Simple tips to experience the health benefits!

Try these simple tips to experience the health benefits Watkins array of spices have to offer.

• Sprinkle Watkins Cinnamon on oatmeal, yogurt, French toast or in muffin batter.
• Add a dash of Watkins Thyme to scrambled eggs, omelets or soufflés.
• Stir Watkins Oregano into your favorite soup base, chicken, tuna salad or dressing.
• Try a sprinkle of Watkins Ground Ginger over fresh fruit for a refreshing dessert.
• Add Watkins Rosemary Leaves to mashed or roasted potatoes.
• Curry Powder can be added to rice dishes.

Mmmmm Watkins spices make everything taste so much better!

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is great for stomach upset. So try sipping on a cup of peppermint tea next time you have a tummy ache.

1c        Hot tea, freshly steeped
1/4ts  Peppermint extract

Artificial sweetener to taste
 
   In teacup, combine tea, peppermint extract and
   sweetener.  Makes 1 serving

Sweeten Your Breakfast

To sweeten your breakfast, add a sprinkle of Watkins Cinnamon on your toast. Recent studies have shown that just 1/4 tsp/1.25 mL of cinnamon every day may help to lower blood sugar, fats and cholesterol by up to 30 percent! Researchers suggest it may also stave off the onset of
type 2 diabetes in those at risk.**

Watkins Purest Ground Cinnamon contains a high amount of essential oils for optimum flavor, aroma and health benefits! Use it every day on cereal, oatmeal, toast, apples, and savory dishes. Place in coffee grounds before brewing for a rich flavor and aroma.

*American Dietetic Association, http://www.eatright.org, June 2006
**The journal Diabetes Care, December 2003

Cinnamon shown to lower...

blood sugar,fats and cholesterol!
Recent studies have shown that just 1/4 tsp of cinnamon
every day may help to lower blood sugar, fats and
cholesterol by up to 30 percent! Researchers suggest it
may also stave off the onset of type 2 diabetes in those at risk.

Watkins Purest Ground Cinnamon contains a high amount of
essential oils for optimum flavor, aroma and health benefits!
Try some every day on cereal, oatmeal, toast, apples and
savory dishes. Place in coffee grounds before brewing for rich
flavor and aroma.

The following is a summary of this ground-breaking study
published in the journal Diabetes Care, December 2003:

A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps

Treat Diabetes

by Alison McCook, Dec 11, 2003.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with diabetes can help
keep their bodies healthy by simply adding a dash of spice to
their diet, new research reports.

In a study, diabetics who incorporated one gram -- equivalent
to less than one-quarter teaspoon -- of cinnamon per day for 40
days into their normal diets experienced a decrease in levels of
blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fats.

And for people with diabetes, the less of those substances in the
body, the better.

Type 2 diabetes arises when the body loses sensitivity to insulin,
a hormone that shuttles the sugars from food into body cells to be
used for energy. As a result, the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the
blood remains high, leading to fatigue and blurred vision. Over the
long term, excess blood glucose can increase the risk of heart disease,
kidney failure and blindness.

The current findings suggest that a small amount of cinnamon can help
protect diabetics from these and other potential complications of their
condition, study author Dr. Richard A. Anderson of the Beltsville Human
Nutrition Research Center in Maryland told Reuters Health.

Diabetics could add a dash of cinnamon to their morning servings of
coffee, orange juice or cereal, Anderson noted. "You can also make a
cinnamon tea by simply boiling water with stick cinnamon,
" he suggested.

Anderson noted that cinnamon may also help stave off the onset of
type 2 diabetes in people at risk of the condition.

During the study, Anderson and his colleagues asked 60 people with
type 2 diabetes to consume 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon each day for
40 days, or the equivalent amount of wheat flour, as a placebo.

Reporting in the journal Diabetes Care, Anderson and his team
found that all cinnamon-takers experienced a drop in blood levels of
glucose, fats and cholesterol by up to 30 percent. No change was seen in
the people taking placebo.

Anderson explained that cinnamon contains compounds that help make
insulin more efficient, improving the hormone's ability to bring glucose
to the cells that need it.

As an added bonus, cinnamon contains virtually no calories, Anderson
said, allowing diabetics to add zest to their meals without adding to
their waistlines.

Previous research has shown that cinnamon appears to help fat cells
recognize and respond to insulin. In recent studies, the spice increased
glucose metabolism by about 20 times.

Healthy Eating with Watkins!

Since 1868 Watkins has been enhancing the lives of North American families.
Our mission is to continue this tradition of quality, trust and value
as we head into our 3rd century of business.

Here are some great (and simple!) healthy eating tips - the Watkins way!

