Peanuts: Part- 2---- A Powerful Source for Healthy Snacks

Peanuts, such a wonderful little treat in the middle of the morning with a cup of tea—crunchy, slightly salty and very satisfying. Of course, there have been many early mornings when a piece of thin wheat bread has been spread with my favorite Peanut Butter, and munched on as a quick breakfast. Then there are days when by mid-afternoon, a cored apple filled with peanut butter is the perfect snack. Yummy.
--As we found in Part I of this series on Peanuts, there was a lot of good news about Peanuts! Rich in Fiber, low in Cholesterol, aids in reduction of Cholesterol, Rich in L-Arginine- an amino acid that helps maintain healthy arteries, and a great source of protein.
But we are not finished with the wonders of Peanuts! Here's More!
Peanuts Provide:
· Resveratrol--
Have low levels of Resveratrol, the compound in red wine linked to reduced heart disease & other diseases of aging
· Lower risk for Diabetes---Research has shown peanuts significantly hinder development of Type II diabetes in women
· Low Glycemic Index---Peanuts have one of the lowest glycemic indexes of all foods, good news for sportspeople and diabetics
· Many Essential Vitamins and Minerals--Contain vitamins B6, E, folic acid & the Minerals magnesium, copper, zinc & selenium
· Cancer Fighting Properties---Peanuts contain phyto-chemicals which have anti-cancer & anti-oxidant properties linked to reducing risk for heart disease

-- Now that you know more about Peanuts and how wonderful they are for you, here is a Quick Snack Recipe. Get an Ice Cream Bowl and fill with a scoop or two of Vanilla Ice Cream. Top with your favorite Peanut Butter. Microwave for about 10 seconds. Drizzle Chocolate Sauce on top! Yummy...
-- Stay Tuned for my final post in this Series on Peanuts! Part 3 --

Peanuts: A Powerful Source for Healthy Snacks--- Part One

Peanuts have had a ton of bad press lately. However, not all peanuts come from a nasty plant in south Georgia. And not everyone is allergic to peanuts.
I love peanuts. Living in South Georgia during high school, the fall days when peanuts were brought to the dryers to begin the processing of the peanuts into different products. That journey filled with air with the rich smell of freshly turned dirt. Then there were the pots of boiling peanuts in the neighbor’s backyard. Yummy!
I eat peanut butter on crackers for a snack and sometimes for lunch. I eat peanuts roasted, boiled & toasted. Put peanut butter with chocolate & I am there! Mix with Bananas and it is a wonderful thing.
But on to the real reason for this post. According to an article by the Peanut Company of Australia, Peanuts are a healthy food! Here are a few hints at how Peanuts are a Powerful Source for Health.
Peanuts are:
· Not Really a Nut--Peanuts aren't really nuts at all - they're legumes like beans and peas and grow under the ground
· Have No Cholesterol--Peanuts contain absolutely no cholesterol and trials show they can actually reduce cholesterol levels
· Full of Natural Fiber--One serving (25g) of peanuts contains more fiber than a whole wheat sandwich & more than other snack foods
· A Protein Powerhouse--One serving (25g) of peanuts provides 12% of the daily recommended intake of protein
· Reduces Cholesterol--Clinical trials demonstrate a reduction in total and LDL cholesterol when peanuts are added to the diet
· Inhibits Cancer Growth--Beta-sitosterol, the most abundant sterol in peanuts, has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancers! WOW!
As you can see, we are just getting started on the health benefits of Peanuts! My next post will continue with the list of Healthy Peanut Benefits. Stay tuned for more on Peanuts: A Powerful Source for Healthy Snacks---Part 2!

Is "Green" Really Green?

Is Green really Green? How can you tell the difference? There is a lot of what on article called “green washing” going on in the marketplace today. Since “green” has gotten to be such a big business now, about $105 Million in sales from April 2007-April 2008. That is a lot of green!
But not all vendors play fair with the word green, listing only what they want to list since there are no laws saying they have to list ingredients on labels. According to a recent article by Jane Hoback, manufacturers are required to have a Material Safety Data Sheet listing cautions and known health effects available upon request. So you have to request a list of ingredients to be safe should you have allergies or sensitivities.
The main thing to do is seek products that are plant-based, biodegradable in three to five days, contain no phosphates, chlorine, synthetic dyes or fragrances or petroleum products.
And remember, since truly green products are not harsh, it may take them a few minutes to “work”. Read the labels and follow the advice of the manufacturer, they know their product and how to best utilize its benefits. How nice to clean your bathroom and be able to breathe while you are cleaning!
Stay Healthy and Green!

A Little About Elise...

Hi, my name is Elise and I welcome you to my blog! This is an exciting new venture and an adventure for me as I undertake writing this ongoing blog. I am a Southern Belle Entrepreneur who enjoys Internet Marketing in the Health & Wellness arena by being a Shaklee Independent Distributor as well as being a Professional Photographer with Hall & Hearn Photography. Creating wealth, health and beautiful images provides me great energy as inspiration is all around. Enjoy the beauty and healthy living ideas you will find in these posts!
Living around the sunny South in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, with long visits to Tennessee and the Carolinas, has given me a deep appreciation for and some understanding of the beauty of this world and how interactive our world really is. My Photography keeps my eyes on the prize, how beautiful the planet is and how we miss out on its beauty when we get so caught up in acts that don’t really matter to us or anyone else.
In this blog I plan to talk about issues that impact our quality of life, our health and our ability to make money. Being a Shaklee Independent Distributor gives me a wonderful base for practical information on how to have a healthy home, how to have a wellness plan, how to have a Plan B for making extra money for our family and so much more. From all the resources available on living green, working green, living healthy, keeping well and more, I will work to provide current, reasonable, sensible information on staying well, living green and living safely.
What I have learned and passed on so far has been of interest to me and I hope has helped you. Leave your comments and let me know the kind of hints and tips you need to have a healthier life!
Keep Well,
Elise

Snow in the Deep South!

Just a quick update...Snow is falling today in the deep South! It is beautiful and quiet. Won't stay long however. But we will enjoy it while we can.
Photo on left shows me holding my cat Taffy, who normally likes to be outside! Next to me is my daughter, Janet. You can see the big flakes! Wonderful day.