organic creole seasoning Marguerite's cajun spice| momixes

OUR STORY

Hi, I'm Marguerite Cuquet. I love living in Savannah, but I grew up in New Orleans where flavorful food is king. The foodie culture there is all about experimentation with flavors and textures. There are traditional recipes, but innovation is welcome. For years, I used a commercial creole seasoning until I learned about the problem with processed salt and the benefits of sea salt. I then made up my own seasoning blend using only Himalayan pink salt and organic spices. We used it at home for years until early 2017 when my husband suggested that we share it with the public.

We named it Marguerite's Creole Seasoning.

We began to offer it at local farmers' markets and festivals.

Now it is available at:

LaTerra Natural Oils, 1520 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Brighter Day Natural Foods, 1102 Bull Street, Savannah

Picker Joe's Antique Mall, 217 E 41st Street, Savannah

Chef Darin's Kitchen Table, 2514 Abercorn Street Suite 140

Salacia Salts 208 West Hall Street Savannah GA 31401

INGREDIENTS:

ORGANIC CHILI PEPPER, HIMALAYAN PINK SALT, ORGANIC GARLIC GRANULES, ORGANIC CUMIN, ORGANIC ROSEMARY, ORGANIC SAGE, ORGANIC TURMERIC, ORGANIC CAYENNE, ORGANIC ALLSPICE.

Here I am on top of the world because I get to share delicious, healthy flavor with home cooks all over!

BENEFITS OF INGREDIENTS

HIMALAYAN SALT VERSUS REFINED TABLE SALT

Himalayan Salt is different from salt found anywhere else on the planet; for one thing, it is uniquely beautiful. It has a natural pinkish or light reddish tint and under a microscope the crystals within the salt form gorgeously perfect geometric patterns. Himalayan Salt, when left raw and in its natural state, is rich in nutrients and minerals. Since many of these elements found within each grain of salt naturally occur within us and in the environment, they are easily absorbed and utilized on a cellular level. Sherpa Pink® Himalayan Salt re-mineralizes the body with minerals and trace elements essential to our health and well-being. Formed over the last 250 million years, Pink Himalayan Salt is considered the purest and most beautiful salt in the world.

Conversely, the harvesting of refined table salt involves heavy processing, including mining followed by iodizing, bleaching, and diluting with anti-caking agents. More chemicals are added during the processing of salt, which often steals all of its beneficial minerals and trace elements, except sodium and chloride.

Unlike refined salts, Himalayan salt retains its mineral treasure. These minerals are present in a form that is easily utilized and absorbed by the human body. The nutritional wealth of Himalayan salt includes vital minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bromide, chloride, iron, copper, and zinc among other beneficial elements. These natural minerals are valuable for healthy functioning of the body, such as maintaining a healthy electrolyte balance in the body, which is necessary for maintaining optimum blood composition and circulation, muscular strength, and overall functioning of the body. Minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium contribute to the electrolytic equilibrium of the body. The minerals in Himalayan salt also help in maintaining balanced levels of blood sugar.

The minerals in Himalayan salt help in alkalizing the cells of the body by facilitating excretion of excess acids through urination. This helps in maintaining the optimal acid-alkali ratio of the body. In case the pH value of the blood moves towards the acidic side, it can disturb the natural, healthy balance of the body and may result in chronic medical conditions.

BENEFITS OF CHILI POWDER AND CAYENNE (A.K.A. CAPSICUM)

The health benefits of capsicum include relief from cancer, peptic ulcer, menopausal problems, low risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties and may also provide relief in pain related to arthritis. It also provides relief from fibromyalgia,

skin, aging and psoriasis.

These peppers contain high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A. Other beneficial bioactive components of the capsicum chili are the content of flavanoids.4 Other important bioactive compounds contained in the it include alkaloids and tannins.4Though in lesser concentrations than vitamin C and vitamin A, these are showing potential in providing health benefits when consumed.4 Alkaloids work as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and may also be antioxidant.4

Anti-inflammatory properties: The phytochemical constituents of capsicum are shown to produce an anti-inflammatory response that proves to alleviate peripheral neurogenic pain.

