Peppermint to Enhance Memory

Freshman year of high school my professor of English Lit (can't remember her name) passed out candy canes the morning of the final. She instructed us to eat the candy while we took her test. When the exam was over she dismissed us, letting us know that the candy helped us perform better. I had no idea what she was talking about, but appreciated the gesture nonetheless.

Well, today I know that she was on to something. Peppermint has immense health benefits, one of which is increasing mental alertness and enhancing memory. Research shows strong correlation between peppermint consumption and high test scores on experimental subjects. 

So with finals rapidly approaching, I'm going to load up on peppermint- I'll take all the help I can get. 

*Peppermint is also known to reduce nausea and calm gastrointestinal distress. Not that anyone plans on getting sauced off the 'nog, but just in case. 

Foods to Boost Your Mood

We all know that eating our sorrows away, or stuffing our faces full of crap to make ourselves feel better, is a really bad idea. But there are certain foods known to boost your mood. Try incorporating some of these as you battle holiday traffic and end of the year work stress.
Here are a few:

I always do this when I get veggies from the fridge.

1. Whole grains: Sorry paleos, but whole grains are fantastic. Not only do they boost dietary fiber intake, but they're known to help improve your mood. Studies show that people who suffer from whole-grain-aphobia and avoid grains generally have more anger and depression. Why? Whole grains help release serotonin (the feel good chemical in our brain).
2. Dark Green Leafys: So, all fruits and veg are packed full on anti oxidants which reduce depression. The bonus with the dark greens is their high folate content. Folate is also known to increase serotonin levels, making us feel great!
3. Fish: It's all about omega-3, which fish is a fantastic source. Beyond the immense benefits of heart health, omega-3 also works with happy brain chemicals such as dopamine. 
Moral of the story? We CAN eat our way to feeling good. Use some of these tips to make sure you're making the right choices.