If Life Hands You Lemons

Does anyone know what this means? When life hands you lemons, make lemonade? 

I am pretty sure we all know the meaning of this saying.  It means that when something bad happens in life you should try and turn it to your advantage. So even when something looks difficult or inconvenient you should look for something that you can use to make your life better. For instance, if you have to adjust your diet for health reasons, instead of whining about how you can no longer eat potato chips or double chocolate chocolate cake, look on the bright side, you may loose some weight and gain some very beneficial health renewing insights. 

That is exactly what I have been working on since I have been forced to maintain a gluten free diet.  I have spent a few days reading and pouring over research about healthy alternatives for the way we eat.  In doing so I have decided I am not going to allow this set of lemons get me down.  Instead I am going to turn them into gold.

So, for the next few days I am going to share some valuable insight with you on what I have found and the changes I will be making to my diet.  For those of you who suffer with gluten filled products, I will share some recipes with you as I begin to experiment with a new and different way of cooking.  In the meantime I would like to share a few facts about the healthy benefits of various spices.  I hope you enjoy this blog and find it very useful.

Herbs and spices have more disease-fighting antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. Here's how to rack up the benefits.

Cinnamon

Health Boost:  Can lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Aim for one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.
Get Cooking:  Dip berries or bananas in low-fat sour cream, then in a mix of 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup brown sugar.

Turmeric
Health Boost:  Contains curcumin, which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Get Cooking:  For an Indian flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric to water when cooking 1 cup rice.

Rosemary
Health Boost:  Stops gene mutations that could lead to cancer and may help prevent damage to the blood vessels that raise heart attack risk.
Get Cooking:  For a delicious chicken rub, combine 2 teaspoons rosemary leaves with 2 teaspoons seasoning salt and 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves.

Garlic
Health Boost:  Destroys cancer cells and may disrupt the metabolism of tumor cells, says Karen Collins, RD, nutrition advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research. "Studies suggest that one or two cloves weekly provide cancer-protective benefits."
Get Cooking:  "Let garlic sit for 10 to 15 minutes after chopping and before cooking so the active form of the protective phytochemicals develops," says Collins. Saute fresh garlic over low heat and mix with pasta, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.

Paprika
Health Boost:  Contains capsaicin, whose anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may lower the risk of cancer (also found in cayenne and red chili peppers). There's no specific recommended dose, but moderation is probably the best way to go.
Get Cooking:  Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme and 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper to liven up popcorn.

Ginger
Health Boost:  Can decrease motion sickness and nausea; may also relieve pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Doses used in clinical trials range from 500 to 2,000 mg of powdered ginger. (A quarter-size piece of fresh root contains about 1,000 mg.) More than 6,000 mg can cause stomach irritation. Ginger can also hinder blood clotting, so if you're about to have surgery or are taking blood thinners or aspirin, be sure to talk to your doctor first.
Get Cooking:  For motion sickness, try having one or two pieces of crystallized, or candied, ginger. Make sure ginger is listed as an ingredient; some candied products or ginger ales contain a small amount or a synthetic form. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger to vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes, as well as fresh fruit (especially peaches).

Oregano
Health Boost:  A USDA study found that, gram for gram, oregano has the highest antioxidant activity of 27 fresh culinary herbs.
Get Cooking:  To spice up tomato soup, add 3/4 teaspoon oregano to 1 can; add 1/2 teaspoon to 2 cups pasta or pizza sauce. Substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano for 2 teaspoons fresh.