National Blueberry Pancake Day

January 28, 2012 is National Blueberry Pancake Day!
Here is a healthy recipe I found for the occasion:

I would use agave or natural buckwheat honey instead of  artificial sweetener.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/whole-wheat-blueberry-pancakes/

January 27 is National Chocolate Cake Day!

Today, January 27,  is National Chocolate Cake Day!  While we don't advocate eating sweets on a regular basis, having a treat once in awhile is fun.  Moderation, of course, is the key word.  I poured over some recipes and found this one from The Eat Clean Diet book series by Tosca Reno.  If you don't own any of the Eat Clean Diet books, they are a must have for your healthy food library!   This recipe is a keeper!   Don't let this decadent cake fool you.  It is surprisingly healthy.  It is so delicious, your guests will beg for seconds.  So enjoy!  The link to the recipe is provided below. 

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE - The Eat-Clean Diet®

Healthy!

Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels!
~ Unknown Author

Today is National Pistachio Day!

January 26th is National Pistachio Day!


Today is National Pistachio Day! Grab a bag of these nutritious little gems your next trip to the market. They are brimming with health benefits!
Do you remember when Pistachios used to be red? After eating a bunch of these delicious nuts, our fingers and hands would be stained red! It turns out that they were not in their natural form! 
Traditionally, pistachios were dyed red to hide stains on the shells from handpicking, according to Livestrong.com. Today, pistachio harvests are automated, preventing staining and rendering the dying process obsolete. Avoid dyed pistachios, as many food dyes can be harmful and may produce ADD/ADHD-like symptoms in children, especially when consumed in combination with other food additives.


http://www.livestrong.com/article/5808-pistachioss-health-benefits/

Eating Nuts

Eating nuts as part of a healthy diet can be good for your heart. Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are a great snack food, too. They're inexpensive, easy to store and easy to take with you to work or school.

Although it varies by nut, most nuts contain at least some of these heart-healthy substances:

Unsaturated fats. It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower bad cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 fatty acids. Many nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a healthy form of fatty acids that seem to help your heart by, among other things, preventing dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in many kinds of fish, but nuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fiber. All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full, so you eat less. Fiber is also thought to play a role in preventing diabetes.

Vitamin E. Vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which can narrow them. Plaque development in your arteries can lead to chest pain, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.

Plant sterols. Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to products like margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.

L-arginine. Nuts are also a source of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow

Source: The Mayo Clinic Staff

Tomatoes

Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French. Sour cream makes it Russian; lemon and cinnamon make it Greek. Soy sauce makes it Chinese; garlic makes it good.

- Alice May Brock