Hi Enna- Sounds like you are doing a lot of great things for yourself! Have you had a sleep study done? The ways that sleep can impact our brain health are far-reaching, so I would seriously consider that if you haven’t done that already.

Also, making sure you are getting adequate levels of omega-3s from a vegan source can be hard to do. As Dr. Amen says, you may need much higher levels from flax seed in order to get the same impact as fish oils. 

B-complex, and yes, especially B-12 is of vital import for vegans. I was a vegan for several years, and needed to get injections of B-12 for maximum absorption. Some studies I have read put the sublingual B-12 at the lowest level of actual absorption compared to other sources, so you may consider either injections or a capsule. Have you had any lab work done lately to assess your iron, B-12, or Vitamin D needs? That might be helpful in the future as well.

Good morning!
For vegan recipes, I would simply adjust Tana’s chicken or fish based recipes to include a vegan protein source instead such as organic hemp protein or organic sprouted soy protein as her recipes do not include dairy, and you can just avoid the egg recipes. Also, make sure you are including adequate good fats for satiety such as pumpkin seeds, raw almonds or walnuts, etc. 

In terms of your omega-3 supplement, you need one that has a balance of the two primary omega-3s for brain health, DHA and EPA. Is yours solely DHA? If so I would consider getting one with a balance of both as EPA is more essential for brain function in adults. There are a few algae-based vegan supplements with both, and try to get at least 1000 mg total of omega-3 supplement. Dr. Amen suggests you may need considerably more if you are using a non-fish source. Check out his video on supplements under the “Nourish My Brain” tab for more information. 

And yes, a sleep study is always a good idea if you have sleep issues to make sure the time you spend sleeping is giving you optimal rest and recovery! You have an option of doing an in-home study if a sleep-away study is keeping you from doing it. Easy and quick!

Hello all and welcome Enna!
My refrigerator is looking pretty darn good!
Lessons learned are: leafy greens wilt pretty rapidly. I saw an ad for some new tupperware type plastic container that has, on it’s lid, some veggie vent system that keeps them fresher longer. I’ll look for them this week.
At the moment we are spending most of our time…eliminating sugar and flour.
I took a trip to Fresh Market today…spent $91….BUT…I also read labels and found sooo many “healthy products” laced with sugar. So, while the grocery bill seemed high…the reality is that…without adding “junk” …I came out with about 3 excellent dinner meals..a ton of great veggies and a few fruits..all organic….plus…and a few pounds of organic, grass fed, no hormone hamburger…3 free range, no hormone chicken legs, 4 sea scallops, and a dozen raw jumbo shrimp.
Crackers were tough……that is something i am working on….so i selected a rice cracker with NO sugar.
I love sandwich meat…so …selected…turkey…untainted and salami…uncured, and some nice sushi wraps in ..whatever they use…mostly veggies and shrimp.
I looked for the very best i could find..organic…no sugar, and wound up leaving the store with 4 heavy bags of groceries….and , thanks to Tana and her recipies….a whole lot of ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinners.

forgot to mention…I am also building my condiment, oil, nut and seed areas….while shopping. 
Veganiese  mayo has replaced reg. mayo..it’s truly delicious and as a “Helman’s” only, person..that’s pretty remarkable! I got rid of all peanut products…and ditched the instant puddings, cereals, Ketchup, and general junk. I am taking it slowly…cost wise and knowledge wise for my kitchen but..it’s coming together. Whooa!

Good for you! Sounds like you’re creating a brain fit kitchen!

Love this!!!

I think I’ve done too much too fast. My digestive system, as well as my housemate’s has gone amuck. While it wasn’t too bad for me over these last two weeks, Nance has experienced bouts of IBS. However, about 3am this morning I began having intense intestinal pain..coming in waves and on scale of 1-10..10 being most torturous, I was experiencing 10. I had to get up..try to walk it off..took some tums…but here it is after 8am and the pain is still pretty intense. For dinner, I made a huge kale salad with tuna, sprouts, nuts and seeds, red pepper, olive oil, lemon zest….followed by an apple later on…and because I was still hungry…had 2 pieces of oat toast with butter and strawberry jelly. Basically, what’s happening is that neither one of us…truly know what we’re doing yet and as we muddle thru changing our diets, our system is trying to make the change too…and at the moment, not too successfully. I bought Tana’s cookbook and her diet book…so hopefully that will help. Any suggestions for when we find ourselves outwitted by our digestive system?

You may try lightly steaming your veggies as opposed to eating them raw as you transition to this way of eating. That can make digestion a bit easier for some. Also, make sure you are eating slowly, not drinking too much with meals, and taking a high quality probiotic. 

If you feel your pain is severe, please see a doctor to rule out something other than digestive upset.

And if you need more individual support, consider making a nutrition consulting appointment with us.

I have many of the same digestive issues but have found taking the Amen probiotic is helping.  Also see some Chinese medicine practioners at times and they had me integrate more rice into my diet and that seems to sooth my system when I’m cramping and having the diarrhea.  Another big breakthrough was removing gluten in all forms and milk products.  I’m still on the probiotics and believe I am healing my digestive system and brain!