Cinnamon is also one of nature’s remedies, benefiting us beyond sweetening our palates. Musician Bret Michaels talked about how cinnamon has been shown to be beneficial to those suffering from diabetes on the most recent episode of The Celebrity Apprentice. Studies over the last several years have shown that cinnamon consumption may lower blood glucose, LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides. Getting a whiff of its strong scent is a quick way to give your cognitive senses a boost since the cinnamon scent may improve brain function. Cinnamon was included in my 7 Super Spices blog.

Even for those who don’t have diabetes, cinnamon is more than just a delicious add-in. Here are some of my favorite ways to use cinnamon:

• Add to a smoothie
• Add to Greek yogurt
• Add to your favorite chili recipe
• Add to ice cream
• Add to oatmeal
• Add to apples
• Add to baked sweet potato

What are your favorite recipes using cinnamon?

Assistance provided by Pam Majumdar

The great news is that McCormick has donated THREE sets of the 7 spices (cinnamon, ginger, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, thyme and yellow curry) for my giveaway!!! Wow!!

There are 3 ways to enter your name and you can enter more than once!
1. Retweet any or all of my “Why Spice” tweets. Just go to my twitter account and find my daily “Why Spice” tweet.

2. Tweet your own favorite way/ways to use one of the 7 spices to @nutritionexpert

3. Retweet the 7 Spices Blog Post

Also, everyone who has already retweeted my posted is entered into the drawing.

Contest ends Midnight PT on Friday, April 30.

What are you waiting for? Get to tweeting! Thanks so much for participating in this fun contest and thanks to McCormick!

Spices are packed with natural antioxidants, that’s right, the same stuff that you would find in fruits and vegetables. Why are antioxidants good for your health? Here are a few reasons:

• boost immune system
• reduce inflammation (prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases)
• curb your appetite
• boost your metabolism

McCormick® has done an exceptional job explaining the health benefits of spices and providing consumers with an array of information (See “Spices for Health”). They have put together a list of “7 Super Spices” (cinnamon, ginger, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, thyme and yellow curry) complete with how you can use them. Here are a three of my faves:

1. Keep a shaker of Ground Cinnamon handy to sprinkle over everything from hot cocoa to smoothies, oatmeal and fruit salad.
2. Add a hint of Ground Ginger to hot or iced tea. Sweeten 1 cup tea with 3/4 teaspoon sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger.
3. Wake up tast buds with Herbed Scrambled Eggs. Beat 1/8 teaspoon Thyme or Oregano Leaves into 2 eggs before scrambling.

McCormick® also encourages consumers to Take the 30 Day Challenge: 30 Ways to Power Up Your Plate complete with a Super Swaps calendar! How sweet/spicy/tangy is that?!

What do you do to add a little bit of spice in your life? What are some of your favorite spice secrets?

Follow me on Twitter @NutritionExpert for my “Why Spice?” Tweets!

Assistance provided by Monica Lobo.

1. Healthy Trailmix: You can mix wheat Chex with dried berries and raisins, chocolate chips, seeds and nuts. This is high in protein and the combination of sweet and crunchy will make your mouth happy!

2. Apple Slices w/ Skin with Peanut Butter Spread: Peanut butter is a source of dietary fiber so it can help slow down digestion and keep you satisfied until dinner! You can even make it the apple slices look like a bunny (really great if you are having movie night with kids)! Here’s a link on how to make apple rabbits.

3. Yogurt Parfait: Top Greek yogurt with sliced almonds, and fruits (such as strawberries and blueberries). The calcium in yogurt makes teeth and bones strong.

4. Pretzels/Veggies & Hummus: Hummus is made from garbanzo beans. It contains a lot of fiber and is great to use as a topping or dip.You can use it as a dip for either pretzels, veggies or toasted whole wheat pita triangles.

5. Popcorn with Cinnamon: For those of you who love eating popcorn while watching movies, pop a bag of low fat or fat free popcorn in the microwave, then empty the popcorn into a bowl and sprinkle on cinnamon and tossed until it’s even. You can also replace cinnamon with grated parmesan cheese. Did you know popcorn counts as whole grain?

What snacks do you like while watching movies? What are some movie snacks you’ve made?

By Mitzi Dulan with research assistance from Rachel Yam