6 Super Spices You Need in Your Diet

     Spices make food taste delicious. They can transform vegetables into curry or fajitas, depending on the combination! In short, spices are amazing and I wouldn't want to cook or eat without them! But spices aren't just tasty, they also are beneficial to your health!

Spice Up Your Life!

Spices are for seasoning food, right? We use them to change and enhance the flavors of our meals and make them tastier. But, did you know that spices are also health foods? They aren't just tasty, they are also super healthy for you!

 

Turmeric
Turmeric is a yellow root that you can find at most grocery stores. It can help prevent breast cancer, protects against UVA damage and can make your skin look younger and healthier. It also can help lower cholesterol, alleviate allergies and aid in brain health. This little root is more than meets the eye! Add it to your smoothies, salad dressings and so much more!

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a pretty popular spice. It helps to control blood sugar, prevents irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), and it can help to ease a stomach ache. Cinnamon can also help to preserve food and neutralize odors. It can aid in lowering LDL cholesterol, prevent tooth decay and help in weight loss. No wonder this spice is so popular! I'm sure you've used cinnamon before, but I like to add it to oatmeal, smoothies, muffins and bread and even curries!

Ginger
Ginger is another root, but it's not as vibrant as turmeric. It can help to relieve motion sickness, nausea and migraines. Ginger can also ease or prevent heart burn, reduce inflammation and help fight cancer. Ginger isn't just good for making cookies anymore! Add it to your smoothies. salad dressings, rice and so much more!

Cumin
Cumin is a smoky spice, commonly used in chili. Like ginger, cumin aids in digestion. It can also help fight diabetes and treat food poisoning. Cumin can aid in increasing a mother's milk supply and treat skin problems such as eczema and acne.  The  next time you are making chili, tacos, or any other spicy dish, throw some cumin in there!

Cayenne
Cayenne  is a pepper that is made into a spice. It also aids in digestion and can boost the metabolism. Cayenne can relieve migraines, help fight off colds and the flu,  help in weight loss and prevent allergies. It also it a source of vitamin A and E. I love adding cayenne to Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Tacos, and so much more. If you are looking to add some serious spice, cayenne is the one for you!

So these are just a few of the many many spices out there! Hopefully now you look at spices as health foods as well as flavoring and seasonings! Adding just a bit of spice into your diet can help you have a healthier body and life!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Please share it with your friends and family to spread the love of healthy living!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningforfood, and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

I post every Friday!

Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!

H. Banana

Whole Wheat Naan Bread

Naan bread is so delicious! I first had it store-bought and I liked it then, but home made is even better! If you've never had Naan before, you should try it! Believe me, you won't be disappointed!

Most recipes for Naan that I've found use all white flour, sugar, dairy milk, and use little or no seasoning. In my recipe I use whole wheat flour, honey, almond milk( though there isn't anything wrong with using dairy milk, I just like the flavor almond milk gives to the bread) and spices for a hearty and more flavorful bread!

Ingredients:
4 cups Whole Wheat Flour( or 2 cups Whole Wheat and 2 cups All Purpose)
1 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Ground Corriander
1/4 tsp Curry Powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
1/4 cup Warm Water
1 tbs Honey
1 tbs Dry Active Yeast
3/4 cup Almond Milk
1 cup Greek Yogurt

Start by warming your water. It should be lukewarm temp. Whisk in honey and yeast.

Let that sit while we move on to the next step. Mix dry ingredients( Flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, ground coriander, curry powder, and garam masala) together.

 

Back to the yeast, it should have started to rise and bubble. You should also smell a familiar just-baked-bread smell.

 

To this, add the almond milk( Note: use any milk you desire. Dairy, Goat, Cashew, Coconut..... any will work!) and yogurt. Whisk to combined.  Add this to the dry mix and combine. Knead just until the dough has come together. It will be a sticky dough.

Take the dough and place it in a bowl. Cover with a towel and let sit in a warm place for at least an hour.

The dough should double in size. Once it has done so, we are ready to get cooking!

There should be lovely yeast bubbles all over!

Heat some butter, coconut oil, or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. On a floured surface, roll out little balls of the dough. They should be fairly small.

Roll the balls out very thin. They will puff up in the skillet, so don't worry!

Place one unbaked Naan bread in the skillet and cover for 1-2 minutes.

It should have lovely bubbles and starting to go brown on the edges. Flip and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and then repeat with the rest of your dough.

They smell so amazing and they taste wonderful too! I always end up eating the first Naan bread I make, just to make sure it taste good!

We like to have Naan with Tiki Masala and Curry dishes. They are also great for snacks or even used instead of sandwich bread! You can switch up the seasonings and even use these for gyros!

I hope you give this recipe a try, and please share this post and my blog with a friend! Everyone needs to try Naan bread, and making it at home is a great way to introduce it to your menu! If you love Naan just as much as I do, please follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

Stay tuned for more healthy living post every Monday and Friday!

Keep healthy and SAFE!
H. Banana