Cinnamon Recipe: Side Dish

Is there any better combination than cinnamon and apples?  Now I love cinnamon rolls but there is something about cinnamon and apples that remind me of my childhood.

Most will use cinnamon for desserts and that is a wonderful place for cinnamon but here is a side dish you can add to your meal.  This side dish works best with white meat.

This recipe is proportioned for four people:

Cinnamon Rice with apples

3/4 cup uncooked white or brown rice 1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 apple, cored and chopped (I have found if you prefer brown rice than red apples work best)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I prefer to grate cinnamon sticks but powder works well also)
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla (essential when using brown rice)

Optional:

1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup raisins

1/2 cup grated apples

Directions

In a saucepan, combine rice, apple juice, chopped apple, vanilla, (and raisins). Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover for 15 minutes.  Once it starts to simmer season with cinnamon (and salt) and stir well.  Stir occasionally and when it is moist (for your liking)remove from heat and serve immediately.  You can add parsley and/or grated apples at this time if you wish.

If you want to "spice" up the appearance of this dish you can core four apples (careful not to core all the way through the apple so while it is baking the apples maintain their juice.)

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.  Bake the apples for about 20 minutes.  Slice apple and sprinkle 1/4 tablespoon of brown sugar of cut apples.  Place slices, in a circular pattern on plate and place rice in the center.

There are so many recipes that use cinnamon for dessert...hope you enjoy this cinnamon side dish!




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Side effects of cinnamon

We've talked about the benefits of adding cinnamon to your diet.  If you missed that blog you can read it HERE.  With everything there are good and bad.  This blog is to make you aware of some side effects you may experience adding cinnamon to your diet.  Remember, this is not meant to replace your Doctor's advice...it is for informational purposes only.

This information is provided by Health Diaries.

The most important thing you need to know about cinnamon is not all that is labeled "cinnamon" is created equal.

"Cassia" is an herb which looks and tastes like cinnamon and can be found on some store shelves labeled as cinnamon when actually it does not carry the health benefits of true "Ceylon cinnamon". The first step in using cinnamon safely is knowing what you are getting. Cassia contains higher amounts of coumarin than true cinnamon and coumarin is responsible for some of the side effects listed below.

Skin and stomach irritation:   The essential oil of cinnamon must never be applied directly to the skin. Small amounts of the diluted oil can be used for refreshment and to fight infection but the oil alone can quickly cause severe burning and irritation to exposed skin. Allergies are rare but sometimes manifest as sores.  Those with any prior condition of the digestive system such as an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome should be careful when eating cinnamon. Large amounts (more than 1/2 a teaspoon) may cause the lining of the stomach to become irritated.

Increased Heart Rate:  Large amounts of cinnamon have been reported to increase heart rate which could be dangerous for those with a heart condition. Increased heart rate is also linked to cinnamon oil poisoning in children.

Uterine Contractions:  Some traditional medicine practitioners will give a mother cinnamon in order to induce or normalize contractions. Therefore, pregnant women may want to avoid cinnamon.

Blood Thinning Cinnamon may have anti-clotting properties and may cause over thinning of the blood if you are taking blood thinners. Large doses of cinnamon should also not be used before surgery, during heavy menstruation, or in any situation where a lot of bleeding may occur.

Kidney and Liver Problems:  There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that people with kidney or liver problems or people who are taking drugs that are processed in the liver may want to avoid taking high doses of cinnamon due to its coumarin content. Coumarin levels are higher in cassia than in true cinnamon, but cinnamon does contain compounds that are known to be toxic to the kidneys at high doses.

Blood Sugar:  People taking medication to regulate blood sugar should be careful when taking cinnamon, as it also has a powerful effect on blood sugar and the two in combination may lower blood sugar too much.

Antibiotics:  Cinnamon is a powerful antibiotic, but check with your doctor before taking cinnamon if you are taking prescription antibiotics, because it may change the way prescription antibiotics act on the body.

All of the above information is credited to Health Diaries.

The important thing to remember is that anything you do to change your diet can have different side effects depending on your health when starting it.  Please consult your Doctor before changing your diet.

Click HERE for a non-dessert recipe that include cinnamon.

What's in your kitchen to help pain: Cinnamon

We hear about the benefits of this one day and then the next we hear that it can harm us.  I'm sure we've all heard:  Hair dryers cause cancer, red M&M's cause cancer...the list goes on and one.  One thing that has stayed consistent are a few foods (or spices) we can eat that has many benefits.



Cinnamon.  I LOVE cinnamon.  Cinnamon rolls, cinnamon in my hot chocolate, anything with cinnamon is my friend.

Besides enjoying cinnamon, what are the health benefits?  (This information is provided by health diaries)

1. Prevents cancer:  So I'm thinking I eat cinnamon rolls each time I blow dry my hair and I am good, right?  In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
2. Lowers Cholesterol:  Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.  (The bad cholesterol)
3. Blood Sugar Regulation:  Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
4. E. Coli Fighter:  Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
5. Anti-Bacterial: When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
6. Anti-Clotting:  It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
7. Yeast Infection Help:  In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
8. Arthritis Relief:  In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
9. High in Nutrients:  It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
10. Brain Health:  One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

So I look at this list and think that if one thing can help with all this I'm going to have to add it to my diet every day.  

This information is not intended to take the place of medical treatment.  It is for your information and should you choose to add cinnamon to your diet please consult you Doctor as there are side effects that we will discuss next time.

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