(NewsUSA)
– With people more focused on wellness and nutrition these days, interest in a plant-based diet is hotter than ever. One easy way to get in on the trend: Pair summer produce with simple ingredients like pecans for a dish the whole family will enjoy.Pecans are a versatile ingredient and are naturally sweet with a rich and crunchy texture. As each one-ounce serving of the nuts offers three grams of fiber and protein, essential vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy benefits, pecans also happen to be one of the tastiest ways to elevate the nutrition of any recipe.In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts – including pecans – as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. A one-ounce serving of pecans has 18g unsaturated fat and only 2g saturated fat.Add a sweet and nutritious crunch to this Mediterranean Pecan Pasta Salad, or swap meat for Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with a nutty and nutritious pecan pesto.Discover more delicious recipes at AmericanPecan.com.
Mediterranean Pecan Pasta Salad Serves 10 Prep time: 15 mins Cook Time: 12 mins 1/4 cup salt 12 ounces pasta 4 cups radicchio, sliced 1 cup halved marinated olives 1/2 cup marinated artichoke, bite-size pieces 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes 1 cup pecan pieces 3/4 cup chopped parsley or mint 6 ounces feta cheese 1 orange, sliced 2 cups chopped spinach Lemon vinaigrette and fresh cracked pepper (optional) 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil with ? cup of salt. When water is boiling, add in pasta, and cook about 10 minutes. When pasta is cooked, set aside. 2. In a large, clear bowl, layer half the radicchio, and half of the olives, artichoke, and tomato on top. Next, add half the pasta, 1/2 cup of pecans, half of the parsley, 3 ounces of feta, and the orange slices. 3. Add the spinach, then repeat layering with the radicchio, olives, artichoke, tomato, pasta, pecans, parsley, feta, and orange. 4. If using dressing, add after layering is complete. 5. Add fresh pepper and refrigerate before serving.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Pecan Basil Pesto Serves 8 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes 2 heads of cauliflower, cut into 8 1-inch cauliflower steaks 1 tablespoon pecan, avocado or olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste For the pesto: 2 cups fresh basil 1/4 cup raw pecan halves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 garlic clove 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup pecan or olive oil 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese 1. Preheat grill to medium high heat, about 375 to 400 degrees F. 2. Brush sides of cauliflower steaks with oil and add salt and pepper. 3. Grill each side of steak for 4 minutes. 4. Remove from grill and let rest. 5. Make the pesto: in a food processor, pulse the basil, raw pecans, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon zest until finely chopped. Add olive oil and blend. 6. Transfer pesto to a bowl and add parmesan cheese. 7. To serve, top cauliflower steaks with pesto.
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– Sponsored News -Whether you are in a hotel room, at your desk, in an RV, or by a campfire, it can be difficult to get a good cup of coffee away from home. With the holiday travel season in full swing, travelers are wondering how best to enjoy their morning java while on the go.Most away-from-home coffee options have major drawbacks. Hotel room coffee makers are convenient and cheap, but the coffee they brew means a major compromise on taste. Local cafes often offer good coffee, but the cost of all those to-go cups can really add up. Existing travel coffee presses offer a way to brew while on the go, but they typically brew slowly and therefore brew a bitter and very acidic cup.Travelers benefit from being able to brew delicious coffee quickly and easily wherever they are. Luckily there is a perfect way to do just that. The AeroPress Go travel coffee press brews up to three cups of delicious hot or cold brew coffee that is richer, smoother, and lower in acidity than coffee brewed by other travel presses. Simply add ground coffee and water, stir briskly, press, and enjoy a cup of hot or cold brew coffee in just a minute or two.The AeroPress Go travels self- contained in its own mug with a lid, making it easy to fit in a suitcase, in a desk, with camping gear, in an RV or in a backpack. It is compact, lightweight, and durable, making it easy to transport. And it cleans up in just a few seconds with a quick rinse.The AeroPress Go’s ability to make cold brew coffee is a big additional advantage because it can be used where there is no access to hot water. Wherever you go, there is almost always a source of water, but often no way to heat it. Use the AeroPress Go to join the hot new trend of drinking coffee that’s an amazingly smooth, rich cold brew. With the AeroPress Go, it’s easy to brew a cup of cold brew using unheated water in about two minutes.Visit 
