Brain Health is on our minds these days. Whether we are thinking about the astonishing increase in Alzheimer's disease or just conscious of wanting to nourish ourselves to have more clarity + a better memory ~ Brain health is on our minds.
How do you feel? Would you like to improve your memory or clarity or focus?
All of the usual good habits have an affect on our body, overall -- including brain health.
1. Eat real food
2. Strive for balance -- work. play. rest.
3. Learn how to relax -- take that yoga class or learn how to meditate. Unplug.
Daydream!
4. Spend some time in nature.
I know that there are a lot more good habits to chat about -- These are the basics, and yet we could ask ourselves (i do! daily.. ) about #2.. How are we doing with 'balance'?
I confess to this being a constant 'tug o' war'.... and something I work on --
Today, I'm wanting to share a couple of nourishing brain health 'helpers'.
Find your Focus ~ "Herb-infused energy balls" with Brain Health in mind!
Brain Boosting Herb-infused Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter or your own favourite
- ½ cup tahini roasted sesame seed butter
- ½ cup raw honey more or less to taste*
- ¼ cup coconut flakes plain or toasted
- 3 tablespoons coarsely sunflower seeds or your choice of nuts/seeds soaked if needed
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup powdered Bilberry
- ½ cup powdered Ginkgo leaf
Instructions
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Combine the nut butters, tahini and honey in a bowl.
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Add the cacao/carob/unsweetened cocoa powder and cinnamon plus any nuts or other flavour additions.
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Stir to combine thoroughly.
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Add the herbal powders above or choose from my ideas below
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Combine thoroughly.
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Break apart small chunks of the ‘dough’ with your hands and make 1 inch balls.
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This can be such a fun project with any ‘small fry’ in your home!
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Set aside on a plate or baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
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Put the coconut or cocoa (as shown) or your choice of ‘rolling’ material, onto a plate.
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Roll the balls, gently and press lightly to allow the coconut to stick.
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Place in the fridge immediately for 2-3 hours to ‘set up’.
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Store in a container, with a good lid.
Recipe Notes
I tend to use a cookie tin, and separate the layers with parchment paper.
You can also spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and cut into squares
but I prefer balls
Store the balls in tins or in glass, in a cool place.
They will last for 3 weeks -- but don't count on them lasting that long! SO good! These freeze well too!
I suggest 'changing up' the herbs -- use 2-3 at a time. Ideally over time, make this with different herb combinations for optimum results.
Recipe Online sources:
powdered Bilberry
powdered Ginkgo leaf
As I mentioned above ~ ideally start with Bilberry + Ginkgo -- or a couple of the herbs below and then switch it up, in the next batch or next month!
Herbs can help. I guess you know that is my passion and I am committed to sharing with you as often as I can manage to sit down to write! There's so much to say -- but let's start with these highlights:
Brain Heath ~ some herbal helpers
Bilberry is very high in antioxidants, which can help prevent damage from free radicals. Bilberry protects our eyes from age-related degenerative eye disease by preventing damage to the retina and strengthening capillaries and connective tissue in the eyes. As an herb which supports better circulation, it can be very helpful with improvement of blood flow in the body (especially eyes and brain) Here's a source for powdered Bilberry.
Blueberry
I don't use powdered blueberries, but add the actual berries when I make this recipe with blueberries.
Blueberry extracts have been found to improve overall cognitive function. In many studies, blueberry demonstrates ability to slow age-related damage to brain cells and protect memory-associated brain regions from oxidative damage. Research indicates that blueberry extracts’ ability to enhance blood flow to the brain can caused "marked increases in brain activity and improvements in 'the' working memory." Blueberry's polyphenols can reduce the deposits of harmful beta amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo improves circulation to the brain. Studies have shown that ginkgo helps to repair nerve tissue damage in the brain, helps improve memory and can protect brain cells.
Here's a source for Ginkgo powder
Gotu kola has been used for centuries to improve memory and can also improve brain health. Research indicates that this tonic herb can increase our mental ability and is a rejuvenating tonic herb, especially for nerve and brain cells.
Here's a source for Gotu kola powder.
Milk thistle offers protection for lives. The high number of environmental toxins that we encounter every day puts extra stress on our hard-working liver, which filters 'out' all those toxins. Milk thistle produces an ingredient called silymarin, which encourages the growth of new cells. Milk thistle is the ultimate liver protector! We can grind milk thistle seeds when we are making this recipe or we can buy milk thistle powder here.
Milk thistle strengthens the liver, helping it to better remove toxins from our body.
