Is Cinnamon a Health Food?

Cinnamon Sticks. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Who knew tree bark could be both delicious and healthy? Today we're talking about cinnamon for the A to Z Blog Challenge! Although medical opinions vary regarding the health benefits and effectiveness of cinnamon, the tree-based spice is known for:

• reducing inflammation
• killing bacteria
• lowering blood-sugar levels
• adding antioxidants to your diet

~Learn more about cinnamon on WebMD.~

So, why not add cinnamon to your daily diet? Here are five easy ways:

1. Sprinkle cinnamon on cereal. It works best on hot oatmeal, plain puffed rice cereal or shredded wheat squares.
2. Mix cinnamon into your favorite baked goods recipe. Don't cinnamon-sugar cookies or apple-cinnamon bread sound good right about now?
3. Add a dash of cinnamon, a handful of dried raisins or cranberries, and a sprinkle of stevia to leftover jasmine rice. You now have an instant no-fat rice pudding-type dessert.
4. Stir cinnamon into pancake batter or sprinkle it over french toast in lieu of high-calorie syrup.
5. And, my final and favorite tip: Place fresh cinnamon sticks in a pot of simmering chili. My husband does this to add a sweet and spicy flavor to his chili. Before serving, remove the cinnamon sticks.

How do you like to use cinnamon? Please share in the comments section!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Don't want to miss any posts on Whole Foods Living? Sign up for email updates in the left margin of this page. Or follow me, Angela Tague, on Twitter, Facebook or Google+! I also play around on Pinterest and StumbleUpon.

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An Apple A Day: Kicking off the 2012 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge!

Fresh Apples. Photo by Scott Bauer.

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, that's the perfect way to kickstart the 2012 Blogging from A to Z April challenge! Today, we're talking about America's favorite fruit: apples!

If you're new to Whole Foods Living, you're in for a (healthy!) treat. Each day this month (excluding the last four Sundays) I'll spotlight a healthy whole food, ways to live chemical-free and helpful cooking tips to keep your meals healthy. I'm even planning a nutrition quiz or two!

So, Are Apples Healthy?
Apples are packed with phytonutrients that help regulate blood sugar and balance the good bacteria in the digestive tract, according to The World's Healthiest Foods. To get the most nutrition from an apple, eat it in it's whole foods form. Apple juice and applesauce are a result of processing, and lack the fiber and vitamins found in a fresh apple.

Healthy Apple Recipes
One of my favorite quick breakfasts is crispy apple slices dipped in nut butter. From peanuts to almonds or cashews, you really can't go wrong. The combination of protein (from the nuts) and sugar (from the apple) is the perfect post-morning workout snack.

If you're looking for a healthy alternative to apple pie, try making sweet baked apples. After halving and coring an apple, place it skin-side down in a baking pan with a little water. Fill the apple with a mixture of organic raisins, chopped walnuts, a dash of cinnamon and a big squeeze of honey or agave syrup. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. This sweet treat will satisfy your dessert cravings without the calories of a fat-filled pie crust or chemically-treated refined sugar.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy fresh apples? Please share your ideas or links to recipes in the comments below! I'm always looking for a new ways to indulge in apples.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Check back tomorrow for day two of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I'll be sharing a yummy Berry smoothie recipe for the letter B!
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