Whoa! I have had one hectic week! Most of it has been work-related, so I’m not complaining (when one is a freelance writer and editor, one doesn’t complain when work gets hectic), but I’ve barely been able to leave my desk long enough to take Chopper outside.

Next week is going to be just as hectic, but that’s mostly because of all the big plans I have for Mental Health Notes, as well as something special all of us in the b5media Health & Wellness Channel are cooking up.

Oooh, I bet you’re curious now.

Have patience and, in the meantime, enjoy this week’s Saturday Sanity!

This week at Mental Health Notes, Aside from telling you about brain foods for vegetarians and the history of the emoticon, as well as making a few announcements (see below), I didn’t do a whole lot of writing (I told you – it was a hectic week!). Fortunately, Airdrie Miller (remember her?) wrote a very special four-part guest series for Mental Health Notes about her battle with depression. If you missed it, backtrack and catch up with part one, part two, part three, and part four. I feel very blessed that she shared her story here.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Project Helping Hands is now also offering mental health resources to Hurricane Ike victims, NAMI has established a special fund to help Gustav and Ike victims, Mental Health America has launched its Vote for America’s Mental Health campaign, and the DBSA has launched a support group for parents of people with mood disorders.

In the world of mental health news, mental health professionals seem to be choosing methods that aren’t proven effective over methods that are proven effective when treating children suffering from PTSD, researchers are still linking pot and psychosis (did I read another study about that once?), overbearing parents may be fostering obsessive children (hmm…kind of like college students having low self-esteem because of their parents’ high expectations?), and homosexual men are experiencing poor mental health due to homonegativity (which is a “negative attitude towards homosexuality”).

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we’re as busy as always:

• Kelly at Grounded Fitness wants to tell y’all about her GoTrybe.com one-year membership giveaway.
• Marijke at Womb Within wants to promote National Seat Check Saturday (which takes place today!).
• Karen at Pink Ribbon Review is recruiting people to join her team for Lee National Denim Day.
• Liz and Mary Emma remind us that today is the deadline to submit to the All About Alzheimer’s Carnival.

Enjoy your Saturdays!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Putting An End To A Hectic Week

Remember when I gave you five tips on how to keep your child’s mind healthy this school year? Well, during that post, I suggested checking out WebMD’s Top 10 Brain Foods for Children because, as well all know, proper nutrition is important for our brains and our mental health.

I haven’t talked too much about food here at Mental Health Notes. I’m by no means an expert (we leave that to Ruth around here!). However, I do have a personal interest in vegetarianism and I was excited when I saw the number of vegetarian-friendly brain foods (and even vegan-friendly brain foods) included in WebMD’s list.

All but one!

• Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is full of antioxidants for nervous membranes and thiamin for the brain’s and nervous system’s use glucose.
• Whole Grains: Whole grains have B-vitamins for a healthy nervous system and fiber to help regulate glucose release.
• Oats: Oats are full of vitamin E, B-vitamins, potassium, and zinc which help fuel the brain and get it working at it’s best.
• Berries: Blueberries and strawberries have especially shown assistance with improved memory, and berry seeds are sources of Omega-3 fats.
• Beans: Beans have lots of energy-promoting components like vitamins, minerals, protein, and complex carbs. You can also get Omega-3 fatty acids from kidney and pinto beans.
• Colorful Veggies: Vegetables with deep colors like tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and pumpkin are packed with antioxidants for strong, healthy brains.
• Meat Alternatives: One of the biggies you want from meat is iron, but you can get also get iron from meat alternatives like black bean and soy burgers.
• Eggs (lacto-ovo-vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians): Aside from protein, eggs are a great source of choline, which helps with memory.
• Milk and Yogurt (lacto-ovo-vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians): Brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes can grow thanks to the protein and B-vitamins in dairy foods. And, along with the protein, carbohydrates help with brain energy.

Are you a vegetarian or vegan with a favorite brain food? Or a meat-eater with a veggie-friendly food that gives you a mental boost? Feel free to share in the comments!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Top Brain Foods For Vegetarians