Mucilage: Capsicum contains tannins. Tannins are astringent and often considered for their benefits when treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Chemopreventive properties: Another bioactive effect of tannin contained in capsicum molecule is in the prevention and treatment of cancer.4 Studies have shown that is has a inhibitory effect on many types of malignant cancer that is well documented.6

Cardiovascular: Studies of flavonoids have suggested that they are beneficial towards preventing coronary heart disease.4 Capsicum is both warming and vasodilative.4 a suggested effect of the vasodilative properties of capsicum is the improvement of hypotension and decreased heart rate.4 Vasodilatation allows for improved blood flow resulting in better oxygenation of organ tissues. This is most likely due to the tachynikins, a known bioactive ingredient in capsicum.4

Antioxidant properties: Many of the bioactive compounds of capsicum provide antioxidant effects.4 Improved vasodilatation allows for these antioxidant phyto- chemicals to circulate through the body.4

Immunology: Capsicum contains vitamin C is valued as an immune supportive bioactive phyto-chemical.4 Vitamin C has many beneficial effects on the immune system. It helps in repairing damaged brain tissues, reduced risk of oxidative stress, pediatric asthma, cancer and improved bone health. Menopausal symptoms: Menopausal symptoms may also be relieved by the consumption of flavonoid containing fruit such as the capsicum chili.4

References:

1 Tewksbury JJ, Manchego C, Haak DC, Levey DJ. Where did the Chili Get its Spice? Biogeography of Capsaicinoid Production in Ancestral Wild Chili Species. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 2006;32:547-564.

2 Loizzo MR, Tundis R, Menichini F, Statti GA, Menichini F. Influence of ripening stage on health benefits properties of Capsicum annuum var. acuminatum L.: in vitro studies. Journal of medicinal food. 2008; 11:184

3 Sheila Keating. Chillies: Final edition. The Times. 2007:61.

4 Clément Kouassi Kouassi, Zinzendorf Yéssé Nanga, Serge Joseph Lathro, Solange Aka, Rose Koffi-Nevry. Bioactive Compounds and Some Vitamins From Varieties of Pepper (Capsicum) Grown in Cote D’iviore. Pure and Applied Biology. 2012;1:40

5 Sancho R, Lucena C, Macho A, et al. Immunosuppressive activity of capsaicinoids: capsiate derived from sweet peppers inhibits NF-kappaB activation and is a potent antiinflammatory compound in vivo. European journal of immunology. 2002;32:1753

6 Oyagbemi AA, Saba AB, Azeez OI. Capsaicin: A novel chemopreventive molecule and its underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Indian Journal of Cancer. 2010;47:53-58.

7Ernst E. Herbal medicine in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America. 2011;37:95-102.

BENEFITS OF CUMIN

Digestion: Cumin is extremely good for digestion and related problems. The very aroma, which comes from an aromatic organic compound called Cumin aldehyde, the main component of its essential oil, activates our salivary glands in our mouth, which facilitates the primary digestion of food. Next is thymol, a compound present in cumin, which stimulates the glands that secrete acids, bile and enzymes responsible for complete digestion of the food in the stomach and the intestines. Cumin is also Carminative, which means that it relieves you from gas troubles and thereby improves digestion and appetite. Due to its essential oils, magnesium, and sodium content, cumin promotes digestion and also gives relief for stomach-aches when taken with hot water.

Piles: The main cause behind piles (hemorrhoids) is constipation added with infections in the wound in the anal tract, which are also caused by constipation. Cumin, because of its dietary fiber content and carminative, stimulating, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, acts as a natural laxative in powdered form. These characteristics are due to the presence of essential oils comprised mainly of Cuminaldehyde and certain pyrazines. Adding cumin to your diet also helps in healing up of infections or wounds in the digestive and excretory system and speeds up digestion as well. That pretty much means that it clears up all of the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids, so keep that it mind when you start itching!

Diabetes: Although research is still ongoing, early studies report that cumin, among a number of other spices, can have a powerful effect in preventing diabetes by reducing the chances of hypoglycemia. The animals that were tested showed a sharp decline in hypoglycemia when fed cumin seeds in their diet, and they also showed a decrease in glucosuria, which is a condition where the urine contains too much glucose, also resulting in hypoglycemia and diabetes. Human testing is ongoing, but early reports show that cumin can be a very powerful tool in the battle against diabetes!

Common Cold: The common cold is a viral infection which affects our body frequently when our immune system becomes weakened or vulnerable. Again, the essential oils present in cumin act as disinfectants and help fight viral infections which can cause the common cold. Cumin also suppresses the development of coughing in the respiratory system since it dries up the excess mucus. Cumin is rich in iron and has considerable amount of vitamin-C, which are essential for a healthy immune system and keeps infections from forming or becoming worse. Vitamin-C is also a natural antioxidant, so it defends against other infections and toxins as well, further boosting the immune system.

