We can all agree that mothers do it all; a feat that requires a lot of brain power! As we age and the kids grow up, we often lose the efficiency that we used to have by constantly engaging in all of these activities. But a healthy mind is a happy one, and it’s important to find ways to keep your mind sharp.

If you’re stumped on what to get that important woman in your life this Mother’s Day, perhaps you should consider the gift of preventative wellness and self-care. According to Synaptitude Brain Health, there are five pillars of brain health to account for: cognition, stress, sleep, exercise, nutrition.

By taking care of these pillars, you are engaging in preventative wellness, or in other words, by effectively training your brain as you would a muscle, you are actually preventing age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s from taking root in the first place.

That’s why I have assembled some no-brainer activities for Mom’s special day that hit all five pillars of brain health, and will ensure you have her just as she is, for many more Mother’s Days to come.

Nutrition: Go Mediterranean

In a study that tracked aging adults following the Mediterranean diet, participants’ risk of getting Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia decreased by 45%-48%!

This delicious sounding diet involves high consumption of foods you probably already like: vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, cereals, and monounsaturated fatty acids (e.g., olive oil). It also involves moderate consumption of fish and dairy, like cheese; and lower consumption of red meat, and saturated fats.

So why not get together for a day of cooking delicious, Mediterranean-inspired dishes? Eating good food and spending time engaging with loved ones is a great way to meet the nutrition needs of brain health. Enjoy eating all of the colours of the rainbow as you chat, laugh, listen to music and admire the final result.

Exercise: Head to Yoga or Hit the Courts

Incorporating short and simple activities like walking, gardening, and cycling for at least 20 minutes a day can support brain function. The exact amount and type of exercise that you should do will depend on many factors, including your age and fitness level. The appropriate amount and type of activity for a fit 60-year-old will be very different than what is appropriate for a frail 85-year-old.

When thinking about exercise, many people would focus on cardio activities like running, swimming, or bicycling. However, scientific studies have shown that older adults who engage in strength (resistance) training also boost their brain.

A study of a group of 70 year old women in Australia showed that doing light strength training like light Pilates or weight lifting for 6 months improved participants’ cognitive health. They showed sharper muscle control and improvements in memory.

They also showed changes in brain connectivity and increased thickness in parts of their cortex. Adding resistance training alongside cardio is not only good for the brain, but it also keeps your workout routine fresh and fun.

Remember, resistance training can include all sorts of fun weight-bearing exercises like yoga, dancing, hiking, and tennis. So pick one – or pick all – and get your family moving with a group class or energizing activity.

Stress: Throw a Small (or Virtual) Party

Maintaining an active social life and diverse friendships is good for your brain because social interactions engage your memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities.

Get your kids or siblings together for a fun evening, maybe some friends or neighbours, or set up a few online calls with girlfriends and have a laugh. Don’t be afraid to get silly by throwing a themed party, wear costumes, play some games or indulge in anything relaxing and fun with a group of people you love. Your brains will thank you for it.

Cognition: Strengthen Your Brain Like a Muscle

If you target cognitive training to your weak spots, you can reduce your risk of dementia better than any drug or supplement on the market. As you get older, your brain continues to make new neurons and strengthen connections when you engage in cognitively stimulating activities and physical exercise.

Using your brain to adapt and respond to new experiences and learning is critical to its continued plasticity.

Hobbies, adventures and education are treatments that should be prescribed by medical practitioners to people as they age because of how good it is for you across so many health indicators. Instead, we’re prescribing it for Mother’s Day!

Were you and Mom planning a trip together? Maybe you can take a class on the history of that country or learn the native language. Or perhaps you’re looking to develop your green thumb and your mom is a seasoned gardener who can teach you, while strengthening her own neural pathways.

Whatever your interest, it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while improving your overall health.

Sleep: Get Out in Nature to Improve Your Chances of Hitting REM Sleep

Recent science has shown that during sleep, you clear out beta amyloid (the Alzheimer plaque protein) from your brain. In addition, you actually replay and rehearse the memories of the day. Strengthening your Circadian rhythms by exposure to light at the right times of day can improve your sleep, as can exercise and stress reducing techniques.

So take Mom for a walk in the park, or practice “forest bathing” to reduce your stress and improve your sleep.

The Best Mother’s Day Gift

The best tangible gift for your mom, or whomever you may be celebrating with this Mother’s Day, is the gift of improving their brain for the long term. Not only does improving your brain help you maximize your quality of life today, but it will protect you against age-related diseases tomorrow.

Knowing your mom’s health is being looked after will have both you and her sleeping more soundly.  

What brain-stimulating activities does your mother like to do? How do you support her – and your – brain health? How can you integrate brain-healthy activities into your typical Mother’s Day traditions?