Turmeric offers many benefits to an aging body. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful for treating arthritis, preventing Alzheimer’s disease and improving brain health. Like milk thistle, turmeric also supports the liver. Purchase from your local health food store on online here.
Read more about turmeric here. and more about decreasing inflammation --> here.
Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)
Sage (salvia officinalis)
Don't have time to make brain-boosting herb-infused energy balls but still want to add some additional herbal love to your precious brain or maybe you just want to work on that memory? Here's an online source for you. HerbPharm produces great quality herbal products. This tincture is called Brain + Memory -- it's a good choice!
FOOD for Brain health -- another big topic..
Here's a super article from Mark's Daily Apple
Sources:
Foster, S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, Colorado: Interweave Press, 1998.
• Schulz, V., R. Hansel, and V. E. Tyler. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians’ Guide to Herbal Medicine. Berlin: • Springer, 1998.
• Weiss, R. F. Herbal Medicine. Translated from the German by A. R. Meuss. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield, 1988.
Here's hoping you try some of these ideas!
Wishing you only best health +
a healthy blissfully happy brain!
green wishes, Carol xo
Kiran Dodeja Smith
I was just talking to my husband about brain health this morning, so this is so timely. Love all of your suggestions. We can all use some brain boosting, right? Trying these out!
Carol Little
Brain Health -- big topic for me. So glad you will try some of these. Here's to our health Kiran!
Daniela
These are wonderful Carol! I can always use a little brain booster, especially when it's this tasty!
Carol Little
Yes!! That's how I feel.. Thank you Daniela!
Mary Ellen
Love all the great info on brain health and a great use of ginko and bilberry in the energy balls! I my botanical medicine call we discussed the uses of ginko for memory/brain health. So interesting. I'll have to give this recipe a try soon. :)
Carol Little
So many choices re additions there, Mary Ellen, but those are two of my faves!
ChihYu
What an interesting recipe ! I can't wait to try it. Looks so yummy !
Yvonne
These herb balls contain so many health benefits and I would love to try them out. I do have one question, however. Is there anything sugar free that I can substitute the honey with?
Carol Little
Yvonne, the honey or any sweetener is quite optional. You can add chopped dates or figs or even diced fruit.
I've made variations where I don't add any sweetener too. Hope you will try with dates if that works for you!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
What a powerhouse of a snack, and they look so delicious too! I have to confess that balance is a daily tug of war for me too, always working towards it though!
Raia Todd
Any time something so delicious is good for me I'm all over it! Haha. These look delicious!
Lindsey Dietz
Love how you cleverly hid those herbs among such delicious flavors!
Monique
Oh man, I could use a brain booster most days! These little bites have so many delicious things in them - I'm a sucker for anything with tahini! Love ginkgo, too.
Yang
Wow, Carol! Thanks for this informative post. You shared so much more than energy balls, and I just love learning about herbs from you. It may be a silly question, but I have a ginkgo tree in my back yard, can I use the leaves in any way?
Carol Little
Thanks Yang. I love sharing my passion! How large is your Ginkgo tree? I can teach you how to make herbal medicine with your tree -- provided it has not been sprayed with toxins.. (garden sprays often contain toxins.. knowing you.. this is not the case) Let me know!!
Jean
What a delicious looking snack! I love that it has all those brain health benefits as well. Can't wait to try it out!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
I've never heard of bilberry powder but I'm anxious to find some and use it. What a great idea to pack our protein balls with brain-boosting ingredients. My dad has Alzheimer's disease so I'm always on the lookout for healthy brain food!
Carol Little
I hope you find some-- the quality is important. The link in the post is a good source. My mom went down that path. I am always wanting to support various body systems-- this one is personal for me too.
Renee Kohley
Love the herbal add-ins - such a great idea! We are packing up for vacation, and I think these would make great travel snacks! Thanks!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
Oooohhhh this is such a fun way to pack some brain-boosting goodness into a fun snack! I love that you added the bilberry and ginkgo powders to these.
Megan Stevens
That ginkgo biloba powder is such a cool product! I love that you put it in your energy balls!
Carol Little
Definitely a powerhouse for helping improve circulation + one of my favourite tree plant allies!!
Cathy
This looks interesting! I'm curious to see what they taste like. Having watched parents age with declining mental health, I'm certainly thinking about ways to preserve mine.
Carol Little
The herbs are mixed in with so many flavourful ingredients that these balls are SO good!!
Irena
Love biohacking recipes with natural supplements! I've not used bilberry before, although I've known about the blueberry benefits for the brain. Will have to grab some powder next time I am shopping and give it a go.
Carol Little
Irena ~ please do let me know what you make! Love to hear back!