10 benefits of cinnamon

Cinnamon has long been a popular spice in baking and cooking. Research has found that it is not only delicious but it's healthy, too. Just make sure that you're buying true cinnamon and not cassia, which is often sold as cinnamon in stores.
Here are 10 Health Benefits of Cinnamon that may make you want to include it in your diet every day.
Lower Cholesterol
Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
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.
Yeast Infection Help
In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
Cancer Prevention
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.
Anti-Clotting
It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
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.
Anti-Bacterial
When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
Brain Health
One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
E. Coli Fighter
Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
High in Nutrients
It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

source: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html

Get some cinnamon today!

Watkins dessert recipe

Oh yeah the bruins have started the season with a couple of wins so here is something sweet to go along with that treat.

Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

Ingredients 1 large egg2 large egg whites 1 cup/250 mL sugar 2 tbsp/30 mL vegetable oil 1 tsp/5 mL watkins Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract    1 tsp/5 mL watkins Chocolate Extract, 59 mL    1 tsp/5 mL watkins Cinnamon 170 g    1 tsp/5 mL baking soda 3/4 cup/180 mL all-purpose flour 1/4 cup/60 mL watkinsBaking Cocoa    1-1/2 cups/375 mL finely shredded unpeeled zucchini White decorator’s icing, if desired

Directions Preheat oven to 350ºF/180ºC. Coat 12 regular muffin cups with no-stick cooking spray or line with paper or foil liners. Beat eggs and sugar in large bowl with an electric mixer until well blended, about 1 minute. Beat in oil, extracts, cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir in flour and cocoa; mix well. Stir in zucchini; mix lightly. Spoon into prepared cups. Bake for 30 minutes or until cupcakes test done. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Turn out of pan and decorate, if desired. Makes 12 servings.

Watkins baking ingredients

Watkins pumpkin cream puffs

Here is another sweet treat from watkins!

Pumpkin Cream Puffs

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Ingredients Puff Pastry3/4 cup/180 mL water 6 tbsp/90 mL butter or margarine 2 tsp/10 mL sugar 1/8 tsp/0.5 mL salt 3/4 cup/180 mL all-purpose flour 3 eggs 1 1/2 tsp/7.5 mLOriginal Double Strength Vanilla Extract   Pumpkin Filling 1 cup/250 mL whipped cream 3 tbsp/45 mL sugar 1 tsp/5 mL pumpkin pie spice 1 cup/250 mL canned pumpkin Make your own Watkins Pumpkin Pie Spice. Simply mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container. 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon 170 g   1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg (Tin)   1/4 tsp 1/2 tsp (scant) Maple-Caramel Sauce 1/2 cup/125 mL packed brown sugar 1 tbsp/15 mL corn starch 1/3 cup/75 mL half-and-half 1/4 cup/60 mL water 2 tbsp/30 mL pure maple syrup 1 tbsp/15 mL butter 1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract

Directions Puff Pastry In medium saucepan, combine butter and water. Bring to boil over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and sugar; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture leaves sides of pan in a smooth ball. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, beating vigorously after each addition, until mixture is smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla.  Preheat oven to 400°F/205°C. Using either a pasty bag or tablespoon, form the puffs on a greased cookie sheet. Using the back of a spoon, flatten any points. Makes 12 puff pastries. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove puffs from oven and cool on wire racks. Pumpkin Filling In a large chilled bowl combine whipped cream, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with chilled beaters until soft peaks form. Fold in 1 cup/250 mL canned pumpkin. Maple-Caramel Sauce In a small saucepan stir together brown sugar, corn starch, half-and-half, water, maple syrup, and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or more. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla Cut puff pastry in half, fill with pumpkin filling and top with caramel sauce.  Serves 12 Dont forget to get all your ingredients at watkins products

Chai mocha cooler

Here is a summer treat I just came across., the chai mocha cooler.

3/4cup/180ml Watkins Chai Latte, pepared
2 cups/500ml chocalte ice cream
1 tsp/5ml Watkins vanilla extract
1/2tsp/2.5 ml Watkins cinnamon
crushed ice if desired

Place chai latte, ice cream, vanilla and cinnamon in a blender. Process until smooth. Serve over crushed ice or top with whipped cream. Make two servings

Tell me how it turns out!

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is good for you and its on sale for the month of may. Besides its traditional uses like cereal and toast try placing it in your coffee grounds before brewing for a rich flavor and aroma!

new extracts!

Extracts extracts read all about it. New cherry, cinammon, and root beer extracts as well as pure anise and mint. They are fat free and economical. Check them out today at Watkins

Super cookies!

Time for another spectacular recipe.

CINNAMON AND SPICE COOKIES

Ingredients

2 cups/500ml all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp/7.5ml baking soda
1 tsp/5ml Cinnamon 170g
1/2 tsp/2.5ml Organic nutmeg
1/2tsp2.5ml salt
1 1/2 cups/375ml sugar
12 tbsp/180ml butter(1 1/2 sticks, softened
1 egg
1/2tsp/2.5 Original double strength vanilla extract
1/4 cup/60ml molasses

Cooking directions

preheat oven to 350f/180/C. In a medium bowl whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a shallow bowl set aside 1/2 cup/125/ml sugar.

With an electric mixer beat butter, remaining sugar, egg, vanilla, and molasses ntill well blended. Combine with dry ingredients until dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch/2.5 cm balls and dip in 1/2 cup/125ml reserved sugar

Arrange on a baking sheet, about 3 inches/7.5-cm apart. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen

let me know how they turn out!