Hold The Cheese

Americans use cheese as a flavoring agent in foods. This is an unhealthy idea.

Most cheeses contain high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol. This leads to blocked arteries and heart disease.

Recently, my wife and I cooked a meal for friends visiting us. One of the dishes was broccoli with ginger. After tasting the broccoli one of our friends said, "Wow, you don't even have to put cheese on the broccoli." That's when I realized how often Americans added cheese to their dishes to improve the flavor.

Well, according to Alison Gernand of the University of Texas School of Public Health, medical research supports the claim that cooking with certain fresh spices tend to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The following familiar spices appear to provide specific health benefits:

Garlic - Fresh GarlicHelps reduce blood cholesterol, which helps prevent clogged arteries and lowers blood pressure.

Rosemary - May be good for eye health in fighting cataracts.

Oregano - Has the highest antioxidant level of the 39 different types of spices. Antioxidants fight against many cancers.

Sage - May help improve memory.

Thyme - May help calm coughing spells.

Ginger - Recongnized for its ability to fight nausea and motion sickness. As an anti-inflammatory it is good for joints.

Turmeric - Found in Indian Dishes like curry. It helps slow the spread of cancer cells, specifically prostate cancer.

Spices Like Cinnamnon Cinnamon - Helps lower your cholesterol and blood sugar.

Fennel - Can prevent gas, heartburn, and upset stomach.

The big idea is to buy several cookbooks that will teach you how to use fresh herbs and spices to cook tasty and healthier meals