Cinnamon

I read recently that 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day has been shown to do the following:

• Helps manage your blood sugar
• Reduces triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels
• Supports digestive function
• Constricts and tones tissues (does that include thighs?)
• Relieves congestion
• Relieves pain and stiffness of muscles and joints
• Relieves menstrual discomfort
• Stimulates circulation via blood-thinning compounds
• May relieve arthritis through anti-inflammatory compounds
• Helps prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease, and
• It’s a powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli and other bacteria

But, cinnamon can only help you if you eat it, so when I saw Cinn-A-Stacks at IHOP I decided to order them for my health. The best way to describe this delectable dish is Cinnabon in french toast or pancake form, complete with cream cheese drizzle. I figured that since cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels it would cancel out all the sugar. If you want to try them, hurry up because it's just a temporary menu item.

Another way to get your cinnamon is TGIFriday's Cinnabon Cheesecake. It has swirls of the same Korintje (Indonesian) cinnamon goo that Cinnabon uses in their buns, plus the all-important cream cheese drizzle.

And if you want to make your own Cinnabon buns, check out this recipe.