How Can Your Daily Cup Of Coffee Good For You?

How can your daily cup of coffee be good for you?

The first cup of coffee in the morning can be more than just a habit. It can be the key to a successful day. When you have your cup of coffee you not only have the opportunity to sit and be grateful for the things you have, you also promote Dopamine transmission. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is active in cognitive function, motivation, arousal and movement.

Cognitive function? Do I mean that Coffee is good for how well your brain works? Yes! It can play a role in getting the spark and the drive you need for thinking, memory and getting things done. There are a number of studies that show long term of use of coffee, tea and caffeine will actually decrease your risk for age related dementia and the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

When I say coffee and caffeine can be good for your brain, that doesn’t mean that adding cream and sugar is good for you too. Those sugared up coffee drinks can actually erase all the good and be bad for your brain. No energy drinks either, Eeek! Read about that coming up. Learn to drink and enjoy the pure simple taste of a great roasted high quality coffee.

Even though it has been proven that there are benefits of drinking coffee and caffeine you have to keep your own experiences in mind. Do not start drinking coffee if you know you already suffer from adverse effects. Coffee can disturb your sleep if you don’t detoxify it well. We can talk about that another time. As always, please contact your own doctor starting or adding anything new.

Because quality of life matters!

Tamara Lund, Doctor of Chiropractic, American Chiropractic Neurology Board 

References:

1Adenosine, Adenosine Receptors and the Actions of Caffeine †Authors Bertil B. Fredholm First published: February 1995DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1995.tb00111.x  

 2Relationships Between Caffeine Intake and Risk for Probable Dementia or Global Cognitive Impairment: The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study,Ira Driscoll,Sally A. Shumaker,Beverly M. Snively,Karen L. Margolis,JoAnn E. Manson,Mara Z. Vitolins,Rebecca C. Rossom,Mark A. EspelandJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci (2016) 71 (12): 1596-1602.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glw078Published:27 September 2016

Good Morning

Good morning to me. 

Does any one else get up over an hour earlier than they have to just so they can sit and enjoy an uninterrupted Cup O' Joe? With the recent fire in our neighborhood there are come wild colors in the sky. Heard of it? They call it the Rim fire. We were on an advisory evacuation notice for a little over a week and the schools were closed. The kids got an unexpected vacation.

We took some pictures this morning. A good morning all around. I haven't posted pictures of the  help kids in a while. The Grandparents like to see them every once in a while. So here you go:

We are missing our oldest.Here is Kevin 13, Nicole 15, Alea 11.

Hello Again

It's been a year since my last post. So much has happened in the last year and then again it all remains the same. Many changes with the kids in the last year. They grow, mature, change, and even graduate from High School. Time allowances are redirected. Not much sewing taking place with me, only a few projects completed this year. I have beaded a few pieces and have a collection of rarely worn necklaces and ear rings. Changes in my exercise routines, events and diet have taken place.

All in all life goes on.

I've been surfing a lot of Paleo Blogs in the last few months. I have been enjoying the recipes and especially the food photography. Last night I woke in the middle of the night with an inspiration to start blogging again.

Here Goes:


Today I visited Health Bent. I made Fudgy Brownies using their recipe as a guideline. Grain and dairy and processed sugar free.

This is how I made them:

One cup cashews made into butter in the food processor

1/2 cup of full fat coconut milk

2 eggs

4 heaping TBS cocoa powder

2 tsp vanilla

2 TBS honey

  all processed in the food processor 

add sour cherries

pecans

1/4 cup 80% choc pieces

bake at 350 for 18 minutes

easy peasy!

I mentioned graduation earlier, here are the photos:

End of Summer Update

This is Back to school pictures from August. Kevin and Alea perch on the tailgate of their dad's pickup.  

Eric Starting his Senior year.

Nicole starting High School.

Both of my Highschoolers. Such an exciting time in life. 

In June Nicole graduated from 8th grade. 

We also celebrated Kevin's 12th birthday.

Beginning of Summer

Beautiful Pinecrest Lake. This is the trail around the lake that is great exercise. 4 miles of up and down, rock hopping and beautiful views.

The girls keeping busy while Mom runs.

Last day of school.

Lindsay and I went to Yosemite with her beautiful little girl.

May Update

Half Marathon runners! Recently Rhonda and I finished a half marathon! that is 13.1 miles. It was in San Mateo Ca. along the bay. The only thing I can complain about was the smell at low tide. However, it is really better to run in the morning than at high tide than later. So I guess no complaints here. Lindsay ran the 5 K race but is joining us next time in the half.

Number 1 son got to go to his first day of work the other day. Life guarding at Silver Spur camp and conference center, I think he wears the uniform well.

Kevin and Eric got haircuts the other day and a big Thank you to their stylist Michele Van Fossen.

Darling Daughter Nicole had to get dressed up for a 8th grade field trip to the state capitol. This is her dressed up braid. I cannot believe she is graduating from elementary school and worse yet, going into High School.

My friend Tammy's son Ben and his lovely fiance decided to get married the other day and just did it at the court house on his lunch hour.

Kevin is enjoying a bowl of banana ice cream that I made for him in my new Vita-mix:). I LOVE it!!! Healthy and breakfast. Bananas, milk, protein powder, cinnamon. Thats all. Yummm!

Lindsay and I took a trip to the Candy Baron on Pier 39

Sporting my bling from the Diva Half Marathon

And for a splash of color. I love these roosters. Not enough to have a collection (I have no where to keep them), but enough to photograph them and use them for inspiration.

Spring Update and Some Homemade Laundry Detergent

Happy Spring everyone. I am so glad for another season. It just means that Summer is right around the corner. Summer is my favorite season. I love to go outside day or night and be warm. This year may be different, I am experiencing a few episodes of getting warm. I will let you know if I change my mind by July.

My Dad was here for a visit this last week. We were so glad that we had a week to visit and get some things done. Here is a photo of my Mother and Father visiting on mom's back patio. Such a nice and relaxing way to spend an Easter.

Lindsay and I made some laundry detergent. This was a project she found on Pintrest.

The recipe I used made 2 gallons but it turned out way too thick. I could not even pour it out of the jug. Next time I make it I will dilute it 2 or 3 times. I also may use a different type of bar soap. The fels naptha does not smell pleasant. However when the kids came in the house they commented that the house smelled clean, like soap. That was not a bad thing.  Recipe Link here

My Boys are Ski Geeks. I found them sitting on a bench dressed like this. I did not ask them to pose. This was the night before a trip to Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. My oldest worked there this winter in the ski and snowboard rentals. He was laid off early along with all the other high-schoolers due to such poor snow conditions this year.

You know it was hard to be mad at the kids messing around at bed time when they were brushing each others teeth. Goof Balls!

I had the greatest time visiting with my first cousins and my uncle during my dad's visit. I havent seen them in 20 years or so. We practically  grew up as siblings in the summers. It is too bad time and our busy lives keep us from one another.

We took part in a 5 K run for one of our friends senior project last month.

The girls got to visit their Grandma and spent some time bike riding. It is a lot easier to ride bikes in the city with paved roads and sidewalks. But especially where it is flat.

This past weekend we (Alea, Rhonda, and her lovely daughter Hanna) ran in Old Mill Run 10K in Columbia State park. It was 88 degrees and we were NOT used to it. It was the first day of heat here. I have been training in the mornings in the 40s. I am sure I will be OK when I get used to it but it was brutal.