Last time we talked about how important food is to a healthy body.

Here are some recommendations for foods that support a positive mood:

• Leafy Greens (spinach, kale) which are rich in folate and magnesium.
• Fatty Fish (salmon, mackerel) contain high levels of omega-3s.
• Nuts and Seeds (walnuts, chia seeds) provide healthy fats and magnesium.
• Fermented Foods (kimchi, kefir) support gut health.
• Dark Chocolate boosts serotonin and contains flavonoids for brain health.

And don't forget-there are also foods that contribute negatively to your mood! These include refined sugars which cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar and processed foods which have less nutrition, are high in trans fats and contain additives linked to inflammation. Also pay attention to your caffeine intake. Too much can trigger anxiety and disrupt sleep. Finally, alcohol intake depresses the central nervous system and disrupts sleep.

Some tips to help you maintain balance are:

• Mindful Eating: Be conscious of what and how you eat to enhance enjoyment and digestion.
• Meal Timing: Regular meals help maintain energy and mood stability.
• Holistic Balance: Combine a nutrient-rich diet with sleep, exercise, and stress management.

Here's a recipe for kale chips that I personally tested and will likely be a hit with even the pickiest eaters:

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 bunch curly kale
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prepare a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Wash and dry kale thoroughly, cut into medium size pieces and place in a large bowl for mixing.

In a small bowl, whisk Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic. In another small bowl, mix the lemon juice and olive oil. (I actually forgot to separate my ingredients and tossed everything together and it worked fine!)

Drizzle the lemon juice and olive oil mixture over the kale in the large bowl and coat all the pieces, then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese mixture,.

Bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes. You want the pieces to be brown and crispy, but not burnt, and you will notice some shrinkage in the kale as it cooks.

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