Cinnamon is a spice rack essential available whole in stick form or ground and even a dash can elevate a dish. It is a key spice in quick breads, pies, cookies, breakfast staples and savory dishes such as soups and stews or in rubs or marinades for roasting meats.

As early as 2000 BC the Egyptians were using cinnamon in perfumes and in the embalming processes. It also appears in ancient Chinese botanical texts on medicine. During the Middle Ages, the Arab traders who brought cinnamon to Europe via difficult overland trade routes carefully guarded their knowledge about where it came from, making the spice an extremely expensive commodity At one point in time, cinnamon was more precious than gold.

Thankfully the price has come down quite a bit and everyone can incorporate this essential seasoning into their nutritional plan.

Banana Cinnamon Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1 banana
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 kale leaf (optional)

Directions

1. Remove kale stem if using kale.
2. Put ingredients in blender.
3. Blend.
4. Enjoy.

Chai Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 banana, frozen
• 1.5 cups coconut milk beverage, unsweetened
• Vanilla flavored protein powder
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon clove

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together in blender for 15-20 seconds.
2. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Cinnamon Avocado Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 banana (frozen)
• 1/2 avocado
• 1-1/2 cups of almond or coconut milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

Directions

1. Drop frozen banana, avocado, cocoa powder, sea salt, and almond milk into blender. (Hint: Peel banana before freezing.)
2. Blend for 15-20 seconds.
3. If consistency is too thick for your liking, add water and re-blend.
4. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Buckwheat Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions

1. Oil up skillet or pan with coconut oil.
2. Mix ingredients in bowl.
3. Pour pancake size amount of batter on skillet/pan.
4. Flip pancakes (usually they are ready right after any small bubbles form and pop).
5. Serve with applesauce, honey or maple syrup.

Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 sweet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Wash sweet potatoes (peeling is optional, however there are nutrients in peel).
3. Place sweet potatoes on foil or on a baking sheet. Stab each potato with a fork 4-5 times.
4. Bake 30-40 minutes, or until desired tenderness is reached. Test with tip of knife.
5. Make a cut in the sweet potato and let cool.
6. Dollop 1-2 spoonfuls of Greek yogurt on the sweet potato. Sprinkle on cinnamon and serve.

Spartan Apple Crisp

Ingredients

• 6 apples, peeled
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 TBSP maple syrup
• 1/2 TSP cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Directions

1. Peel and slice the apples, and lay them into a 9 X 11 baking dish.
2. Squeeze lemon juice onto the apples to prevent browning.
3. In a bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and sea salt, until it resembles a crumble.
4. Sprinkle crumble over the apples, and place in the oven at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.
5. Remove from oven, let cool, and indulge!

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