A mom isn’t just the woman who birthed you. There are all types of mothers and mother figures to be celebrated on Mother’s Day. That’s why Jergens launched its “A Mom is A Mom” campaign. To celebrate, I jumped on Zoom with brand ambassador Leslie Mann and her daughter Maude Apatow to chat beauty, skincare and confidence. Yes, they’re as cool as you think they’d be.

“This Mother’s Day campaign is so cool because they’re celebrating all moms, no matter what their path to motherhood is,” says Mann. She was happy to start working with the brand years ago since Jergens Moisturizer has been a favorite in her family forever. “My grandmother used to use the Cherry Almond Jergens so it’s something that’s been around forever and something that works,” she says. Mann also loves the Jergens Wet Skin Body Moisturizer ($5.32 at Amazon), though she admits she uses it on dry skin. (Nothing wrong with beauty hack!)

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Jergens.

Buy: Jergens Original Scent Dry Skin Moisturizer $7.42

When it comes to mother-daughter beauty, Apatow says her mom taught her about “beauty from the inside out,” like “drinking water, eating food that’s good for your skin and not plucking your eyebrows.” She says she learned everything from Mann, watching her get ready and apply makeup. I ask Apatow what she picked up on the Euphoria set she was able to share with her mom.

“I definitely got more creative with eyeshadow,” she says. “And the big chunky glitter wings,” adds Mann.

Source: Instagram

Apatow admits it’s actually her 18-year-old sister Iris Apatow who is the beauty pro in the family. “My sister has been watching beauty tutorials since she was 11 years old so she knows way more tricks than I think we do,” she says. “My sister is really good at makeup because she’s been training for years.”

But that doesn’t mean this mother-daughter duo doesn’t share their own makeup faves with each other. “Maude and Iris used to come in and steal all of my makeup and products, and now because of Euphoria I think, [Maude] gets so much sent to her so I’m always going in and raiding her makeup drawers.”

They both love the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation ($48 at Sephora), as well as all the cream blushes out there on the market. Apatow favors ones from Milk Makeup and Melt Cosmetics. “And the Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm sticks,” she adds. “They went viral and now they’re impossible to find.”

When it comes to skincare, Apatow admits she didn’t wear moisturizer for a long time, saying: “I was in college looking crusty.” Now they’ve got all the Jergens moisturizer they want, while they also “drink water, take care of yourself and exercise.” Mann stresses the importance of adding an exfoliating product, as well as her favorite Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum ($300 at Sephora).

For Mother’s Day, the family usually just have brunch together. “And they get me presents and they’re nice to me or the day,” says Mann laughing. She’s grateful her family is able to be together right now during a difficult time for many. Amen to that.

A mom isn’t just the woman who birthed you. There are all types of mothers and mother figures to be celebrated on Mother’s Day. That’s why Jergens launched its “A Mom is A Mom” campaign. To celebrate, I jumped on Zoom with brand ambassador Leslie Mann and her daughter Maude Apatow to chat beauty, skincare and confidence. Yes, they’re as cool as you think they’d be.

“This Mother’s Day campaign is so cool because they’re celebrating all moms, no matter what their path to motherhood is,” says Mann. She was happy to start working with the brand years ago since Jergens Moisturizer has been a favorite in her family forever. “My grandmother used to use the Cherry Almond Jergens so it’s something that’s been around forever and something that works,” she says. Mann also loves the Jergens Wet Skin Body Moisturizer ($5.32 at Amazon), though she admits she uses it on dry skin. (Nothing wrong with beauty hack!)

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Jergens.

Buy: Jergens Original Scent Dry Skin Moisturizer $7.42

When it comes to mother-daughter beauty, Apatow says her mom taught her about “beauty from the inside out,” like “drinking water, eating food that’s good for your skin and not plucking your eyebrows.” She says she learned everything from Mann, watching her get ready and apply makeup. I ask Apatow what she picked up on the Euphoria set she was able to share with her mom.

“I definitely got more creative with eyeshadow,” she says. “And the big chunky glitter wings,” adds Mann.

Source: Instagram

Apatow admits it’s actually her 18-year-old sister Iris Apatow who is the beauty pro in the family. “My sister has been watching beauty tutorials since she was 11 years old so she knows way more tricks than I think we do,” she says. “My sister is really good at makeup because she’s been training for years.”

But that doesn’t mean this mother-daughter duo doesn’t share their own makeup faves with each other. “Maude and Iris used to come in and steal all of my makeup and products, and now because of Euphoria I think, [Maude] gets so much sent to her so I’m always going in and raiding her makeup drawers.”

They both love the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation ($48 at Sephora), as well as all the cream blushes out there on the market. Apatow favors ones from Milk Makeup and Melt Cosmetics. “And the Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm sticks,” she adds. “They went viral and now they’re impossible to find.”

When it comes to skincare, Apatow admits she didn’t wear moisturizer for a long time, saying: “I was in college looking crusty.” Now they’ve got all the Jergens moisturizer they want, while they also “drink water, take care of yourself and exercise.” Mann stresses the importance of adding an exfoliating product, as well as her favorite Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum ($300 at Sephora).

