Are you craving something warm and comforting but are tired of the same old routine of coffee and tea?
Don’t despair. Help is only as far away as your spice rack. With the right blend of spices and a few other ingredients you probably already have on hand, you are on your way to new adventures in recipes of choice.
Warming Spices
Spices can have either a warming or a cooling feeling on the body. By adding the heat generating spices to our food and drinks they can increase our internal body temperature and improve our circulation. But the benefits don’t stop there.
- Cinnamon: Heart healthy, helps reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol, contains antioxidants and is an anti inflammatory.
- Cloves: High in antioxidants and immune boosting properties and aids digestion
- Ginger: Anti-Inflammatory, helps nausea, and studies suggest ginger has cancer fighting properties.
- Cardamon: Helps reduce stress and aids in digestion
- Star Anise: Reduces depression and helps maintain blood sugar levels
- Black Pepper: Helps in the absorption of other nutrients such as turmeric, rich in antioxidants and can improve moods.
- Cayenne: Provides anti-inflammatory relief, natural detoxifier and helps the digestive system.
- Turmeric: Powerful antioxidant, promotes digestion, supports the immune system and cell function, helps ease depression and improves skin tone.
- Cumin: Contains Vitamins C, E and iron
- Allspice: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidants and anti cancer properties
One simple way to warm you up on a cold winter morning is a glass of golden milk. This blend of dairy, warming spices, and honey will leave you feeling warm and cozy while providing an array of healthy benefits. Heat generating spices are an easy and efficient way to make our meals not just healthier but full of flavor. Try adding some allspice to your next bowl of oatmeal or spice up your morning smoothie with some ginger and cinnamon. Spice up your chicken tonight with some cayenne or cumin. You soon will discover that the possibilities are endless.
