Pistachios are good for you – healthy and tasty!

Here’s what you need to know about Pistachios:

• Reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease
  -Studies have shown that they raise your good (HDL) cholesterol and Lower the bad (LDL)
• Good For your eyes
  -pistachios are high in carotenoids, which can lower your chance of contracting macular degeneration.
• Eating this Nut is like getting a dose of vitamin A, Vitamin E and Lutein.
  “pistachios are high in lutein, beta-carotene and gamma-tocopherol relative to other nuts…” – according to The Journal of Nutrition.
  FYI… Lutein is found in dark green leafy vegetables and is important in vision and healthy skin.

How Many Nuts Should I eat Every Day?

Well most studies have shown that the health benefits come from eating about
1.5 ounces and 3 ounces — one to two handfuls per day of pistachios.

You could very well eat more but these nuts have a fairly high caloric value – 400ish calories per 3 ounces.
So just a bit for a snack is great… plus it’s been shown that those who eat nuts feel fuller.
Helps you to eat less at meals and avoid hunger pains throughout the day.

How should I eat my pistachios?

Well that’s certainly the easy part. Just crack ’em open and enjoy!

But if you want there are tons of great recipes…

Here’s one recipe that i particularly like…
Beet, Goat Cheese and Pistachio Salad:

4 large red beets
1/4 cup minced shallot
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup pistachio oil
4 oz soft mild goat cheese
3 tablespoons salted shelled pistachios– chopped
4 cups Lettuce — Pick Your favorite.
salt and pepper to taste

preparation

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Roast the Beets till they are fork tender- 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Take the beets out and allow to cool until comfortable to handle
Dressing-
shallot, lemon juice, salt, and pepper add oil and whisk.

Slip the skins off the beats and dice into 1/4 inch pieces. — Add dressing to taste.
Place the beets on a plate, layer on your goat cheese, (optional another layer of beets), then top with your lettuce and sprinkle with pistachios.
Drizzle with dressing and scatter more pistachios on the plate.

This is my version of a recipe that i first found at epicurious.com

If you need to get great pistachios for this recipe… click here.
Enjoy!

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