Looking to build your kitchen spice rack? Most people don’t know about all of the positive things spices can do for our health. You can also try creating your own spice blends for different cuisines. I have my own staples that I use for my daily wellness, and when combined their benefits are endless.
July 26, 2022
HOW TO SPICE UP YOUR LIFE (THE RIGHT WAY)
How To Spice Up Your Life ( The Right Way)
Looking to build your kitchen spice rack? Most people don’t know about all of the positive things spices can do for our health. You can also try creating your own spice blends for different cuisines. I have my own staples that I use for my daily wellness, and when combined their benefits are endless.
STAPLE SPICES TO KEEP IN YOUR KITCHEN FOR ULTIMATE WELLNESS
Ceylon cinnamon - there are multiple types of cinnamon, but I prefer ceylon. This spice is fantastic because it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It brings a sweetness to a dish without any added sugar. You can try sprinkling it on an apple, or dash it on top of your coffee to bring a sugar free sweetness to your life. The health benefits of cinnamon are also endless. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and antimicrobial effects for your body. It also boosts your metabolism and strengthens your immune system.
Turmeric - this spice is extremely versatile in food. Turmeric brings a lot of flavor, color, and spice to various dishes. It is used in Indian, Asian, Moroccan, Thai, and more. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. My favorite way to add turmeric to my life is by drinking warm lemon water with a dash of turmeric powder and black pepper!
Ginger - ginger is great fresh or in powder form. It brings a subtle spice to dishes. it is most commonly used in Asian and Indian cuisine. Ginger is also fantastic for digestion and for your immune system. I like to add ginger powder to my morning lemon water to kick start my health each day.
Garlic - most people LOVE garlic! The reason garlic powder has become so popular is because it contains all of the health benefits without being as strong as fresh garlic when used in cooking. It is great for your immune system, heart health, and your skin! It is extremely versatile - it’s hard to find a recipe these days that doesn’t contain garlic!
Cayenne pepper - yes, this can make a dish extremely spicy, so it is best used sparingly. But just a little bit of cayenne pepper brings an interesting bite to a dish, and it has a very interesting health affect: it helps reduce pain in the body, especially in the digestive tract!
Chili powder - this spice is great to bring depth to a dish. It’s commonly used in cuisine from Latin and South America, but is also a staple in dishes from the American Southwest. It is a fantastic boost for your immune system. It contains high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. It can also help reduce congestion in the body, or even a runny nose!
Cumin seeds - I absolutely love cumin seeds, whole or ground. They have such a delicious and unique flavor. When using whole cumin seeds they can bring a yummy crunch to a dish. This spice is most typically found in Indian cuisines, but I love using it on any vegetable dish I make. Cumin is great for digestion,as it brings a nice chill to the digestive system. It is also high in antioxidants, helping to promote ultimate wellness.
Black pepper - I think most everyone is familiar with this spice! Black pepper is used in most dishes. We love that it brings a peppery bite to a dish without being spicy. However, I don’t think most people know that black pepper also has many health benefits. It has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Black pepper also helps you absorb nutrients from other spices. For example, when cooking with turmeric, add black pepper. It will help you absorb the beneficial effects from your turmeric.
If you want an easy way to add all the spices into a dish, try a stir-fry, a vegetable curry, or any soup! You can find these spices used in any of the recipes on my site!
WHY YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT TOASTING YOUR SPICES BEFORE CONSUMING
To extract the natural flavors and aromas, and to enhance the nutritional benefits of spices on your dish, you should toast them before cooking. It’s as simple as heating up your pan, throwing the spices in for 1-2 minutes (with or without oil), until you start to smell the wonderful aroma. Then continue with your cooking process.
SOME YUMMY SPICE BLENDS TO GET YOU STARTED
You can make any kind of spice blend you want, but here are some ideas to get you started:
