seeing green

Well, I really wish I could tell you it’s lots of money, but alas it’s PISTACHIOS, lots and lots of pistachios!  If you follow me on twitter, I won a contest from @thegreennut for a years worth of pistachios plus a subscription to Prevention magazine.  I was so excited because I rarely win anything!  I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was thinking that maybe I would get a bag every month, or little bags so I could do a giveaway.  I was so shocked when I opened the door to find a giant box full of pistachios!  Thank you!

I guess this would be a years worth!  wow, I couldn’t get over it and I don’t think I’ve seen that many nuts in my entire life.  Right now I have 3 gallon bags in the freezer, 2 bags in the fridge, 1 in the pantry and 5 sandwich bags full of them.

Do you have any good pistachio recipes??  One that I have to try to make is baklava.  Anyone ever try to make pistachio butter?  hmmm so many possibilities!

Here are some cool facts on pistachios:

• One serving of pistachios is 49 nuts (160 kcals), more than any other tree nut
• Pistachios are high in phytosterols which may lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. In animal studies phytosterols have been shown to potentially have anti-cancer properties
• One serving of pistachios has as much potassium (300mg, 8%) as an orange (250mg, 7%)
• Just a single serving of pistachios provides you with the same amount of protein in a one-ounce serving of soybeans and can serve as a protein alternative to meat, poultry or beans according to the USDA Food Guide Pyramid
• Forty-nine pistachios serve up to 20 percent of your Daily Value of B₆, about the same as half an avocado

Check out their website, they have lots of yummy looking recipes that I want to try too.

Since I had the day off today (glorious!), I got caught up on some school work.  I finished a lit review and presentation for sports nutrition, although I didn’t make too much progress on my proposal and presentation for research methods :(  the day just flew by too darn fast!

I also treated myself to a little house cleaning since it was in desperate need, and did a little baking :)  Could this have been the reason my day flashed before my eyes?? . . . nah  I blame it on taking Chris out to lunch at BJ’s since he had to work :)

Morning eats started with pistachio date oats.  I can’t get over dates in oatmeal!  It makes it taste like caramel-y heaven, and the pistachios give a nice contrasting crunch.

For a snack I had 1/2 of the Clif Spiced Pumpkin Pie Bar.  I didn’t really like this flavor, and I will not be getting this one again.  It didn’t have any cinnamon in it and had a strange ‘fish-like’ taste to me?  Weird.  I would much prefer making these bars from Dan which are soo much better. 

I tried a new spice today called cardamom in Cardamom Banana Bread with Pistachios from CookingLight.  It’s a very interesting spice, aromatic and warm, but with a licorice type flavor.  I can’t quite put my finger on the taste?  I guess I just have to keep tasting! 

I used 1/2 whole wheat & 1/2 AP flour.  I reduced the butter by 1 tbsp, doubled the cardamom and added a bit of cinnamon and some dates.  It turned out nice and Chris is very fond of the quick breads. 

Dinner consisted of a bunch of leftover items in the fridge that I needed to use or risk wastage.  I enjoy trying to make things from random ingredients because I hate wasting. 

I made a mix of roasted goodness (sweet potato, apple, brussels sprouts, and apple chicken sausage) with a maple glaze . . .

And a little lasagna with some leftover homemade pasta sauce, and some sweet potatoes, oyster mushrooms and thai basil I got from the farmer’s market.  It actually worked and tasted pretty darn good!

 

Hope you are having a fantastic week so far!  I am so looking forward to the holidays and a little break, just have to get through.  I also want to say Happy Veteran’s Day, so thankful for those who dedicate their lives for our protection. 

What’s your favorite way to use pistachios?