Not only is winter the best time to slow cook your food to ensure you absorb your nutrients and digest it more readily, it is also a great way to incorporate fabulous spices to make everything taste amazing. Spices during the colder months help to balance your hormones and rev up your metabolism. They are so simple to add to any simple vegetarian, vegan or meat dish. The best spices to include in your winter repertoire are:
Cinnamon
Known to stabilise blood sugar, ease nausea and contain high anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and even antivirul properties (cinnamaldehyde). Add a pinch to your coffee, hot chocolate, baked apples, roasted pumpkin, smoothies or favourite curry.
Cacao
Potent antioxidant, mood boosting, protects nervous system. The darker the better when sourcing your cacao. Enjoy adding it to your porridge (yummy), hot chocolate, puddings or even a beef stew!
Cayenne
Helps to clear up blocked sinuses, stimulates circulation, high Vit C. We love adding a pinch to our Superfood Hot Chocolate, or simply dust some on your roast potatoes.
Turmeric
Anti-inflammatory for aching joints & headache, cancer fighting, slows Alzheimers, treats depression. Curcumin is the active ingredient. Enjoy with your eggs, golden latte, curried vegetables. It is so easy to enjoy in sweet and savoury dishes.
Garlic
High in antioxidants & considered ‘nature’s penicillin’. This powerhouse should be a staple in every savoury winter dish to ensure you are benefitting from its incredible properties. A simple recipe is making fresh garlic bread by crushing the cloves of garlic with grass fed butter and fresh parsley.
Ginger
Boosts immunity, assists digestion, treats nausea, and has anti-inflammatory properties. You can add ginger to everything from your warming winter cup of tea or smoothie, or grate it fresh into your chicken soup or curry.
Cumin, cloves, nutmeg & cardamon
Very warming herbs that also assist in the digestion of dairy. A beautiful combination when baking an apple cake, roasting vegetables or you can remove the cumin and make chai latte.
Thyme
Assists respiratory conditions to help clear chest congestion. It is also known to treat worms! Add some to your slow roast lamb or vegetables.
Parsley
Vitamin C, B12, K & A – a great all-rounder for your health. It is also used to help remove heavy metals from your body. We love a fresh pesto to stir through a warming winter gnocchi or zucchini noodles.