Edamame: The Mod Pod

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

They say the first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem. Well... ummm.... I have a problem. It's more than a problem, really. It's an obsession. I love soybeans! There, I said it! I LOVE SOYBEANS. This girl right here loves 'em.

...But it's no wonder why!

Edamame are green soybeans that are picked before they're completely ripe then boiled or steamed in the pod. They originated in China and have a sweet, nutty flavor. They're great in dishes or just by themselves as a snack! The best part of edamame is their high nutritional value.

Edamame is...

• An anti-inflammatory, making it great for people with arthritis or asthma (as it decreases inflammation in breathing passages).
• One of the best non-fish sources of omega-3's, which help reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.
• A great source of antioxidants, which fight cancer-causing free radicals.
• A great source of natural estrogen, which is especially good for women undergoing menopause.
• A fantastic alternative for non-meat eaters to obtain complete protein, which provides energy, helps with tissue development and wards off disease.
• A great snack for weight loss because it's packed with fiber, making you feel full longer.
• An easy and convenient food to keep in the house - you can buy it frozen, already cooked, in the pod or shelled.

Check out these stats for a half cup of shelled edamame...

• 120 calories
• 2.5 grams of fat (the good kind! monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that help you absorb minerals, process fiber and lower your cholesterol)
• 11 grams of complete protein (containing ALL the amino acids)
• 9 grams fiber
• 10% of your daily value of vitamin C
• 10% of your daily value of iron (that's about as much as a 4 oz. chicken breast!)
• 8% of your daily value of vitamin A
• 4% of your daily value of calcium

I suggest snacking on it, but if you want to get all 'fancy pants' on me, here are some recipes to try...

EDAMAME DIP:

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/edamame_dip/

Image courtesy of simplyrecipes.com

RISOTTO WITH EDAMAME, ARUGULA & PORCINI:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/risotto_with_edamame_arugula_porcini.html

Image courtesy of eatingwell.com

CHICKEN, EDAMAME AND NOODLE STIR-FRY:

http://www.marthastewart.com/342222/chicken-edamame-and-noodle-stir-fry

Image courtesy of marthastewart.com

Peaches: A Tribute To My Roots and My Band

I few years ago, I learned how to play the drums. Adam picked up the guitar. We turned out to be pretty good. So good that we decided to tour the country. We formed a band, and fondly named it 'The Raging Hormones'. We had groupies (how could we not with a name like that?). My stage name was 'Peaches', as a tribute to my Georgian roots. His stage name was questionable, so I'll just keep that to myself. We played in bars, restaurants, out of the back of our station wagon...

Nah... I'm just jerking your chain. We didn't have a REAL band. We had a 'Rock Band' band. How embarrassing is that?!?

What does that have to do with today's post? Not a whole lot other than the fact that I share a stage name with today's amazing fruit, the peach.

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Peaches originated in China and slowly made their way to many other places. The Spaniards brought them to the states, including my glorious home state of Georgia. Peaches clearly caught on because they're delicious, BUT they're also pretty good for you too. Peaches...

• Have fewer than 70 calories, and that's for a large peach! - Snack on, my friends!
• Contain about 7% of your day's fiber (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) and help you feel full longer. -  They're tricky little things!
• Are 80% water, which helps flush out your system. - A mini-cleanse, without the pain of a full-on cleanse!
• Help you curb that sweet tooth without jumping for the dessert tray! The natural sugars found in fruit are much easier for your body to process than the added sugars you find in processed foods. - Back away from the dessert table slowly!
• Increase your daily selenium intake, which can put you at less risk of skin cancer. - Sunscreen and peaches!
• Provide additional sources of vitamin A and vitamin C. - A little more help can't hurt!

Those peaces are looking REEAAAALLLLL good about now. They're in season during the summer months, so NOW is the time! When buying peaches, stay away from bruising and look for firm peaches that yield slightly with a little pressure. They also start to smell really nice about the time they are ripe and ready to go!

In addition to snacking on them, here are a few recipes to get your wheels turning...

GRILLED HALIBUT WITH PEACH AND PEPPER SALSA:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-halibut-with-peach-pepper-salsa-10000001988577/

Image courtesy of myrecipes.com

PEACH GAZPACHO:
http://www.fitsugar.com/Peach-Gazpacho-Recipe-18215699

Image courtesy of fitsugar.com

GRILLED PEACHES OVER ARUGULA WITH GOAT CHEESE & PROSCIUTTO:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-peaches-over-arugula-with-goat-cheese-prosciutto-10000001809092/

Image courtesy of myrecipes.com