The Spices of The Caribbean!
People in the West Indies use a number of spices
to enhance dishes, especially for their famous
dish…”Jerk chicken.”

And all of those spices that they’ve used
for centuries have allowed them to enjoy robust
health and happiness and if you want to take after
your Caribbeans brothers and sisters, then you should
take advantage of some those same spices, like…


a) Turmeric-
Used in Trinidad and Tobago, this spice keeps brain
inflammation at bay, which greatly reduces your odds
of ever developing Alzheimer’s.
But wait, in addition to helping your brain remain
youthful, it (turmeric) can also boost recall and new
research claims it may also be beneficial in fighting
ADHD.
b) Cloves-
If you only use cloves during Easter to dress up a ham,
you may want to add it to your diet the rest of
the year after learning that it can lower blood sugar levels.
If diabetes runs in your family and you want to reduce
your odds of ever getting it, add cloves (whole and ground)
to baked goods, stir-fries and teas.
And there’s more- it can also prevent platelets from
clumping and forming blood clots and it can even lower
“bad” cholesterol and raise the “good” cholesterol.
c) Bay Leaves-
If you use a bay leaf or two to boost the flavor of a stew
or soup, continue to use it, as it can help alleviate aches
and pains. The same ingredients found in aspirin,
are also found in bay leaves.
The leaves also contain calcium and magnesium,
which relaxes muscles.
So, if you suffer from aches and pains and want something
natural, add a few bay leaves to a warm bath or add one or
two, to a hot mug of water or tea and sip slowly.
d) Thyme-
If you catch colds easily, you may want to start adding
thyme to your meals. The minty and peppery herb contains
2 powerful germ-killing chemicals proven to shorten the
duration of a cold or even prevent you from catching one.
It can also break up congestion, reduce swelling and
inflammation in the nasal passages and assist the body
in getting rid of phlegm.
e) Nutmeg-
Used to spice up a baked good, this spice can help
you lower stress levels, the type of stress that
prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Use some in tea, a baked good or add to a smoothie,
if you feel stress levels rising or you need a natural sleep aid.
Important tip: Use only a small amount, (1/4 tsp.)
at a time, any more may cause serious health problems.
f) Allspice-
Queasy or upset stomach? Add allspice to a baked
good, a smoothie or a cup of tea.
This spice contains compounds that kill bacteria and
reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, plus boost
gastric juices in the intestines, helping to break
down food and speed digestion.
e) Chili Peppers-
Ever wonder why you rarely see overweight people
in Caribbean countries?
It may be the relaxed lifestyle, the abundance of sunshine,
(plenty of vitamin D) the diet of mostly vegetables or
chili peppers.
Yes, Chili Peppers.
The Scotch bonnet pepper that’s used mostly in
the Caribbean and gives their infamous “jerk
chicken” its spicy kick, is considered the World’s
“hottest pepper.”
Researchers say that as soon as the capsaicin enters
your mouth, your body automatically raises its level
of GLP, a hunger hormone, while lowering levels of
ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone.
Plus, this pepper can also boost metabolism,
helping you to melt fat quickly.
Important tip:
Look for Scotch bonnet peppers at well-stocked
produce markets or Caribbean stores.
Can’t find them? Look for jalapeno, habanero
or ghost peppers. All deliver the same fat-burning
benefits.

Make your own Caribbean Jerk Seasoning:
To get your own healthy benefits like
the men and women of the Caribbean, here’s
the recipe…
combine 1 Tbs. ground allspice,
1 Tbs. ground thyme, 1 tsp. minced Scotch
bonnet pepper, (or cayenne pepper) 1 tsp.
ground cloves, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon and
1/2 tsp. nutmeg.
Mix all ingredients in a food processor, or a blender.
Or use a mortal and pestle or even place the ingredients
in a bowl and mash them with the back of fork.
To use: Rub the spices directly onto chicken,
pork or fish, then place the dish in the refrigerator
for an hour, two hours or even overnight.
You can also add the spice to stews, soups or tuna salads.
Place any leftover spices in a small jar and keep in a
cool, dark place.