Spices to Live By

It’s time to give your spice rack a little love. Below I have listed some spices that boost overall health and wellness and will get you excited about flavoring your food while enhancing your overall body and brain function.

Cumin: Give you brain an extra boost -  Lab studies indicate that cumin’s anti-inflammatory properties can improve memory as well as lower stress. Add a little to your delicious homemade hummus or sprinkle it over pumpkin seeds before roasting.

Ginger: Ease Muscle Pain AND Improve Digestion - Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce muscle pain. After an intense workout, add fresh ginger to your smoothie or vegetable sauté. Ginger has also long been touted as an excellent remedy for nausea.

Cinnamon: Support Strong Bones - You’ve probably heard that a dash of cinnamon can help balance blood sugar (this is true), but did you know that cinnamon also supports strong bones? The manganese found in cinnamon helps bones stay healthy and strong, so try sprinkling some in your smoothie, lemon water or morning fruit bowl to support a sturdy frame.

Cajun: Slim Down - The capsaicin found in red peppers and chilies helps boot your metabolism, encouraging the body to burn fat. Studies have also shown that people who add heat to their food have a tendency to eat less, helping maintain a healthy body weight. Experiment and add to veggies, soups and all meats.

Turmeric: Improve Mental and Physical Health - Turmeric helps alleviate arthritis and lower cholesterol. Its high concentration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties also improves mental health as well as lowers the risk of certain cancers. Plus, it’s delicious added to almost anything. Sprinkle in eggs, smoothies, soups, veggies, grains and meat. Delicious!

Parsley: Improve Skin Tone - Parsley is a wonderful source of Vitamin K, which reduces inflammation in body, boosts the immune system and helps protect the body from cancer. In addition, parsley also contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which helps reduce scars and blemishes, plus it stimulates the production of collagen, helping your skin look younger and fresher. Add fresh parsley to smoothies, veggie sautes, omelets, or even make your own parsley tea.

Sage: Preserve memory and soothe a sore throat - If your stomach is feeling upset or your throat is sore, brewing some sage tea or investing in an herbal sage spray can bring immediate relief. Research also suggests the herb may improve some symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease by preventing a key enzyme from destroying acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. Add sage to soups, sauces and roasted sweet potatoes for a delicious, healthy treat.