As a part of the new campaign, “Let’s Retake Our Plates,” Whole Foods Market — along with Slow Food Denver, Grow Local Colorado, Front Range Earth, Denver Urban Gardens and the Denver Public Library’s Fresh City Life program — is sponsoring a free film series to raise awareness of issues in our food systems.
“What’s On Your Plate?” is a documentary covering two 11-year-olds as they explore their place in the food chain and their city. 6 p.m. tonight , Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Avenue Parkway, 720-865-1472;
“Food, Inc.” examines the highly mechanized underbelly of food production. 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday, The Mayan Theater, 110 Broadway, 303-744-6883;
“The Garden” follows farmers on a 14-acre community garden in Los Angeles through their struggle to grow their own food, feed their families and create a community. 6 p.m. April 26, Denver Public Library;
The well-seasoned mind
New research shows that turmeric, ginger, garlic, saffron and cinnamon can boost brain function. The latest issue of AARP The Magazine explains:
1. Turmeric. In India, where people eat curry almost every day, the Alzheimer’s disease rate is a quarter of that in the United States. A new study on mice found that curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — broke up brain plaques of amyloid beta, the abnormal protein buildup that is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Dish it up: For a brain-boosting chicken salad, toss 2 teaspoons of curry powder with 2 cups of cubed chicken. Saute in olive oil, cool, and add raisins, diced apples, chopped almonds, celery and a container of plain low-fat yogurt.
2. Ginger. A recent study found that more than 80 percent of migraine-prone patients with mild headaches who were treated with a combo of ginger and the herb feverfew staved off migraines.
Dish it up: Stir 3 teaspoons of grated ginger into 1 cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.
3. Garlic. Long touted for its heart-healthy benefits, garlic may also fight brain cancer. A 2007 study noted that garlic compounds eliminated brain cancer cells, leading some experts to predict that garlic-based treatments for brain cancer are not far behind. Dish it up: Mix a half teaspoon garlic powder or a couple of cloves fresh garlic with tomatoes and basil for a cancer-fighting marinara.
4. Saffron. Got the blues? Before popping an anti-depressant, try eating more of this pungent herb. A 2007 study discovered that a twice-daily dose of saffron works as well as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression. Dish it up: Add half a teaspoon saffron to the water while cooking 2 cups of rice.
5. Cinnamon. If you want to react more quickly during your next tennis game, chew cinnamon gum. A recent study found that cinnamon speeds the rate at which your brain processes visual clues. Dish it up: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cinnamon on oatmeal for a brain-healthy breakfast. AARP The Magazine
No Happy Meals for two weeks?!
Koa Halpern, left, 12, is so committed to educating kids about healthy eating that he started his own organization, Fast Food Free () when he was just 10 years old. The Colorado Connections Academy student challenges children to “Spring into Healthy Eating” and give up fast food for two weeks. When a Korean foreign exchange student living with Koa developed a desire for drive-through, his curiosity was sparked. He researched everything about fast food from the health risks to animal rights violations to the impact on the environment, and designed the Fast Food Free website. His goal is to educate kids on the nutritional, environmental and animal welfare impacts of eating fast food, and to encourage kids to take action at home, in their schools and communities.
