Hello National Pistachio Day!

Happy National Pistachio Day

February 26th 2014 

Today is the a day for all to celebrate National Pistachio Day. With your Co-E1 energy supplements and these little guys you will have the energy to Crack them open and eat them up all day! Pistachios are more than just a little nut they pack a lot of flavor and health benefits! 

Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin B6, copper and manganese and a good source of protein, fiber, thiamin, and phosphorus.  In July 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first qualified health claim specific to nuts lowering the risk of heart disease: 

Heart Health

Pistachios have been shown to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increase the good HDL cholesterol after only a short period of regular consumption. High in antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, they fight inflammation, protecting blood vessels and reducing risk of heart disease.  

Diabetes Help

Eating pistachios may help to prevent Type 2 diabetes. 60 percent of the recommended daily value of the mineral phosphorous is contained in just one cup of pistachios. As well as breaking down proteins into amino acids, phosphorous aids glucose tolerance.

Skin Health

Pistachios are a great source of vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membranes and often recommended for healthy and beautiful skin. Vitamin E does an excellent job protecting the skin from UV damage, providing daily defense against premature aging and skin cancer.

Weight management

The fiber content of the nuts may make them more filling, helping people to eat fewer calories later on in the day.  A study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in June 2010 found that participants who consumed 240 calories worth of pistachios for 12 weeks lowered their body mass indexes and triglyceride levels more than those who consumed 220 calories worth of pretzels.

Nutrition

Pistachios contain fewer calories and more potassium and vitamin K per serving than other nuts. A 1-ounce serving of dry-roasted pistachios contains 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 15 grams of fat, including only 2 grams of saturated fat. It also provides you with 25 percent of the daily value for vitamin B-6, 15 percent of the daily value for thiamine and phosphorus and 10 percent of the daily value for magnesium.

There are so many different recipes using pistachios, find one that you love; here is one of our favorite easy green drinks using Pistachios! 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 Cup Kale leaves 
• 2 Bananas (frozen makes it creamier)
• 1/2 cup pistachios
• 3 Tbsp Honey 
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Ginger
• pinch of salt
• 2 Cups ice (Less if using frozen banana)