This wonderful spice has been used for thousands of years as a healing agent and is a highly prized food item for not only for flavoring, but for its antioxidant and digestion-enhancing effects, as well as for its ability to lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance.
But did you know..... Cinnamon reduces bone breakdown and can help prevent osteoporotic bone loss.
Best to Purchase: Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) also called “true cinnamon.”
Abundant Vitamin and Mineral Benefits in Cinnamon!
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Manganese: important in helping the body use other enzymes and nutrients, such as thiamin, ascorbic acid and choline. It also keeps the bones, nerves and cells healthy, maintains functions of the thyroid gland, and helps the body synthesize cholesterol.
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Dietary fiber: very important to colon health. It can help monitor blood glucose levels, aid digestion, relieve constipation, reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and balances intestinal pH.
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Iron: helps with oxygen transport in the body, and can provide energy when the body needs it most. Individuals with low amounts of iron tend to feel fatigue and exhaustion sooner, so peanuts can be a great energizer.
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Calcium: often associated with milk, and is known to strengthen and build strong bones and teeth.
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Vitamin C: vital in strengthening the immune system and protecting the body against the common cold and the flu. It is also a potent antioxidant that can help with cancer prevention, vision protection and cardiovascular health maintenance.
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Vitamin K: plays a key role in blood coagulation, as well as promoting circulation of blood. It also protects the cardiovascular system, maintains bone health and has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Polyphenols: powerful antioxidant that helps maintain artery health and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
ADDING CINNAMON TO YOUR DIET
Some ideas of incorporating cinnamon into your diet include:
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Adding a teaspoon on hot oatmeal, cold cereal or yogurt for a nourishing breakfast food.
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Adding a tablespoon to your favorite baked goods.
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Add a generous dash to baked beans, curries and stews.
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Simmer a cinnamon stick in milk and honey for a comforting drink.
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Sprinkle over broiled or baked starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes or carrots.
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Sprinkle over bananas, apples or your favorite nut mix for a healthy, midday snack.
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Add to a meat rub or marinade.
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Dash some cinnamon when you blend your next smoothie.
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Sprinkle some into your coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Yield: One 9” x 5” loaf
4 C light spelt flour
1½ C dark raisins
¼ C raw sesame seeds
¼ C Sucanat sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt
2 1/8 C unsweetened almond milk
1. Preheat the oven to 350ᴼF. Lightly coat a 9” x 5” loaf pan with vegetable oil, clarified butter, or cooking spray or line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, raisins, sesame seeds, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
3. Add the milk to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a spoon until a stiff batter forms.
4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared loaf pan. Gently knock the bottom of the pan on your kitchen counter to remove any air pockets in the batter.
5. Cover the pan with aluminum foil to keep the top of the loaf from splitting. Bake for 40 minutes.
6. Remove the pan from oven, discard the foil and return the pan to the oven. Bake for 30 additional minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool.
7. Toast slices and serve them along with a non-hydrogenated margarine or clarified butter.
Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Whisky (a little naughty)
chocolate + whisky + cinnamon, it's the perfect combination of rich, earthy rustic flavors
