Sunday, February 12, 2017

Valentine's chocolates? No, please!



I  recently watched a PBS documentary on Alzheimer’s disease. It is scary how many people are already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and how many will develop it.

 

The problem with this documentary (as with many other PBS documentaries) is that the real reasons for the increased incidence of the disease are not discussed.

Recent research has named Alzheimer's “type 3 diabetes”, because there is evidence that it is caused by insulin resistance in the brain. With overweight and obesity being on the rise, we are up for more and more cases of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.


This is why after watching the PBS documentary, I decided that I would not compromise and for Valentine’s day, instead of a chocolate treat with added sugar, I will prepare something else for my child and husband.  I will prepare banana-cocoa hearts. It is easy, follow the directions below, or invent your own fresh fruit recipe in the shape of heart.


BANANA-COCOA HEART

 

You need:
1 banana
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder for baking
a heart-shaped cookie cutter

 

Instructions:
Mash the banana. Put the cookie cutter on a beautiful dessert plate and fill with the mashed banana. Press down, so that the banana takes the shape of the heart cookie cutter. Gently remove the cookie cutter and sprinkle the banana with the cocoa powder. Serve. If there is any other fresh fruit in season (raspberries, strawberries), decorate the heart with these.  You can also sprinkle some nuts on top - crushed almonds, peanuts or walnuts. DO NOT use sugar, because you DO CARE. 


Turn on the lights, play some jazz, have the balloons ready and get the conversation and laughter going. Valentine's is a day to remember to take care of each other.

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