6 Spices for Detoxing November 12 2015

During the holidays there are so many delicious treats abound, it’s no wonder that people start their diets after the holiday season ends. But, you can get your body back to where it once was, now, with..... spices!

Not only do spices and herbs transform your dish into a culinary delight but many pack some surprising detox benefits:

Cilantro helps with mercury detoxification, typically due to consuming too much fish. This herb is filled with minerals as well as vitamins A and K and is also proven to be an anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic. 

Cayenne seasoning encourages digestion and muscle movement in your intestines and helps your body absorb nutrients. It is both an antioxidant as well as an anticoagulant that helps clean the blood from unwanted toxins. 

Turmeric helps in detoxing your liver because of its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin stimulates the production of bile in your gall bladder that is needed to eliminate toxins as well as rejuvenates liver cells that break down harmful compounds.

Cinnamon paired with honey can help in preventing the accumulation of certain fats as well as reduce inflammation in the body. Cinnamon is a good dietary fiber and an excellent source of manganese, calcium, iron and vitamin K.

Rosemary, according to a study, can protect the liver and stomach against carcinogenic and toxic ingredients. It contains phenolic antioxidant rosmarinic and essential oils which are known to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic properties.

Ginger is a great source of sulfur which is important when excreting toxic substances from your body during phase two of the detoxification process. This spicy root also helps in cleansing our system, digesting and settling your stomach. 

Everyday we ingest unwanted chemicals and additives without even realizing, so it’s important to filter them out regularly. Help your body bounce back this holiday season and rid any unwanted toxins by adding the above spices to your cooking!

When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!

Spices for Fall Cooking September 30 2015

Although no spice is off limits for fall cooking, there are some that are especially suitable. And no, we’re not just talking apple or pumpkin spice - there are plenty of other flavors that are key for cooking this season:

• Nutmeg- With a nutty yet strong sweet flavor - you can add this to any dish from sweet to savory. Need a dip for the big game? This baked creamy spinach dip will definitely switch things up.
• Cinnamon- Sweet and pungent with an earthy flavor - cinnamon is great to mix with fruits and deserts but that’s not all! Apple cider beef stew gives cinnamon a whole new meaning.
• Ginger- Hot yet sweet, even a little woody, ginger is key for desserts, drinks, and savory dishes. The famous dessert that we have all come to know and love is gingerbread cookies but wait until you taste ginger spice cookies.
• Cloves- They have a strong, bitter yet sweet and almost hot aroma. Don’t know what to cook with cloves? This recipe of baked sweet potatoes with a hint of cloves would be a hit at Thanksgiving.
• Allspice- A happy combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves - a great fall meal that you can enjoy with some allspice would be marinated pork with caramelized fennel. 

These spices can certainly be used year round, but really enhance the flavors fall dishes bring. Do you have any go to fall recipes with particular spices or seasonings? Share with the La Flor community on our Facebook page!

When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!

5 Miracle Spices with Huge Health Benefits August 06 2015

Spices not only are key in transforming a bland meal into a flavorful dish - but many are known to pack in some unexpected health perks as well. From protection against some of the deadliest chronic conditions to simply helping to relieve stress - see below for five miracle spices with huge health benefits:

Turmeric - A distant relative of ginger, turmeric is a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, may help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Sprinkle turmeric on your egg salad, add some to chicken or seafood casseroles, or try it in a traditional curry dish.

Thyme - Popular in stews, soups, and sauces - people use thyme to treat bronchitis, whooping cough, arthritis, high blood pressure, as well as various types of cancer. The essential oil of thyme contains thymol - a naturally occurring compound that can destroy harmful organisms such as MRSA infections as studies have shown.

Ginger - Aside from helping to settle an upset stomach, this spice can also lessen muscle soreness. Gingerol, a chemical in ginger, is thought to reduce inflammation and block nerve pathways that process pain. Try using ginger in a stir fry, add some to your meat, or grate some fresh ginger over veggies or noodles.

Basil - With strong antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory properties, basil can help with cardiovascular health. The essential oils in basil have been shown to lower blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. It also contains phytochemicals which studies suggest may lower cortisol - a hormone secreted when tense. Next time you’re feeling frazzled, add this herb to your tea.
 
Cinnamon - Known to bring out and warm up the flavors in the foods it’s paired with, cinnamon also works to keep your arteries healthy, manage blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol. Studies have shown that eating half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily defuses risk factors for diabetes and heart disease within 6 weeks! Sprinkle some in your coffee, oatmeal, or peanut butter!

Start spicing up your diet and reap the benefits the above herbs and spices have to offer. When taste is everything, La Flor is all you need to transform your everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary delight. Shop our selection of spices, herbs, and blends on the web - keep it spicy America!