Day One of Your Clean Eating Challenge!
Cooking with less salt and more spices!
Congratulations on your first day! You can do this!
On Day one of your Clean Eating Challenge, learn more about cooking and flavoring food with spices.
Today you are going to take most of your salt and all of your refined sugar out of your pantry and off of your table and replace them with healthy herbs and spices.
Salt and pepper are the two predominant spices found in modern-day kitchens. Fresh, cracked black pepper is very healthy for you. It also is an excellent and versatile spice. Salt, on the other hand, can be downright deadly. Most of us get plenty of salt in our diets. This means any additional salt can cause health problems.
Fortunately, there are dozens of healthy herbs and spices that naturally deliver a wide range of wonderful flavors.
Clean Eating Spices
Basil – This spicy herb is native to tropical Asia. It is perfect for flavoring pork, lamb, poultry and tomato-based dishes. Add basil closer to the end of the cooking process, since its oils are highly volatile. This allows you to retain the most flavor possible from this natural herb.
Turmeric – The powerful, bitter flavor of turmeric masks cancer fighting properties. This is considered one of the healthiest spices found anywhere. It gives food an unmistakable yellow tint. Also known as an effective spice for controlling your weight, turmeric is perfect with egg salad, rice dishes, beans and salads.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen tree. It is at home in desserts and puddings, as well as cakes, pies and other baked goods. Medical research shows that cinnamon is full of healthy antioxidants, has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce your risk of contracting heart disease.
Parsley – Easily the most popular herb in the world, parsley is also considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Parsley delivers vitamin C, B12, vitamin K and vitamin A. It helps you flush excess fluid from your body, hals your nervous system, regulates a healthy blood pressure and may reduce hair loss when massaged into the scalp! This versatile superfood has a vibrant, fresh taste that complements seafood, pasta, soups and vegetables.
Garlic – This heart-healthy bulb delivers a pungent and hot sweetness. Its uses for flavoring are pretty limitless in the kitchen, so experiment freely.
Mint – This aromatic herb delivers a sweet, warm flavor with a slightly cool aftertaste. It is ideally suited for teas and other beverages, jellies and syrups.
Nutmeg – Myristica fragrans, more commonly known as nutmeg, comes from an evergreen tree. The nutmeg seed produces a powder that is sweet and delicate in flavor.
Marjoram, oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, cloves, cumin, cayenne pepper, cilantro, ginger, mace, paprika and sage are a few more popular herbs and spices that can flavor up a multitude of meals.
You can read more about cooking healthy here –> Cooking Healthy
SUGGESTED DINNER FOR DAY ONE OF YOUR CLEAN EATING CHALLENGE
Cincinnati Chili
This chili recipe uses a few of the above spices to add flavor and nutrients. You will surprised how delicious this chili is.
Here is the recipe for Healthy Cincinnati Chili
