Brownies and Coffee are Therapeutic! So, the story begins like this... We are all facing the inevitability of death, but a perfect chocolate brownie and a great cup of coffee can enrich our lives and help us live fully! Embarking on any new adventure can be intimidating, stressful, exhausting, and challenging — this journey encompasses all those emotions. When our family, the love of my life, received the devastating news of a dementia diagnosis, I was determined to make the best of the situation.
 
The early signs of dementia were subtle at first, but they gradually became more concerning, such as getting lost while driving and repeatedly forgetting the names of people she had known for years. Drawing on my background in medicine and research, I immediately began investigating possible interventions, prevention, and caregiving as my wife started experiencing more frequent and severe memory lapses. I also gathered extensive information on nutrition, exercise, and healthy eating to help slow the progression of the disease, as our lives depended on it.
 
I have a genuine passion for gourmet foods and find comfort in cooking for others. So, where better to embark on this adventure than by exploring natural, organic, and holistic methods scientifically proven to enhance cognitive functions? While I am not a chef or a nutritionist, I am a foodie, and my approach to this journey focuses on fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and, yes, chocolate and caffeine. For me, food and the art of preparing gourmet meals have always served as a form of therapy. Once I realized how this could benefit my wife, the journey — and this cookbook and guide — truly began.
 
Through this gastronomic exploration, I’m sharing my learning and a sense of real hope and well-being. Join me on a journey filled with researched health facts, fun trivia, rejuvenating nutritional facts, fascinating discoveries in the world of coffee, and, of course, my treasured collection of comforting and imaginative spins on that beloved chocolate square morsel, affectionately known as the brownie.
 
Like any great adventure, it starts with a first step, a deep love for family, an undeniable thirst for knowledge, a discerning palate, and the joy of that first delicious, healing sip and bite.
 
Enjoy & Bon Appétit!