Tag: cinnamon

Brain-Boosting Super Seed Oatmeal

Give your oatmeal a boost with seeds high in omega-3s which are important for the health of our brain, heart, liver and bones.

Oatmeal provides a simple, nourishing breakfast on its own, but we can easily up our oatmeal game with the help of some super seeds. Chia, hemp and flax seeds are all plant-based sources of protein, fiber, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats.

Any type of oats (steel cut, rolled, or quick) are great, however, steel cut are the least processed and lowest in glycemic load. This keeps blood sugar levels stable and helps us stay energized. I hope you enjoy the great combination of flavors and the numerous health benefits of this gooey, aromatic bowl of super seed oatmeal.

Super Seed Oatmeal

Ingredients:
  • 1/2-3/4 cup steel cut oats
  • 2 cups water or nut milk
  • 1/2-1 tbsp hemp seeds
  • 1/2-1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2-1 tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • fruit toppings
  • nut butter
Long Version (steel cut oats):
  1. Bring water to a boil.
  2. Add steel cut oats to the boiling water on the stove, turn down temperature to low. Let oats cook for 10 min.
  3. Stir in hemp hearts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and cinnamon (optional: splash of almond milk).
  4. Wait for the remaining liquid to soak up.
  5. Top with fruit and a healthy fat, like nut butter.
Quick Version (rolled or Quick oats):
  1. Add equal parts oats (rolled or quick) and nut milk together and stir.
  2. Stir in hemp hearts, chia seeds, flax seeds and cinnamon.
  3. Cover and place in fridge overnight.
  4. In morning, add toppings and dig in!

Super Seed Cinnamon Oatmeal

PCOS Powers:
  • steel cut oats = low glycemic load, high in fiber, maintains blood sugar levels, and contains tryptophan which boosts serotonin levels for better sleep and a stable mood
  • chia seeds = high in omega 3s which can help decrease high testosterone and improve egg quality
  • hemp hearts = high in protein, fibre, and essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 & 9) which may improve cholesterol profiles, may reduce inflammation
  • flax seeds = may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, contain lignans which may increase sex hormone-binding globulin and therefore lower blood testosterone levels
  • cinnamon = may help balance glucose levels, lower cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides in blood

More ways to use super seeds:

Pin For Later:Brain Boosting Super Seed Oatmeal

Golden Turmeric Milk (Anti-Inflammatory)

A healing, dairy-free drink to warm up and stay well this winter.

With flu season upon us, it seemed like a great time to share this ancient Ayurvedic beverage known as golden turmeric milk. Turmeric is a powerful therapeutic spice with plenty of science-based evidence to back up this claim. It has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Golden milk, or Haldi Doodh, originated in India long before becoming a popular beverage in the western world. Here is a recipe with further dialogue on the origins of golden milk from Manali, a vegetarian/vegan cook and photographer.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient that has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Evidence suggests curcumin from turmeric can:

Unfortunately, turmeric has low bioavailability. Therefore, if we want to benefit from its health properties it must be combined with specific compounds, such as black pepper or fat. Heating turmeric slightly can also increase its bioavailability, but too much heat can degrade it, so keep this in mind when making this healing golden turmeric milk.

Golden Turmeric Mylk
INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond or coconut milk
  • 1-2 tsp of turmeric
  • ½ tsp of cinnamon
  • ½ tsp of cardamom
  • ½ tsp of ginger (ground or fresh)
  • pinch of black pepper
  • 1 tsp coconut oil (optional, for additional turmeric absorption)
Golden Turmeric Mylk
HOW TO:
  1. Add the almond milk to a small pot on the stove and heat on low temperature.
  2. Add the turmeric, coconut oil, cinnamon, cardamon, and pepper.
  3. Stir frequently for a couple minutes until the milk is warm, but not boiling!
  4. Strain the milk and froth (I used a matcha whisk since I don’t have a milk frother).

Golden Turmeric Mylk

PCOS POWERS:
  • turmeric = anti-inflammatory, helps lower blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity, anti-depressant, black pepper increases bioavailability
  • cinnamon = may help balance glucose levels, lower cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides in blood
  • ginger = anti-inflammatory, may help decrease fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol and triglycerides

Golden Turmeric Mylk

Drink it straight up or pour over oats to boost your morning oatmeal. Note: turmeric will stain almost everything yellow! So, choose your mug and tea towel wisely.

Have you tried golden turmeric milk before?

More Turmeric Recipes:

Garlic Turmeric Hummus

Hemp Heart Turmeric Salad Dressing

Cinnamon Turmeric Spice Pumpkin Seeds

PIN FOR LATER:

Golden Turmeric Mylk for Inflammation

Disclaimer: As the sole author of Phruitful Dish, I have based my posts on my own experiences and knowledge obtained through lived experience and during my doctoral degree (PhD). However, I am not a medical doctor. The information in this blog is not intended as medical advice. Nutritional and supplemental choices should be made in consultation with your health care provider. This blog is intended to inspire and encourage readers to educate themselves on how nutrition and lifestyle are important and often overlooked aspects of health. Therefore, please use the information at your own risk. Occasional links may be provided leading to third-party websites. The existence of these links does not infer a responsibility or an endorsement of the linked site, its operator, or its contents.

Gingerbread Pecans (Sugar-Free)

Reduce inflammation and keep your heart healthy with omega 3s.

Pecans roasting on an open fire… and toasted to perfection! These roasted nuts have a festive twist and provide plenty of nourishment. Nuts are packed with omega 3s which reduce inflammation and keep our hearts healthy. Specifically, one study found that pecans may help lower levels of LDL cholesterol enough to decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 25%. These spiced pecans are free of refined sugars and make a great snack on their own, or are lovely sprinkled on oatmeal or granola. Warning: may cause kitchen to smell like a bakery.

Gingerbread Pecans

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pecans
  • 1/2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tspn cinnamon
  • 1/4 tspn ginger
  • 1/4 tspn all spice
  • 1/4 tspn nutmeg
  • pinch of salt
  • splash of pure maple syrup

Gingerbread Candied Pecans

How to:

  1. Preheat oven to 250 deg F (cooking nuts above 250 deg F can produce harmful toxins).
  2. Stir oil, spices, and syrup in a small bowl.
  3. Drizzle over pecans in a larger bowl and toss to coat them.
  4. Spread out pecans in one layer on a baking sheet (I lined mine with parchment paper) and cook for 40-50 minutes.

PCOS Powers:

  • pecans = high in ellagic and oleic acids which may help lower LDL cholesterol, protect against cardiovascular disease and lower breast cancer risk, high in magnesium which is anti-inflammatory and lowers blood pressure
  • cinnamon = may help balance glucose levels, lower cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides in blood
  • ginger =  anti-inflammatory, may help decrease LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c
PIN FOR LATER:

Gingerbread Candied Pecans (sugar-free)

References:

  1. S. Rajaram, K. Burke, B. Connell, T. Myint and Joan Sabate’. 2001. A Monounsaturated Fatty Acid-Rich- Enriched Diet Favorably Alters the Serum Lipid Profile of Healthy Man and Women. Journal of Nutrition 131:2275-2279.
  2. Sherman L. Cinnamon improves blood pressure and blood sugar in diabetics. The Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2011:76.
  3. Najarzadeh A, Mahammadi M, Jalali B, Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Talaei B, Fallahzadeh H. The Effect of Ginger on Blood Glucose, Lipid and Lipoproteins in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial. Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. 2012;20:383-395.
  4. Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza C. Ginger-an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory action. J Med Food. 2005;8:125-132.