Anemia: As stated above, cumin is very rich in iron (more than 66 mg. in every 100 grams) which is more than 5 times the daily requirement of iron for an adult. This iron is the main constituent of hemoglobin in the red blood corpuscles of blood. It is hemoglobin which transfers oxygen (as the oxide of iron) to the body’s cells and whose deficiency causes anemia. So, cumin can be a nutritious additive to daily diet for anemic people and avoid the symptoms of anemia like fatigue, anxiety, cognitive malfunction, and digestive issues.

Concentration and Cognitive Malfunction: The amount of iron in cumin leads to increased hemoglobin production and subsequent prevention of anemia, but that increased blood flow has other benefits as well. When your blood circulation is in top form, adequate amounts of oxygen are able to reach the organs and the brain, leading to optimal performance of those bodily systems. Proper amounts of oxygen and iron in the brain lead to increased cognitive performance and a decrease in cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. For other organs, increased oxygenation increases efficiency and speeds up the metabolism, which can boost your overall health, increase strength, and prevent signs of aging.

Skin Disorders: Vitamin E , abundantly present in cumin, is good for the maintenance of skin and the prevention of premature aging symptoms. It keeps the skin young and glowing. The essential oils present in cumin have disinfectant and antifungal properties. This prevents any microbial and fungal infection from affecting the skin. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant combatting the free radicals that attack the skin and result in signs of premature aging like wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin.

Boils: Boils are outlets for the removal of toxic substances and foreign matters such as microbes from the body. This means that they are symptoms which show that a high amount of toxic substances have accumulated in the body. In this way, cumin can help you a great deal. Those who regularly use cumin in food have a significant the occurrence of boils, rashes, pimples, and other signs of excess toxin content. Components such as cumin aldehyde, thymol, and phosphorus are good detoxifying agents which help in the regular removal of toxins from the body.

Immunity: As discussed above, an abundance of iron, the presence of essential oils, vitamin-C, and vitamin-A in cumin boosts our immune system in a number of ways.

Cancer: Cumin itself has detoxifying and chemopreventive properties, and accelerates the secretion of detoxifying and anticarcinogenic enzymes from the glands, as it also does to other secretions. Furthermore, it has beneficial antioxidants like vitamin-C and vitamin-A within its chemical makeup, in addition to those essential oils. Besides having countless other benefits, the antioxidants have anticarcinogenic properties too, and those found in cumin are particularly good for colon cancer prevention.

References

BENEFITS OF GARLIC

Garlic is a plant in the Allium (onion) family very rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Manganese. It also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients. Garlic supplementation is known to boost the function of the immune system.

Most of the health effects are caused by one of the sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed. This compound is known as allicin, and is also responsible for the distinct garlic smell. One large 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared with placebo. The average length of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from 5 days in placebo to just 1.5 days in the garlic group.

Another study found that a high dose of garlic extract (2.56 grams per day) can reduce the number of days sick with cold or flu by 61%.

Human studies have found garlic supplementation to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

In one study, aged garlic extract at doses of 600-1,500 mg was just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24 week period.

Supplement doses must be fairly high to have these desired effects. The amount of allicin needed is equivalent to about four cloves of garlic per day. Garlic supplementation seems to reduce total and LDL cholesterol, particularly in those who have high cholesterol.

Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body’s protective mechanisms against oxidative damage.

High doses of garlic supplements have been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes in humans as well as significantly reduce oxidative stress in those with high blood pressure.

Garlic contains antioxidants that protect against cell damage. At high doses, the sulfur compounds in garlic have been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity. A four week study in employees of a car battery plant (excessive exposure to lead) found that garlic reduced lead levels in the blood by 19%. It also reduced many clinical signs of toxicity, including headaches and blood pressure.

Three doses of garlic each day even outperformed the drug D-penicillamine in symptom reduction.

Bottom Line: Garlic was shown to significantly reduce lead toxicity and related symptoms in one study.

BENEFITS OF ROSEMARY

Memory Booster: One of the earliest reported or documented uses of rosemary for health reasons was as a cognitive stimulant. It was said to improve memory and help to increase intelligence and focus. While many of those claims are still being researched and studied, its effects on the brain do indicate an increase in memory retention

Mood and Stress: The aroma of rosemary alone has been linked to improving mood, clearing the mind, and relieving stress in those with chronic anxiety or stress hormone imbalances.

Immune System Strength: The active components in rosemary are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic in nature. This represents a three-pronged attack against many different diseases and pathogens that could threaten the immune system or damage the integrity of the body. Antioxidant compounds form a secondary line of defense behind the body’s own immune system, and rosemary contains a significant amount of those powerful compounds, including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, betulic acid, and carnosol.

