Pecan Store December 29th, 2009

I have had so many delicious meals over this holiday season, and I have never felt so full before. I found a wonderful snack to keep me full that is healthy and quite sweet.  The recipe contains pecans that are sautéed in butter and then toasted in the oven with a tablespoon of honey. I can eat this great snack without the worry of adding onto my holiday weight. Even though the New Year is only a few days away, I feel I can cut back on the holiday leftovers and enjoy more healthy snacks.

• Health and Wellness , Holidays , Recipe
• Comments(0)

Pecan Store November 5th, 2009

So, you already know that the nuttiest festival in the Southwest is happening at our farm on Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that there’s going to be a Santa on a giant green tractor, local arts and crafts vendors and delicious food. But, did you also know that there’s going to be a race and a family fun run?

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is teaming up with Tagg Running Events to host the eight-mile Pecan Classic running event on the day of the festival. Race around the farm, and after you’re done, you can reward yourself with a giant slice of homemade pecan pie and other tasty treats at the Sahuarita Pecan Festival. Don’t forget that you can also get the whole family involved with The Nut Run, our 1.5-mile fun run!

Register by November 21, and you’ll receive a commemorative Pecan Classic/Nut Run t-shirt and a bag of Green Valley Pecan Company pecans. Winners of each division will also be handsomely rewarded at the event.

For more information on race times and registration information, visit www.taggrun.com or Active.com today.

• Green Valley Pecan Company , Health and Wellness
• Comments(0)

Pecan Store August 23rd, 2009

I have just discovered the most amazing, naturally good for you, delicious snack bar in the world. LÄRABAR is the brainchild of one woman who came upon the idea of combining wholesome ingredients like fruits and nuts into a food bar while on an ordinary hike through the Rocky Mountains. The bars proved to be so popular, that within just four years of coming up with the idea, LÄRABAR had sold over 1 million bars in the US and can now be found internationally.

So what’s so great about LÄRABAR? Well, for one, all the ingredients in all of the LÄRABARs are 100% natural. No preservatives, no added colors, and each bar is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-gmo, vegan and kosher.

Sound a little too healthy for your liking? Well, believe it or not, healthy doesn’t have to taste like cardboard and packing peanuts. Each bar is amazingly delicious, and you can find them in plenty of fantastic flavors like Cinnamon Roll, Cherry Pie, Banana Bread, Lemon Bar, Apple Pie, Ginger Snap, and my personal favorite, Pecan Pie. And although the Pecan Pie bar only contains three ingredients - dates, pecans and almonds - it tastes like the real thing, only better for you.

Check out their site for more information. The bars can be found at most health food stores across the country, including Trader Joe’s, REI, Sprouts and Whole Foods, and I’ve even seen them at Costco.

• Health and Wellness
• Comments(0)

Pecan Store February 13th, 2009

We don’t particularly enjoy the way they say “pe-can” in the video below, but we certainly like the message! Its a very informative review on why eating pecans can help maintain a healthy heart:

• Facts , Health and Wellness , Pecan
• Comments(1)

Pecan Store February 9th, 2009

I was searching through Cooking Light the other day and I found this amazing-looking recipe. Although I haven’t tried it yet, I saw that it got positive reviews on their website. So, for a tasty snack that’s also on the healthier side, try Cooking Light’s Maple-Pecan Granola and then let me know how you like it. I think this is one recipe I’m going to have to make for myself this weekend too.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups regular oats
• ½ cup pecan pieces
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 300°.
• Combine oats and next 5 ingredients (through salt); spread on large jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 300° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely.

And for a delicious start to your morning, Cooking Light suggests using the granola in a parfait. Just take a glass and alternate between layers of vanilla non-fat yogurt, maple-pecan granola and your favorite fruit. It’s quick, easy and a no-hassle, nutritious breakfast.

• Health and Wellness , Meals , Pecan
• Comments(0)

Pecan Store December 30th, 2008

So, when the topic of New Year’s resolutions comes up, what is the first thing many people think of? Well, according to USA.gov, some of the most popular resolutions include:

• Lose weight
• Get fit
• Eat right

One of my recent posts mentioned how heart-healthy a handful of pecans a day can be. When incorporated into your daily diet, pecans can help you eat right and lose weight.

How can pecans help us lose weight? A review of pecan research published in the September 2003 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that nuts like pecans can aid in weight loss by increasing metabolic rates and enhancing the feeling of being full. And by using pecans in a low-fat diet, they offer tons of flavor and texture that can help you stick to your nutrition goals.

For more information about pecan nutrition information and its heart-healthy benefits, head to the National Pecan Shellers Association page at .

• Health and Wellness , Pecan
• Comments(0)

Pecan Store December 16th, 2008

Think pecans are fattening and unhealthy? Well, they’re not. They’re actually really good for you. As I posted earlier, recent studies have shown that just a handful of pecans a day can prevent coronary heart disease. And for those of you who think that pecans are only good for pie, you might want to rethink your whole pecan outlook.

Here’s a delicious, fresh, healthy pecan recipe that takes advantage of all the great produce that’s in season right now, courtesy of Cooking Light magazine.

Autumn Apple, Pear and Cheddar Salad with Pecans (serves 6)

Ingredients:
1 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 cups gourmet salad greens (about 10 ounces)
1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1 medium McIntosh apple, cored and cut into 18 wedges
1 medium Bartlett pear, cored and cut into 18 wedges
1/4 cup (1 ounce) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation:
Place apple juice in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to about 3 tablespoons (about 10 minutes). Combine reduced apple juice, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper, stirring with a whisk.

Combine greens, grapes, apple and pear in a large bowl. Drizzle with apple juice mixture; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and nuts.

Voila! Healthy and tasty at only 134 calories per serving, with all the good oils and healthy fats needed from pecans.

• Health and Wellness , Recipe
• Comments(0)

Pecan Store December 11th, 2008

Many people suffer from peanut allergies, and the symptoms can range from mildly irritating to downright severe. Signs tend to show up in childhood and carry on into adulthood but, fortunately, they’re very manageable as long as the proper precautions are taken.

Pecans are considered to be a tree nut, which is in a different family from the peanut. Some people are still sensitive to tree nuts but, fortunately, tree nut allergies and peanut allergies are not necessarily one in the same. Some people with peanut allergies can still eat tree nuts while others cannot. Most tend to shy away from pecans simply because they are sometimes processed in a plant that also handles peanuts, and cross-contamination can occur. However, it is possible to still enjoy pecans and other nuts if they have not come into contact with peanuts.

According to www.peanutallergy.com, it is best to consult your doctor and read labels carefully if you have any sort of nut allergy, including non-food-related items such as oils and creams applied to the skin, before you eat or try anything that has nuts in it. Some not-so-obvious yet very common foods contain hidden dangers, including cereals, granola, grain breads, energy bars and salad dressings.

Your best bet is to get tested by a doctor for any hidden allergies you might have and to be careful when going out to eat or buying prepackaged products. Whenever possible, question where the products are processed or carefully read and research all items that you may not be confident about.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Guide To Surviving Food Allergy
• Try not to get spooked by food allergies
• Best Way to Overcome a Nut Allergy

• Health and Wellness
• Comments(0)