With the holidays coming up, you might be planning to indulge in some freshly baked goods and other treats. Since cold weather can irritate your joints, having seasonal treats that offer anti-inflammatory effects is a smart choice. The following are a few fun treats to consider making this season, especially when joint pain flares up.
Cinnamon Baked Apples
The taste and scent of cinnamon go hand in hand with the holidays. Pairing cinnamon with apples provides an even more seasonal treat to enjoy. As an added bonus, cinnamon contains an antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help ease joint pain.
To make cinnamon baked apples:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Cut a few apples in half, then remove the core.
- Combine melted, unsalted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Mix the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then spoon it on the apple halves.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on the apple halves.
- Bake the apples in the dish uncovered for 30 minutes.
Healthy Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat that are fun to make, especially if you cut them into shapes and add icing. Keep in mind that ginger contains several beneficial compounds, some of which provide anti-inflammatory effects on sore, achy joints.
To make healthy gingerbread cookies:
- Add whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, then whisk until smooth.
- Add softened butter and cane or coconut sugar in a bowl, then beat until creamy.
- Add a large egg and molasses to the butter and sugar mixture, then beat.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, then stir.
- Divide flour into two balls, flatten them, then wrap and refrigerate them for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough, unwrap it after a few minutes, then roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to make shapes in the dough, place these on the baking sheets, then bake for about 8 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool, and mix icing sugar and water together to decorate.
Coconut and Sweet Potato Muffins
Muffins make a great treat to enjoy for breakfast, after lunch or dinner, or as a snack during the holiday season. When you add ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties, such as coconut oil and sweet potatoes, they’re even better for you.
To make coconut and sweet potato muffins:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees, then grease a muffin pan.
- Mix sweet potato purée, eggs, coconut milk, coconut oil, and maple syrup in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix vanilla extract, almond flour, baking powder, sea salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground turmeric, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg.
- Add the dry ingredients mixture to the sweet potato puree mixture, then stir.
- Fill cups in muffin pan to about 2/3 full, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
If you’ve been having joint pain and need relief, please contact Huntington Orthopedics for an appointment.