[Recipe] Six Warming Spices and a Delicious Spiced Coconut Cream

Description

It’s November and probably like you -- I love this time of year!

If you live in a place where four seasons exist, then you already know, November is a transition month.

It's the time of year when we transition from fall to winter. It is also the time of year when the temperature starts to drop and ...

The sweet delicious apples and pumpkins are at their prime.

What you will also see this time of year is how the beautiful warming spices show up in your food and beverages.

I strongly suggest you take advantage of the wonderful foods and beverages that incorporate these nourishing herbs and spices. It is an easy way to provide your body with the warmth and nourishment your body craves this time of year.  With that, I thought I’d answer a few of the most common questions I receive about the wonderful warming spices.

Q: What are the warming spices?

A: There are many warming spices but the most common ones are ginger, turmeric, clove, cinnamon, garlic, cayenne and black pepper.

Q: What is the greatest benefit of using warming spices?

A: While each spice has its own set of nourishing qualities, in my opinion, the greatest one is that they nourish and support healthy blood circulation. If you take the time to really consider so many common conditions that are affected by poor blood circulation you will realize why these simple spices can have such a powerful effect. 

Q:  Why are these types of spices only talked about during the fall and winter months?

A: Because of the colder temperatures during this time of year, it is not uncommon for many people to be indoors, sedentary and not getting enough exercise to stay strong and healthy. While these spices are not a substitute for exercise they may offer a wonderful way to support healthy blood flow and circulation needed to stay strong in the winter months.

Q: I have read so much about the amazing benefits surrounding cayenne in regards to heart and brain health. What are your thoughts on cayenne? 

A: I believe cayenne pepper is by far the most powerful circulatory herb on earth and may be beneficial for circulation and blood flow. I also believe that cayenne is one of the most important herbs and a great way to support overall health and well-being.

Q: How can I incorporate the warming spices into my daily life?

A: While some of the warming herbs like cayenne are not easy on the tastebuds, if you try to use it in a consistent way that is fun and enjoyable, you will get used to it. One simple way is to add it to your food on a daily basis. By my bedside, I have a small glass mason jar with a blend of cayenne, ginger and cinnamon. Every morning I take ½ teaspoon and mix it into about 6 ounces of water. During the winter time I may drink this 2-3 times a day.

Additionally, below is a fun and delicious recipe made by our Master Chef Denise to help you utilize these wonderful spices in your daily life. 

Recipe: Spiced Coconut Cream

Suggested Use: This is a wonderful coconut cream which you can spread on toast or put into your coffee or tea.

The ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut milk powder
  
• ⅓ cup of coconut water powder
  
• 4 tsp of warming spice blend (see below ingredient mix)
• ½ tsp lemon juice powder
  
• ¼ cup of water

Directions:

• First, bloom the warming spices by heating them in a hot pan for 1 minute. Do not bloom them in oil, it must be a dry pan.
• In a blender, put the water in first and then add the other ingredients and then turn the blender on, occasionally stopping to scrape the sides until creamy and blended.

Warming Spice Blend ingredients:

• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 ½ tsp cardamom
• 4 tsp ginger
• ⅛ tsp clove
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp anise seed

All of the spices are dried and ground into a fine powder.  Mix it up and then sift these spices together through a strainer and store in a glass jar.

Q: What are some of the simple benefits of each of these warming herbs?

A: With their delicious taste and aromas here are some of the possible benefits:

• Cayenne- May nourish blood flow and circulation
• Turmeric- May support a healthy inflammation response
• Ginger- May support healthy circulation, digestion and a healthy inflammation response
• Clove- May support a healthy pain response
• Garlic- May support the body’s immune system response
  
• Cinnamon- May support healthy blood sugar levels

Make this winter fun and nourishing by “spicing” up your life to support your health and wellbeing.

About Michael Stuchiner

Michael Stuchiner is an experienced Master Herbalist, the Head of Education for Z Natural Foods, a teacher and an accomplished author. With a 16-year specialization in medicinal herbs, Mike also has a vast knowledge in tonic and adaptogenic herbalism. Mike has enjoyed a 25-year career as an elite-level competitive powerlifter where he learned to heal his ‘mind and body’ as an avid user of herbal remedies.

     As an “in-the-trenches” herbalist, Mike has done more than 85 speaking engagements, consulted with clients ranging from young to elderly, worked with athletes in virtually all sports and with clients who have “dis-ease” states of a wide variety. Mike also mentors student Master Herbalists and will continue to teach the next generation to grow a deeper wisdom of the human body through appropriate herbal remedies.

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