Just Jennifer

The Healthy Mind Cookbook: Big Flavor Recipes to Enhance Brain Function, Mood, Memory and Mental Clarity by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson

Forgetful in all its various forms from dementia to Alzheimer’s to simply just having too much on our minds affects us all at one time or another and most people have low periods every so often, sometimes for longer times than others. In their latest book, chef and wellness speaker Rebecca Katz and science and health writer Mat Edelson explore how food can contribute, both positively and negatively, to stress, anxiety or depression and how certain foods can improve our memory, cognition and learning.  Before even getting to the recipes, a chapter entitled “Culinary Pharmacy” enumerates a list of foods, herbs and spices, listing which mental function it best aids (such as mood, mental energy, focus, etc.) and explains how and why each food is important.  The next chapter discusses FASS (Fat, Acid, Salt and Sweet), which type of each is Katz’s choice, its function in cooking and health benefits of each.  After laying the groundwork, Katz provides dozens of recipes that incorporate these principles, starting with flavorful and seasonal soups (Roasted Asparagus Soup with Pistachio Cream and Summer’s Best Roasted Tomato and Red Bell Pepper Soup).  The Vegetable chapter contains recipes for interesting salads (Arugula Salad with Roasted Cherries and Goat Cheese), grain based salads (Kale Quinoa Salad with Red Grapes) as well as cooked vegetables (Roasted Orange Sesame Carrots).  A chapter with main course meat and seafood dishes follow and an “Anytime Foods” chapter containing nibbles, savory muffins (make the base and mix and match the flavors and additions---it works!) and dishes for brunch or a light supper.  Salsa, sauce and vinaigrette recipes are provided to add extra flavor to any dish with a handy chart pairing these “Dollops” with preceding recipes.  “Tonic and Elixirs” and “Sweet Bites” recipes provide the finishing touches for any meal.  While most of the ingredients can be found in well-stocked grocery stores, a list of resources is a welcomed appendix as is a robust bibliography.  More than just a cookbook, Katz and Edelson’s book can be used as a guidebook on the road to mental clarity and improved memory and mood---something everyone can use from time to time.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.