Baby, it's cold out there!

The past few days it has been EXTREMELY

COLD in NC!!! (-1 Sunday night) I have

struggled to stay warm and to keep the

chicken's water from freezing.

So, are there any herbs that will help you

stay warm?

Yes! Herbs such as cayenne and ginger help

to warm the body and increase circulation.

This month we are focusing on cayenne

which has many health benefits.

Cayenne peppers contain a compound,

capsaicin, that relieves pain by inhibiting the

release of substance P, a neurotransmitter

responsible for communicating pain

sensations. Capsaicin can be absorbed

through the skin. (Source: Phyllis A. Balch)

You can season your food with cayenne,

shingles, and even make a spiced hot

chocolate drink to share at Christmas.

Peppers are easy to grow and love the heat

of summer. I grow them to use for myself and

feed to my chickens during the winter. Yes,

cayenne helps keep my chickens warm, too.

SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE

This is a great recipe for incorporating a little cayenne in your hot chocolate. I even use it to flavor my coffee!