Did you know that there are some spices which can give your body warmth? These are commonly known as winter spices. Adding these spices to your diet on a daily basis can make a big difference in how warm your body temperature is, especially during those cold winter days.

You’ll be surprised at how many winter meals incorporate these ingredients without you even realizing. Some warming spices may not be a shock. Others will leave you wondering if they really do make a difference. Here are just a few:

Nuts and Seeds
Peanuts and almonds are the easiest of the items on this list to incorporate into your diet. Have a few soaked almonds or a handful of peanuts as a snack and give your body a deep warmth that stands up to the coldest winter winds.

Eat some seeds such as sesame, pumpkin and fennel. Sesame seeds are found in many dishes, like green beans or chicken. Pumpkin seeds make for a tasty snack. Seeds are also good for the digestive system.

Spices
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and pepper are great examples of a warming bulk spice. Ground cinnamon is frequently added for a delicious and sweet flavor to many of our baked foods. Cinnamon sticks provide a wonderful taste to warm beverages, like tea.

Cloves are warming and also a useful mouth freshener. Cloves hold many antiseptic properties. Not only do they fight bad breath, but they also keep other parts of your body healthy. Next time you make soup or cook vegetables, add some ginger to help include this spice into your daily diet.

When we think of pepper, we think of nothing but warmth. Add a touch of pepper onto your foods instead of salt.

These are just a few of the items known as winter spices so frequently used to ward off that cold winter chill. The next time you come in from the cold and curl up under a warm blanket to fight off the winter chill consider purchasing wholesale spices to have on hand for use in in daily cooking. You will definitely be amazed at how great they work.

Thankfully the holiday season is finally over. I don’t know how many more dinners and holiday cookies I could possibly eat. If you are anything like me, then you are scrambling for a way to lose those extra holiday pounds we all manage to put on. The good news is there are many ways to do just that with the right combination of herbs and spices in bulk.

The first one you can try is Cayenne. Full of vitamin A, vitamins C and B6, Cayenne also is a great source of fiber, vitamin K and manganese. It is nutritious and is a thermogenic food, meaning it burns calories through increased metabolism. This is why it is such a good tool for weight loss.

Hot peppers contain capsaicin and the hotter the chili is; the more capsaicin it contains. Chili always makes a great meal but by having cayenne pepper daily you not only spice up your food but also speed up your metabolism which may help you lose those holiday pounds.

Among herbs and spices in bulk great for weight loss, cinnamon ranks among the best. Not only is it delicious but also has many health benefits, but Cinnamon may help reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Cinnamon may also improve blood circulation, which can, in turn, increase the rate of oxygen reaching the cells of the body, increasing your metabolism.

Ginger is one of my favorite herbs and spices in bulk for weight loss. A recent study by the International Journal of Obesity showed that ginger could help greatly reduce body fat. The reason is ginger much like cayenne is a thermogenic food. After we eat ginger, tissues in our body use more energy than they normally would have. This creates higher metabolism. As with cayenne pepper, ginger also improves circulation. So go ahead and enjoy some ginger. If you have never tried it, you can find some delicious recipes to enjoy this tasty herb.

Let’s face it, no one is going to stick to a diet for very long when the food is bland and gross. Adding these tasty but healthy spices to our diet is one way to help you achieve your weight loss goals while still enjoying great meals. This makes a huge difference in our commitment to weight loss, especially with that troublesome belly fat. Make your food taste delicious with herbs and spices in bulk and you will find it much easier to reach your goals.

You may also enjoy these other posts on related topics to herbs, spices and health:

• Calming herbs for anxiety
• Herbs for improving digestive health
• The secrets of Cinnamon

What we know as saffron spice comes from a plant called Saffron crocus, which is indeed a type of spring-blooming crocus. The parts of the plant that are used in saffron spice are the stigmas and the styles in the center of the flower. These are dried, and thus turned into a culinary wonder. Although it is an expensive spice, a little bit of it goes a long way in flavoring a variety of dishes.

Saffron rice makes a lovely accompaniment to meat dishes. You simply cook white rice with butter and onion, and then add chicken stock, salt and saffron spices and let it cook.

Saffron spice can also be added to grain dishes such as quick-cooking couscous. Saute chopped vegetables that are in season, and serve it over a bed of couscous to which saffron has been added. You will also note that saffron spices will tint your food a golden color, making the foods look appealing and taste delicious.

