Mood Boosting Foods

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I’m so over February.  It’s cold, gloomy, dreary, and here in Dallas we just got an extra blast of sleet and snow.  Ya, my mood is pretty blah.  Luckily I’m cooking foods which naturally boost your mood and energy simply by eating them! We often assume supplements and vitamins are the key to boosting mood naturally, but in fact, the foods we eat can affect how we feel emotionally.  Don’t believe me? Check out what Dr. Oz has to say on the matter! I’ve incorporated fruits like tart cherries (rich in mood boosting melatonin), vegetables like mushrooms (high in Vitamin D) and Salmon (omega-3 dense fish) into my diet.  I shared the recipes on Good Morning Texas today. Below you’ll find how to make them yourself!

 
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Mushroom Spinach Quiche

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup low fat milk
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 3 eggs (2 whole eggs, one egg yolk)
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 stems fresh thyme
  • 6 oz cheddar cheese
  • 1, 8 oz package of Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced (mushrooms are high in vitamin D.  Vitamin D regulates serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine)
  • 1, 8 oz package of Shitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
  • 2 cups spinach (spinach protects against free radicals which can prompt depression, and is high in folate)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • pinch fresh nutmeg
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme, destemmed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pie crust

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Bake the pie crust as directed, for about 20-30 minutes.
  3. Remove and place on rack to cool.
  4. Meanwhile, place a frying pan on medium heat and saute onions, garlic, thyme and mushrooms until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms have sweat out all there liquid.
  5. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
  6. Place the frying pan back on the stove and wilt the spinach, draining extra  water.
  7. Transfer the wilted spinach to the mixing bowl and toss with other ingredients.
  8. Once the pie crust is baked and cooled, sprinkle half the cheese evenly on the bottom of the pie crust.
  9. Next, spread the mushroom and spinach mixture.
  10. In the mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and nutmeg together and pour the liquid over the mushrooms and cheese.
  11. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  12. Bake for 35 minutes or until center is firm.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Keywords: mushroom, spinach, quiche

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Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup frozen tart cherries (tart cherries are rich in melatonin, which enhance the mood. It is also a natural sleep aid, so this smoothie would make a great after-dinner dessert)
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries (blueberries are antioxidant rich)
  • 1/2 a banana (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 cups lowfat chocolate milk (chocolate has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression)

Instructions

  1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. You can also add a couple handfuls of spinach for added greens or drink the smoothie at night.  The melatonin in the cherries might help you get some extra Zzzzzs!
  3. Serve immediately. 

Keywords: chocolate, cherry, smoothie

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us @DinnerReinvented — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

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