tommiekris Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Starting this post to get some thoughts/information on spices and herbs (not the smoking kind). As a former Chef I know that these are used for all kinds of purpose. Spice, in culinary world typically refers to the seed/fruit or root of a plant while herb is the leaf/flower of the plant. For example Coriander the spice is the seed from the coriander plant which is also where we get Cilantro (leaf/stem). The Dill plant is another example. Anyway, my general question centers around use, are there any favorites, are there any health benefits or do the birds even care? Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaileysPapa Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Birds have different taste buds than us. Parrots, from Budgies to Macaws love hot peppers. Fresh parsley is a big favorite. Cinnamon, too. My guys like 5 spice powder on their oatmeal. Many people give their birds pasta with tomato sauce/gravy on it. (If you're Italian, it's gravy, if not, it's sauce). I mention that because there is a bunch of spices there. I do not eat pasta, so my birds get theirs plain (whole wheat) with their veggies. I do cook a lot of Asian food, and they get Asian spices with that. Stay away from the Alliums (onions, shallots, chives, etc.) . Salt is also not good for birds. Check the Toxic Foods lists for birds, here and online, for other things to avoid. There are many herbs & spices that you can give them, but, moderation is the key. Cook their food with a light hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Never heard of the 5-spice powder. We use cinnamon in thier oatmeal treat and you can tell when I forget and leave it out. I *almost* get blank stares. They do like their cinnamon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Ginger is an anti oxidant and aids digestion also good for nausea. Cinnamon is also an anti oxidant may lower blood sugar with a specific type of cinnamon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaileysPapa Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Five Spice Powder is usually Cinnamon, Star Anise, Cloves, Ginger, and Nutmeg. I've also seen it made from the first three with Fennel seed and Sechuan Pepper. And sometimes, the first three and Cumin and Tumeric. A tasty, tangy concoction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Tumeric is very good for you and your bird it is an antioxidant, improves brain function, benefits the blood vessel linings, antinflamitory, is indicated in helping memory function, and is used to fight depression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommiekris Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Great information! I like to cook with turmeric, cumin, paprika, peppers, ginger ect...good that there are some health benefits too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Paprika has vitamins A & C and lots of Carotenoids--(this is describing for people) the pigments that give it its deep red color. Its lutein and zeaxanthin content benefits your eyesight by preventing harmful light rays from damaging your eye tissues, while its vitamin A content aids in night vision and plays a role in healthy cell development. A tablespoon of paprika contains 3,349 international units of vitamin A -- more than 100 percent of the daily intake requirement for men and women, set by the Institute of Medicine. While, as of September 2013, the Institute of Medicine has not set a recommended daily intake, consuming 12 milligrams daily improves eyesight, reports the American Optometric Association. Each serving of paprika has 1.3 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin, or 11 percent of this goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommiekris Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 I think I am going to increase my intake as my eyes are starting to feel their age!! What a wealth of information!!! As for Onyeka, he seems to love cooked sweet potato and acorn squash with cinnamon, now I can offer weekly varieties!!! This is exactly what I had hoped for with this thread! Thank you very much for your research!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Thank you for the appreciation of my nutrient nerdyness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I appreciate you Greywings for your nutrient nerdiness! LOL Sophie appreciates me for my grilling....she is the first one at the table! The only thing I deprive her of... is spaghetti sauce. Other than that, she eats, what we eat. She always compliments me, and carries on and on how happy she is! LOL! ( kids should learn how to be so appreciative!) I'm not a big spice cooker, but I am sure Sophie would eat almost anything. She cares more for the " family dynamics!" Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 What's wrong with spaghetti sauce other than it looks great all over the table, counter, fridge and the walls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Most sauces for spaghetti here in the States contains onion and garlic both considered toxins for birds as they contain sulfides which become disulfides inside the bird rupturing red blood cells, not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Didn't know that. My wife makes homemade - don't think she's uses either. Will have to check. On more than one occasion GreycieMae has had spaghetti sauce all over her face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Rosemary-another herb that is good for you and your bird. It contains antioxidants and anti inflammatory compounds and has been found improve brain function and fight off free radical damage in the brain with Carnosic acid. Also supports eye health and is under study as an agent to fight Macular degeneration. Rosemary oil is also being investigated as an herbal approach to fighting tumors. More studies are looking into it being a tool against Type 2 Diabetes. It is a member of the mint family and is from the Mediterranean coastal region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kins2321@yahoo.com Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Greywings.... come cook for us!!! Why don't you have your own site on this forum with all the info you have? I know basics for greys with cooking... but would LOVE to know more from you! Talk to Talon. I think it would be amazing... I would DEFINITELY stop and read! I'm not the best cook in the world ( Sophie begs to differ), but I do want to cook healthy for my girl Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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