Fight Inflammation With Turmeric Pepitas
Anyone that knows me probably knows that I love to snack. I pretty much always have a snack in my purse and/or in my car at all times. Usually multiple. My motto is “You never know when you might get hungry”. And I don’t like being hungry. I try to snack on healthy foods such as nuts, cheese, trail mix, Kind bars… So you can imagine how excited I was to find another healthy snack recipe.
This recipe was taken from “Run Fast. Eat Slow“ by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky. While I share many of their recipes I recommend getting a copy for yourself because obviously I’m only sharing what I like.
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 2 tablespoons honey (I have a spicy honey I might try next time)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups raw, shelled pepitas
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Melt butter on medium-low in a medium skillet or sauce pan. Add the turmeric and curry powder and cook until fragrant, stirring continuously, about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in the honey and salt. Add the pepitas and stir to coat.
- 3. Spread the pepitas on the baking sheet and roast in center oven for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. They'll look moist right out of the oven but will crisp up when they cool.
- 4. Cool completely in a single layer, then break apart any clusters and transfer to a glass jar.
- I suggest using a metal spoon for step 2. (My plastic Pampered Chef spatula is now yellow from the turmeric.)
- I might add a tiny bit more salt and/or spice next time.
As many of you may already know turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It is the current magic spice that is said to cure all ailments. Okay so maybe not all ailments but there are definite benefits to adding it to your diet. The ingredient in turmeric that makes it so wonderful in curcumin, a compound found in the yellow roots of the turmeric plant. Curcumin blocks an enzyme that cause inflammation and helps combat free-radicals that damage the brain and heart. I don’t know about you but these are the two organs that I am most concerned about. (Lungs are pretty high on the list too.) 😉
Most people think inflammation is only a side effect of exercise or injury, but not true. There’s what is called silent inflammation, that happens under the surface and is believed to be the cause of brain fog, memory impairment, aches and pains, cardiac disease and mood issues. So while I am concerned about achy muscles and joints from running, I am also concerned about fighting the silent inflammation and keeping my brain and heart healthy as well.
I want to reiterate that I am not a nutritionist, dietician, or expert in any way, shape or form. I am sharing my opinion on what I have read. I am aware that most studies are done with obnoxiously large amounts of (insert “magic” super food of the week here) when testing effects on the body but I believe some is better than none. And it certainly can’t hurt. 🙂
For more complete information on the benefits of turmeric and curmunin go here.
Do you have a go-to super food?
Do you take supplements in an effort to be healthy?
Do you have a favorite recipe from “Run Fast. Eat Slow.”?
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to link up with me on the first Monday of the month for Music Monday.
Keep Running!
Denise
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