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– In the past few weeks, it has become clear that social distancing and quarantining are the new normal. This is an overwhelming time as we attempt to adjust our mindsets and schedules – between working from home, watching after the kids, keeping up with the news, and maintaining sanity, it can be a challenge to prioritize your physical and mental health. Here are some tips on how to stay active in these strange and unprecedented times. Make a planIt’s always easier to commit to a healthy habit if you make it part of your routine. At the beginning of each week, take a lookat your schedule and find those windows where you could realistically squeeze in a workout . Set a reminder on your phone or even add the workout to your calendar to keep yourself accountable. Try a meal delivery serviceIt may be difficult to cook healthy meals every day, especially if you can’t get what you need from the grocery store. Having healthy food delivered safely to your door can alleviate the stress and hassle of cooking, plus having healthy options in the house will keep you from overeating and reaching for junk food. South Beach Diet, for example, offers fully nutritionally balanced, prepared meals and snacks that make it easy to keep your diet on track. Take breaks from workIt can be tempting to sit around all day while you’re working from home, but don’t let yourself stay sedentary for too long. Get away from your workspace and move around every hour or so to get your blood flowing. This will help you to stay sharp and healthy during social isolation. If you’re taking a phone call, stand up and allow yourself to pace around. Try to get up every hour and take a few steps around the house, stretch, or even do a few jumping jacks. Stream, stream, streamAs gyms and workout studios are necessarily closed for the moment, many fitness brands and instructors are using Instagram live to hold virtual classes. If you have a favorite local studio or a favorite instructor, check out their website or social media to see if they are hosting any online classes. Many fitness brands are also offering extended free trials to access their libraries of workout videos. Go for a walk or runOf course, we are all limiting our trips outside to the grocery store, gas station, or anywhere else we might come in close contact with others. But if you are able to safely run or walk while keeping distance from your neighbors, those are great options for staying active, clearing your mind, and getting some fresh air."It’s so important to find those moments of joy outdoors while we’re all social distancing," says Jessie James Decker, mother of three and South Beach Diet brand ambassador. "Whatever that means for you – whether it’s a stroll around the neighborhood with the kids or a long run to clear your head – you’ll feel so much better if you make the time for it." Keep your mind activeJust as our bodies need physical activity to stay healthy, our minds need stimulation (beyond reality TV binge sessions) to stay sharp as well. Group activities such as board games or puzzles are a great option for keeping your mind sharp while clocking some quality time with your family or roommates.For more tips on how to stay healthy and active while social distancing, check out 
– Although it happened nearly 30 years ago, the story of Lorena Bobbitt and the domestic violence she endured still resonates today in the #MeToo era. Lifetime kicks off Memorial Day with the Ripped from the Headlines feature premiere of "I Was Lorena Bobbitt" on Monday, May 25, at 8pm ET/PT.Lorena Bobbitt (now Lorena Gallo) serves as one of the executive producers on the film, as well as its narrator.The story follows her journey from a young and innocent immigrant bride to a victim of domestic violence. In 1993, after years of abuse at the hands of her husband, John Bobbitt, Lorena fought back, cutting off her husband’s penis with a knife and becoming an unlikely international media sensation. The film follows her evolution into a strong and thoughtful woman who has devoted her life to advocating for abused women."There are many reasons why I feel it’s important to share my story now," Ms. Gallo says in an interview."Lifetime gave me a platform and truly listened to my message about domestic violence, and I was actively involved in telling my story. I believe with the #MeToo movement and increased awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault that my message would be heard."The process of making the movie was very emotional, Ms. Gallo says."With me being so young and an immigrant, new to the United States and to endure the type of abuse that I went through, along with the court case and the media frenzy that followed, it is a reminder of what I had to go through to help to become the person that I am today. The work that I do with the Lorena Gallo Foundation and other organizations is based upon my own experiences," she explains."I Was Lorena Bobbitt" stars Dani Montalvo ("Dispatches from Elsewhere") and Luke Humphrey ("Tiny Pretty Things") as Lorena and John. Ms. Gallo spent time discussing her past with Ms. Montalvo to help her prepare for the role. "We learned a lot from one another and I’m grateful for our time together," Ms. Gallo says.The take-home message from the movie, according to Ms. Gallo, is "that domestic violence is real and doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone and there are definitely signs showing that someone is abused and it should be taken seriously and not overlooked."Ms. Gallo’s advice to others who are dealing with abuse: "Never give up hope and be resilient."She emphasizes, "You are not alone and there are options and resources. Do not keep it to yourself. Contact family and friends and understand the resources available to you now, such as shelters, domestic violence hotlines and social service organizations. First responders and doctors are better trained to understand and deal with domestic violence-related problems." She adds, "Do not deal with the situation with the false hope that it will get better. Silence is not an option!"Domestic and sexual violence is on the rise with many stuck at home with their abusers because of Covid/stay-at-home orders, so this movie is more timely than ever to help women with resources. During the film, Lifetime will run a public service announcement for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence featuring the actors and Lorena Bobbitt, as part of Lifetime’s public affairs campaign, Stop Violence Against Women.Visit 
– During times of change, many of us find comfort in simple pleasures. Like a great burger.
