The Spice of Life.

Spices aren't just to alter the taste of your food, but also for health & weight loss benefits WOOHOO!!  Anything I come across that adds to health & weight loss, I am all for it!  So here we go, check out what sprinkling these little specks on your food can do for you...

CINNAMON - who doesn't love the amazing taste of cinnamon?  It tastes great on french toast, coffee, sweet rolls, almost anything you can imagine.  It also promotes weight loss by stabilizing the sugar levels in your blood. Sprinkle some on your morning tea or coffee or even in your smoothies (click here for post on smoothie recipes)!  Cinnamon has an amazing anti-fungal property that also fights E Coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices. When mixed with honey it also helps relieve arthritis pain!   However, go easy, too much can definitely cause health problems.

OREGANO - a little dash on your pizza, a shake on top of your salad, make it a teaspoon of this dried spice and you've just added as much vitamin K, fiber and antioxidants as in 3 cups of spinach!  Whoa!!  Not to mention it fights of those nasty stomach bugs.

TURMERIC - the yellow magic found in curry that insanely dyes everything it touches. Curcumin is the name of the active ingredient in turmeric.  It's gained it's popularity from not only Indian cuisine but substantial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to relieve arthritis pain and manage diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis and a variety of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Oh wait and get this.....studies are being done with turmeric's cancer fighting capabilities! 2 tablespoons = 10% of your daily value of iron (calling all anemics)!

GINGER - most people know the amazing effects of ginger on things like stomach aches and nausea, but did you know it can also curb your sweet cravings??  Yup, put a dash on fresh fruit or stir it into yogurt and watch your sweet craving disappear!  One also may not realize the high levels of antioxidants, as much as a cup of broccoli to be exact.  Since it can be used as a sweet  or a savory spice experiment and boost your antioxidant levels!

CAPSAICIN - the power behind chili peppers, paprika and crushed red pepper!  Contrary to popular belief that this spice can cause stomach ulcers, it has a lot of health benefits.  Behind door #1, boosts immunity, door #2, clear congestion and the best door.......door #3.........BOOSTS YOUR METABOLISM & FAT BURNING ABILITIES!  oh yea baby.  By no means does that mean pour on the heat but it does mean add a sprinkle to spice up your already healthy dishes to double the impact.

**Please use all spices within reason and within health guidelines.