Dogs really ARE Miracles with Paws!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tasty Tuesday: Cinnamon for Our Furry Friends!!



Of all the items in my pantry, the one I never want to run out of is cinnamon. My dogs and I enjoy this amazing, deliciously fragrant spice every single day of the year!!  The dogs sometimes get a pinch of cinnamon sprinkled over their food.  I like it in and on everything from toast, lemonade, and chai tea to baked apple pie, hot chocolate, coffee and rice pudding!!

Not only does cinnamon smell and taste great, it has many health benefits!!

Cinnamon is a small tree that grows in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt; its bark is dried and rolled into cinnamon sticks, then ground into powder.

There are four varieties, but Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are the most popular; Ceylon, also called true cinnamon, is sweeter, lighter in color, and more expensive than Cassia, which is the darker type of cinnamon more commonly found in supermarkets and Starbucks. Whichever variety you choose, it's definitely worth it to spend a bit more on organic cinnamon, which tends to be even more fabulously fragrant than its non-organic counterpart.

Traditionally, cinnamon has been used around the world to remedy flatulence, nausea, and diarrhea.   It is also believed to boost energy, vitality, circulation, cognitive function and overall brain health, AND to improve the digestion of dairy products.

In one study, sniffing cinnamon was shown to result in improved brain function - test subjects performed better at memory and attention after a whiff of this FABULOUS spice. So if you're working with your dog on learning new tricks, definitely offer him or her a sniff of cinnamon before you begin your training session!

Recent studies have shown that just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day helps to regulate blood sugar and raise insulin resistance; it actually boosts the body's ability to use insulin to improve blood glucose levels. This is vital for anyone at risk for Diabetes.

Other studies reveal that cinnamon is antifungal; it works to combat Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections. These infections are often resistant to medication, but not to cinnamon. (Dogs who suffer from allergies are often prone to yeast infections).

Cinnamon is also antibacterial, and slows down the spoilage of food. Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon even prevents the growth of E. Coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices!






16 comments:

bichonpawz said...

interesting ... I love it on toast .

bichonpawz said...

I cannot start the day without cinnamon! It helps my chronic nausea and my hypoglycemia. Organic cinnamon is an ingredient in one of our favorite dog treat flavors in today's review. I had no idea it was so good for the dogs too. Now I really might try one of those treats... ;)

bichonpawz said...

We like it in sweet things but in savoury yuck, yuck, yuck. Interesting to read how good it is for you. Have a terrific tasty Tuesday.

Best wishes Monday.

bichonpawz said...

Terrific information about this important spice. Cinnamon is my secret ingredient in many recipes! We eat it just about every day. Very good for "settling" the tummy, too.

bichonpawz said...

How cool! I just knew it made good toast! I'll have to try it on the dogs' food and see if they like it!

bichonpawz said...

" I like it in and on everything from toast, lemonade, and chai tea to baked apple pie, hot chocolate, coffee and rice pudding!!"

Yes, me too, Jeanne. I LOVE cinnamon!

And what a faaaaaaabulous post! I had no idea about all the benefits to cinnamon. VERY informative. MUCH thanks for sharing, my friend!

X to you and the girlz!

bichonpawz said...

We had no idea that there was more than just plain old cinnamon! We learned something new today! Thank you, Miss Jeanne!

Love ya lots♥j
Mitch and Molly

bichonpawz said...

Bentley, my first Portie loved cinnamon. I used to share my toast with him and sometimes a cinnamon bun. None of my current pack are as crazy about it.

bichonpawz said...

I don't think I would be content with just sniffing some cinnamon. I would be all, "What is that? CAN I EAT IT?"

bichonpawz said...

I had only read a little about cinnamon. Thanks for sharing!

bichonpawz said...

Cinnamon is good for you and I do love the taste of it. I really should include it in my daily diet more often.

bichonpawz said...

That is very interesting. I love cinnamon and Bentley received some cinnamon dog treats that had gobbled down! I'll have to work this into a special treat. Thanks!

bichonpawz said...

Yum, I'm a big fan of cinnamon! :) Though I have to admit I've never put it in my lemonade! XD Thanks for sharing.

bichonpawz said...

Oh my! Mommy loves cinnamon
Lily & Edward

bichonpawz said...

wow! So much info on cinnamon!! haha!!!! too cool! I love cinnamon!!! Especially on toast!!! yummmmmmy!

ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

bichonpawz said...

I've never had cinnamon, but now I want to try it!