Spicing up your life in this cold weather

Brrrhh! It is getting cold outside. Did you know that there are ways that you can shift your diet so you can stay warmer?

1)   Cook more of your food. Raw food diets are not a good idea to those of us living in the cold Wisconsin winters. Cooking your food means that your body doesn’t have to ‘cook’ it, and you will feel warmer doing this.

2)   Try some spice in your life! Spices are warming. Here is a recipe for a Latin-style rub that is excellent for warming up you and your food:

Latin-style rub
¼ c. cumin seeds
2 Tbl. coriander seeds
2 Tbl. chili powder
1 Tbl. light brown sugar
2 Tbl. kosher salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 Tbl. freshly ground black pepper

Toast the cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. Grind into a fine powder. Add remaining ingredients. Apply to meat or fish before cooking, and enjoy.

Please note that you can modify recipes, so you can reduce or eliminate the salt, and even increase the cayenne pepper to give it a little kick.

Source: Latin-Style Rub recipe is from www.FoodandWine.com, accessed November 2011