I am writing this blog during Halloween week, so it is very appropriate that GARLIC comes off the TOPS spice rack for an eerie refracted review.
Some spices I have used to season my journey toward better health come with a warning: use sparingly. However, while a little GARLIC can go a long way, my LOVAGE of this spice means there’s rarely such a thing as too much.
As with our discussion of CILANTRO, there are some folks who cannot tolerate GARLIC. Knowing this helps explain the reason there must be many options for those who have the BORAGE to tackle obesity. We are all different. I am grateful that members in my chapter shared their SAGE advice but still allowed me to chart my RUE without any judgment.
GARLIC has a rich history. On Halloween, we naturally associate it with warding off vampires and evil spirits. For me, TOPS is the GARLIC that helps drive away the “evil spirits” of excess pounds.
Halloween signals the beginning of a difficult THYME. This special day, along with Thanksgiving and Christmas, has always been a challenge for me. The progress made during the year of working my plan to ward off those evil spirits can evaporate in the last eight weeks of the year.
I rely heavily on GARLIC to remind me of the BASIL things that need to be done. The last eight to ten meetings of the year can be some of the most important ones. Tempting treats, busy schedules and unpredictable weather can intimidate us, but we should only cancel meetings when absolutely necessary.
I am getting better at managing this THYME of the year. For me, denying myself seasonal treats did not work out well. GARLIC enforces the use of portion control, so I do not BURNET all down.
One piece of candy, a few bites of that special dish a family member makes once a year, nor one holiday should cause a major detour on our RUE. Find your GARLIC! If you have a gain, do not get CARAWAY. You can get back on track, and TOPS will be there to help. The new year is just around the corner.
After worrying about evil spirits, it is only logical that the next spice will be ANGELICA.
Garlic (Allium sativum): One of the world’s oldest cultivated plants, with a history spanning more than 5,000 years. It originated in Central Asia and spread throughout the ancient world, becoming an important ingredient in Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian cooking. Ancient Egyptians valued garlic for its perceived health benefits, and workers building the pyramids even included it in their diets.
Garlic has a distinctive, pungent aroma and a strong, savory flavor and is a staple in cuisines around the world.
Its taste changes depending on how it is prepared: It is available fresh, minced, powdered, granulated and dried. Garlic powder is more concentrated by volume than fresh garlic, so the two should not be substituted in equal amounts.
Garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds, including allicin, which develops when you crush or chop fresh garlic. It also provides tiny amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin C and manganese.
Research has investigated garlic’s potential effects on cardiovascular health, cholesterol and blood pressure. Although some studies suggest modest benefits, you should not use garlic as a substitute for prescribed medication or medical care.
