Pears Are Good For You

Did you know that in Traditional Chinese medicine, we eat pears to cool the lungs and throat when experiencing a hot scratchy sore throat accompanied by cough?  Pears are loaded with fiber, which fights cholesterol and also contains vitamin K (which helps to build bones).

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If the idea of fruit isn't your game, here's a nice twist on the pear for you. 
Roasted Pears with Brie and Pistachios
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut a few pears in half lengthwise and place on a baking sheet sprayed with a bit of PAM.  Cook pears until a bit soft, but not mushy (about 10 minutes).  Add a sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper, sea salt, and few thin slices of brie on top of each pear half.  Sprinkle on roughly chopped pistachio nuts.  Bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.  Fabulous as an appetizer or even a dessert!

Let's Go Nuts For Nuts!

Traditionally, folks munched on nuts during the winter months because they provided for hunger because of their high fat content when other food sources were scarce.  Before you dip your grip into a bowl of holiday nuts, know before you go:
Almonds:  1 ounce serving (23 nuts, 162 calories) has 37% of your daily vitamin E quota.  They also contain calcium, fiber and folate.Pecans:  (19 halves, 193 calories per serving) are bountiful in antioxidants - more than any other nut out there!Pistachios:  1 ounce serving (49 nuts, 157 calories) are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin which are important for healthy vision.
Walnuts:  1 ounce serving (14 halves, 185 calories) contain a boatload of the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).  Anti-inflammatory properties stave off plaque build up in arteries.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  You can go nuts for nuts, 'cause they're good for you, but just don't crazy!