For Mother’s Day, the family usually just have brunch together. “And they get me presents and they’re nice to me or the day,” says Mann laughing. She’s grateful her family is able to be together right now during a difficult time for many. Amen to that.

I love weekend brunch at home and this morning am making one of my two very favorite brunch meals. This is not for the faint at heart, believe me. You can cut the fat in this recipe, but the fat is part of the amazing flavor of this French Toast.

Recipe

Makes a single serving.

Ingredients

2 or 3 drops of almond extract

2 or 3 drops of vanilla extract

1 tbsp bourbon

¼ tsp cinnamon and pumpkin spice

2 tbsp cream

1 egg

2 slices day old bread (sourdough is excellent)

2 tsp butter for the pan

2 tsp butter for topping

2-3 tbsp real maple syrup, warmed

Directions

In a somewhat flat bowl, drop a tiny bit of almond extract and vanilla extract (I usually pour a little bit into the bottle cap to make sure I don’t over do it) and 1 tbsp of bourbon.

Sprinkle into that liquid some cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice blend (or any spices you like). Mix it around with a fork and let it sit a few minutes.

Then pour into the spices 2 tbsp of cream (or you can use milk if you prefer) and mix well with the fork. Add one egg and beat it all together.

Take one slice of bread (I use day-old or dried bread to soak it up best) and lay it into the batter. Let it sit a minute and then turn it over. Let the bread sit a few more minutes so it really soaks up the batter and gets soggy with it.

Meanwhile prepare your pan. I use a non-stick pan but add a little butter to it. Warm it on medium-low heat until the butter is melted and begins to sizzle. Drop the slice of bread into the pan and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes until it’s really brown on that side. Then turn it over to brown the second side (you can use a fork, spatula or tongs) for another 4-5 minutes.

Key Tips for French Toast

It must be hot! Put your plate in the oven to warm your toast, and if you make it in batches, put the first one on the plate in the oven to keep it hot. Also, this is vital, heat up the syrup! Put it into the microwave for 15-20 seconds. It heats quickly because it is sugar and water (two of the three things that heat in the microwave – fat is the third).

I usually make one slice at a time so the second slice can be soaking up the rest of the batter while I cook the first. When both slices are done, drop some butter onto them and then pour the hot syrup over them. Yum! I love bacon with French Toast. The salt and sweet make a great combo.

Tips About Syrup

Always use REAL maple syrup. Not the fake kind or flavored corn syrup kind. There’s no comparison. Maple syrup comes in 4 grades, depending on when the sap was harvested. I like Grade A amber for French Toast and a darker Grade B to use in cooking. You can get it for a reasonable price at Trader Joe’s.

I know that French Toast seems like a straightforward breakfast, which it really is. But I have played with it over the years to add a bit of flavor blend and have come upon this current winning recipe. Play with the spices and flavors. You may like more almond extract than I do. Whatever works for your palate.

A citrus additive (like lemon or orange zest) would be yummy too. Explore and have fun with it.

What is your favorite weekend brunch recipe? How do you prepare it? Do you have a special recipe that you’ve played around for years until you finally perfected it to your taste? Please share with the community!

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since Prince died, though for fans it feels like yesterday. So, the excitement for the upcoming Urban Decay Prince collection is fierce. The Prince Estate And Urban Decay announced the limited-edition partnership on Thursday, inspired in part by Prince’s creativity and personal style. Prince was known for his bold and unapologetic looks so we expect the makeup to be the same—with some purple hues, of course.

If you’re worried that Prince wouldn’t approve of this collaboration, know that it was done with members of Prince’s artistic camp. “I’m very excited for this collection. I hope it inspires you to make your own rules, just as Prince did for so many decades,” said Damaris Lewis in a statement. The actress, model, and dancer performed alongside the superstar.

“It’s incredibly important to carry on Prince’s legacy in a way that truly gets it right,” added photographer/director Randee St. Nicholas. “He challenged you to rise to his level of work ethic and intensity—not in a way that was threatening or fearful, you just didn’t want to disappoint him. He made you want to be your best, perform at the highest caliber and step outside of your comfort zone. When shooting, it was important to embody this boldness and freedom.”

Source: Instagram

We don’t know exactly what the products look like just yet but Wende Zomnir, Urban Decay brand co-founder, has been a huge Prince fan since the ’80s so you know she’ll do it justice. “We couldn’t possibly imitate someone as legendary as Prince, and to compare him to a palette would diminish what he represents,” she said in a statement. “It’s easy to say why this collection makes sense on the surface—his makeup looks and our shared love of purple—but we did our best to reflect his energy on a deeper level. We found his ethos of not asking permission to be who he was and owning it so boldly aligned with our values of breaking the mold and championing all forms of beauty.”

We’ll keep you updated on the launch later this month.