As you prepare your  meals, be sure to include healthy food choices. Don’t forget about  the spices-cinnamon, rosemary, ginger, oregano, red peppers, thyme, and turmeric.  Guess what, they all have health benefits for mind and body.

Cinnamon-This is so simple to add into your foods or beverages. Add it to your sweet potatoes, coffee, cranberries, or pumpkin pie. Cinnamon is believed to help regulate blood sugar levels and possibly help lower cholesterol levels.

Rosemary-Add rosemary to your potatoes, rub it on meats, add to vegetables. This spice is good for your memory and is believed to aid in reducing inflammation. Rosemary is full of minerals and vitamins.

Ginger-Flavor pumpkin pie with ginger, bake ginger cookies, add ginger to your sweet potatoes. Ginger has been shown to help you feel better if you’re feeling queasy! Try taking a piece of fresh ginger in hot water and wow you have freshly brewed ginger tea. It’s delicious!

Oregano-Add oregano to pizza, Italian foods or vegetables. Oregano contains high amounts of antioxidants and is packed with flavor!

Red peppers-Red peppers have been shown to increase metabolism. Need I say more? Put it in your salad, add to your vegetables or rice. Use your imagination-the sky is the limit!

Thyme-Try adding fresh thyme to vegetables or as part of a rub for turkey or chicken. Thyme is another spice with antioxidant properties. It’s also delicious in a salad.

Turmeric-Turmeric is believed to have anti-cancer properties, promote healthy hearts, and have anti-aging properties as well. Studies are ongoing to determine  if there is a  link between turmeric  and a decreased risk of developing  Alzheimer’s Disease. Turmeric is found in curry powder, so try some curry chicken. Turmeric can be added to vegetables, rice or potatoes.

So, as you prepare your daily meals, take a close look at your recipes and determine where you can add these spices.  Try to add these spices to your everyday cooking. Why not make a concerted effort to eat healthy and promote healthy aging while enjoying healthy living?

Here’s to your brain health!