H&LBC Day 2: Spice It Up

Day 2: Spice it up

Holidays mean plenty of fun gatherings – and lots of extra food! This year, tweak some of your usual recipes to improve your health. How? Cook with flavorful spices and herbs that have amazing healing powers. This warming blend of herbs and spices helps increase your energy levels and the function of your metabolism, making it good for healthy weight management. It can also be helpful for insulin resistance and pre-diabetes care. You can make both a sweet and savory blend if you prefer to add to separate dishes.

Spice & Herb Blend recipe

  • Ground cinnamon
  • Garlic powder
  • Ground mustard seed
  • Ground coriander seed
  • Red chili pepper & Black Pepper
  • Ground cayenne Pepper
  • Ground cumin seed

Fresh is best; when possible, grind your own spices from the original dry source (think cinnamon sticks, mustard seeds, an actual dried cayenne pepper) use a coffee grinder and blend the spices together to taste. Store in a glass jar for up to a month. To use, simply add the spice blend to your meals just as you are finishing cooking the dish – about 1 minute before you turn off the heat.

Cinnamon for Insulin Sensitivity

A standout ingredient is cinnamon, which has been linked to lowered blood sugar. Research has demonstrated improvement in insulin sensitivity with cinnamon polyphenols, as well as total and LDL cholesterol. It doesn’t hurt that it is tasty, too!

Garlic for a Healthy Heart

Garlic has been used traditionally to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes-related conditions. And garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, consuming half to one clove of garlic daily may reduce cholesterol by nearly 10%. Your breath might suffer, but your heart will thank you.

Mustard Seeds Warm Up Your Metabolism

Big in spicy flavor, these small brownish-yellow seeds give your metabolism a boost, potentially helping you burn fat more quickly. Mustard seeds are low in calories and carbohydrates, but high in fiber, which gives the feeling of fullness.

Coriander Seed for detox

If some heavy toxic metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminium etc get accumulated in our body, it leads to serious health problems like Alzheimer’s disease, loss of memory and eyesight, improper functioning of cardio-vascular and neurological system. Coriander seeds contain natural compounds which help to detox the body and remove all the traces of heavy toxic metals.

Cayenne Pepper for fat burning

Cayenne peppers, also known as Paprika, are often used as a natural fat burner and pain killer with anti-inflammatory properties. Cayenne is used to heal ulcers, improve circulation, boost the immune system, aid digestion

Cumin Seed for better digestion

Cumin seeds have traditionally been noted to be of benefit to the digestive system, and scientific research is beginning to bear out cumin's age-old reputation. Research has shown that cumin may stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation.

While this spice blend will help you along, of course it is still essential to make healthy choices about the foods you eat.

Ideas for using this spice blend  in everyday life

  • Add Cinnamon & Ginger to a smoothie
  • Add it to Carrot, Tomato or Vegetable soup
  • Make a delish detox veggie broth with it
  • Add it to roasted chickpeas or kale chips
  • Add it to almost any side vegetable or grain dish
  • Add it to Green Tea smoothie
  • Add it to apple-cabbage & walnut or chicken salad with yogurt dressing
  • Add it to Quinoa or Sweet Potato Burgers
  • Add it to Hummus
  • Order Curry or stir fry that feature these spices in restaurants

This herb blend is meant to support your health, but you should not treat it as a cure-all or replacement for medication. Some herbal supplements may interact with drug medications, please check with your doctor first if there are any questions or you are dealing with any medical issues. As your health strategies change and evolve, never stop taking prescription medications without first speaking to your physician.