Autumn and winter bring cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and my absolute favorite, fuzzy socks! The holidays throughout these seasons give us a chance to gather with family and friends and share special seasonal meals and treats. The seasons are also a opportunity to add a little warmth and comfort to your favorite dishes with spices. Some of my favorite seasonal spices include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla bean, anise, and cloves. While these spices are common staples in some ethnic dishes, they are not often utilized as frequently in the standard American diet. This is unfortunate because spices can not only add layers of flavor to our favorite foods, but also can provide a variety of health benefits.

Spices have a long history of inclusion in homeopathic remedies around the world for illnesses such as the common cold. Some of the remedies have been studied and have shown to provide health benefits like lowering the risk of certain heart diseases, improving insulin sensitivity to better control blood sugar levels, and reducing risks of neuro-cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Many spices provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that provide protection against cellular damage from free radicals in the body. This may reduce the risk of some cancers.

No matter the reason, whether for health benefits or simply increasing flavor, add some spice to your life by adding holiday spices to your favorite foods and drinks. If you’re not sure how to get started, check out the holiday cookie recipe below!