August 3, 2020

Sleep

 

A lack of sleep is one of the most significant lifestyle factors that determines your risk of Alzheimer’s.

The brain has its own waste removal system which is similar to the body’s lymphatic system called the Glymphatic system.

When we fall into a deep sleep, the hippocampus part of the brain will shrink by 200%. This leaves room for cerebral spinal fluid to wash beta-amyloid out of the brain.

Basically cleaning all the waste out from the brain.

Each night if you are not getting enough sleep the waste product (beta-amyloid) accumulates leading over time the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Sleep deprivation can reduce your natural cancer killer cells by 70%. These cells are responsible for identifying and destroying malignant cancer cells throughout the body.

This is why the World Health Organisation has classified nightshift as a probable carcinogen.

When entering into the early stages of sleep our brain neurons are still buzzing from the daily activities.

If you can imagine the similarity of the pre game noise at a soccer match when everyone is talking to the person next to them. It creates a disjointed buzz around the ground.

When we enter into a deep sleep (N-REM) our neurons start to synchronize and communicate with each other. Imagine the 90 000 soccer crowd synchronizing and singing during the match.

During this communication period, the brain starts storing the day’s information, like hitting the save button on your memories, its storing knowledge.

If you sleep well you will eat well. Depriving yourself of sleep will increase the hunger hormone ghrelin and decrease the full hormone leptin. This makes us crave sugary carbohydrates. We become hyperinsulinemia and start holding onto body fat.

Strength, stamina, and motivation to exercise all decline with a lack of sleep.

  • increases risk of Alzheimer’s
  • Affects your immune system
  • Impairs your learning and memory
  • Increases risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Increases risk of cancer
  • Contributes to depression and anxiety
  • Can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain.

Preparing yourself for sleep, try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day

  • Don’t eat 3hrs before bedtime
  • Keep off electronic devices 1hr before bedtime
  • Keep all electronic devices out of room
  • Try to make your room as dark as possible.

If awake in the middle of the night get up and read in another room until sleepy.

July 2, 2025
Chicken & Delicata Squash with Brown Butter Sage  2 servings | 50 minutes INGREDIENTS 3 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided) 1 tbsp Balsamic Glaze 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard 1 tsp Maple Syrup 12 ozs Chicken Breast (bone-in, skin-on) Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste) 1 Delicata Squash (small, cut in half lengthwise, seeds removed, cut into wedges) 1 tbsp Butter 1/4 cup Fresh Sage METHOD Preheat the oven to 425oF (220oC). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place an oven safe rack over top of one. In a small bowl, combine half the oil, balsamic glaze, mustard, and maple syrup. Place the chicken in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pour about half of the balsamic mixture over the chicken and coat well. Place the chicken on the baking sheet with the rack. Add the squash to the second baking sheet. Coat with the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through. Halfway through baking, remove the chicken and brush the remaining balsamic mixture over top and return to the oven. Add the squash to the oven at this point too. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the sage. Stir often until the butter has browned and smells nutty, about three to four minutes. Divide the chicken and squash onto plates and drizzle the sage butter over the squash. Enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is about 1 1/2 cups of squash with 1 1/2 cups chicken (sliced). NUTRITION FACTS​ ​Amount per serving​ 618 calories 51gs protein 13gs carb 40gs fat
June 26, 2025
 Classic Beef-Stuffed Peppers 4 servings | 45 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 4 medium red, yellow or green bell peppers 1/2 cup minced onion 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions, drained 1/2 cup cooked white or brown rice 3 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Chopped fresh parsley (optional) METHOD: Coat a large baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. Preheat oven to 475°F. Cut tops off bell peppers; set tops aside. Using a paring knife, carefully remove the membranes and seeds from bell peppers. Arrange peppers about 2 inches apart in prepared baking dish. Place tops on empty peppers. Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil; bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly. Meanwhile, heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef, onion and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes, breaking beef into 1/2 inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes, rice, tomato paste, dried parsley, salt and black pepper; cook 3 to 4 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove pepper tops. Divide beef mixture evenly among peppers; replace tops. Bake in 475°F oven 17 to 22 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of beef mixture registers 160°F and bell peppers are tender. Garnish with parsley, if desired. Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness. NUTRITION (per serving) Calories: 296 Fat: 3,4g Protein: 29g Carbohydrate: 25g Iron: 4,5g
June 18, 2025
One Pan Miso Honey Chicken Thighs with Squash 2 servings | 40 minutes  INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp Miso Paste 1 tsp Raw Honey 1 Garlic (clove, large, minced) 3 tbsps Chicken Broth, Low Sodium Sea Salt & Black Pepper 1 lb Chicken Thighs with Skin (bone-in) 1 Delicata Squash (large, sliced, seeds removed) 1 tbsp Parsley (minced)  METHOD Preheat the oven to 400oF (205oC). Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Mix the miso paste, honey, garlic, chicken broth, salt, and pepper together. Add the chicken and squash to the marinade and toss well to coat. Sear the chicken thighs in the cast iron pan, skin-side down, until just browned, about two minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan. Add the squash and remaining marinade to the pan and place the chicken thighs on top. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the squash is tender. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!  NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is approximately two chicken thighs and one cup of squash. Additional Toppings: Sesame seeds, hot sauce, and/or chopped green onions.  Nutrition Facts ​  ​ Amount per serving ​  623 calories  57gs protein  15gs carb  35gs fat
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