Delicious & Nutritious
By: Pam Smith, RDN
Have you been seeing all the articles circling the internet about the benefits of Cinnamon as a regular spice in your life? These aren’t new thoughts and there’s a reason Cinnamon has been used for centuries as a health promotor!
Cinnamon compounds trigger insulin receptors for more favorable blood-sugar levels. In fact, German researchers found that cinnamon can lower blood sugar by 10 percent in type 2 diabetics. Studies have shown that this spice helps activate enzymes that stimulate cells, causing them torespond more efficiently to insulin. Eating sugary or carb-laden fare (sodas, bread, bagels, sweets) causes sharp spikes and dips in blood sugar, which can exhaust the central nervous system and leave you feeling drained and sluggish. But USDA research suggests sprinkling ½ teaspoon of cinnamon onto your meals each day can slow sugar and carb absorption in the small intestine, improving blood sugar control by 29 percent and cutting your risk of draggy bouts of fatigue by as much as half.
Use It
Sprinkle the sweet spice on Greek yogurt, oatmeal, or peanut butter toast, or add a dash to your morning coffee or tea instead of sugar for better blood-sugar control. It’s even delicious in Chili (the secret ingredient in Cincinnati Chili!) – and in spice blends with chili powder and cumin. Key ingredient in Mai Chai, Moroccan Spice, Warm Winter, and Chili Lime.
Recipe Hack
If you see cinnamon called for in a recipe, replace it with Mai Chai and watch or “taste” the magic happen.
Give your cinnamon in your meals with any of these nutritious & delicious P.S. Flavor!™ Club recipes:
Apple Chai Puff Pancake with Mocha Chicken Sausage and Texy Marys Warm Winter “Cincinnati style” Turkey Chili with Spaghetti Squash
Chili Lime Cedar Plank Salmon with Oven Roasted Vegetables and Smokey Sundried Tomato Aioli Porcini Pepper Asparagus, Tomato, and Cheddar Frittata with Chai Pear & Blackberry Crisp and Prosciutto Wrapped Strawberry Bites
Warm Winter Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Kale Hash Chili Lime Seared Pork Chops with Mango Red Pepper Chutney and “Crashed” Porcini Potatoes Moroccan Shakshuka Brunch with Chai Spiced Baked Apples
Pan Seared Bronzed Pineapple Chicken with Warm Winter Roasted Vegetables Chili Lime Salmon with Porcini Pepper Polenta and Pan Seared Asparagus Mocha Chili Cornish Game Hens over Chai Pilaf with Roasted Spiced Carrots (Bonus: Mai Chai Spiced Sangria!)