Spice Up Your Life, Part 2

Cinnamon--just the word suggests a warm, aromatic scent that is known from early childhood. Most all of us have enjoyed cinnamon toast, cookies with cinnamon known as snickerdoodles, warm cinnamon rolls. The aroma wafts throughout the house when heated. Cinnamon has recently been brought into the spotlight as a super spice that, when paired with honey, can apparently lower cholesterol. Now that's a good way to enjoy the ubiquitous oatmeal breakfast!

Don't sell cinnamon short, however. It's usually touted as a sweet treat spice, and, unfortunately, it is added into otherwise not-so-healthy products such as white flour, hydrogenated oils, and too much sugar. Any health benefits get wiped out by the overload of unbeneficial ingredients put with it. But how can cinnamon be enjoyed without all the sweet additives? Try using cinnamon in savory dishes! Cinnamon is a warming spice, so it is great to use in colder weather...and I think we've achieved that goal this month! 

Here's a recipe from thekitchn.com: couscous salad with cinnamon. It's a great combination with other warming spices and a zing of flavor from cranberries. Give it a try as a side dish or even as a main course. It will be filling and warming.

Cinnamon is a spice that has been around since Biblical times. It continues to be used in many parts of the world not only for cooking, but also in teas, and for medicinal purposes. In addition, some of you may remember the wonderful aroma of Cinnabar, a cologne that was produced by Estee Lauder in the 1970s. 

For those of you who want to learn even more about the various kinds of cinnamon, check the differences between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. According to several sources researched, Ceylon cinnamon is a better quality for ingesting. Penzeys.com is a top-notch place to purchase spices of all kinds. Once again, don't let the sticker shock get you. We don't put watered-down gasoline into our vehicles--we put in the best quality needed. We need to re-think how we take care of our personal temples--really good quality foods (including spices) should be high on our list.  

Spice Up Your Life,Part One

It's that time of year when we're all beginning to get the winter blahs...look out! With the blahs come the endless search in the fridge, the cupboards, and the grocery store shelves for every kind of comfort food available. 

Too much comfort food this month, next month...those spring attitudes (and clothes) are going to feel anything but comfortable. 

How to endure these cold, gloomy, snowy, icy days and not need to stuff oneself with lots of sugars and other troublesome carbohydrates and bad-for-you fats?

Spice up your life...

Next time you're at the grocery store, head to the spice section. One word of warning--spices aren't, by nature, cheap. There might be a little sticker shock. Just think, however, how much pleasure you, your family, and your friends are going to derive from that little bottle of oregano, basil, marjoram, or thyme.

Okay...now you've arrived...now what?!?

Choose something that you like the taste of in the regular food you eat. A fan of Italian food? Then choose some oregano and basil. These are two great all-around spices that can be added to any number of meats or vegetables. For starters, how about making a simple sauce? A pound of grass-fed ground beef, a chopped onion, a little salt, a little pepper, a tablespoon of oregano and a tablespoon of basil added all together in a skillet can become a bouquet of aroma that you'll adore. Add just a little can of tomato sauce (don't make it too "soupy") after the beef and onions are browned and you'll have a sauce that will make you smile!

Congratulations and welcome to the world of wonderful spices...possibilities are endless for good flavors!

When planning your grocery list, head over to the recipes page and see what other spices you can play with in the kitchen this week.

Here's to your good health!