Saffron can be a flavor ingredient in salad dressings and mayonnaise. Mayonnaise can easily be made from scratch in your blender. Place an egg in the blender, and add some mustard. Whirl it, and then slowly pour in a thin stream of vegetable or olive oil as the blender runs. This will emulsify the mixture, making it thick and creamy. This mayonnaise flavored with a hint of saffron is wonderful for use in sandwiches with seafood fillings or ham. It can also be served as a dip with cooked artichokes.

You can also add a little saffron spice to your vegetable dishes. You can saute thinly sliced vegetables that are in season, and coat them with a light cream sauce to which saffron has been added. This can be served over pasta or rice for a wonderful main dish.

You can buy saffron online from Starwest.

Anise seed are the seeds of the herbaceous annual herb known in Latin by the name Pimpinella anisum, which is native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean. It is a different spice from star anise, which is also a seed but comes from a completely different plant known as Illicium verum, an evergreen tree. Anise seed is most commonly used in cooking, for popular dishes such as anise sugar cookies and anise seeds in white rice.

Anise Seed Recipes

1. Anise Sugar Cookies

For a great holiday delight, you can take a simple sugar cookie recipe and add anise seed to it to create anise sugar cookies.

Combine your dry ingredients, which would include 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, cream together one stick of butter and 1/2 cup sugar until it is fluffy and smooth. This step is most easily accomplished with an electric mixer, although you can mix it yourself with a pastry blender and whisk after the butter is softened. After it is fluffy, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ones, and add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of ground anise seed at the end. Because the dough will be very buttery and sticky, it is easiest to refrigerate the dough for several hours or even overnight, then proceed to shaping and baking. You can take tablespoons of the dough and place it on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then take a drinking glass with a flat bottom, dip the bottom in a little flour, and then press the cookies flat with that. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pans half way through to insure even baking of the cookies. Take them out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before lifting to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Anise Seeds in White Rice

Another recipe to try is anise seeds in white rice. This makes a wonderful and flavorful side dish to any curry or Thai food dish.

To one cup of white basmati rice add 1 1/2 cups of water, and stir in a teaspoon of ground anise seed, and a teaspoon of cardamom. Bring this to a boil and then cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Halfway through you can add dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries as well as toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans to the mixture and continue to cook. Another simple idea is to eat anise seeds in white rice for breakfast. You can cook white rice as in the proportions above, adding ground anise seed along with dried fruit and nuts, and after it is done cooking sprinkle with sugar and pour milk or cream, even soy milk, over the rice and serve.

Anise seed is a versatile spice, and one that will find its way into several different anise seed recipes.

In ancient times, spices of all kinds were literally as valuable as gold; derived from plants in remote parts of the world, they had to be transported by pack animal and sailing ship to their destinations. Obtaining spices was an arduous and often dangerous enterprise.

History

Today, most of the world’s most popular spices are fairly inexpensive, but one has remained incredibly valuable: saffron. Derived from a species of crocus that originated in the arid regions of the eastern Mediterranean, saffron has been domesticated since the Bronze Age; it was valued among the Minoans of pre-Hellenic Crete, who used it as a medication. Saffron crocuses have also been used as an ingredient in perfume and as a pigment. Princess Cleopatra, the last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt (and arguably the world’s most infamous hedonist), reportedly used saffron in her bathwater as an aphrodisiac. In the Indian state of Karnataka, adherents of the Jain religion anoint a large statue with saffron paste during the Festival of the Bhagwan Bahubali. In Europe during medieval times, a merchant found guilty of “cutting” saffron with other cheaper ingredients could be put to death.

Still As Valuable as Gold

Now, consider that even today, saffron commands a price of between $450 and $500 an ounce. The reason is that the cultivation, harvesting and processing of saffron is extremely labor intensive; it requires a field of crocuses the size of a football field and forty hours of labor to produce one pound of saffron.

Most of the world’s saffron is produced in Iran and and southern Spain; a small amount is grown and processed in the U.S.

Cooking With Saffron

Saffron imparts a delicate, slightly bitter honey-like taste to foods, as well as a bright yellow color.

The good news is that when it comes to saffron, a little bit goes a long way. It is most commonly used rice dishes such as paella valenciana and risotto as well as east Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.

