Foods That Can Help Your Brain Focus.
By Jenna DiGiandomenico

  1. Avocados. Although these tasty green vegetables are known for their high fat content. These green machines are packed with monounsaturated fats or the “good” kind, keeping blood sugar levels steady and your skin glowing. Avocados also contain vitamin k and folate which helps prevent blood clots against the brain.
  2. Beets. Beets reduce inflammation, are high in cancer-protecting antioxidants and help rid your blood of toxins. The natural nitrates in beets actually boost blood flow to the brain, helping with mental performance.
  3. Blueberries. Even though small these amazing fruits. It’s one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods known to man, including vitamin C and vitamin K and fiber. Because of their high levels of gallic acid, blueberries are especially good at protecting our brains from degeneration and stress.
  4. Bone Broth. Bone broth is the ultimate food for healing your gut and, in turn, healing your brain. This ancient food is full of health benefits, ranging from boosting your immune system, overcoming leaky gut, improving joint health and overcoming food allergies.
  5. Leafy Greens. A study in Neurology showed that people who ate two or more daily servings of vegetables, especially leafy greens, had the mental focus of people five years younger than their age. Greens are packed with fiber and vitamins A, C and K.
  6. Whole Grains: Studies show that eating a breakfast of whole grains helps sustain mental focus better than a morning meal of refined carbohydrates or no breakfast at all. Try whole-grain cereal with milk, eggs with whole-wheat toast, or pancakes made with whole-grain flour
  7. Coffee: Coffee affects men and women differently? Men actually feel more alert more quickly than women do after drinking a caffeinated beverage, according to research from the University of Barcelona. In the study, men reported feeling less drowsy after only 10 minutes and sustained the mental boost for a half hour. Women got a "kick" from the espresso, too, but rated it weaker than the men did.
  8. Walnuts: It turns out that eating walnuts can keep you from going nuts. Just munching on a few walnuts a day can improve your cognitive health.
  9. Turmeric. Turmeric also helps boost antioxidant levels and keep your immune system healthy, while also improving your brain’s oxygen intake, keeping you alert and able to process information.

Cookies or Brownies: Which Treat is Best?

By: Heather Cox
When making dessert, do you ever find yourself fighting your siblings or friends on whether to make some cookies or brownies? Don't worry because you're not alone, and this story may help you be able to enjoy some good dessert in peace.

​If you're short on time then you probably just want to stick with a simple batch of brownies; you just have to follow the directions on the box and bake them. Although, if you are trying to be healthier, than you should go with cookies.

Some people however, still disagree on which tastes the best. Ella Cheminant said, “Brownies are the best because of all of the chocolate they have, and you can make them any size.” When Madi Smith said, “Cookies are the best because there’s lots of different variations you can make.”

​So which one is better, all you can eat brownies, or all the different types of cookies you can think of. If you can’t decide, you don’t have to! Just make this great Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie recipe. It combines your love of cookies and your love of brownies, all in one package.


Recipe from pinchofyum.com

 Ingredients
  • 1 stick salted butter (1/2 cup, very soft)
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packer
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • Brownie mix
  • (ingredients for brownie mix)​
Picture
PC: pinchofyum.com
  Instructions

​
  • With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars in a small mixing bowl. Add vanilla and egg; cream again until smooth. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir gently until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie batter as directed. Pour batter into a glass 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish. Scatter pieces of cookie dough over the top of the brownie batter. In my 8×8 square pan,I was able to get about 2/3 of the cookie dough to fit over the brownies and I just saved the rest for regular cookies. Press gently on the dough just until it starts to sink down into the batter a little bit.
 
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes (35 for gooey, 40 or more for fully baked), covering with foil if you need to keep the cookies from getting too brown on top. Let stand for 15-20 minutes and cut into pieces for serving.

    What do you usually have for lunch?

Heather Cox

CCHS Foodies Editor 
CCHS Freshman 
Love to mountain bike, play piano, and hang out with friends. 
"Be kind to others for no reason" 
Great Breakfast Foods to Help you Start your Day!
  • Oatmeal
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Bananas
  • Eggs
  • Watermelon
  • Strawberries ​

    What Food Helps You Focus?

    Cookies or Brownies?


School Lunch Ideas:
  • Bagel with Cream Cheese
  • PB and J sandwich
  • Smoothie  
  • Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Yogurt and Granola 
  • Pasta Salad
  • Pizza
  • ​Salad ​