Nut Butters

Eating a variety of nut butters, rather than eating Peanut Butter consistently, will give you more nutrition, as each nut has a variety of vitamins and minerals. Walnuts are high in Omega-3s, Peanuts are known for their Niacin (Vitamin B) content, and Almonds are a great source of Vitamin E.

To make your own nut butters, simply toast your nuts of choice (one type or a combination) in an over for about 20 minutes at 275 degrees. Straight from the oven place them in a food processor and run until smooth, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl. Delicious, economical and healthy!

Sourcing Your Nuts: http://www.azurestandard.com/ has raw, organic nuts at good prices.

Snack Ideas: apple slices with almond butter, sprouted grain english muffin with walnut butter, bananas with peanut butter.

Eggs, a perfect food

Sometimes you learn something new that is so basic and easy you wonder why you haven't learned it a long time ago. Little things that make your life easier. Like peeling hard boiled eggs! I like to make egg salad, or have hard boiled eggs in the fridge. Eggs are a great protein snack (see below). But they sure can be a pain to peel. Someone recently mentioned to me that she steams eggs to cook them, rather than boiling. For 22 minutes. I tried this today and it worked like a charm.

Thanks Rebecca!

This information came from Rick Wilkes at http://www.thrivingnow.com/:

*Eggs have only 75 calories, 5 grams of fat, and no trans-fat. They are high in protein and contain 13 essential vitamins and minerals.

*A University of Washington study concluded that people with and without high blood cholesterol levels are better off if they eat two eggs a day. Eggs contain gthe "good fats" that are heart-healthy.

*Eggs are rich in the nutrient lutein. This nutrient protects agaisnt thickening of the arteries. The Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study found that the more eggs their subjects ate, the better their arteris looked. One egg has more lutein than a large serving of vegetables.

*Aside from being an inexpensive and top-quality source of protein, eggs are filling. you can satiate your appetite and help your brain focus by starting each day with a couple of eggs.