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Cinnamon / Turmeric / Rosemary / Garlic / Paprika / Oregano
Health Boost:
Can lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
Get Cooking:
Dip berries or bananas in a mixture of 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to ¼ cup brown sugar.
Health Boost:
Contains curcumin, which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Get Cooking:
For an Indian flavour, add ¼ teaspoon turmeric to water when cooking 1 cup of rice.
Health Boost:
stops gene mutations that could lead to cancer and may help prevent damage to the blood vessels that raise heart attack risk.
Get Cooking:
For a delicious chicken rub, combine 2 teaspoons rosemary leaves with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt and ½ teaspoon of thyme leaves.
Health Boost:
Destroys cancer cells and may disrupt the metabolism of tumor cells, says Karen Collins, R.D., nutrition advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Get Cooking:
“Let garlic sit for 10 to 15 minutes after chopping and before cooking so the active form of the protective phytochemicals develops,” says Collins. Sauté fresh garlic over low heat and mix with pasta, red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese.
Health Boost:
Contains capsaicin, whose anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may lower the risk of cancer (also found in cayenne and red chile peppers).
Get Cooking:
Combine 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, ½ teaspoon ground thyme and ½ teaspoon ground red pepper to liven up popcorn.
Health Boost:
A USDA study found that, gram for gram, oregano has the highest antioxidant activity of 27 fresh culinary herbs.
Get Cooking:
To spice up tomato soup, add ¾ teaspoon oregano to 1 can; add ½ teaspoon to 2 cups pasta or pizza sauce. Substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano for 2 teaspoons fresh.
Resource: Fitness Magazine, Issue – May 2006 / Picture: http://members.optusnet.com.au