Winter Spices to Help Fight a Chill & More
Spices play an important part in making delicious meals. They give our foods distinct flavor and aroma. Did you know that certain winter spices can give your body warmth? Here are just a few that can help steer off that down to the bone chill winter so graciously offers.
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Cinnamon
This winter spice is used often for its
distinctive taste and smell. Add a cinnamon stick to a hot beverage.
Ground cinnamon is a great topping for toast, oatmeal and fruit.
Cinnamon also finds it way into baked foods, chili and soup. Cinnamon
can be used as a natural sweetener for applesauce. Diabetics can use
this winter spice to help reduce blood sugar levels along with
triglycerides and cholesterol.
Ginger
Ginger not only warms a cold body, but is also
quite healthy. This spice is known for having powerful anti-inflammatory
agents. Many use this spice to help with migraine headaches, arthritis
and nausea. Ginger can be added to soups, to top vegetables or sprinkled
over meats to give them a tangy flavor. It can also give tea a zesty
bite.
Cloves
Cloves have a unique taste. They are often used
when roasting meats to give the meat a full flavor. Hams are especially
tasty when topped with cloves. This spice can be used in teas or baked
foods. Cloves are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric
This Indian spice is usually found in powder
form. It adds flavor to soups, stews and chili. It can be used when
roasting meats and is often found in pasta sauce. Scientific studies
have shown that turmeric not only warms the body but can also help in
protecting the body against cancer. Turmeric has been used for treating
stomach ulcers and relieving free radical stress in people suffering
inflammation.
Cardamom
In experimental studies cardamom has been shown
to prevent cancer and help in detoxifying the liver. Cardamom is often
used in conjunction with cinnamon. Teas, ciders and flavored hot waters
are enhanced by cardamom. Cardamom can also be used when flavoring foods
with cloves to enhance the flavors and aroma.
Pepper
Just the sound of pepper warms a body. Pepper is
a strong spice often used when cooking bland dishes. This spice gives a
pungent flavor to almost any food. Adding a little extra pepper instead
of salt to your foods can be both a warming and healthy benefit. Pepper
is also said to be helpful to those who have asthma.
These are just a few of the winter spices that will help head off that
cold winter chill. Add them to any of your favorite foods. The taste and
smell are sure to warm the body and comfort the soul.
