Cinnamon

If you're like me, you didn't know cinnamon actually had health benefits. You'd sprinkle it on apples, into some dishes. etc., and all the while doing yourself a favor. There have been many studies about the benefits of cinnamon on the body. There are two different types of cinnamon sold; cinnamomum zeylanicum nees or cinnamomum cassia (L.) blume. The cinnamon commonly found in the grocery store is cinnamomum cassia. In my search, I found many different "dosage" suggestions. The most common is 1/4 teaspoon taken twice daily.

Benefits to cinnamon:

• cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar (cassia cinnamon)
• cinnamon can have antioxidant effects
•  cinnamon can have the ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections
• cinnamon can have an anti-clotting effect on the blood
• Those who combined cinnamon with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain. (study at Copenhagen University)
• cinnamon can inhibit bacterial growth and food spoilage
• smelling cinnamon can boost cognitive function and memory
• cinnamon can fight the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices 
• cinnamon is a source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium
• cinnamon may improve cholesterol levels

What are the risks of taking cinnamon? (webmd.com)

• Side effects. Cinnamon usually causes no side effects. Heavy use of cinnamon may irritate the mouth and lips, causing sores. In some people, it can cause an allergic reaction. Applied to the skin, it might cause redness and irritation.
• Risks. Very high quantities of cassia cinnamon may be toxic, particularly in people with liver problems. Because cinnamon may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes may need to adjust their treatment if they use cinnamon supplements. People who have cancer that’s affected by hormone levels, like breast cancer, should not take cinnamon. An ingredient in some cinnamon products, coumarin, may cause liver problems. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, cinnamon -- as a treatment -- is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using cinnamon supplements. They could interact with medicines like antibiotics, diabetes drugs, blood thinners, heart medicines, and others.

Eating Right Guidelines

Who remembers the four food groups? It's okay, you don't have to tell, as I know that would give a clue as to your age.  Pretty easy to remember right? 
     (1) meats, poultry, fish, dry beans and peas, eggs, and nuts;
     (2) dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt;
     (3) grains; and
     (4) fruits and vegetables





Then there was the pyramid. Not so easy to remember, but the graphic explained what you needed in terms of portions in relation to the other groups. I think this graphic were everywhere. You couldn't miss it. 



            Look familiar?


Now, we have My Plate. If I'm reading it correctly, it's about enjoying your food with portion control. Makes sense. Oh, and the graphic changed again.  Expect to see this everywhere you go...





My pre-school son has even brought home art projects around this graphic.  Teaching them early, good idea. I plan on spending some time scouring through the website to learn more. www.choosemyplate.gov is a good resource.  Be sure, when you check it out for yourself, you play with the "Get a personalized plan" feature. It's very cool.

Pizza anyone?

I am a big fan of sloppy, topping loaded, extra cheesy pizza. I'm sure you can picture it: thin crust, topping and grease dripping off, long strings of cheese... I'm making myself hungry just thinking about it. Mmm... so good! Anyway, that kind of pizza is not at all good for you. I believe my dad would call something like that "heart attack on a plate." All that cheese, grease, and meat toppings... there I go again, getting off track.

There are fun and healthy alternatives to this yummy pile of toppings. I've tried to play with my food to keep amazing flavors and make it healthier. I think I've found some winners.While I will share some favorite recipes with you, you should know, my all time favorite pizzas have been simply thrown together with no plan.

I like using spinach, flax seed or other whole grain wraps instead of pizza dough, but you can certainly find a recipe that suits you. The wraps are healthy, and low in calories, and give me that thin crust that I like so much. My toppings and sauces vary, but I always put a layer of fresh spinach over whatever sauce I use, and under my cheese. I like a  thick layer of spinach because it not only adds some substance to the pizza, but it adds flavor and nutrition.

Cheese, or as my mother would say, "Behold." (I'm sure you remember those 'Behold the power of cheese.' commercials.) Choose quality cheese that will add lots of flavor (and calcium and protein) with very little used.  Personally, I don't eat a whole lot of dairy anymore, I just don't like the way I feel when I eat too much, so instead of real cheese, I use Veggie Shreds. I can pile it on and not worry so much about fat content.

Spinach, pineapple, green pepper, and lite tomato sauce.

Pineapple, spinach, lite tomato sauce, and Veggie Shreds
before hitting the oven.

Speaking of vegies, pile 'em high! Be creative and mix 'em up. Heck, add some fruit too, while you're at it. My favorite is pineapple and spinach. YUM!

I don't want to give up my meat, so I have made healthier choices about what I put on my pizza. Have you tried chicken sausage yet? You have got to try this stuff! It is available in a variety of yummy flavor options. You can really go to town on your pizza with Chipotle Chorizo with Mango and Adobo or  Spinach and Feta, or even buffalo style. Go check out http://www.alfrescoallnatural.com/dinner-fully-cooked-chicken-sausage.aspx for more options. Trust me, once you try this stuff, you'll love it!

Want different yummy recipes? Check out these websites. You're sure to find something to please everyone in your family.

• http://www.myrecipes.com/healthy-diet/healthy-pizza-recipes-10000001827898/
• http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_pizza_recipes
• http://www.healthypizza-recipes.com/
• http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/healthy-pizza-recipes-00412000072965/
• http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20419726,00.html

My final words: Use fresh ingredients. Spinach on everything. Full flavor or veggie cheese. Low fat meats, such as chicken sausage. Enjoy!