Spices can make high fat meals heathier.

We hope all our readers on the east coast made it through Hurricane Irene safely and things are returning to normal. If you still don't have power and are trying to cook all your food before it goes bad, remember to add spice! Not only will your tastebuds thank you, but your doctor will too.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have found that adding spices to high fat meals can actually make them healthier. By just adding common spices like rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, cloves and garlic power to high fat meals, antioxidant activity increased in the bloodstream of the people consuming the food. The spices also helped to reduce triglyceride levels by up to 30%.

The entire article can be viewed here: NY Daily News.

Who knew? Not only do spices enhance the flavor of your meals but now they also may be beneficial to your health. So next time you are ready to enjoy a meal that is higher in fat then your arteries may appreciate, spice it up!

Calling all chefs and avocado lovers.

Avocados are truly one of natures perfect foods. Healthy, delicious and versatile...what more could you want? From tried and true guacamole to avocado brownies (yes, that's really a thing!), avocados can be used in dishes spanning many ethnicities and styles. Our favorite way to eat them is to cut an avocado in half, remove the pit, sprinkle each side with smoked sea salt and enjoy.

This month, our friends at the California Avocado Commission are featuring a contest that is open to chefs in the United States that are over 18 years old. You have until September 30, so start thinking about a delicious, unique recipe showcasing the avocado and enter it here.  Also be sure you are camera ready since they require a video submission as well. Even if you don't win, your video will be showcased on You Tube. And if you are the winner you will be $2,500 richer. Not too shabby.

As I mentioned earlier, our smoked sea salts are the perfect compliment to the cool, creamy taste of avocado. Go with a hickory salt for heartier BBQ recipes or one of our fruit smoked salts for the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Check them all out here.

Good luck to all the chefs that enter!

Our website is live!

I am pleased to announce that the website of  Smokehouse Spices is now up and running! It can be found at www.smokehousespices.com, conveniently enough. We are selling high quality spices which have been hand smoked with various woods to impart a rich smoky flavor. Smoked spices are a perfect compliment to many dishes and give you that right off the grill taste. Additionally, you can use our smoked spices on meats or veggies that you are planning on barbequing for a double dose of flavor. Stay tuned for tons of ideas and information about food and spice and everything nice.