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This Bestselling Author Reveals How You Can Eat For Your Brain

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Cristina Ferrare is a great believer that food is medicine. She has spent many years researching foods and their direct effects on health. “My mother was suffering from dementia then developed Alzheimer’s disease,” she explains. “I watched her slowly disappear into the abyss from Alzheimer’s disease and felt helpless to help her.” She devoted herself to understanding the symptoms and causes of Alzheimers and Dementia.

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To that end the New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, former model and television host wrote the new book Food for Thought: Recipes for Ultimate Mind and Body Health. Ferrare takes a refreshing look at how foods people love can be delicious and healthy. With a forward by Maria Shriver, proceeds from Food For Thought, on sale December 4will benefit The Women's Alzheimer's Movement. Ferrare shares all of her favorite recipes, like caramelized roasted beet salad with goat cheese, gazpacho with habanera pineapple salsa, miso-glazed sea bass in lemongrass coconut Thai broth, and pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. She shared more.

Jeryl Brunner: Why do you believe that food choices can help benefit all aspects of dementia?

Cristina Ferrare: The Alzheimer’s Society says that a Mediterranean-style diet can help reduce the risk of forms forms of dementia. These diets are high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals. They suggest less intake of oily fish, dairy, meat, sugar and saturated fat. Excess sugar impacts the body in a negative way. It will shock you how much “sugar" is in practically every single packaged or canned products you buy in the grocery stores. It is addictive. Seeing it may even jump start you to actually make a change. That is why it’s important to eat clean natural organic foods.

Brunner: So many people want to eat healthier. But with the holidays and our constant exposure to sugar, how can you be completely disciplined? 

Ferrare: After you eat like this for a while it won’t be a problem because your desire for sweet won’t overwhelm you. It doesn’t taste the same. But hey, if you want a piece of pumpkin pie, cookies, brownies, etc. don’t deprive yourself.  I guarantee you won’t over indulge because your taste buds have changed and it won’t be satisfying. I love Sees candy. I buy six pieces at a time that are my favorite and hide them from my family. And I will, on occasion, have one after dinner with hot tea. One is all I seem to need. There is no way you will feel deprived. You simply eat the foods you love and eliminate all processed sugar, and most gluten. Don’t worry you can still have desserts! It’s all in how it’s prepared and the ingredients you will use to substitute processed sugar, oils and fats.

Brunner: Maria Shriver wrote the forward to your book. How is she involved in your mission? 

Ferrare: Maria and I have been friends for over 30 years. She inspires me everyday and is one of the greatest role models in my life. She is above all an outstanding mother, daughter, sister and friend.  She is loving, kind, inclusive, giving, fiercely loyal, and a force of nature to be reckoned with when it comes to causes that are close to her heart, like Alzheimer’s disease. Her father Sargent Shriver passed from Alzheimer’s. Maria has made it her life's work to find a cure, raise awareness and funds for research and be an advocate for patients and caregivers. Maria asked me to join her cause. I wanted to educate people on the direct correlation between the foods we eat and the effects it has on your health.  She suggested writing a cookbook.

Brunner: What advice have you received early on that has stayed with you?

Ferrare: Over the years my mother always gave me the best advice. I still apply it to my everyday life.

1. Always be polite and respectful.

2.  If you need to get a point across don’t yell, people stop listening when you yell.

3.  Listen to the opinions of others and don’t try to convince them that yours are better. That is one I am still working on.

4. Anger is better served up cold. Wait a day then address it, cooler heads prevail.

5. Speak up with conviction!

6. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do anything because you are "a girl.”

7. I got this from Oprah Winfrey herself. She said, “ When someone pays you a compliment own it. Take it in and don’t deflect. It is positive affirmation and you are sending your body healing thoughts. Just say thank you!

Courtesy Post Hill Press

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