REACH FOR THE HOT STUFF…

I loved this article on getting an energy boost!  I even keep a bottle of sriracha at work to spice up my lunch.  I have been known to make a vinaigrette so spicy, not knowing the heat from our own peppers we are growing, that even I couldn’t eat it!  (I did make little frozen cubes out of it and now use a cube or two for future vinaigrettes).  Thank you Shape Magazine!  Spice it up everyone; kick it up a notch or two!

According to a recent study from Australia's University of Tasmania, people who added chili paste to their lunch experienced steadier blood sugar levels throughout the afternoon than those who didn't spice up their meals. A substance in peppers called capsaicin helps metabolize food, making it readily available to the body as energy, say researchers.

In fact, hot peppers have traditionally been used for this purpose in the Caribbean. Barbados-born Rihanna often revs up before concerts by eating a super spicy chicken soup with habañero and Serrano peppers, says Ameera Leguex, a Los Angeles chef who creates fiery dishes for the singer. An easy way to add heat: "Sprinkle air-popped popcorn with cayenne pepper and paprika."