The Secret Sauce For Happiness - A Morning At Race For Life

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It's possible that you too have someone in your life who may have been touched by cancer.  


It was a pleasure to take part in today's Race For Life event in Regent's Park.  This is one of the most beautiful parks in London.


You will be so busy enjoying the gorgeous flowers and birds that you'll quickly forget that you are out exercising.

If you are like me, you may have been complaining about the rain and making excuses to exercise secondary to the 'wet' summer that we've been experiencing.  And like me, if you took part in today's race then you may have realised how precious life really is and appreciated rain for the first time.


You may have appreciated life, the opportunity to race (yes, even in the rain), and the glorious opportunity to spend a saturday morning with friends, loved ones or simply the chance to enjoy a walk with your special friend like Mr Gorgeous below.

Or her...  Drenched, but happy and proud.

As we continued our walk to support those we love or loved with cancer, happiness, we have come to believe is right there in front of us.  


It is in the people we love and in the little things that make us happy.  It may be the flowers you see around you, your adored pet, your favourite pink top, the sound of your new baby laughing or that hug you received from your mum who you secretly think nags at you endlessly.

Whoever or whatever 'it' may be, open your door and invite happiness every day, for who knows what tomorrow may bring?

But of course the stars for today are these lovely super heroes!  Bat girl sure looks good!

And of course it may come as no surprise to you when I say that food sure does make me happy.  We headed to a lovely Italian restaurant on Crawford Place called 'Briciole' for some much needed feeding.


The food was delicious, the service was homely and pleasing, with the decor stylish and inviting.


The green olives were truly authentic and tasty (and hence why there are only two left to photograph)!

This flavourful Sicilian inspired dish with red prawns were truly a taste from Italy.  I was a very happy diner.

In conclusion, I am grateful for a lovely day with the girls.  Lovely readers, what makes you happy?  What are you most grateful for today?

Superfood Cinnamon’s Power – A Spicy Story

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Image from Google

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices around.  Is there no end to its spicy story?  Its health benefits range from alleviating colds to symptoms of arthritis.  Mother Nature is truly wonderful for inventing this amazing spice.  It’s rich, sweet and pungent aroma is alluring in a morning mug of coffee or sprinkled over sticky buns freshly baked out of an oven.

It doesn’t just taste good either.  A recent article in Diabetic Medicine this month investigated the efficacy and safety of ‘true’ cinnamon or ‘Cinnamomum zeylancium’ in Diabetes. 

Cinnamon has been shown to inhibit gluconeogenesis; a process whereby your body makes glucose from non carbohydrate sources such as proteins and fats.  In diabetes, cinnamon may stimulate insulin release and enhance insulin receptor activity.  Animal studies have also reported increased HDL cholesterol (protective cholesterol) and higher circulating insulin levels.

A review in Clinical Nutrition in May this year confirmed that the positive effects of cinnamon in relation to glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus ‘looked promising’.

More interesting facts on cinnamon

True cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka but is also grown in India and other parts of South East Asia. 

If you get your hands on cinnamon from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree this is considered gold and is easier to grind into a powder.  It also has a light sweet flavour.

The supermarket brand versions of cinnamon are a darker bark and thick instead of being ‘layered’.  This is sourced from the Cinnamomum cassia tree. 

Interestingly, cinnamon may play a positive role in cancer.  Eugenol is a compound that has antioxidant properties.  It is found in cinnamon and in other aromatic plants like basil, nutmeg and bay leaves. 

Eugenol has been documented to induce ‘apoptosis’ or programmed cell death in cancerous cells such as melanoma, skin tumours, osteosarcoma, leukemia, gastric and mast cells. 

How to get your daily dose of cinnamon

Try grinding cinnamon sticks and then sprinkle this cinnamon powder instead of chocolate into your morning mug of coffee.


A cup of cinnamon tea perhaps for a spicy change?

Try ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon alongside dried fruit in your breakfast cereal for stable blood sugars (we hope anyway).

Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into banana bread or other baking.  It does go wonderful with an apple pie.

What about adding ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon on rice pudding or an alternative sweet dessert?

Have you ever tried adding cinnamon sugar to a delicious bowl of fruit salad?

Cinnamon is wonderful in a curry, see my Chicken Curry Recipe.

It is also great in a breakfast smoothie when mixed in with honey.


Cinnamon toast is another spicy yet tasty start to your day, delicious.

Why not make your own anti-aging face mask by blending yoghurt, honey and cinnamon for a soothing and luxurious spa experience in your own home?

 Does any one have other ideas for sneaking in cinnamon?  Do share, I love hearing from you!