Spark Creativity! Increase Relaxation!
Before we dive into this topic, let me just say that I am a Taurus. Food, creativity and relaxation are at the root of all I do in life.
That said, I firmly believe that good nutrition, inspired action and rest should be at the forefront of everyone’s lives. Caring for yourself through those three pillars is a surefire way to solidify your mind, body and soul are all well-nourished. If we’re not allowing ourselves to rest, move or nourish our vessels, how can we be connected to ourselves enough to create?
Anytime I find myself facing a creative block, there’s one question that first comes to mind.
Have I been eating well?
Honestly, as a woman with a busy schedule who loves indulging in delicious foods, the answer is often “no.”
Taking the time to put our own energy into creating life-giving meals for ourselves reinforces our love of self. Scientifically speaking, your nutrition and gut health have a direct correlation to your cognitive processes and capacity for joy. A happy body leads to a happy brain! So, diving into what you’re putting into your body is always a perfect place to begin problem solving blocks you may be facing.
Ahead, a few foods to begin adding into your daily diet to increase proper brain function and get those creative juices flowing!
Fruits, Green Veggies and Dark Chocolate
Each of these contain something called ‘flavonoids’ which have a ton of benefits. But most importantly, they increase blood flow. Proper circulation is vital for having access to all parts of the brain– including parts in charge of concentration, memory and processing emotions. So basically, all parts needed for that creative project you’ve been procrastinating! Greens in particular, such as broccoli and spinach are high in potassium and vitamin K, both improving brain health and reducing memory loss as we age.
Fish and Eggs
Oily fish, like salmon, mackerel, and tuna, are great suppliers of Omega-3 which helps increase oxygen flow to the brain, allowing us to retain more new information and recall known information. Eggs are rich in a mood regulating vitamin called choline. While both eggs and fish are high in B-12, an energy supplying vitamin that also encourages stable moods and brain functioning.
Seeds and Nuts
Jam packed with fiber, protein, and minerals, nuts and seeds provide the body with tons of long lasting benefits. The nutrients they provide all play a part in healthy cognitive function, stable energy and a good night’s rest!
We know it’s not always realistic to sneak in super healthy meals, every single day. But sending your body some nutrition-based lovin’ when you can will undoubtedly lead to a calmer and more free-flowing mind, nervous system and spirit. Your creativity is needed in this world! So we encourage you to get curious about the blocks you face every now and then. Investigate what is and isn’t working for you and your body. We promise easing some healthier options into your everyday life will only ever benefit you and your creative flow!
Looking to take your cooking journey to the next level?
As always, we’ve got a book for that! Below, a few of our top picks to spark creativity or promote relaxation.
For the Digital Creative:
As Cooked on TikTok by TikTok & Gordon Ramsey
Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat
For the Visual Artist:
Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi
The Monet Cookbook: Recipes from Giverny by Florence Gentner
For the Musician:
Mixtape Potluck Cookbook by Questlove
Rapper’s Delight: The Hip Hop Cookbook by Joseph Inniss, Ralph Miller, Peter Stadden
For the Performer:
The Official Netflix Cookbook: 70 Recipes from Your TV to Table by Anna Painter
The Tucci Cookbook by Stanley Tucci
For the Writer:
Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit with Over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes by Erika Council
After sparking that creativity through food, here are some more ways to take care of yourself. Check out these Self-Care Tips for The Hardworking Woman that we know you are!
