Wednesday 3 April 2013

A - Z Blogging -- "C"




 Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by  to visit!
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  For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. -  How they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.
With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning  for each day of the  A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.

                                                           
Learn more about these terms.       

               "C" is for Cinnamon                              
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It's time for Herbs and Spices!

When trying to pick the most appropriate post for "C", I found myself in a huge conundrum. There are several options ..... Cardamom, Cayenne, Chives Celery seed, Chili power,Cilantro, Coriander and Cloves... just to name a few.  After due thought, I went with the one I have used since childhood... 

CINNAMON

The Kitchen Dictionary describes cinnamon as the inner bark of a a tropical evergreen tree, harvested during the rainy season when pliable and then dried into curls sold as sticks or ground into a powder. With its warm, sweet favor, cinnamon is one of the biggest workhorses on the spice shelf. Cooks often use it to flavor baked goods and drinks, but it also works wonders in stews and sauces. The best cinnamon is Ceylon cinnamon= canela= Sri Lanka cinnamon= true cinnamon.  Indonesian cinnamon has a similar taste, but larger quills and is generally knot as well regarded.

Matches well with : apples, berries, chicken, chocolate, coffee, custards, fruit lamb, oranges, pears, rice
                                                                                                                                               
Substitutions:   1 cinnamon stick yields 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: nutmeg, or allspice.

My first memory of cinnamon is when, as a treat, my Mother would give us toast with ground cinnamon and brown sugar and the warm tastes would meld together in my mouth. Mmmm.
Although that might not be a treat  for you,  I bet this recipe for Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls would fill that bill with no problem at all!



Health Benefits


www.helalthonabudget.com
Not only is cinnamon a  popular spice in food it also has been used for its health benefits for many centuries.  It is important to note that these benefits are attributed to true cinnamon and not cassia, which is often sold in stores as cinnamon. Some of these benefits are:

~Studies have shown that  just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can lower LDL cholesterol.
~Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially  beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
~Cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication- resistant yeast infections.
~It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
~In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relie in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
~When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative
~.Cinnamon is high in nutrients such as manganese, fiber, iron and calcium





Sources:

Eat This! http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html
Food.com http://www.food.com/library/cinnamon-324


Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.                                                           












28 comments:

  1. I'd like a piece of cinnamon toast, one of my favorite breakfasts.

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    1. Funny how it is almost a comfort food. Thanks for dropping by, Carol.

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  2. Wow I didn't know all those health benefits to cinnamon. I also didn't know the difference between true cinnamon and artificial. I must watch for that on my next grocery trip.
    Great post for C.
    Kathy at Oak Lawn Images

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    1. Thanks, Kathy, it is a real learning experience for me as well!

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  3. Cinnamon is definitely one of my favourite spices and there is nothing quite as homey as the aroma of something with cinnamon baking in the oven. I had no idea of the health benefits of cinnamon, unless you are on an anti-coagulant I'm thinking a 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon a day would be of great benefit to many of us! The recipe for the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls looks yummy...you may just see those in my oven this Saturday morning!
    Monica at Older Mommy Still Yummy

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    1. I am actually thinking of trying the honey and cinnamon combo!
      It also makes me think "Christmas-y" thoughts! Thanks for you comments.

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  4. When I saw you were doing spices I hoped this post would be about cinnamon! It's my favourite. I used to get cinnamon and brown sugar on toast too as a child. I'm off to look at your cinnamon roll recipe now, thanks.

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    1. It is so nice to realize that although we are all different, there are still so many things that bring us together..... and cinnamon and brown sugar is one ... or is that two!!!LOL
      Thanks for commenting.
      http://sugarspiceallthings-nice.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-z-blogging-c.html

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  5. i love cinnamon! i love it on french toast instead of syrup. also love it in apple sauce - and almost anything.

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    1. Yummm, in applesauce...never thought of that...I put in on waffles while they are still cooking.. gives them a nice touch.

      Thanks for the comment. Have fun with the challenge.

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  6. I did Cinnamon today, too! But in a somewhat more, er, adult version. Love cinnamon! I love this series on spices. Wonderful topic! Check me out at #821 Romance Righter.

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    1. Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the different "versions" of cinnamon....LOL.
      Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

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  7. I love to add cinnamon (along with kosher salt, cayenne pepper and garlic powder) to sweet potato fries - nom nom nom

    Popped by from the AtoZ Challenge.

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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    1. Hmmm, never thought of using it (with additives) on one of my favs... sweet potato fries!! Now I have to try it and see!! Thanks, Tami!

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  8. I have diabetes and so I tried the 1/2 tsp a day for two pots of ground cinnamon, it didn't seem to make any difference, sadly.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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    1. Thanks for your comment. I would think it is most likely more effective for minimally high blood sugars. My daughter is diabetic and I would not recommend this to her as the only treatment.

      Looking fwd to "D"

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  9. One of my favorite spices, too. Can't grow it in my garden like mint or basil or rosemary, though.

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    1. Me neither, Sue Ann. But the mint spreads like wild fire! Rosemary is on my "top ten" list.... Just may make an appearance in "R"!!!

      Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

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  10. Wow, I love learning new things. I didn't know its value. I love Cinnamon tea, and cinnamon toast, and Cinnabons. Mmm! you've make me long for something Cinnamon. Think I'll go for the tea, since it's a chilly day today (in Florida at that). I enjoyed your post. I'm a fellow A to Z Challenger stopping by to say "Hi". Have a great day!
    Hugs,
    Kathy (794 on the list)

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. Love your site and thanks for dropping by.

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  11. I love your theme, I will definitely be back to read more! Thanks for sharing. -ejw

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment, ejw, am on my way to "visit" you.

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  12. Many thanks for the information. Must try the cinnamon and honey for my arthritis.

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  13. I love (and miss) cinnamon. Somehow, I've developed an allergy which causes my lips, gums, and tongue to swell when I consume it. Nevertheless, I love cinnamon so much that at least once a year have have something cinnamon-y. So good!

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    1. Oh my goodness, Penny, be very careful!! If that is the result you developed, the next time could be MUCH worse. I had the same result when eating an apple. Dr. told me I could die if I put another apple near my mouth!! Nothing tastes that good to risk your life for!!
      Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

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  14. Hi!
    I'm stopping by with the A-Z Challenge! The foodie in me likes your theme of spices! What a great idea! Your memory of your cinnamon and brown sugar toast reminds me of the homemade bread my mother used to make--white bread rolled with cinnamon and brown sugar! Our mothers treated us right! I'll be back for more spices!
    Alicia from newhousegirl.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Alicia, you are right,out mothers were the best!! Now it's our time.
      Enjoy the challenge.
      Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

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