Spice Cupboard Cleansing Secrets

words by Harriet Chubb

Herbs and spices have long been used for detoxification purposes and can be traced back to traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine, and ancient Egyptian practices. Combining spices with six glasses of water a day, eating fresh fruit and vegetables and limiting your intake of stimulants such as coffee and alcohol, will help you fight that sluggish feeling and put a spring back into your step. Used for a multitude of toxin fighting tricks, some herbs and spices support your internal organs, aiding the body’s natural elimination systems, which will help your body rid itself of fatigue and most importantly – lose weight naturally.

Food Writer and Historian Polly Russell advises, “Herbs and spices have long been believed to help enhance energy levels and aid weight loss. Around the world, people use different herbs and spices for a number of wellbeing reasons including helping to clear the skin, as a digestive aid and to give themselves more energy. Best of all, spices and herbs add complexity and depth to the taste of food and can turn a detox diet from a trial into a treat.”

Super Spices

We’ve picked our top five natural remedies, which when worked into a delicious recipe or drink will help you get back to your ideal beach body figure. Not all these detoxifying products are available all year round so dried herbs and spices are a great alternative. And as an added bonus – the essential oils are intensified in the drying process making them more powerful than their fresh equivalents.

1.       Ginger– Indispensable in any true apothecaries list, Ginger is a stimulant, antioxidant and physical cleanser, helping to clear you from the inside out and revive sluggish digestion.

2.       Fennel seeds– These seeds might be little, but their effect is big. The main ingredient within fennel seeds inhibits spasms in the smooth muscles of the intestine, leaving you with a flat tum.

3.       Fenugreek– This herb which has been hailed a “fix-all elixir”, is a rich source of antioxidants with powerful antiviral properties to keep the party going throughout 2013.

4.       Capsicum pepper– Packed full of essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A, B and C, capsicum is rich in antioxidants, helping to kick start your metabolism stimulating weight loss and a healthy heart.

5.       Mint– well known for its cleansing properties, Mint also promotes healthy digestion by activating glands that have hidden important digestive enzymes over.

Healthy Habits

Why not try these yummy recipes with detox friendly herbs and spices, and start cleansing your system today. We recommend you use Bart spices such as Bart Ginger which is Fairtrade certified or Bart Mint – perfect to go with freshly dug new potatoes. Enjoy… 

Chilli Stuffed Peppers

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

·         8 Romano peppers

·         1 large onion, chopped

·         1 tbsp oil

·         1 tsp Bart Garlic in Sunflower Oil

·         1 tsp Bart Mild/ Hot Chilli Powder

·         30g blanched almonds, chopped

·         60g walnuts, chopped

·         70g raisins

·         2 celery sticks, chopped

·         4 tomatoes, chopped

·         2 tsp Bart Parsley

·         4 tbsp grated cheddar cheese (can be low fat)

·         seeds of a pomegranate

1.       Grill the peppers, turning frequently until blistered.  Place in a plastic bag until cool.  Peel off the skins and slice down one side.  Remove the seeds.

2.       Cook the onion in the oil until soft.  Add the garlic, chilli, nuts and raisins and fry for 1 minute.  Add the celery and fry for 2 more; Stir in the tomato, seasoning and parsley.  Cook until the mixture is quite dry.

3.       Stuff the peppers with the mixture and place in a heatproof dish.  Scatter over the grated cheese and cook under a hot grill until the peppers are browned.  Scatter over the pomegranate seeds and serve.

Carrot & Fennel Salad

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

·         2 large carrots, peeled & cut into thin sticks

·         2 large fennel bulbs, quartered & thinly sliced

·         2 tbsp peanuts, roughly chopped

·         1 tbsp olive oil

·         ½ tsp Bart Fennel Seeds

·         1 tsp Bart Black Onion Seeds

·         juice of half lemon

·         2-3 tsp green chili pickle

1.       Peel the carrots, cut into thin sticks and place in a bowl.  Quarter the fennel bulbs and slice thinly.  Add to the carrot.

2.       Toast the nuts in a hot frying pan, stirring frequently until golden.  Tip onto a plate.

3.       In the same pan, heat the oil and fry the onion seeds for about 30 seconds, until they begin to pop.

4.       Remove from the heat, allow to cool for a minute then stir in the lemon juice and pickle.

5.       In a mortar and pestle, crush the fennel seeds and stir in.

6.       Toss together with the vegetables in the bowl and sprinkle with nuts to serve.

Kadhai Prawns With Chili & Ginger

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

·         1 tbsp oil

·         1 tsp Bart Garlic in Sunflower Oil

·         1 tbsp Bart Ground Coriander

·         ½ tsp Bart Mild/ Hot Chili Powder

·         6 large tomatoes, roughly chopped

·         2 tsp Bart Ginger in Sunflower Oil

·         1 green pepper, cut into thin strips

·         20 large raw prawns, peeled & de-veined

·         salt

·         fresh coriander leaves to garnish

1.       Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan.  Add the garlic, ginger, coriander and chilli and cook for 30 seconds.

2.       Add the salt and cook for a further 3 minutes.

3.       Stir-fry for 1 minute then add the prawns and cook 3-4 minutes until almost cooked.

4.       Stir in the tomato mixture and heat through.  Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

Take a look at the Bart website for more inspiration, we love the ‘How To’ videos and the incredible Periodic Table of Herbs & Spices, don’t worry, it’s far more interesting than your regular Chemistry table! www.bart-ingredients.co.uk