About Starwest Botanicals

When considering where to buy Saffron, trust in Starwest Botanicals to provide you with quality at a fair price. Starwest is the foremost Internet supplier of bulk organic herbs and spices as well as essential oils and herbal extracts.

We enjoyed this selection of organic fall and winter recipe delights from Yankee Harvest and wanted to pass these organic recipes along to our readers. Remember to look to Starwest for your selection of the finest organic culinary spices. We are a certified organic herbs processor and carry a fantastic selection of organic herbs and organic spices for all of you cooking needs.

Yankee Harvest Organic Kitchen Recipes >>

Spice rubs are unique in that while there are many different ways to add spices to food, before, during and after cooking, spices are most effective when added prior to the cooking process. The most popular way to do this is by allowing the food to marinate in spices mixed with some kind of liquid, such as olive oil, citrus juice or wine. Another delicious to add extra flair to your cooking methods are to use a spice rub.

What are Spice Rubs

A spice rub is really quite simple; it is nothing more than a mixture of spices and herbs that are literally “rubbed” on to the surface of the food before it is cooked. One of the oldest and most common spice rubs is coarsely-ground black pepper.

For Spice rubs, the grind is important; unlike table spices and those added during sautéing or boiling, these spices are of either of a fairly coarse grind or simply crushed. Spice rub may be applied to the food several hours prior to cooking in order to impart the flavors; it may be left on during the cooking process or removed just prior to applying heat.

Spice rubs are most effective for dry-heat methods of cooking, such as baking, broiling or grilling; pan-frying may be appropriate for spice rubs that contain flour or bread crumbs. Spice rubs are usually applied to meats and fish, but can be used for grilled vegetables such as eggplant as well.

A Personal Thing

In the old days, most cultures and even families came up with their own spice rubs; in many cases, the recipes were closely-guarded secrets passed down from one generation to another.

As modern life has made increasing demands and people find less and less time for food preparation, commercially-prepared spice rubs have become increasingly available. Cajun spice rub is one of the more popular choices, but it is by no means the only one. Here at Starwest Botanicals, you can find a number of different spice rubs for various meats, including beef rubs , poultry rubs , pork rubs and fish rubs. You wont want to miss our Jamaican Jerk Seasoning! These spice rubs are carefully blended from high-quality, organic herbs and spices and can be delivered right to your door.

About Starwest Botanicals

Starwest is the foremost Internet supplier of bulk herbs and spices as well as essential oils and herbal extracts.

A recent news article from local ABC news station WLS-TV in Chicago announced earlier this year that Dr. Marcia Schurer a 56-year-old woman lost 35 pounds – 20 percent of her weight – four years ago and has kept it off ever since. The secret in her success lies in a low fat diet. This is the entire recipe for Grilled Chicken with Chili Spice Rub they share.

For those who want to purchase pre-mixed spices and seasoning blends Starwest also offers a selection of all natural organic rubs including Organic Mediterranean Seafood Rub, , Organic Savory Beef Rub, and Organic Roasted Pork Rub. Starwest all-natural rubs are each made from a delicious combination of certified organic spices, seasonings, and herbs that add unique flavor to meat, seafood and vegetables.

Grilled Chicken with Chili Spice Rub

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 ½” strips
1 Tbsp. chili spice rub (see recipe)
Extra virgin olive oil cooking spray

Heat the grill pan over a medium high heat for 3 minutes. Rub or sprinkle the chicken pieces with the chili spice rub on both sides and then lightly spray the pieces with the olive oil cooking spray. Grill the chicken for about 4 – 6 minutes on each side or until done.

Yield: 12 oz.
Per 12 ounces cooked: 517 Calories; 10g Fat (16.2% calories from fat); 107g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 263mg Cholesterol; 338mg Sodium.

Per 1 ounce cooked: 43 Calories; 1g Fat (16.2% calories from fat); 9g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 22mg Cholesterol; 28mg Sodium.

Note: If you want your chicken more seasoned, add a little more spice rub. You can also grill the whole breast but the cooking time will take a little longer that way. Serve it as an entrée or use it to top or fill salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, quesadillas, or pizza. Toss the grilled chicken with some grilled red onions and red peppers to make chicken fajitas, top with some fresh chopped cilantro and then wrap it in a warm flour tortilla.

Chili Spice Rub

1 Tbsp. ground chili powder
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. ground coriander
1 Tbsp. Spanish paprika

In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, cumin, coriander, and paprika. Transfer the spice mix to a storage container until ready to use. Label and date the container.

