Recipes for Labor Day Leftovers

As you may know, Labor Day was celebrated yesterday. For most of us this meant barbecuing, beaching, and all out relaxing. Of course, there is plenty of eating to go along! For all those out there who had massive parties or even just made some massive amounts of food, you could be looking at some serious leftovers. Of course, there is always the option to eat those leftovers just the way you made them, but, if you want to mix it up a bit, these recipes could help! 

Barbecue Chicken Salad

This recipe uses two things you may have leftover- barbecue chicken and corn on the cob. Whether you are making this as a quick lunch or light dinner, it will be fantastic! Keep it simple by using Worcestershire sauce like the recipe suggests, or really go out and use that delicious, delicious ranch dressing. Yum!

Crab Rolls

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Yesterday we had a low country broil for dinner, sans the potatoes. Yes, it was amazing and I almost wish I had not gorged myself so we could have any leftovers to make these with! Unfortunately, we ate way too much and have no leftovers left. It was totally worth it though ;) Low country broils may be my favorite meal ever to exist!

If you, however, do have crab leftover in your fridge, there is a pretty great chance you will want to use it fast and not in the same way you prepared it. Both of these recipes will be great for day-old crab, just be sure to use it quick! Of course, either one can also be supplemented with shrimp, lobster, or canned crab as well. The first recipe option above is a bit healthier. With only 238 calories and 5 grams fat, it is almost half of the Panera-recommended option. Of course, the slightly less healthy one also seems slightly easier to make.

Oh, and just because it came up with my "crab roll" search, here is a super yummy looking recipe for cinnamon roll protein pancakes. Yes, please!

Wine Granita

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This might just be the best use of stale wine or beer ever. And, if you had a Labor Day party, there is a chance you have a bit of both. Instead of sadly pouring it down the sink, simultaneously wasting your libations and giving your house that oh-so sought after fraternity house smell, use it for a dessert! These granitas will save all that unused wine and beer and the best part is you actually want it to be stale.

For those with some serious dessert leftovers, this list of ways to use cake could be super handy! This one is great for any of those pies and cobblers you still have hanging around.

The Benefits of Cinnamon

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In ancient times cinnamon was considered a high commodity gifted to nobility and extremely expensive. At one point, cinnamon was actually priced higher than gold. That being said, it is no wonder that cinnamon does more than taste good. Cinnamon has multiple benefits and very few disadvantages or dangers in taking. Although most people today use cinnamon for flavoring food, the effects of it go far beyond a tasty spice. 

The cinnamon spice is harvested from the inner bark of a certain species of evergreen trees. Cinnamon sticks are mainly harvested in Asia through removing the bark from the slim evergreen branches and keeping it out to dry where the sticks curl up to become what we commonly see as cinnamon sticks, or quills. These quills are then cut and packaged accordingly. The type of cinnamon that we commonly see as cinnamon sticks is the Ceylon cinnamon, this type is much more expensive than its powder counterpart, the Cassia cinnamon.  

Both forms of cinnamon are rich in antioxidants along with coumarin, an anti-coagulant for blood. Cinnamon has also been found to help lower cholesterol, improve insulin response for those with type II diabetes, treat yeast infections, be an anti-inflammatory, improve proper heart function, and fight against harmful bacteria such as H. pylori, an ulcer forming bacteria. Cinnamon can also reduce allergies with the same potency of some OTC drugs. All of these benefits are partially due to the antioxidants found in cinnamon and partially due to cinnamon oil's natural cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol components.

New studies are also showing cinnamon to help with arthritis pain since it is an anti-inflammatory. This anti-inflammatory effect has lead to further research using cinnamon to fight Parkinson's disease, meningitis, and brain tumors. The ability for cinnamon to help with brain function, specifically Alzheimer’s is currently under research as well, although it has been shown to increase proper brain function after being ingested. According to research done at The University of Texas, cinnamon also has anti-cancer properties, stating that it reduces the cancer cell's ability to proliferate.

Along with all of the positive possibilities cinnamon holds, there are a few negatives. High doses of cinnamon can damage the liver and burn the esophagus and lungs. This is most commonly seen during the cinnamon challenge. Cinnamon is extremely dense and absorbs moisture extremely fast. Most worst case scenarios of inhaling cinnamon include collapsed lungs. Although I have never personally wanted to complete the cinnamon challenge (what, vomiting cinnamon does not sound like fun?) I am way more deterred since it can cause damage to my lungs, or even, create a permanent cough. For healthier ways to get your daily dose, try mixing 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon into hot water, tea, or coffee.

Here are a few more interesting articles and fun reads on cinnamon and it's benefits:  

Cinnamon is One of the World's Healthiest Foods 

Livestrong article on cinnamon and arthritis 

WebMD overview of cinnamon