2 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy - Plus a Recipe!

by Denise Austin |

Jun 26, 2025 |

Lifestyle

Hi everyone - my new Fit Over 50: Strong Body, Strong Mind issue is out, and I love how much wonderful health advice is within. My team and I worked with physicians to bring you solid insight for a variety of topics, all with the goal of strength being at the forefront! Pick up your issue now and see actionable takeaways on:

-How to keep your heart healthy. From minimizing alcohol and measuring your waistline to getting enough sleep, we do a deep dive into heart health and why it's so important, especially for women over 50!

-Calming and centering your mind. Crucial to managing anxiety and stress, I have nine exercises will help you refocus so you can prioritize your life and health!

-Muscle soothing strategies. You can keep moving and grooving when your muscles feel good - use my strategies to get there!

And more - including healthy, nutritious meals, workouts to keep your body in tip-top shape, and tips for feeling your best!

We also do a dive into brain health, and today I want to share two with you that you can begin to implement now - plus a brain-healthy recipe!!

1) Embrace challenges! Brain-challenging activities, such as learning a new skill, adopting a new hobby or taking a class, may have short and long-term benefits for the health of your mind. To keep your brain active, it is important to participate in activities that expose you to new topics. I learned pickleball a few years ago, and it was both mentally and physically challenging - I loved it! Crossword puzzles, learning a foreign language and even going on a walk somewhere new can get your mind to work in a new, healthy way!

2) Focus on eating brain-healthy foods. I love to eat, and as I get older, I love to eat foods that I know will nourish my body and mind. I include an antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetable into every meal best I can, because antioxidants help counter oxidative stress, which may accelerate the aging process. Foods like salmon, sardines, and flaxseed may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory loss. And don’t skimp on foods rich in vitamins C and E, like citrus fruits and EVOO: Inflammation is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and these vitamins can help protect against inflammation.

The magazine has more tips for brain health, so pick up your copy today - and don't miss the recipes! So many healthy meal ideas, including this delicious brain-healthy Broiled Salad with Quinoa recipe - give it a try!

Broiled Salad with Quinoa

Time: 20 minutes

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

1 6-oz. piece salmon filet

Cajun seasoning

1 cup quinoa

1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup green beans

1/2 tsp. garlic, minced

Instructions

1.Coat salmon in Cajun spices and broil 3-4 minutes on each side for ½-inch thick piece. (Cooking time varies depending on thickness of fish.)