Imagine a new wonder drug being unveiled at a global news conference. It seems almost too good to be true. A single compound that could help lower cholesterol, fight cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease, combat inflammation, offer antioxidant protection – even suppress HIV gene expression.

Oh, as a bonus it can also make your skin more beautiful. There are no side effects, when taken in the prescribed amounts.

I don’t know about you, but sign me up. Not only would I order this stuff in bulk, I would buy stock in the pharmaceutical company laying claim to such a remarkable patent.

Well, it turns out that the compound has existed for thousands of years, but it’s not a drug. Behold the awesomeness of Turmeric.

The main component of Curry powder, Turmeric is a spice powder made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which is grown mainly on the Indian Subcontinent. Indians use it to color and flavor their everyday meals, but it’s also used in other cuisines.

The antioxidant Curcumin, which gives Turmeric its golden yellow/orange color, has been shown to contain a wide variety of medicinal benefits. In the ancient Indian medicine system, Ayurveda, Turmeric preparations are used to treat GI tract problems and also as a blood purifier. Many scientific have shown its various anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.

Research also suggests the cholesterol lowering properties of Turmeric in animals. It has been shown as an anti-tumor agent. Recent studies have also shed light on Curcumin’s beneficial role in Alzheimer’s. In fact, one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s ever reported was found in Northern India.

Fascinatingly, Curcumin has also been shown to suppress HIV gene expression.

Many Indians get overnight relief from sore throats and cough by drinking a glass of milk laced with sugar and one teaspoon of turmeric at bed time. (I promise to try it this winter and will keep you posted.

It’s widely used in India as an antiseptic for cuts, scrapes and burns, and is used in facials to brighten the skin and treat skin blemishes.

Turmeric is so revered that Indians offer it to their Gods and Goddesses. During the south Indian festival Pongal, a whole turmeric plant is offered as thanksgiving to Suryan, the Sun God. I think this is a beautiful idea.

Better yet, why not consider making a sacred offering to yourself, and include as much Turmeric in your diet as possible.

Greetings! Welcome to the LifeSpice blog.

“Why spice?” you may ask.

A fair question.

In this first entry I’d like to talk a little bit about how LifeSpice came about and why it’s different.

LifeSpice Essentials is quite literally health food. I’ve always believed that conventional medicine has its place. But I also believe, as Hippocrates said, that we should “let food be thy medicine” as much as we can.

A difficult chain of life events got me to thinking seriously about the importance of health. In the last three years, I lost my mom to cancer, my sister to heart disease, I delivered twin boys two and a half months prematurely and one of these handsome little men has been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Metaphorically, these were all very, very bitter pills to swallow.

Not surprisingly, these events all had a powerful impact. In retrospect, they served as the catalyst to make me look at life differently. I wanted to find a way of embracing life, as well as making it sweeter and healthier. Along the way, I learned that one of the best ways was to make it life spicier. And so, LifeSpice Essentials was born: an easy, all natural way to feed your body a wide range of some of nature’s healthiest foods (in their most beneficial, whole form) each day, so they work synergistically, offering antioxidants and micronutrients that we all need.

To me, LifeSpice not only as a product, but as an idea that I hope helps to transform a pervasive mindset. It’s a cliche that people live crazy stressful lives and don’t take care of themselves. Most people – especially women and especially working moms – need to take more time to nurture their health. Before having kids, I used to think that you always had to put yourself last – but hey, you live and learn. My sister Lori is an example of someone who took care of everyone but herself and her loved ones all ultimately paid an unbearable price for that. To quote Shakespeare, “Self love, my liege, is not so vile a sin as self neglecting.”

Spices are delicious, sensual, sacramental. They were once the most valued commodities on earth, more precious than gold. They’re a metaphor for excitement and intrigue and they have been revered for their healing power for centuries. But until very recently, no one could explain why. Now scientific studies reveal that turmeric decreases inflammation, basil offers germ killing properties, cinnamon regulates blood sugar levels and red pepper enhances metabolism. These are only a few examples of their many healing and protective powers.

But most people – including me – don’t eat enough of them to enjoy their benefits. The reasons are many: you may not like spicy food, or maybe your partner or family doesn’t. Maybe you don’t have the time or inclination to cook regularly or to integrate a large range of spices into your repertoire. Whatever the reason, LifeSpice is intended to bridge the gap between what we do eat and what we should eat. Because spices are also meant to be enjoyed for their flavors, this blog will also explore unique and flavorful recipes intended to work in synergy with the supplement, along with some unique twists on familiar ones. Delicious, healthy food – go figure! Let’s face it, not everything in life can be solved just by taking a capsule (if only!) IMHO, it’s about an integrated lifestyle.

LifeSpice is an expression of who I am and what I value – from health and wellness, to food and beauty, to nurturing children (5% of all profits will benefit Share Our Strength). Please visit this blog regularly. Here, we’ll take a deeper dive into understanding the health benefits of individual herbs and spices, share stories, ideas and recipes and learn together as a community.

Thanks for reading!

Lisa