It has taken me some years to accumulate my collection of spices! There are endless creative possibilities in using spices and herbs, so cooking is never boring. Not only will these liven up your dishes, many carry expansive health benefits and impressive nutrient profiles. Below are lists of the staples I use regularly and continue to experiment with. Try adding something new once or twice a week and check out some recipes that feature these powerful aromatics!
It is best if you can source these well. Look for fair trade and organic whenever possible.
Benefits*
Some stimulate digestion or soothe the intestinal tract, some carry anti-inflammatory benefit or influence motility [improve constipation or diarrhea]. Spices and herbs have been shown to have an antioxidant effect, like clove, rosemary, sage, oregano, and cinnamon. Others protect against cancer, help regulate cholesterol and glucose, or even impact mood and brain function.
Savory Spices
- Cumin seed + ground cumin
- Fennel seed + ground fennel
- Coriander seed
- Fenugreek
- Mustard seed
- Paprika + smoked paprika
- Asafetida / Hing
- Garam masala
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Chili powder
- Chipotle powder
- Turmeric
- Curry powder
- Garlic granules
- Onion powder
- Pink Himalayan sea salt
- Celtic sea salt
- Redmond’s real sea salt
- Black pepper
Baking Spices
- Saigon or Ceylon Cinnamon ground
- Cinnamon sticks
- Nutmeg powder
- Whole nutmeg
- Clove
- Cardamom
- Pumpkin Spice
- Ginger powder
- Whole vanilla bean
Herbs
- Dried parsley
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Basil
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Herbs de Provence
- Tarragon
- Marjoram
- Savory
- Nettle
- Dill
Miscellaneous
- Beet root powder
- Organic peppermint extract
- Organic alcohol-free vanilla
- Organic almond extract
- Organic lemon extract
- Cacao powder
- Carob powder
- Blackstrap molasses
- Manuka honey
- Grade A maple syrup
- Organic unrefined coconut sugar
*Now I’m not one for artificial flavors or colors, so I keep these miscellaneous items in stock to use as healthy swaps. They are lesser evil, better options that I know have more benefit than detriment.
Holidaze
I’m here for all the holiday baking. I believe sharing desserts with loved ones and serving their health is one of the best gifts I could give. I’ve created a holiday recipe eBook from years of tried and true recipes. My treats are simple, nutrient dense, and oh so satisfying. You won’t find refined sugar, pesticide-laden white flour, toxic refined seed oils, yeast, dairy, or artificial flavors, gums, or fillers. With a light touch of natural sweetness like maple or coconut sugar, each recipe is created and adapted to serve the body, rather than challenge it.
The above mentioned ingredients in store-bought desserts are wrecking havoc on the microbiome, fueling dysfunctional blood sugar, and contributing to underlying chronic disease. While the rule “everything in moderation” may apply to some folks, it is all too easy to get carried away with the not-so-nourishing goodies over the holiday season. It is a snowball effect. We’ve already indulged on this or that, so why not go all in and have more? The social aspect, cultural tradition, and nostalgia of this season influence many people to temporarily forgo better judgement about what those treats are really doing to their body.
We then feel tired, heavy, and maybe even hungover from the high sugar, processed carbs, or alcoholic indulgences. We make the promise to ourselves to start new in January and be better. Do those goals stick?
Nourishing Sweets
What if we didn’t have to go through this up and down? What if we could make swaps to be able to enjoy a dessert with family or friends, with all our favorite traditions and nostalgia without compromising our goals for our health? We don’t have to choose between feeling good in our bodies and having a good time socially. You can literally have your cake and eat it too [although I prefer cookies]. Give it a try for yourself! Report back the differences you start to feel. You may start a new tradition of making all your own homemade desserts. You may be more satisfied by those than anything you can find in a store.
Click here to grab your copy of my dessert eBook Nourishing Sweets now!
Spiced Snickerdoodles
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup buckwheat flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1.5 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon clove
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon pink salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup creamy almond butter
- 2 tablespoons applesauce or pumpkin puree
- Optional 2 tablespoons maple
- Optional 1 teaspoon vanilla
For rolling: 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients, mix wet ingredients, then combine. Form the dough into small balls and roll in the cinnamon mixture. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and use another small piece of parchment to press gently. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.
I don’t have an ounce of guilt for snacking on one of these cookies this season. Enjoy!
Learn more about how to work with me here. Then Book a discovery call to chat about how we can move your health forward using nutrition and lifestyle changes.
In health,
Chloe Jane
*Jiang T. A. (2019). Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices. Journal of AOAC International, 102(2), 395–411. https://doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.18-0418
