Let’s talk flavorful foods. I get told way too often from clients “I just can’t eat another bite of salad.”
Unfortunately we think if we’re eating healthy, the only options are salads and more salad.
Guess what? It’s not!
Here’s a secret… cook with some herbs, with some real butter or coconut oil, and add in some sea salt and pepper and you’ll be amazed at the flavor!
There’s no reason to lose the joy of eating and being stuck with dry broccoli and tasteless chicken night after night… because, let’s get real, who could live on that for the long-term? NO wonder people jump ship from “healthy eating” because it was soooo boring.
There are numerous varieties of herbs and spices that are used in different cuisines all over the world; and you can get dried herbs and spices from around the globe at your supermarket. You can also grow the ones you love at your home.
Dried herbs and spices are an extremely convenient and healthy way to make your dinner interesting. They can last for a year in your pantry, and the wide variety available gives you the freedom to indulge your creativity.
You can try different combinations with the same base food and have a diverse range of flavors with addition of little calories.
Here are a few to get started:
Basil
It is used in cuisines of many different cultures, and in India, the country of its origin, it revered and worshipped. Ancient Indian texts associate many health benefits with basil, and modern researches have verified that it has antiviral, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, along with many other helpful properties. It brilliantly complements savory recipes that use tomatoes and eggs, adding a delicious flavor. It tastes great in soups and salads too.
Oregano
A herb which is used in almost all Italian dishes; it is versatile and can be used in a wide varieties of foods and recipes. Many studies have shown numerous health benefits too. It has the maximum antioxidant activity among all herbs, and because of its antimicrobial properties, it can protect against food borne infections too.
Ginger
It is mostly used fresh in recipes and is common in many different cuisines of Asia. It has numerous traditional uses; studies have shown that it can help relieve ailments like morning sickness, flatulence and diarrhea. People claim it can even help relieve arthritis pain. You can use it in recipes that call for stir-frying or sautéing; in salads, soups and stews; and in marinade for meat and poultry.
Mint
There are various varieties of mint, and all of them have different benefits. Some say peppermint can help in respiratory, throat and sinus infections, while spearmint can help with bowel issues like flatulence and more. It can be used in many dishes and even desserts; everyone enjoys the combination of mint and chocolate. It tastes divine in sandwiches and complements the flavors of meat, poultry and seafood quite well. You can also use mint as the prime seasoning in recipes.
Black Pepper
It is a staple in many cuisines and is used in all varieties of dishes. You can buy ground pepper or grind some peppercorns yourself. Freshly ground pepper imparts more flavor.
There are many more amazing herbs and spices which you can use to create a variety of flavors in your dishes. The key is to experiment and find those flavors that you love.
Often marinating is key to infusing meats and vegetables with flavor. Mixing herbs and spices with lemon juice or a little wine can yield fantastic results.
