THE POTENT PEANUT

RECIPE

2009-01-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BRITTLE

( AKA POWER PEANUT ELECTRIC REVIVAL-compliments of a Mr. Harvey Swanson)

What You'll Need:

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon salt

1 (6 ounce) package dark chocolate chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups salted peanuts

What To Do:

Combine sugar, syrup, water, and salt and boil to hard crack stage (300 degrees F) without stirring. Remove from heat and quickly stir in chocolate chips, butter, vanilla extract and peanuts. Pour quickly onto buttered cookie sheet. When cool, break into pieces.

This delicious treat is sure to impress your sweetheart this Valentine's Day! (hint hint)

DID YOU KNOW...

Dark chocolate is not only DELICIOUS but it can also be good for you. Dark chocolate contains high levels of flavoniods which "keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries." But remember, although delicious chocolate is still high in calories-so like all delicious things, enjoy in moderation.

http://www.webmd.com/news/20040601/dark-chocolate-day-keeps-doctor-away

RECIPE

2009-01-26T10:08:00.000-08:00

Homemade Peanut Butter is EASY!

What you'll need:

1 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts

1 1/2- 3 tbsp peanut oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

sugar to taste (optional)

What to do:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor (except sugar), adding just enough oil to make it smooth-or to your desired consistency. Add sugar to taste, if you'd like.

For chunky peanut butter, add chopped peanuts after mixing.

Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Use within 2 weeks.

Makes 1-1 1/2 cups.

DIET

2009-01-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

The Potent Peanut
(aka ground nut, earthnuts, goobers, goober peas, pindas, jack nuts, pinders, manila nuts, and monkey nuts)

The peanut, native to South America, Mexico and Central America has been around for years, with evidence of its existence dating back 7,600 years ago. The peanut was introduced to Africa by Brazil in the early 1800s and then brought from Africa to the U.S..

The peanut has many health benefits. First, the peanut is known for being rich in protein. The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (the criteria by which protein is analyzed) placed the peanut in the same category as meat and eggs when dealing with human growth and health. Peanuts are also rich in Niacin which promotes brain health & circulation.

Peanuts are perhaps most notable for their antioxidants. They are believed to rival many fruits when it comes to antioxidants, particularly when they are roasted. Roasting peanuts increases its concentration of p-coumaric acid (a polyphenol in peanuts), increasing its antioxidant content by 22%. This makes the peanut even more potent than blackberries, strawberries & beets, when comparing antioxidants.

Peanuts also contain resveratrol, which is a chemical believed to have anti-aging effects. It is also believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease & cancer. Studies have shown that when increased amounts of resveratrol was given to mice, they could run twice as far as the mice not given the chemical and when studied, the mice who received the resveratrol had energy-charged muscles and a lower heart rate than those who did not receive it. Peanuts are said to have 30 times as much resveratrol than grapes! So don't be afraid to eat that second PBJ sandwich, it just might give you the energy you need to make it through the rest of the day!

Well Being

2009-01-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

SOCK YOUR STRESS!

We all experience varying degrees of stress in our lives. Stress prevention has been studied for years by doctors and scientists, and each study has its own solutions.

Chinese Herbalists believe that we should not worry about the stress in our life leading to illness but rather the way we react to it. The Herbalist puts the patient through a detailed consultation learning about their daily habits, appetite, sleep patterns, body temperature, etc. in order to reach an accurate prognosis for their stress. The herbalist then provides a series of herb to be taken either orally or topically.

Some of the herbal remedies that have proven successful are: Ingesting lavendar, chamomile, passiflora. Ginseng has also been recommended as a "adaptogenic" herb, which means it lifts you when you are tired and relaxes you when in stress.

Nutritionists claim that eating a well balanced diet also eases stress-paying particular attention to your vitamin B intake-as it is B that is depleted in times of stress. Also increased intake of vitamin C has also been known to boost the immune system and promote energy.

Aromatherapists believe that inhaling certain essences can relax and soothe the brain. For stress, therapists may recommend rosemary, ginger and lemongrass. These oils serve to strengthen the adrenal system, which is weakened by stress. These oils can be rubbed directly on the skin or added to a hot bath.

If you dont subscribe to the above alternate forms of medicine, increasing the intake of certain items found around the house may suit you just fine. Traditional home remedies such as pumpkin seeds and oats which contain high levels of zinc, iron, calcium and B vitamins promote healthy brain functions. Eating a healthy portion of oatmeal before an important meeting will keep you calm and focused.

Shealy, C. Norman. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of

Healing Remedies. London: HarperCollins Publishers, 2002

RECIPE

2009-01-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

POWER SALSA

Perfect for any entertaining event, especially on a hot summer night. This fresh combination of flavors is sure to impress your guest, and its SO SIMPLE!

Ingredients:

3 cups fresh pomegranate seeds

2 cups strawberries

1 cup cubed mango

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp lime juice

1.5 tbls sugar

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well mixed. Serve chilled. perfect on tortillas, crackers or with a dollop of whipped cream. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants & flavor.

DIET

2009-01-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

This Weeks Power Food...

Pomegranate:

Native to Iran and the Himilayas of northern India this power fruit is rich in antioxidants that prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. The pomegranate also keeps blood platelets flowing preventing clots from forming. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice taken on a daily basis has increased the flow of oxygen to the heart in patients struggling with heart disease. Lab studies have also found that increase

amounts of pomegranate juice in the diet decreases the development of tumors. Some people claim that pomegranates have eased joint pain and calmed diarrhea. Although the user should be weary that pomegranate juice has also been known to interfere with some medications.

YOU can grow pomegranates:

If you are patient then growing pomegranates is perfect for you. The best way to begin is by purchasing clippings 15" in length from your local nursery. Treat the end with rooting hormone and pot with standard soil. After about 3 years of care you will begin to see your plant yield fruit. For more detailed instructions visit: http://www.gomestic.com/Gardening/How-to-Grow-Pomegranates.