This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Pistachio Health Institute.
As a very busy work at home wife and mom, there are more days than not that by the time I have fed my family, fed the dogs, fed the cats, cleaned up cat puke (that happens more often that you'd think) that the meal is over, the food is cold and I haven't had a chance to sit down yet. Ferris Bueller was not kidding when he said life moves pretty fast! But skipping a meal just isn't an option. When you are on the go as much as I am, you need to eat healthy foods that will give you the energy to keep going and to stay healthy. As any mother will tell you, Mom can't get sick! Nutrition is the key to staying healthy and marking things off that never ending to-do list that haunts my dreams!
Pistachios are a great way for me to round out my diet, no matter what life hurls in my path on any given day. When I am busy working on a blog post and don't have time to fix myself a real snack, I grab a handful of pistachios and I don't have to worry about eating junk food! I also like to keep a bag in my carry on for when I travel - it's a much healthier alternative to the crap in the airports!
Not only are pistachios a tasty treat, but they pack a nutritional punch too! I love that with each 30 gram serving of my favorite nut, I am getting 12% of my recommended daily recommended fiber. All of that fiber means I am fueling my body to help me get through the day - and that fiber also helps me feel full, so I don't start craving junk in the afternoons!
With as busy as I have been with blogging and traveling lately, I can't afford to not eat well. It just takes too much of a toll on my body!
Recent research from Harvard University and published in New England Journal of Medicine suggests that when you eat more nuts you get more health benefits. This has encouraged me to make a handful of pistachios a part of my daily snack. A healthy snack like pistachios makes for a good daily habit, don't you think? There is plenty of information about the health benefits of pistachios on the Pistachio Health Institute website, you should check it out!
As I mentioned, sometimes sitting down to a meal is an effort for me, and this leads to a problem of eating what is fastest and easiest. This wouldn't be an issue in a perfect world, but eating foods of convenience can lead to weight gain (oh yes, I said those dirty words!).
Making pistachios a part of my daily life helps me breathe easier knowing that they are packed full of good stuff that will help me maintain my weight and satisfy my hunger.
Weight management is important to me. I want to be healthy and feel good, but I want to look good too! I lost 30 pounds between 2012 and 2013, and I am serious about keeping that weight off. Eating healthy snacks like pistachios instead of junk helps me stay in shape and fit into my skinny jeans!
Eating pistachios are win-win. They taste good, they are great for on-the-go snacking and they are satisfying!
Let me a share a fact you can chew on. With pistachios you get more nuts per serving – 49 kernels per ounce, compared to 23 almonds, 14 walnut halves and 18 cashews. That just makes them all that much more appealing to me!
To learn more about Pistachios, check out the Pistachio Health Institute.
Fitness expert Valerie Waters wants to help you get "Hot in a Hurry."
Hop over to the Pistachio Health Institute Facebook page and enter their Shine Like A Star Sweepstakes where 3 people will win a fantastic prize pack that includes:
(1) Valslides autographed by celebrity fitness trainer, Valerie Waters
(1) Valerie Waters workout DVD
(1) Valerie Waters workout instructions
(1) Pistachio Health tote bag
(1) Pistachio Health nut container
(3) 8 oz. bags of pistachios
(1) $100 VISA Gift Card
To enter, you must Like the Pistachio Health Institute Facebook page and enter your full name, address and contact information here. You can enter once a day for the duration of the Sweepstakes, which ends at 3:00 p.m. PDT on 2/14/2014.
How are you staying healthy or getting fit in 2014? Are you making pistachios a part of your diet? I would love to hear from you!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Pistachio Health Institute.
Krystyn
(Hey, things look new here...love it! So fresh!)
And, we love pistachios. I got a 7lb bag last time I went to SAMs club. I think we finished them in a week!
Dawn
Nuts are my go to healthy snack or that something I grab when I'm feeling hungry but don't want to pig out on junk. I love pistachios. Yum yum, yum! And I know all too well what you mean about cold meals. 😉
Chelsea Nicole
I have never been a huge fan of pistachios but after reading this I may have to revisit them. I wonder if they come in flavors?
Susan
I have always been a fan for the taste, now that I know the facts about them, I love them even more!
Tiffany Cruz
My husband loves pistachios. I'll have to go check out this sweepstakes. Thanks of sharing.
paula schuck
Best treat ever is a healthy nut that chock full of fibre and protein. I agree weight and health are very important to me also.
Kristin
I just love healthy snacking not only is it great for you but also makes you feel good. Plus with snacks like pistachios it's not like you're eating just any snack, it's a delicious one!
Jenn
They absolutely do! I have a salt and pepper package and a chili package too! They just cook them with seasoning, I think 🙂
Stephanie
One of my dear daughters favourite snacks!!
Mama to 5 BLessings
This is my favorite snack especially since I am on the Paleo diet and I can have nuts!
Ellen Christian
I'm a huge fan of pistachios. I love eating them for my evening snack.
Brett
pistachios are something my entire family enjoys. plain, shelled, it doesn't matter.
Angela
I have a big bag of pistachios in the pantry right now. I really enjoy them also!
Mindy Grant
Oh, I love Pistachios!! They are so delicious, and a great snack!
Jennifer Soltys
Awesome facts and congrats on the weight loss! I agree that they make such a good and satisfying snack. Just need to hoard them from my hubby. 😉
Nicole B
We love pistachios at our house too. One bag doesn't last very long at all.
Pam
We love pistachios too. I always keep some nuts on hand for a protein boost.
Amber Edwards
I absolutely adore pistachios! They are my favorite to snack on in the afternoons! This reminds me I am running low and need to go pick up some more.
Sofia
I love pistachios!! Pistachios is one of those foods that bring back childhood memories for me...oh I can still remember fighting with the shells when I was little, hehehe!
Liz
I don't know why I've never tasted pistachios before. Those are my boyfriend's favorite and I use them in recipes, but I've never thought to just eat them. What's wrong with me?
Jaime
My husband eats pistachios like they're going out of style. I love them roasted in certain recipes. They're so good!
Christina S
My hubby and oldest LO love them. I need to give them another shot.
Janel
I'm a major snacker so I need good snacks around me, too. This is a great idea for airports, never thought to pack nuts!
Jessica
I love pistachios! I could literally eat a whole entire bag in one sitting all by my lonesome. They always satisfy my salty cravings and I don't feel so guilty snacking on them.
Tammilee
We love Pistachios! They are the perfect snack when we are traveling. They fill us up and taste amazing.
Melissa
I love Pistachios. Unfortunately, once I start eating them, I have a hard time stopping. They are quite addicting!
Greta
I love pistachios! When I was a kid, my favorite thing was to crack the shells for my great grandfather. Of course, I'd sneak a few, too!
Piera
Oh man - I love pistachios! Pistachios on their own, pistachio desserts and ice cream - DELISH!
Tara
I love pistachios. When I was little my mom used to eat the red ones and I remember her hands and mouth being red and her loving them. I like the dye free ones much better.
Paige
I LOVE pistachios. They have a lot of salt though =/
Melanie Roberts
I love Nuts and pistachios are one of my favorite, I love to snack on them at the office when I get tired in the afternoon... thanks for sharing..
Onica {MommyFactor}
I knew that Pistachios nuts had some health benefit but I didnt know so much. Gotta start finding new ways to enjoy eating them as a healthy option