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 .

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Pecan Store December 19th, 2008

Last night we decided to decorate the tree, finally. I know, we’re running a little late considering the holidays are pretty much here. It just doesn’t feel like that special time of year in our house until we decorate with all the twinkling lights and shiny ornaments while listening to our favorite collection of festive songs.

The best part is when we finally get to sit down and admire our work. It’s a tradition to turn off all the lights, sit on the couch and listen to our favorite holiday songs while we sip dark hot chocolate and munch on our homemade sugary spice pecans.

After all, what’s a holiday without a little fresh, homemade pecan snack?

Happy Holidays everyone, and enjoy the pictures!

Now with the pecan delights:

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Pecan Store December 18th, 2008

Here are a few fun facts and interesting trivia tidbits for the pecan lovers out there. All of these facts were provided by the National Pecan Shellers Association, and while researching I learned a few new and fascinating things myself. You never know when these juicy little pieces of knowledge will come in handy.

Did you know…

• Pecans are the only tree nut indigenous to North America?
• April is National Pecan Month?
• Pecans are a natural source of antioxidants, fiber, protein and other vitamins and minerals?
• It would take 11,624 pecans, stacked end to end, to reach the top of the Empire State Building in New York City?
• It would take a line of more than 10 billion pecans to reach the moon?
• The U.S. produces about 80 percent of the world’s pecan crop?
• Before a shelled pecan can be sold, it must be cleaned, sized, sterilized, cracked and then shelled?

If anyone finds any more fun facts, go ahead and email them to me and I’ll make sure to post them here with the rest.

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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.

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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.

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Pecan Store December 5th, 2008

From our perspective, it should be no surprise to you that we really do believe that the world’s best nuts make the best gifts. And when we say “fresh from our farm to your table,” we mean it and we want it to stay that way. So, we dug up a few tips from ilovepecans.org on how you can keep your Green Valley Pecans fresh and safely stored:

1. Shelled pecans can be kept in the fridge for up to nine months and two years in the freezer.
2. Pecans can be repeatedly thawed and refrozen for up to two years. And don’t worry about flavor or texture issues—thawing and freezing does not damage them.
3. Always keep your pecans in airtight containers when you store them in the refrigerator, but thick, sealable, plastic freezer bags are best for the frozen ones.
4. Store in-shell pecans in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months.
5. Pecans will stay good for up to two months after thawing or removing from the refrigerator.

Pretty simple! This way you can always have fresh, crunchy, delicious pecans on hand when you need them the most.

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Pecan Store December 3rd, 2008

We certainly hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving celebration this year. Now we are in full holiday mode.   Considering all the other things you will use to make your food for this season,  we thought we would share some of the benefits of pecans - and a little bit of its history too (its a distinctly American nut!). We all know how wonderful it can be to enjoy holiday treats but its even better when you know its healthy.

Did you know that the pecan is the only native American tree nut? And that the first known cultivated planting of a pecan tree in the United States is thought to have taken place in Long Island, NY in 1772?

There are so many fun facts about pecans, but the best one of all is: Did you know that pecans are actually good for you? It’s true. They really are. Science says so.

According to the National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA), research published in the August 2006 issue of Nutrition Research shows that just a handful of pecans a day may help prevent coronary heart disease. This effect comes from the pecan’s significant amount of vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant.

And to further that study, the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry published an article that found that pecans rank the highest among all nuts for the highest antioxidant capacity.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me. So what are you waiting for? Grab a handful of pecans and start munching your way to better health.

For a more in-depth look at pecans and their benefits, visit the NPSA website.

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