• Reduce coffee intake to 2-3 cups per day. Slowly work on eliminating cream and sugar from your coffee. Instead, flavour your coffee with Watkins Cinnamon or one of our many great Extracts, such as Vanilla, Vanilla Nut, Black Walnut, Butter Pecan, Butternut, Chocolate, Raspberry or Rum. Drink more Watkins healthy Mint and Lemongrass or Vanilla TheraTea blends, too!

• Use Watkins healthy Grapeseed Oils instead of butter or margarine whenever you can. Create a healthy alternative to butter or margarine by blending 1/2 Original Grapeseed Oil with 1/2 butter for a delicious and healthier spread. Try Garlic and Parsley Grapeseed Oil and butter for an exciting taste sensation!

• Sauté foods with Watkins Liquid Spices. You'll be using the healthier Grapeseed Oil and adding great flavour, too!

• Rather than using butter on cooked vegetables, sprinkle with your favourite Watkins herbs such as Cilantro, Minced Green Onion, Dill, or Basil - remember, just a light sprinkle is all it takes with Watkins pure Gourmet Spices and Seasonings!

• Instead of adding oil or butter to rice, cook it with a little Watkins Chicken or Onion Soup Base. Great flavour with no fat!

• Use Watkins Garlic and Dill, Bacon and Cheddar, Bacon and Onion, Tomato and Bacon or Cucumber and Dill Dip Mix with no-fat sour cream or yogurt for an excellent baked potato topping - tastes great with perogies, too!

• For healthy low-fat garlic mashed potatoes, leave about 1/4 of your potatoes unpeeled (this adds colour and "character" to your dish); while they are boiling, sauté fresh minced garlic cloves (or 1 tsp. of Watkins Garlic Flakes) in 2 tbsp. Watkins Garlic and Parsley Grapeseed Oil. When potatoes are cooked, drain and then mash in the garlic, skip the butter, use skim milk and about 3-4 tbsp. of low or no fat cream cheese. Sprinkle generously with Watkins Black Pepper. Fabulous!

• Instead of adding salt to soup, add Watkins Lemon Peel or Watkins Lemon Pepper Blend - extra flavour without the extra sodium!

• If water isn't your favourite drink, flavour it with a drop of your favourite Watkins Fruit Flavoured Extract and add ice! We highly recommend our delicious new Mango Extract - mmm!

• Make your own "home fries". Wash potatoes and slice into strips. Precook in microwave oven on High for 5 minutes. Toss with 1 tsp./ 5 ml of Watkins Garlic and Parsley Grapeseed Oil and bake in 375ºF / 190ºC oven for 15 - 20 minutes. For added flavour, sprinkle with Watkins Seasoning Salt or your favourite Watkins Salad Seasoning Blend!

Healing With Herbs and Spices - Medicine Never Tasted So Good!

Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years to sustain the health and well-being of mankind. Their antibiotic and antiseptic properties have helped to heal wounds and ward off disease, preserve and flavor food, and cleanse and beautify the body, both inside and out. Spices were so valued throughout ancient times that wars were fought over them, and they were traded equally for gold, making them literally worth their weight in gold.

Today, the value of herbs and spices continues to grow, as they are taking their place in modern medicine as a natural curative and preventive for many ailments. As the health benefits of herbs and spices continue to be tested and proven, the day may come when you can replace your medicine cabinet with your spice rack!

Herbs and Spices .... why Watkins?

Not all spices are created equal. The essential oil content of herbs and spices are what hold their healing and cleansing powers. The higher the essential oil content, the better the flavor and quality, and the greater the health benefits. Watkins uses top quality herbs and spices which are the highest in essential oil content, and great care is taken to ensure that these precious oils are maintained. Other brands may look the same, but the much higher essential oil content in Watkins herbs and spices impart more flavor, aroma, and health benefits.

Here are just a few Watkins healing herbs and spices and their benefits to you. (Medicine never tasted so good!)

Allspice is an antioxidant that protects against cancer, kills microorganisms and is used to treat flatulence and relieve indigestion.

• Adding allspice, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, tarragon or thyme to foods will preserve them and slow spoilage of leftovers.

Basil may help to prevent cancer of the bladder and prostate. It aids in digestion and is used to treat flatulence and stomach upset. As an antibiotic, it may help to fight colds and the flu.

• Keep an open container of Watkins Basil on hand to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay - they shun its scent.

Black Pepper stimulates digestion, circulation, and detoxification. It helps to relieve congestion and fever, and as an antibiotic, may help to fight colds and the flu.

• In some people, inhaling black pepper can help to reduce cravings for cigarettes during withdrawal. (Thanks to Watkins' conviction to quality and high oil content, they are able to offer the only "sneeze-proof" black pepper!)

