Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Add some spice to your life!

Time to add a little spice to your life?

Spices not only add amazing flavour to your food but did you know some have great health benefits as well?

Here's a list of a few that are great additions to your diet. Give them a go and see what you think!

Cinnamon
Studies have shown that by adding as little as 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to our daily diets can lower our LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, as well as having a regulatory effect on our blood sugar levels, making it especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. 
Try adding some to your morning porridge, yoghurt or smoothie. 

Ginger
A winner when it comes to the relief of nausea and digestive problems. Not only that, it also helps improve circulation and aids in arthritis pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Feeling a little run down? Add some ginger to your diet to relieve symptoms of colds.
Ginger not only tastes great in stir fries but also as a tea (just add a little honey/agave nectar and fresh lemon).

Tumeric
Only recently have I discovered that tumeric not only adds wonderful colour and flavour to your food but it also has an anti-inflammatory effect, making it beneficial for sufferers of many auto-immune diseases. Add some to curries, scrambled eggs and marinades.

Cumin
This little herb helps with digestive issues as well as being a good source of fibre, helping with constipation. Add some whole or ground cumin into BBQ sauces or marinades, to stir fies, or stews.

Oregano
Oregano is known to have strong antiviral and antibacterial properties that help to improve respiratory health and strengthen the immune system. Most of us have probably used oregano in our cooking from time to time. Try adding some to pasta sauces, on home made pizzas, or on salads.

What are some of your favourite spices to use in cooking?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Summer's here!

Yes, this update is a day late, but for all of you out there I'm sure you hear me when I say Hallelujah to it finally being Summer!!!
Although you might not know it here in Melbourne at the moment with the constant rain recently, and more storms on the way mind you!

What am I looking forward to this Summer? Christmas holidays, sunshine, catching up with friends over some nice afternoon wine time, sleep-ins, enjoying my newly landscaped garden, balmy mornings and warm nights, walks after dinner, visits to the beach, did I mention sunshine?.... and the list goes on....

So bring on that Christmas cheer people, life is good!

What are you looking forward to this Summer?

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Thai Prawn Salad


So yesterday I wasn't feeling the best due to a yukky little head cold that's been going around.
To cheer me up hubby made me a surprise dinner - I know, lucky girl!
Now, when I get made a surprise dinner it's always pretty damn good I must say. He pays such attention to detail and always presents things beautifully.

So I just had to show you the beautiful meal that he served up.
It's gluten free, healthy and best of all delish!
Definitely try to give it a whirl - for anyone that likes thai inspired food you will love it!

Thai Prawn Salad 
Ingredients (serves 2)
250 grams flat rice noodles
300-350 grams cooked prawns, peeled and deveined
50 grams snow peas, ends trimmed
1 long red chilli, deseeded and sliced lengthways
1/2 cup snow pea sprouts
2 spring onions, thinly sliced in lengths
1 bunch coriander leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
1 lime, juiced
Method
1/ Place noodles and whole snow peas in 2 separate bowls and cover each in boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain and run under cold water. Slice snow peas lengthways
2/ Combine noodles, snow peas, chillies, spring onions, prawns, snow pea sprouts and coriander in bowl
3/ Mix together sweet chilli sauce and lime juice to make dressing
4/ Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Picapp Widget

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