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Five Super Spices

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

A site called Chicago Healers (www.chicagohealers.com) emailed me today to let me know about five of the most nutritious spices, compiled by practitioner Dr. Helen Lee. I don’t always agree with these types of superlatives, but I appreciated the refresher of which benefits certain spices have. (I say “spices” as a general term, encompassing herbs/seasonings/etc.)

1. Cinnamon
· Reduces blood glucose level in Type 2 diabetics
· Lowers triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol
· Great anti-inflammatory helping to reduce pain and discomfort, soreness, and muscle aches

2. Oregano
· Powerful anti-oxidant and cancer-fighting herb
· Phytochemcals in oregano act as anti-bacterial/viral/fungal/parasite chemicals which also aid in optimal digestive health

3. Ginger
· Powerful antioxidant properties which help to reduce damage from free radicals that causes aging and degeneration
· Helps heartburn, morning sickness and nausea/motion sickness

4. Tumeric/Curcumin
· Decreases inflammation of arthritis
· Increases immune function, healthy liver
· Research is also finding it may prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

5. Garlic
· Helps to improve immune system, improve blood sugar, improve skin conditions such as acne & warts
· Reduces triglycerides and reduce arterial plaque between 5-18%

I frequently use cinnamon, ginger and garlic in my cooking, but not so much oregano and tumeric. Note to self.

Explorer’s Bounty Tribal Stone Yuca Crackers

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

I recently had the opportunity to try Explorer’s Bounty Tribal Stone Crackers, made from yuca and 100% certified organic. These are gluten-free crackers with no added sweeteners and fat free.

Thanks for Dawn for sending these to me for free and for providing me with the following information on Yuca (which I’ve learned is not the same as yucca):

“A starchy tuberous root, Yuca (also known as cassava) has earned the distinction of being the third largest source of carbohydrates for human food in the world. The root contains significantly more fiber content than a potato.”

I sampled four flavors: original, cinnamon, garlic and onion.  I think they are best paired with toppings or dips as the crackers themselves are pretty subtle.  I enjoyed the garlic and onion varieties with brie and roasted red pepper.  Meanwhile, I put peanut butter and a drizzle of agave nectar on top of the cinnamon variety.  I dipped the original flavor in hummus.

One thing to note is that the crackers are pretty crumbly.  It’s wise to have a plate beneath your mouth as you bite lest crumbs and toppings fall onto your shirt.  This is just speculation, of course ;)

Here’s another cool thing about this product:

“Tribal Stone Crackers are manufactured through a Manción partnership. A region of Hispaniola, in Manción charcoal is used as the primary energy source. There, however, the facility that produces the Explorer’s Bounty line of Tribal Stone Crackers has converted away from charcoal energy. Instead, it harnesses natural and organic sources like those obtained from Macadamia nut shells. It is this organic process that is used in the manufacturing of Tribal Stone Crackers. Good for you, good for the planet.”

Overall, I really enjoyed these Yuca crackers and would definitely buy them in the future.

Justin’s Organic Nut Butter Single-Serve Squeeze Packs

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

I have a friend who loves peanut butter and almond butter but never buys it for herself.  Why?  She’s afraid that she’ll eat the whole jar.

Now I know what I’m getting her for her upcoming birthday: Justin’s Organic Nut Butter Single-Serve Squeeze Packs!

The 1.15oz squeeze packs (~180 calories and 6-7g protein; full nutrition facts via the linked website above) come in 6 flavors.  I’ve tried and loved all of them, but for interest’s sake I’ll rank them:

1. Almond Butter with Maple (very sweet and maple-y)

2. Peanut Butter with Cinnamon (not so sweet and, uh… cinnamon-y)

3. Almond Butter with Honey (um… kinda crystalized and honey-ey)

4. Peanut Butter with Honey (I suck at flavor descriptions)

5. Classic Almond Butter (#5 just since it wasn’t a new flavor for me)

6. Classic Peanut Butter (which, for many people, would be #1)

They’re sold at Whole Foods and many Starbucks.  So convenient for throwing into your bag with some crackers, carrots or an apple so that you have a healthy, filling snack for later!

Spiced Peach Cranberry Compote

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Spiced jarred peaches and cranberries come together for a delicious warm compote. Perfect for Christmas morning or… even Christmas Eve morning!

Spiced Peach Cranberry Compote

Recipe by Hilary

1 28-oz jar Rosie’s Spiced Peaches
1 bag frozen or fresh cranberries
Dash of cinnamon
Sugar to taste

1. Drain syrup from jarred peaches into heavy medium saucepan.  Add cranberries and stir.  Heat on medium, covered, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop.

2. Think about how large you want your peaches to be in the compote.  If you’re serving the dish on its own plate, perhaps you want to keep the peaches as halves.  Or, maybe you want them to be smaller, in which case you should cut them now.  Also, discard the couple of cloves from the jarred peaches- they’ll be difficult to remove (and to remember to remove) from the final dish.

3. Add peaches to cranberries and stir.  Sprinkle the dash of cinnamon (being careful not to let it get clumpy) and stir again.  Add a bit of sugar and taste.  Then continue adding sugar until you’re happy with the level of sweetness.

4. Serve warm.

*I was very pleased with Rosie’s Spiced Peaches (Stello Foods) in this recipe.  The peaches are beautiful and the spices add a wintry flavor and aroma to the compote.  You could also use your own canned peaches and spices.  Fresh peaches technically could work, but fresh peach season doesn’t align with hot-fruit-compote season so well. 

Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Granola

Monday, September 29th, 2008

There are two types of people: those who eat breakfast and those who don’t.

Thankfully, this recipe works for both types. Granola is tasty with milk in the morning but is also good in the afternoon or as a midnight snack.

There are a lot of granola recipes out there but I have to admit that most just don’t cut it for my no-nonsense, minimal-fuss and, perhaps most importantly, dishwashing-avoiding priorities. Melting butter, mixing things in various bowls, etc etc… and by then I don’t even read the rest of the steps.

Apple Cinnamon Granola the Easy and Healthy Way

Recipe by Hilary

2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup demerara sugar mixed with 1/4 cup water

1 small gala apple

1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400F. Put parchment paper on the biggest cookie sheet you own. Spread rolled oats evenly on top and pour sugar/water mixture on top. Sprinkle cinnamon. Cut apple (with skin) into little pieces and add. Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes, until oats turn golden brown. Apples will be a little shriveled.