Yield: 4 Tbsp.

Per 4 Tbsp: 81 Calories; 4g Fat (36.7% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 90mg Sodium.

Per 1 Tbsp: 20 Calories; 1g Fat (36.7% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 22mg Sodium.

Note: Use about 1 tsp. spice mix per 4 oz. boneless meat or poultry to season or about 1 Tbsp. per ¾ lb. per 1 lb. boneless meat or poultry. If you like this spice, make a double batch at a time. This is a very versatile spice rub. Use it on poultry, meats, shrimp and vegetables.

Although “pumpkin” comes from the Greek word pepon – meaning “melon” – pumpkins are not Greek, nor melons. Although they are now grown in many parts of the world, the pumpkin is a North American native and a member of the squash family.

Because pumpkins are usually ripe and ready for harvest in October and November, pumpkin pie has become a tradition during fall holidays. Not only is its nutty, sweet flavor excellent for pies and other pastries, pumpkin is also an excellent source of lutein and beta carotene (which gives pumpkins their characteristic orange color). In addition, a recent study in China suggests that consuming pumpkin may help mitigate some of effects of diabetes (from the London Daily Telegraph, 9 July 2007).

More About Pumpkin Pie

Although pumpkin has a certain degree of natural sweetness, it benefits from the addition of a number of spices when made into a pie filling.

Pumpkin pie spices are those that are associated with desserts and other dishes such as pancakes and yams, and include cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. At Starwest Botanicals, you can get all of these in one package, pre-measured and blended in just the right proportions for your convenience. You can choose from either Certified Organic pumpkin pie spice or regular salt-free Pumpkin Pie Spice, and you can save a great deal when you purchase it by the pound – which will make a good many pumpkin pies!

Either way, Starwest Pumpkin Pie Spices are of the highest quality and properly stored, will keep for many years.

About Starwest Botanicals

Starwest is the foremost Internet supplier of bulk organic herbs and spices as well as essential oils and herbal extracts.

Known worldwide for the spectacular Taj Mahal, India not only boasts fabulous architecture but also an exquisite cuisine. There are several herbs and spices used in Indian dishes, with a few reaching common use and becoming the most popular.

There are several ingredients that are commonly found in Indian cuisine. They include rice, wheat flour, lentils and split peas, as well as vegetable oils and ghee, or clarified butter. Some of the most popular Indian food spices are chili peppers, mustard seed, turmeric, fenugreek seed, ginger root, coriander seed, cumin seed and garlic. There is a spice blend known as garam masala that is widely used in Indian cooking, and although the exact recipe varies according to geographical region, it often consists of cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cumin and coriander. Curry powder is also used as one of the most popular Indian spices for cooking.

Indian Cuisine is Enjoyed Around the World

Dishes that you will likely find in the northern parts of India include Naan, which is a flat bread, and Tandoori Chicken, which is chicken marinated in spices and yogurt and then baked in a tandoor oven. Butter Chicken, another northern favorite, also utilizes a yogurt marinade but includes tomato puree in the sauce. Samosas, which are little dough pockets filled with a variety of vegetables, cheeses or meats, are deep fried and often served with seasoned yogurt sauces as accompaniments. Kebabs of meat cubes that are placed on skewers and grilled are also popular. In general the dishes favored in Northern India are mildly spiced.

Biryani is a dish that is often served in the southern part of India. A pan of rice is cooked, and forms a base upon which is placed cooked vegetables, possibly cooked meats, and a seasoned sauce. The sauce may be spiced with garam masala, ginger, garlic, mint leaves and saffron. Southern Indian dishes gravitate toward spicy and hot flavors.

A curry is a dish that includes a sauce or gravy. Curries vary by region in India, but often include the Indian food spices cumin, fenugreek, coriander, turmeric and red pepper, and contain a bit of spicy heat.

Dal is an Indian dish that is made from lentils or beans. It has the thickness of a stew, and may be eaten with rice or flat bread. Lentils are also used to make a soup called Sambar, which uses the Indian food spices of tamarind, asafoetida and turmeric.

You can easily stock garam masala and other of the most popular Indian spices for cooking in your kitchen spice rack so that you will always be prepared to create these zesty dishes at home.

For you convenience, Starwest Botanicals carries a full line of jar spices as a part their extensive line of spices.