The Power of Cumin

 Cumin is an age-old seed and spice which originated in India but is used in culinaries around the world.  It is mentioned in the Bible, the Koran and in Sanskrit.  In ancient Egypt, it was used medicinally in the process of preserving mummies.  Cumin is a low-growing leafy plant in the same family as carrots and parsley. Commonly grown in China and India, it is found in Egypt, Eastern Mediterranean and Mexico.  You can find it in many colors in ground and whole seed form at most all grocery stores.  Besides being a very strong flavoring in foods, it has many healthy benefits including:

*May improve digestion: by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes, speeding the digestion process, it increases the releasing of bile in the gut.  By just adding a half teaspoon of ground cumin to organic yogurt helps the gut biome.

*Blood sugar management: supports healthy blood sugar levels and helps in decreasing glucose for diabetics.

*Lowers risk of Iron-deficiency Anemia: 1 tsp has 1.4 mg of iron, a great way to help acquiring your RDA of 17-20 mg.

*Lowers cholesterol: Cumin has lipid lowering agents which maintains healthy levels of cholesterol.  To achieve better results add cumin with lime to supercharge it(homemade Guacamole) 

*Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral: food borne illnesses are becoming more prevalent and the properties of cumin help in fighting infections, acting as a disinfectant.

*Boosts immunity: high in Vitamin C and A, (antioxidants)it stimulates the function of and activity of white blood cells.  All of which helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Cumin is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals:

Iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, potassium and phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, A,C,E,K and B6.

For a healthy drink and a great way to flush out toxins, start your day with a glass of Jeera water.

Bring a quart of filtered water and 2 tsps of whole organic cumin seeds to a boil, let boil for 15-20 minutes.  Strain seeds and let set to room temperature. Enjoy.

Don't Medicate! HYDRATE

You probably already know that 70% of the human body is made up of water, and it's absolutely essential to human life.  Water is a liquid shuttle bus that transports elements like nutrients, proteins, hormones and other chemicals to where they are needed the most.  The problem is most everyone is dehydrated.  How much water do we need?  A good rule of thumb is half of your body weight in ounces (140lbs= 70 ounces of water - this should the bare minimum).  Not many of us revel over the neutral flavor of plain water.  There are many ways to not only enhance the flavor but also increase the nutrient value of plain H2O.  In our household we mostly drink naturally infused water or Zinger tea (both pictured above).  Celestial Seasonings offers many different flavors of hibiscus tea, which are very high in antioxidants according to studies.  A glass of cold filtered water with a Zinger tea bag and a half pack of stevia, (if you prefer sweetened) will definitely do your body good. It is a much better alternative to sweetened flavored water drinks like Dasani, Nestle or Sparkling Ice brands which are sweetened with sucralose .  Sucralose, aspartame and saccharin is very disruptive to our gut microbiome. To learn more about how important a strong microbiome is please check out my series on Gut Health.   

When infusing your water, there is only two requirement: a glass container of filtered water and creativity!  The combination of fruits, veggies, herbs and spices are endless.  It can be tailored to your own tastes and health benefits you hope to achieve.   

*Berries and fruit- loaded with antioxidants, key vitamins and minerals they help in:

*Balancing free radicals

*Decrease inflammation

*Prevents cancer

*Prevents DNA damage

*Helps to regulate insulin levels

*Citrus- lemons ,limes, oranges and grapefruits all help with:

 *Iron absorption

*Shortens durations of colds

*Helps with detoxing the body

*Inhibits bacteria strain growth

*Ginger and Herbs-

*Helps in digestion

*Reduces inflammation

*Decreases fatigue

*Veggies- Aids in replenishing electrolytes and transferring minerals and nutrients into the water. 

  Use those that have a high water content like:

*Cucumbers

*Cantaloupe

*Celery

*Pomegranate

*Watermelon

Benefits of Drinking Water

*Increases energy & relieves fatigue

*Promotes weight loss

*Flushes out toxins

*Improves skin complexion

*Maintains regularity 

*Boosts immunity

*Natural headache remedy

*Prevents cramps and sprains

*Mood booster

*Saves you money! STOP BUYING CRAP DRINKS

Here are a few blend ideas:

*Lemon, Lime and Orange

*Raspberry and Lime

*Strawberry and Basil

*Lemon, Cucumber and Mint

*Blackberry and Ginger

*Peach, Lemon and Thyme

You will feel the difference once you're properly hydrated.

Have a great week. 

Be kind.

Judd