Antibacterial Potential: While the general immune boosting qualities of rosemary are impressive enough, it is specifically powerful against bacterial infections, particularly those in the stomach. H. pylori bacteria is a common and very dangerous pathogen that can cause stomach ulcers, but rosemary has been shown to prevent its growth when consumed.

Stomach Soother: Rosemary has traditionally been used by dozens of cultures as a natural remedy for upset stomachs, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and everything in between. Its anti-inflammatory and stimulant effects are largely the cause of these effects, so adding it to your weekly diet can quickly help you regulate your bowel movements and your gastrointestinal system.

Stimulate Blood Flow: Rosemary acts as a stimulant for the body and boosts the production of red blood cells and blood flow. This helps to oxygenate vital organ systems and areas of the body, ensuring that the metabolic activities in those areas are running smoothly, in addition to stimulating the movement of nutrients to cells that require repair.

Anti-Inflammatory Qualities: Perhaps the most important function of rosemary is as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body. Carnosol and Carnosic acid are two powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in rosemary that have been linked to reducing inflammation of muscles, blood vessels, and joints.

Detoxify the Body: Rosemary is slightly diuretic in nature, meaning that it can help flush out toxins more efficiently during urination. Furthermore, by increasing the rate at which water leaves the body, it can also help push out pathogens, toxins, and even excess fat when consumed regularly (or when you’re feeling particularly “toxified”). In terms of the particular organ it benefits, it has been linked to lower levels of cirrhosis and a faster healing time of the liver, which is one of the slowest organs to heal.

Skin Health: The anti-aging properties of rosemary are quite well known. Although more commonly thought of in the essential oil form, the leaves of rosemary can also affect the skin internally or topically, and has been shown to improve the youthful quality of the skin, while also healing blemishes and increasing the natural shine and hydrated appearance of your body’s largest organ.

BENEFITS OF SAGE

Cognitive Boost: Research has shown that even small amounts of sage, whether smelled or consumed, can increase recall abilities and memory retention in subjects. The brain activity also demonstrates increased concentration and focus on a chosen topic, which means that for young people in school or for those in challenging, intellectually demanding careers, adding a bit of it to your diet may be a subtle, but effective brain booster.

Inflammation Issues: The anti-inflammatory qualities of sage extend to health issues such as arthritis and gout, as well as general inflammation of the cardiovascular system, which can result in heart disease and increased blood pressure. The flavonoids and phenolic compounds found in it are responsible for these beneficial effects.

Antioxidant Impact: Antioxidant compounds found in sage, such as rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and apigenin, can all work to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from creating oxidative stress in the heart, organ systems, skin, joints, muscles, and even the brain.

Immune System Strength: There are some antimicrobial properties that have been identified in sage.

Bone Strength: One of the most overlooked benefits of sage is actually its superior level of vitamin K, an essential vitamin for the body that isn’t found in many common foods. Vitamin K is a crucial element in developing bone density and ensuring the integrity of our bones as we age. If you suffer from early signs of osteoporosis or have lived a rather nutrient-poor, sedentary lifestyle, your bone health is likely low. Adding sage leaves to your diet can increase your vitamin K levels significantly, as a single service has 27% of your daily recommended intake.

Diabetes Management: It contains certain extracts and chemicals that mimic the drugs typically prescribed for managing diabetes. It appears to regulate and inhibit the release of stored glucose in the liver, preventing major fluctuations of blood sugar.

Digestion: The rosmarinic acid found in sage acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in many parts of the body, even in the stomach, where it prevents gastric spasms and can significantly lower the occurrence of diarrhea and gastritis. Adding it to your meals can get your entire digestive process back on track and reduce inflammation throughout the gut.

References

BENEFITS OF TURMERIC

Curcumin is the most important and active ingredient of this “super herb”.

Anti-Inflammatory Capacity: Curcumin has received considerable attention in the medical community due to its potent anti-inflammatory abilities. In fact, the strength of this substance is likened to some of the strongest pharmaceutical options for reducing inflammation. For this reason, consuming turmeric is often suggested for the reduction of arthritic pain, gout, and muscle pain following exercise or injury.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Turmeric has long been used as a stomach soother, and is particularly useful for constipation, cramping, and irritable bowel syndrome. The anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin also comes into play here, as it lowers the chances of developing ulcers, bleeding in the bowels, and generally eliminates irritation throughout the gut. Turmeric is often recommended for patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and even more serious conditions, such as Crohn’s disease.

