The Ingredient I Am Loving Right Now: Cinnamon

Cinnamon is not just a spice that adds flavor to dishes and drinks. Cinnamon is a powerhouse of beautifying benefits.

Let me give you a little background on the spice that is in most spice cabinets:

The most common type of cinnamon (cassia cinnamon) comes from a cassia tree grown in China, Vietnam and Indonesia. There is also another type ceylon (a more expensive type of cinnamon) that is grown in Sri Lanka. During harvest, the trees are cut down and the bark is peeled away leaving the cinnamon. If you ever have seen real cinnamon sticks, that is what is left once the bark is peeled off from the tree. From there, the sticks are ground into a powder which is what is in your spice cabinet. The trees are harvested only twice a year! How cool!?!

Cinnamon is one of my favorite ingredients, and there are so many reasons to start incorporating it more into your daily routine.

• Cinnamon has anti- inflammatory properties- cinnamon is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of antioxidants, but it is filled with them! The antioxidants in cinnamon can help in preventing and fighting infections.
• Cinnamon may have significant effects on heart disease
• Cinnamon may help to reduce insulin (the hormone responsible for energy use and metabolism regulation) resistance
• Cinnamon aids in the regulation of blood sugar- Cinnamon has been shown to regulate the amount of glucose that enters your blood stream. Healthy blood sugar levels are important in the prevention of disease and are important for healthy hormone balance
• Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde which can help in the fight against bacterial and fungal infections
• Cinnamaldehyde is important for healthy hormones- studies have been shown that this important compound in cinnamon helps to increase progesterone and decrease testosterone in women (which in turns leads to well balanced hormone health)

There are so many ways to incorporate cinnamon more into your daily life

• Shake some ground cinnamon into your morning coffee! Bobby does this everyday! It adds a little sweetness plus it helps cut the bitterness in coffee (as well as adding in amazing flavor)
• Add some to your matcha latte. I am not a fan of adding extra sweetness to my matcha, but cinnamon adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
• Add to you apple cider vinegar shots! I love mixing cinnamon with apple cider vinegar and apple juice
• Use in baked goods. Cinnamon is the perfect addition to banana bread and cookies too!
• Add to chili!! Cinnamon fills your chili with the most amazing aroma! Yes cinnamon will fit in just fine next to all your chili seasonings!

I also love cinnamon in hot chocolate! This recipe is filled with cinnamon and real cacao, making this the perfect blood sugar regulating drink! Enjoy!

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Yields 1 serving

8oz. Your favorite milk (I love almond milk or macadamia nut milk)
1/2-1 tsp cinnamon
2-3 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions: Whisk all ingredients in a medium stove top pan over medium heat. Whisk until desired heat. Serve and enjoy!

xoxo,

Kimmy

Some of the content in this blog post has been researched through healthline.com and nationalgeographic.com