Benefits of Paprika

Paprika is a mild spice produced by grinding thefruits of the family of capsicum annuum plants which include red bell pepper and chili peppers. Paprika however has a very minimal dose of capsaisin, the compound that produces a sensation of burning. Capsaisin is one of the main compounds in the pepper family that provides health benefits - due to the lack of capsaisin in paprika, health benefits aren't as strong (as cayenne or chilli powder). If you can't stand the heat of cayenne pepper, then opt for Paprika - get the benefits without the heat.

Paprika, however, is also said to be extraordinarily high in Vitamin C and is rich in carotenids which are red and yellow pigments found in vegetables and herbs that impart health benefits. 

It has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in medicine as a topical analgesic.
But while paprika abundantly contains these healthy constituents, it is not particularly known for its medicinal benefits as a stand-alone spice. However, it does contribute to an overall healthy dietwhen used as a seasoning in dishes. 
The following are the paprika benefits that may be derived from consuming this herb: 

• Paprika helps to regulate blood pressure.
• Paprika may help improve blood circulation.
• Paprika may help assist digestion by normalizing acid in the stomach.
• Paprika as an antibiotic.
• Paprika has anti-inflammatory properties.

Benefits of Cayenne

Spicy is the new HOT!!

Cayenne - It contains trace minerals, high antioxidants, vitamins, and capsaicin. Also contains vitamins like vitamin C, E and carotinoids.

Capsaicin, found in cayenne can reduce platelets stickiness, increase your metabolism, stimulates the immune system and blood circulation. It can even kill harmful bacteria, germs, viruses, and other infections that may be hidden in our body. 


  

• It's aids in blood circulation, in turn increasing circulation of oxygen and helps nourish cells and tissues.
• Cayenne has been shown to stop a heart attack as it happens (but please don't experiment on this.. leave it to the doctor)
• It's beneficial in weight loss by increasing metabolism
• It helps adjust with blood pressure.
• Cleans the arteries, gets rid of bad LDL cholesterol and tryglicerides.
• Stimulates peristaltic motion in intestines and aids in assimilation and elimination of unwanted matter.
• Warms the body internally and externally
• Been used as a frost bite remedy. I have experimented in the crude cold winters of Canada, by putting a sprinkle on cayenne in my boots. Not only did they keep my feet warm.. at points I couldn't wait to get home to remove my shoes because I felt so much heat, it felt like a burning sensation.
• I've also used cayenne poultice on stiff muscles.. neck strains are a nuisance especially when you need to move. A little bit of cayenne made into a paste using olive oil, and rubbed onto painful area. Please note: some muscle injuries get worse with heat applications - cayenne will only make it worse. (if your doctor says put an ice pack on it.. then NEVER use cayenne)
• Superb for rebuilding the tissue in the stomach, facilitating healing with stomach and intestinal ulcers. Cayenne pepper for ulcers is not something most would have considered, and it still should be considered as a slight irritant especially when you have ulcers, but a little at a time NOT on an empty stomach and you should be fine. Remember if you're unsure, you can always start of with the tiniest of doses. 
• And please remember NEVER to take it on an empty stomach.  I've experiment with cayenne and filled capsules with cayenne to get myself a bigger dose without tasting and feeling the heat on my tongue. Big mistake: I took the capsule on an empty stomach - and with in 20 minutes, there was an unpleasant party in my stomach - fire crackers and bombs. Too much cayenne can irritate the stomach - sometimes resulting in ulcers. It seems ironic that a substance that can heal ulcers can also cause them, but we always have to remember to Balance.  Getting too much of a Good thing, will not always result in a Good outcome.

Base-ically Nuts!

Mini Nut Crackers with Spicy Chicken & Tomato Topping

Nuts are a wonderful addition to foods, when in search of a healthy diet. Fiber full - nuts can clean your digestive system, help in losing weight & add plenty of nutrients to the body

To prepare this recipe, you'll need a Handful each ofwalnuts, almonds, pinenuts, coconut powder, and driedfigs. A tablespoon of Kalonji and 2 tablespoons of Flax seed all mixed together and ground into a powder. 


I added some turmeric to the mix and a drop or 2 of water. Now u have a dough like paste. 

Flatten in to crackers and bake until golden.




The crackers taste wonderful as is! Very similar to a nut filled granola bar. You can add a little bit of natural sweetener and you've got yourself a nut filled cookie. I didn't find the need for sugar (maybe because I added dried figs to the mix, which probably gave it it sweetness.)  You can change the recipe to your liking, add more of what you like, or eliminate what you don't like. Plus there are plenty of other nuts that weren't included here, that you can include if you like.




Or you can add any toppings you'd like. 

Here I have stir fried chicken, with fresh tomatoes, fresh purple cabbage and fresh hot peppers. My spices for the chicken consisted of cayenne of course, and Cajun spices.

Wild Purple & Yellow Breakfast

  
Today I woke up with the thought of making breakfast. Initial thought was eggs, but I needed more oomph to the dish. Not having an idea as to what's in the fridge, I opened it to notice some boiled beets, & boiled quinoa.  I felt like I needed more ingredients, so I opened the vegetable drawer to find some yams and orange bell peppers.  All ingredients out of the fridge, now I needed to figure out what to make.



Ingredient List:

Eggs - Quinoa - Beets - Wild Rice - Flax Seed - Raw Almonds - Yam - Orange Bell Peppers - Garlic - Cayenne - Black Pepper - Olive Oil    AND    Blackberries 


Wild Purple Quinoa  
I decided to mix the quinoa with the beets and add some fibre to it. I boiled some wild rice, and also ground flax seed and ground raw almond nuts. 

Yam & Pepper Medley 
For this, I chopped the yam and peppers, (boiled the yams) and then quickly stir fried the with some cayenne and black pepper & garlic. I had accidentally made too much wild rice for the quinoa, so I used the rest here.

Egg
Simple easy sunny side up egg, with a sprinkle of cayenne, blackpepper and salt.

Blackberry Beet juice
to top this all off I made a juice to drink later on as a mini snack. I say snack, because along with the beets and blackberries & orange juice, I added ground flax seed and ground raw almonds. These provide you with the nutrients, without altering the taste of the juice. Please note NO SUGAR was added. Blackberries alone give the sweet taste, and Beets are usually a source of sugar.. so don't add the sugar if you don't need it.

Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon’s other benefits include:

• Supports digestive function
• It slows the emptying of your stomach to reduce sharp
  rises in blood sugar following meals, and improves the effectiveness of insulin. 
• It also enhances your antioxidant defenses.
• Constricts and tones tissues
• Relieves congestion
• Relieves pain and stiffness of muscles and joints
• Relieves menstrual discomfort
• Blood-thinning compounds that stimulate circulation
• Anti-inflammatory compounds that may relieve arthritis
• Helps prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease
• It’s a powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli and other bacteria