One of my favorite spices (probably my favorite) is commonly known as cinnamon. A dark
brown, usually ground spice of sweet, sensual flavor. Before landing in the attic of the familiar
kitchen cabinet or pantry, this wonderful divine creation is a small evergreen tree native to Sri
Lanka.
It's really brain tickling to think that this same source of wonderful flavor was used in ancient times as a prized gift for kings, monarchs, and other higher-ups. Although I could care less that some narcissistic, (most likely) incestuously bred royals enjoyed cinnamon as much as I do in the present day, I do love the fact that it is mentioned in the Bible as part of soothing illustrations: Proverbs 7 mentions a lover's bed perfumed with myrrh, aloe, and cinnamon and a song of Solomon describes his beloved's beauty with the spice.
Not only is cinnamon an enduring flavor, it also has a number of bodily benefits (For fun I'm going to list these as if cinnamon was a man):
- He can lower LDL cholesterol
- He may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making him especially good for people with Type 2 diabetes
- He has been shown to stop medication-resistant yeast infections
- He has been shown to reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells
- He has an anti-clotting effect on blood
- He is a natural food preservative by inhibiting bacterial growth and food spoilage when added to food
- If you smell him, he can boost cognitive function and memory
- He is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium
This dude gives some more insight into the health benefits of cinnamon: http://www.thehealthysnacksblog.com/2007/11/12/the-top-5-health-benefits-of-cinnamon/
So why cinnamon? It's like a good friend. Not toxic, but in fact good for you, nutritious. Spoken highly of, yet not a celebrity; approachable and friendly to the most mediocre of people. And best of all, he smells fantastically memorable.
Sources: internet
Recommendations:
-Honey and cinnamon with plain, non-fat yogurt and bananas
-1 and a half tablespoons of him with 4 apples when making homemade applesauce (no added sugar please)
-Sprinkled over French toast with a light drizzle of real maple syrup made from whole-wheat bread smiling upon scrambled eggs clothed in ketchup
