861 results found for: ANTIOXIDANT

Beat the Heat & Savor Cool Summer Beverages

Most of us enjoy sweet beverages during the warm  days of summer—juices, iced tea, lemonade, and others. But there are times when drinks become even more refreshing if they offer a slightly savory element. Besides, juices and sweetened beverages have high amounts of sugar that can aggravate a propensity for diabetes and other health issues, including weight gain. Beverages that refresh with ingredients such as sparkling mineral water, herbs, florals and vegetables can be a welcome change. Non-alcoholic beer, for example, has a number of health benefits. Not only is it lower in calories than that alcoholic beer, but the […]

Caribbean SpicesCaribbean Spices

The Caribbean Has a Delicious Spice History

The Caribbean region has long been described as a melting pot, with many cultures and ethnicities represented. The region is made up of over 700 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, and is home to more than 43 million people. The cultural diversity present in this region is reflected in its cuisine with influences from African, Creole, Cajun, Amerindian, European, Latin American, Indian/South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Chinese cultures. African culture has left a lasting mark in Caribbean history bringing music, dance, cuisine, and customs while the region was under colonial rule. This influence has undeniably shaped the Caribbean into what […]

healthy veggies with stethoscopehealthy veggies with stethoscope

Hacks To Stay Healthy During a Pandemic

By Roberto Tostado, M.D. This pandemic has exposed our human fragility and compromised immunity from a steady diet of processed foods and a medical system that manages disease with drugs instead of healing with nutrition. We are vulnerable to infection, disease and death from this affliction of bad food and bad medicine. However, our quarantined existence can give us pause to reassess our habits and choices to create a healthier lifestyle for ourselves and loved ones and not consent to chronic disease and poisoned foods any longer. We have been weakened and debilitated by our own industries with chronic illness […]

raw vegetables on a plateraw vegetables on a plate

Plant-Based Meals Are Growing on the Table

Here in Los Angeles, with our access to plentiful produce and a pervasive interest in healthy eating, we have a long history of plant-based cuisine. In 1885, a newspaper called The Daily Alta California reported on a popular vegetarian brunch item, “Quartered alligator pears with the pulp spread on slices of grilled bread and seasoned with salt and pepper.” Today we know this delicacy as avocado toast! When Upton Sinclair published The Jungle in 1906, it highlighted the exploitation of workers and unsanitary conditions in the meat packing industry in Chicago. The novel inspired a minor craze for vegetarian restaurants […]

paprikapaprika

Spanish Rub

This bold, flavorful blend is great for any number of savory dishes. Try it on salmon, tofu, or chicken, or in stewed tomatoes. Health Benefits: Paprika is full of vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that helps the body resist infection, helps prevent cataracts, aids tissue regeneration, and may even help reduce your risk of cancer and stroke. The lemon peel also contains vitamin C as well as a little magnesium and iron. Yields about 1 cup Ingredients 6 Tbs. smoked paprika 3 Tbs. sweet Spanish or Hungarian paprika 3 Tbs. dried cilantro 2 Tbs. ground cumin 2 Tbs. coarse sea […]

Moroccan spicesMoroccan spices

Marrakesh Spice Mix

This sweet and savory blend from Morocco gives an exotic flavor to lamb, poultry and vegetables like carrots and cauliflower. Benefits: Cloves and cinnamon both have antiseptic properties. Cumin contains safranal, an antioxidant that may have some antidepressant properties. Ground spices like these contain small amounts of minerals like manganese, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron for an additional nutrition boost. Yields about ½ cup   Ingredients 2 Tbs. ground cinnamon 2 Tbs. ground cumin 2 Tbs. ground coriander seed 1 tsp. ground cayenne pepper 1 tsp. ground cloves   Directions Mix together and store in an airtight glass jar […]

African spicesAfrican spices

Brain-Boosting Berbere African Spice Blend

Berebere spice mix has been used in Africa in one form or another for many years. It originated in Ethiopia and/or Eritrea. It most commonly contains a mild to hot mix of chili peppers, coriander, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves. More authentic blends will include korarima, an Ethiopian cardamom instead of the Indian variety, along with nigella seeds and ajwain, another type of seed. I use this robust spice mix to flavor stir-fries, soups and stews. It packs some (but not too much) heat. Benefits: Fenugreek has choline which may support healthy brain function and memory. Chilies and […]

Indian spicesIndian spices

Chaat Masala Spice Blend for Beauty

You almost always find this simple spice blend in Indian homes where they add it to fruit salads or sprinkled onto melon. It’s also good when added to grilled chicken or fish. You can find amchur (dried mango powder) on Amazon.com and even in Wal-Mart. Benefits: Mangos have vitamin C which aids tissue regeneration because it’s a precursor to collagen; folate which promotes healthy red blood cell production and supports natural cell growth and replication; and cancer-fighting and immune-boosting carotenoid antioxidants. Yields about ¼ cup Ingredients 2 Tbs. cumin seeds, roasted for a minute over medium heat, then ground 1 […]

Tandoori ChickenTandoori Chicken

Tandoori Spice Mix

This spice blend from India gives an exotic twist to summer barbeques! Shake it onto beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp or swordfish before grilling. Benefits: The spices in this mix act as powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatories (especially ginger and turmeric which is enhanced by black pepper), antibacterials, and antiseptics (nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon). Cumin may even have potential antidepressant or anti-anxiety properties. Yields about 2/3 cup Ingredients 3 Tbs. ground ginger 3 Tbs. ground coriander seeds 1 Tbs. ground cumin 2 Tbs. Hungarian or Spanish paprika 1 Tbs. ground black pepper 2 tsp. sea salt 1½ tsp. ground turmeric 1½ tsp. ground […]

FoodTrients India SpicesFoodTrients India Spices

Variety Is the Spice of India’s Powerful Flavors

India is home to a wide variety of foods and cuisines based on region and culture. Northern regions often consume aromatic, savory gravies, stir-fries, and flatbreads, Southern regions incorporate rice, lentils, tomato and tamarind into their dishes, and those living on the coast eat seafood, rice, and coconut-based foods (very generally speaking). Many people in India are vegetarians while others regularly eat mutton and chicken. One theme seen throughout this country is the incorporation of spices while cooking. Not only do the spices provide powerful flavoring, but they provide some great medicinal uses as well. Indian cuisine is known for […]