Cayenne Pepper and other hot peppers boost metabolism for several hours after they are eaten, increasing calorie burning. They contain antioxidants that help to prevent cancer, heart disease, and defend against toxic chemicals. Regular consumption of hot peppers can improve circulation, ease flatulence, relieve indigestion, and strengthen the heart and nervous system. The powdered form is often used to treat colds and the flu.

• Put a small amount of Watkins Cayenne Pepper into a plastic or cloth bag, seal it tightly, and place it next to cold feet or inside socks to warm your feet.

Caraway Seed contains flavonoids which fight cancer and are used to treat intestinal spasms and flatulence.

Celery Seed helps to lower blood pressure and fights cancer, and may be useful for treating arthritis by detoxifying the body and improving circulation to muscles and joints.

Cilantro contains phytonutrients that fight cancer and aid in digestion.

Cinnamon helps to keep blood sugar levels steady and aids in digestion by enhancing breakdown of proteins and fats. It inhibits growth of bacteria, fungi and viruii, helping to ward off infections, including colds and the flu, and helps to ease symptoms of diarrhea.

• For diarrhea, mix 1 teaspoon/5 ml. Watkins Cinnamon into 1 cup/250 ml. of hot water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink.

Cloves are antioxidants which fight cancer, kill microorganisms and can help to relieve toothache pain.

• Wriggle a whole clove, pointed end down, next to the tooth to relieve toothache.

Cumin may help to prevent cancer of the bladder and prostate.

Dill contains flavonoids that fight cancer and aids in digestion.

Garlic boosts the immune system and fights infection. It also fights cancer, lowers cholesterol and prevents blood clots, offering protection against heart disease and stroke.

Ginger helps to relieve nausea, including motion sickness, is useful for treating arthritis, and helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also help to quiet a cough by stimulating mucus secretions.

• For prevention and relief of nausea and cough, pour 1 cup/250 ml. of boiling water over 2 teaspoons/10 ml. of Watkins Powdered Ginger and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink.
• Ginger-Cinnamon tea can help to relieve the discomfort associated with nausea and diarrhea. Mix 1 teaspoon/5 ml. Watkins Cinnamon with 1/4 teaspoon/1.25 ml. Watkins Ginger to 1 cup/250 ml. boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink.

Marjoram is effective as an insecticide and as an antibiotic, and may help to fight colds and the flu.

Nutmeg is used to ease digestive problems.

Oregano contains flavonoids and other antioxidants which protect against disease and is antibacterial and antifungal.

• Adding garlic, cloves, cinnamon, oregano or sage to hamburger meat or salami can reduce the presence of E.coli, however, the meat must still be cooked to prevent food-borne illnesses.

Onions protect against cancer and heart disease.

Paprika contains cancer-fighting antioxidants and possesses health benefits similar to cayenne pepper and red pepper.

Parsley is an excellent diuretic that is used to ease bloating, reduce water retention and speed the excretion of toxins. It is also used to purify the breath.

Red Pepper Flakes increase metabolism and contain the same health benefits as cayenne pepper.

• For another foot-warming idea, add Watkins Red Pepper Flakes to cornstarch and lightly dust in your socks. Start with a small amount and increase gradually until you find the desired temperature.

Rosemary stimulates the heart and brain, helps to improve vitality and memory, and fights afternoon fatigue. It can help to prevent some vasoconstrictor migraines and helps to prevent the growth of tumors linked to breast cancer.

• Mix 1 teaspoon/5 ml. of Watkins Rosemary per cup of hot water or green tea. Strain and drink.

Sage is an antioxidant that fights cancer and may also help to reduce night sweats due to menopause.

• Make a sage infusion by placing 2-3 teaspoons/10 - 15 ml. of Watkins Sage in 1 cup/250 ml. hot water. Cover tightly and steep for at least 20 minutes (or for several hours). Strain and drink.

Sesame Seeds contain pain-fighting compounds and cancer-fighting antioxidants.

• For a toothache, boil one part Watkins Sesame Seeds with three parts water until the liquid is reduced by half. Cool and apply directly to the tooth.

Tarragon contains flavonoids which fight cancer and help to preserve food.

Thyme is an antiseptic and expectorant and can help to dry up nasal passages and congestion. It aids indigestion by relaxing the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and may help to relieve menstrual cramps.

• Steep 1 - 2 teaspoons/5 - 10 ml. Watkins Thyme in 1 cup/250 ml. boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink.

Turmeric, found in Watkins Curry Powder, Ground Beef Seasoning, and Watkins Linimax, helps to make plaque less likely to stick to artery walls, reducing risk of heart attack. it helps to stimulate the flow of digestive juices which helps to prevent acid buildup, and is used to treat arthritis and may help to treat diabetes.

These are just a few of the hundreds of health benefits found in Watkins Gourmet Herbs and Spices. For the greatest health benefits, use a variety of Watkins spices every day.

After all, variety is the spice of life!