Healthy happy you.
If something you are eating (or drinking) needs a bit of a kick, don't turn to salt or sugar to do the trick, try adding some spices! Spices are not only lower in calories, but also offer a long list of health benefits including curbing hunger, strengthening muscles, boosting your brainpower, and improving your mood. A simple way to spice up your life is to start with your daily cuppa joe. Read more
Take a flavorful trip south of the border with this cumin and cayenne scented chicken dish. Pounded chicken breast halves and canned black beans make this meal come together in a flash. First the chicken is seared, then the black beans are sautéed with vegetables in the pan drippings. Sound delish? Wait till you taste this healthy and provocative dish! To get the recipe, read more Read more
Me, I like it hot. You name it, I'll sprinkle a little hot sauce on it. I just like the taste (and the heat) but adding spice to your food can curb hunger, strengthen muscles, boost your brainpower and improve mood. Here's why: Staying slender: A study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that when women added 2 teaspoons of dried red pepper on their food, they consumed fewer calories and Read more
Oooohh . . . It is getting hot in here. Red hot. Red hot pepper that is. I am talking about cayenne pepper. This spice is hot right now for so many reasons — here are just five. Cayenne is made from ground dried pods of chili peppers. It has hardly any aroma, but makes up for its lack of smell with a powerfully hot taste. The active ingredient in cayenne is capsaicin and it this Read more
Have you recently gotten engaged and you are dying to show off your ring? It's time to get your hands, not just your arms, in shape. Here are some tips: The winter does a number on your hands - you're constantly washing them to prevent colds and flu, and the dry air can leave you skin and nails brittle and cracked. Find a moisturizing hand soap to use that'll kill the germs, but won't dry Read more
Cayenne pepper is made from dried chili peppers, and is known for its strong, spicy taste and smell. It's used in many dishes to give them a little "kick," but it can also be used for medicinal purposes. Capsaicin is the chemical in the chili pepper that gives it its heat. It has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines to treat many health conditions like poor circulation, headaches, Read more
Externally, an oil or cream made from cayenne can help relieve back pain. Cayenne contains Capsaicin, which is a powerful pain reliever used in commercial creams. You should be able to purchase an oil or cream containing cayenne from your local health food store. You can also make a cream by mixing a small amount of cayenne pepper with a skin cream, like Eucerin. If you're more an oil gal, you Read more
Recently, reader Blanca123 raised some interesting questions when responding to our recipe for President Obama's chili: "Kindly explain why you call this pitifully flavored 'meat one-pot' a chili . . . Where's the heat? No cayenne, red pepper flakes or even hot sauce, much less real fresh chiles? Turmeric? Why?" She sure got us thinking about what are the intrinsic elements of a true pot of Read more
Your morning cup of coffee may be sacred, but every once in a while, it's good to shake things up and get creative. Cream and sugar are always going to be there for you, so why not try something new? Spice up your coffee (or spike it up) with interesting additions and mix-ins. Try adding spices to the coffee grounds before brewing. Cinnamon and nutmeg are common additions. If you're looking Read more
A good trail mix can be the perfect snack; no matter what you're craving, whether it's salty or sweet, a few handfuls can keep you satisfied and full. But there's a right way and a wrong way to make trail mix if you want it to be good for your body. Here are four additions to make your trail mix tasty and healthy. Chocolate: Eat chocolate — lose weight? That's what some people are saying, Read more
