase the amount of seratonin in the brain and cause that sleepy feeling, focus on low-fat protein. Protein can actually raise energy levels by increasing brain chemicals called catecholamines. Eat a lunch of low-fat cheese, fish, lean meat, poultry, or tofu.

Mid-afternoon Snack
Choose something that will keep you satisfied until dinner. A little bit of fat is fine. It gives those carbohydrates and proteins some staying power. My favorite? All-natural peanut butter and a few crackers.

Before Your Work-out
Carbohydrates are fastest to digest and pack quick energy. Add protein for staying power, but stay away from fats. They can make you cramp.

Dinner
The agenda for the evening can dictate what you’ll eat for dinner. Need to stay on overdrive for back-to-school night? Choose low-fat proteins. If you’re in relax mode, indulge a little.
Whatever’s on the menu, remember the Pie Test. Envision your plate as a pie. Seventy-five percent of the pie should be filled with fruits, vegetables, and grains and 25 percent with other foods, such as diary products and meat.

Before Bed
Before turning in, a carbohydrate-rich snack can supply seratonin to help you fall asleep. But go easy. Too much food can reduce the quality of your sleep.

Eating for energy is one of the most effective, powerful, and fast-acting mood-boosters. Try it today and see!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This article is excerpted from More Energy for Moms, by Susie Cortright, http://www.momscape.com/energy Susie is the author of several books for women and founder of the award-winning Momscape.com, a website designed to help busy women find balance. Visit http://www.momscape.com/ today and get Susie’s free course-by-email “6 Days to Less Stress.” (Reprinted from Zongoo)