Every now and then, I’m in a hurry and don’t take time to spice a dish. I always regret my hurry, however, because the food tastes so bland and boring.

Do you think we shy away from making real, whole food meals because we fear they’ll be bland and boring–not nearly as excitingly tasteful as a processed pizza, for instance.

Hence, a good healthy eating resolution: make a concerted, intentional effort to spice more

Spice Blends The thought of doing anything more than sprinkling basil into a tomato dish might sound almost scary. “What if I ruin a dish,” you might be fear. This is where spice blends come in. They are created by people who really know spices. So trust them and give them a try, always starting small, tasting and then adding more as you like.

Here’s a blend I just made, inspired by a recipe my neighbor cooked up this weekend:

Simple Moroccan Spice Blend

• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cardamom

Combine in a small jar and then shake to combine thoroughly. Don’t forget to salt and pepper as you usually do.

How to Use This blend makes enough for three to four dishes, so you can experiment with, e.g.:

• Proteins, like salmon and chicken–rub in before cooking
• Vegetables like roasted or sauteed zucchini, yellow squash, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, and flash-fried kale
• Starches like brown rice or roasted potatoes, winter squash and sweet potatoes

Fun and Creative Ideas (if you have a few extra minutes)

• Use coconut oil to fry or roast a food before spicing
• Saute a little garlic with the dish for more flavor
• Top with a squeeze of fresh lemon
• Experiment by adding lemon or orange zest
• Top dish with fresh chopped cilantro