Cancer Treatment and Prevention: Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant agent that has been directly linked with a reduction in colon cancer cells and is also a direct inhibitor for a protein that is essential for tumor growth. This makes turmeric a wonderful addition to any diet as a preventative measure and as a means of slowing metastasis of cancerous growth. The most extensive research on turmeric’s cancer prevention effects has been on colon cancer, but other types of cancer research related to curcumin are currently underway.

Detoxification of the Body: Turmeric and its active organic compounds have also been found to improve liver function and reduce the levels of toxicity in the body. By stimulating the lymphatic system and ensuring that toxins are removed efficiently, the antioxidant activities of turmeric are an ideal solution for liver ailments or toxicity.

Heart Health: There are a few different angles by which turmeric can boost your cardiovascular health – curcumin and Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 can efficiently inhibit the production of homocysteine, which is a negative bodily byproduct that seriously damages cell walls. These weakened walls can cause a number of complications in the heart, particularly when exacerbated by high blood pressure or plaque build-up. Secondly, curcumin directly balances your cholesterol levels by eliminating excess LDL (“bad cholesterol”) from the arteries and blood vessels. This can help to prevent atherosclerosis, so when combined with stronger blood vessels, turmeric represents a comprehensive solution for a wide range of heart issues.

Cognitive Abilities: In traditional medicine, turmeric was often relied on to boost cognitive abilities, increase concentration, and boost memory retention. Many of those traditional beliefs have ended up being legitimated by research, and turmeric is still considered a brain boosting herb. Aside from increasing general cognitive ability, it can also protect the neural pathways from long-term oxidative stress and the build-up of plaque. As a powerful antioxidant herb, turmeric can stimulate neural activity. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin is highly efficient in clearing out amyloid plaque, which is a major indication of Alzheimer’s progression.

Depression: Curcumin truly is a versatile substance, and the research has even stretched into its effects on the hormonal balance in the body. Studies have shown that curcumin has a similar effect as Prozac on patients suffering from depression, mood swings, anxiety, and stress. This makes it a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical routes, which often have dangerous or addictive side effects.

BENEFITS OF ALLSPICE

Anti-Inflammatory Qualities: One of the most celebrated aspects of allspice is its ability to lower inflammation and alleviate pain in parts of the body. The active ingredients in the spice have chemical compounds that eliminate inflammation, making it an ideal spice to give you some relief from arthritis, gout, muscle aches, or even hemorrhoids. Allspice also has certain analgesic components that allow for pain reduction in the case of injury or surgical recovery.

Digestion: The calming, rubefacient effects of allspice’s organic components make it perfect for soothing the stomach and also facilitating healthy digestion. The eugenol found in allspice can eliminate digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, while also stimulating regularity, which reduces bloating and excess flatulence. The anti-inflammatory aspect of allspice further eases cramps, which can ease the entire process of digestion.

Immune System: Research has shown certain antibacterial and antifungal effects of allspice, particularly in terms of stomach bacteria (E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes). In addition to helping the gastrointestinal system function smoothly, it also protects it from outside attack through a natural immune response. Furthermore, when allspice is added to certain foods, it can neutralize the bacteria at that level, before it ever enters your body to begin doing damage.

Antioxidant Capacity: The presence of eugenol, quercetin, tannins, and other chemical compounds makes allspice a very potent antioxidant, as many of those substances are perfect for neutralizing free radicals and eliminating them from the body. Free radicals are the harmful byproducts of cellular metabolism that can cause healthy cells to mutate, often leading to serious diseases – even cancer. The high level of vitamin C and vitamin A present in allspice also contribute to this antioxidant activity.

Dental Health: The antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic aspects of allspice can help to boost your dental health; although gargling with this spice wouldn’t be particularly pleasant, it has been connected to healthier dental and gum health by protecting against bacterial pathogens.

Circulation: With significant levels of copper and iron, allspice is ideal for boosting circulation, as these are essential components of red blood cells. Furthermore, the rubefacient aspect of the spice is a stimulant, and warms the body. Combined with increased blood flow, this can result in additional energy and the proper oxygenation of extremities in the body. Iron also functions in the creation of certain enzymes that are crucial for overall metabolism.

Heart Health: The potassium found in allspice has a positive effect on heart health, as it is a vasodilator and releases much of the tension on the cardiovascular system. This causes an increase in blood flow through the relaxed blood vessels and reduces the strain on the arteries and heart, thereby lowering the chances of developing atherosclerosis, and subsequently, strokes and heart attacks.

References

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