In today’s society, addiction to processed foods, fast foods, and snacks seems to forget the pure joy of laid-back home cooking with the family. We have become a microwave society. Even with “quick” recipes, everything has to be fast and delicious meals take time to prepare. I think about it when I cook breakfast or when I cook some meals that take a long time to prepare myself. Linda usually cooks, but occasionally fixes her meals. Like last night, I modified the chicken enchilada pot pie (my own recipe). I will mention these meals because of the spices and herbs I use when cooking and the health benefits they get. Processed foods, fast foods and snacks are often deficient in healthy spices and herbs, usually indicated by flavor. They are flat. When we cook our own meals, we can add spices and herbs to them that give them a flavor and an enjoyable experience. As my wife tells me, it’s no longer just dropping something to “fill the gap.”
However, the reason for using herbs and spices is not just good taste. Many of the common herbs and spices we use are also incredibly healthy and help prevent many common illnesses and health problems found in our society. I’ve written a lot about garlic, and it’s a staple for me. In addition to the fact that I like it, it is filled with healthy compounds. All leeks (garlic, onions, leeks, leeks, chives) contain various compounds of sulfur and allicin and have been shown to protect against some cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Adding garlic to your food can also help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and high blood pressure. You can get additional benefits by eating better than just good taste.
Cinnamon is also a healthy choice, a favorite of everyone, and is used in quite a few baked goods like apple pies. Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant that fights inflammation while lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. One of its most valuable attributes is to slow down the wonderful sugar absorption for diabetics. Increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels. Every morning I started using it for coffee with ginger. Great flavor and health benefits to launch. You can’t beat that combination.
Speaking of ginger. This is a wonderful natural anti-inflammatory (pain management) that relieves nausea, including morning sickness. Some studies have shown that a mixture of ginger, cinnamon, mastic, and sesame oil reduces the pain and stiffness experienced by people with osteoarthritis. It has the same effect as treatment with aspirin or ibuprofen, but does not adversely affect the internal organs.
Turmeric is a common spice that has a very strong anti-inflammatory effect and is an excellent antioxidant. I use turmeric daily instead of ibuprofen to manage my pain. The pain-relieving turmeric chemical is curcumin, which is less important, but a little harder for the body to absorb. But another common spice is black pepper with piperine, which is the answer to the problem of absorption, and it doesn’t cost much. Curcumin is so powerful that it is comparable to common anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. An additional benefit of curcumin is that it breaks down fat molecules. A mixture of turmeric and black pepper can help with weight loss and lowering cholesterol. Be careful when cooking with turmeric. It is yellow-orange and can dye almost anything.
Sage is a common herb used in Mediterranean cuisine, holiday stuffing, casseroles, soups and more. Its plant name, Salvia officinalis, is derived from the Latin word Salvus, which means healing. You’re probably already guessing that sage has many healthy traits. Not only is it another powerful antioxidant, but current research has shown that it is effective in ameliorating memory loss and is being studied as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Sage boosts immunity and gives skin and nails a shine.
Cayenne pepper, in fact all peppers, contains capsaicin, a chemical that reduces appetite and burns fat. Well known for its hot sauce, it is also used as a fragrance in many dishes in desert-like climates. Chili peppers weren’t always used for weight loss until recently, but they had another characteristic that I found interesting and known for centuries. I was wondering why chili peppers are so popular in parts of the world, but I finally learned why a few years ago. Chili peppers sweat people, and in hot weather they sweat to cool their bodies. Then I understood why a row of cayenne peppers was hanging outside a traditional house in our more desert area like New Mexico. Cayenne peppers are the most common because they are easy to grow, dry, and once dried they can be spliced together for storage.
Rosemary is another herb commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine to control allergies and stuffy nose. Some studies have shown that it is effective in strengthening memory, but they are far from definitive at this time. Rosemary is a large plant 2 feet wide and 4 feet high that would not grow in our climate without a greenhouse. It simply does not tolerate our temperature. Don Hollingshead, one of Laramie County’s agents, grows rosemary in his greenhouse and is doing very well.
Fenugreek is a clover-like plant used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The leaves are used as herbs and the seeds are used as spices. Chewing raw seeds produces almost overwhelming bitterness, but cooking produces a flavor and aroma similar to maple syrup. Most, but not all, bitterness is removed by cooking. Fenugreek improves insulin function and lowers blood sugar levels.
Holy basil helps fight infections and boosts the immune system. But don’t mistake the holy basil for the basil we are familiar with. It is a completely different plant and a sacred herb of India. Studies have shown that it suppresses the growth of various bacteria, yeasts and molds that cause the majority of infections. It increases the amount of immune cells in the body and lowers blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that it reduces anxiety and anxiety-related depression, but they are not yet complete.
This is just one of the healthy herbs and spices we have available. The bottom line is that eating healthy home-cooked food is good for all of us. In this article, we will only discuss some of the herbs and spices that can help improve our health. However, eating out with the family at home is a great help in building family relationships and connects us with loved ones who cannot eat out on a daily basis. Explore cooking with herbs and spices while you cook. Not only can you improve your health, but you may also feel new joy in making and eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet does not have to taste like cardboard. If you have any questions about growing herbs, ask your master gardener. that is our job.
