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Blog 4 – “Spice for Life”

August 18, 2012

You probably didn’t even know that cinnamon was good for you! I didn’t, until I realized a good friend of mine was using it as a preventative measure for Type 2 diabetes.

Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree. The bark is harvested during the rainy season when it’s more pliable. When dried, it curls into long quills, which are either cut into lengths and sold as sticks or ground into powder.

Besides the wonderful aroma, this common spice is Mother Nature’s glucose reducer. Researchers at the USDA have found that cinnamon speeds the conversion of glucose (sugar) into energy, quickly moving excess blood sugar out of your bloodstream and into cells where it’s needed.  Now, that’s a big return for such a small investment! Remember, we’re talking about a spice here, not an expensive pharmaceutical.

Treat yourself to a fresh bottle of ground cinnamon and experiment. Here are just a few ideas that your system will love you for.

-Add it to your favorite smoothie in the morning with soy, rice or almond milk.

-Sprinkle it directly into your coffee or tea. Even better, add it to your coffee pot to fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma.

-Dust onto yogurt for breakfast or a snack. One of the best options would be to purchase a plain yogurt and build on the taste. Add fresh berries and stevia to add a natural sweet flavor.

-Add a pinch to your sweet potatoes and mash away!

- Put a twist on quinoa. The flavors of cinnamon, turmeric and that sweet bite of raisin will make this side dish the talk of the town.