We're nearing the end of the alphabet, but that doesn't mean there aren't more delicious and brain-boosting foods left to cover. If you've been following PayPath's mind-boosting foods series, where you last learned about the benefits of pumpkin seeds, quinoa, and rosemary, then you've come to understand how food fuels more than just the body, it also makes a difference in the brain's functions and health.
Keep on enjoying all the nutritious goodness covered so far, like avocados, mackerel, and lentils, and get your belly and brain ready for even more foods that have proven to boost productivity, sharpness, memory, and overall success in the workplace and everywhere else!
Salmon
Salmon is a versatile fish that's readily available nearly anywhere canned, and is also found fresh or frozen in supermarkets nationwide nearly any time of year.
According to mindbodygreen, "Salmon is a terrific natural source of the omega-3 oil DHA. DHA plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health of brain cells and actually helps to stimulate the growth of brain cells in the brain's memory center."
And salmon is terrific for kids too. Get them started early with eating well and keeping focused. As per Dr. Axe, "If you have kids, feeding them salmon can help prevent ADHD."
Go ahead and enjoy smoked salmon or lox and cream cheese on a whole wheat bagel or toast for breakfast, a salmon salad sandwich for lunch, or grilled salmon and steamed veggies for dinner. Packed with protein and chock-full of nutrition, you'll swim through your day well-fed from head to toe.
Turmeric
Spice up your life and your brainpower with the unique and tempting taste of the spice turmeric added to your favorite dishes. According to Dr. Axe, "Turmeric is an ancient root that's been used for its healing properties throughout history. (It) improves your brain's oxygen intake, keeping you alert and able to process information." Additionally, studies have showed that the spice may have anti-inflammatory affects for those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.
You've probably already enjoyed the taste of turmeric in curry-based dishes and Indian foods. Kitchn suggests using the spice at home with eggs, veggies, rice, soups, smoothies, teas, and anything else you want to kick up a notch.
Udon Noodles
Udon noodles are wheat-based, chewy-textured noodles often found in Asian dishes. Along with their great taste and versatility, these noodles are beneficial to the noggin too.
According to Dr. Axe, "Eating complex carbohydrates like whole grain udon noodles is actually a recommended and helpful dietary recommendation for stress management." In addition, "Thiamine is especially high in whole grain udon noodles, which is considered to be an "anti-stress" vitamin."
Heat up a piping hot bowl of soup and toss in plenty of udon. Slurp your way towards a stress-free way of life and do so deliciously. Want more? Here are the V, W, and X (yes, X) foods to chow down on!
Stay tuned as we finish up our A - Zs of mindful eating!
The Federal Reserve sets the guardrails for the federal funds rate, and through that helps control the money supply for the nation.
When you take out a loan for a car, charge something to your credit card, or get a personal line of credit, there is going to be an interest rate that applies to your loan.
A lot of different factors go into what you will be charged, including your own personal credit score. But even those with flawless credit still see a minimum charge that they can't get around. That all goes back to the Federal Funds Rate.
One thing consumers rarely realize is that all of our banks are lending money to each other every night. Banks are legally required to maintain a certain percentage of their deposits in non-interest-bearing accounts at the Federal Reserve to ensure they have enough money to cover any withdrawals that may unexpectedly come up. However, deposits can fluctuate and it's very common for some banks to exceed the requirement on certain days while some fall short. In cases like this, banks actually lend each other money to ensure they meet the minimum balance. It's a bit hard to imagine these multibillion-dollar financial institutions needing to borrow money to tide them over for a bit, but it happens every single night at the Federal Reserve. It's also a nice deal for those with balances above the reserve balance requirement to earn a bit of money with cash that would normally just be sitting there.
The exact interest rate the banks will charge each other is a matter of negotiation between them, but the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) (the arm of the Federal Reserve that sets monetary policy) meets eight times a year to set a target rate. They evaluate a multitude of economic indicators including unemployment, inflation, and consumer confidence to decide the best rate to keep the country in business. The weighted average of all interest rates across these interbank loans is the effective federal funds rate.
This rate has a huge impact on the economy overall as well as your personal finances. The federal funds rate is essentially the cheapest money available to a bank and that feeds into all of the other loans they make. Banks will add a slight upcharge to the rate set by the Fed to determine what is the lowest interest that they will announce for their most creditworthy customers, also known as the prime rate. If you have a variable interest rate loan (very common with credit cards and some student loans), it's likely that the interest rate you pay is a set percentage on top of that prime rate that your lender is paying. That's why in times of low interest rates (it was set at 0% during the Great Recession), a lot of borrowers should go for fixed interest rate loans that won't increase. However, if the federal funds rate was relatively high (it went up to 20% in the early 1980's), a variable interest rate loan may be a better decision as you would be charged less interest should the rate drop without the need to refinance.
The federal funds rate also has a major impact on your investment portfolio. The stock market reacts very strongly to any changes in interest rates from the Federal Reserve, as a lower rate makes it cheaper for companies to borrow and reinvest while a higher rate may restrict capital and slow short-term growth. If you have a significant portion of your investments in equities, a small change in the federal funds rate can have a large impact on your net worth.
Whether you're leaving a job involuntarily, departing for something new, or just want to prepare for the unknown, it is smart to understand all your options regarding your 401k.
diy gifts
Frugal gifting often gets a bad reputation. However, this shopping method does not make you cheap — it makes you practical. Frugal gifts often avoid waste and overspending and can be just as meaningful (if not more so) as any other present.
With the National Retail Federation predicting each consumer this holiday season to spend upwards of $1,000 on holiday gifts amidst an economic recession —this year might be the perfect time to reconsider your spending budget. We've formulated the ultimate list of frugal gift-giving ideas to get you started.
