Now that it’s a little colder, you may want to start cooking more soups, stews
and other hearty dishes and to really make these dishes more tasty and appealing
use spices.
You’ll probably use spices like cinnamon, ginger and allspice to make your fall
and winter baked goods, but don’t forget to also use the following…

a) Oregano-
Oregano can keep your immune system in tip-top shape, helping you prevent
colds and flu, but if your joints are aching, oregano can help that as well.
Use a tsp. or two a day to keep joint pains at bay. Oregano contains ursolic acid,
a compound that eases inflammation and muscle and joint pain.
Use oregano on pizza, spaghetti dishes, stir-fried vegetables and soups.

b) Nutmeg-
Used by Native Americans for centuries and if the cold and dark days of winter
start to get you down, add a little nutmeg to hot cereal, a cup of tea or coffee
or rub into a steak before cooking. Nutmeg mimics the effects of the antidepressant
Prozac, calming nerves and helping you feel better in less than 30 mins.
Also effective as a sleep aid. Take a 1/4 tsp. (in tea or hot choc.) an hour before bed.

c) Mustard Seed-
Not very popular, but if you overdo the Christmas cookies or other desserts and find
that your jeans are a little tight, add some mustard seed to fish dishes, salads, stews
and rice. Mustard seed contains compounds that helps your liver flush out excess
fluids and burn stored fat for fuel.
Another tip: Toast some seeds (1 tsp.) in a dry skillet to give them a smoky flavor.

d) Thyme-
Feeling run down due to the dreary weather and shorter days? Use some thyme
to chase away those run down and tired feelings. Thyme helps your brain make
more energizing beta waves.
Another tip: Toasting some thyme and inhaling the scent can also help boost
energy levels. Add some thyme to your scrambled eggs.

e) Cayenne Pepper-
It’s been touted as a spice that’ll help boost metabolism, but it can also lower
the “bad” cholesterol in your system. Just 1/4 tsp. a day can nudge your liver
to excrete up to 10% of your dietary cholesterol before it can clog your arteries.
Add cayenne pepper to chili, meat and egg dishes, soups and stews.

f) Coriander-
Cut your risk of brain fog, anxiety, cravings and tiredness by getting your blood
sugar under control and coriander is spice to get the job done.
It (coriander) steadies your pancreas’ production of sugar-controlling insulin
within 24 hours.
Add some to soups, salads, stews and stir-fried veggie dishes.

g) Anise-
A rarely used spice and if you suffer from stomach aches, start
adding this spice (buy the ground anise) to salad dressings, cheesy dishes,
(Fondue) and fruit pies, (peach and apple). These sweet licorice-tasting seeds
are packed with anethole, a nutrient that prods your belly to produce soothing
digestive enzymes.
One more tip: If you should get an upset stomach and want quick relief,
you can chew some ground anise for a few mins. or add 1/2 tsp.
to a cup of hot water or tea.

Sources:
* Journal Phytotherapy Research
* Alan Hirsch, M.D.
* R.S. Duan, M.D.
* Journal of Neuroimmunology

Please pass this article on to family and friends who love to cook
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One last request, if Thanksgiving has lost meaning and you want some
tips on rediscovering the meaning by showing more gratitude,
just head on over to Amazon.com/kindle store and type The Simple Rxs To
Make Thanksgiving More Meaningful in the search bar. Download a copy or
two today.
Thank-You!