Pistachios make great snacks on their own and are a healthy ingredient to any meal. They're full of nutrients and contain more potassium than any other nut. Naturally free of cholesterol, one serving of pistachios provides 6 grams of protein, lots of fiber, and the essential vitamin B6. Give them a try in this fun and effortless rice recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. sunflower or other light oil
1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 cup basmati rice (or white rice)
1/4 cup pistachio nuts, shelled
1 ¾ cups water
salt & pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add onions and sauté for about two minutes; add mushrooms and sauté for another two minutes; add rice and pistachios, stirring to blend; stir in water, and season to taste.
3. Bring to a full boil, then cover tightly; reduce heat and simmer until all the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes).
4. Remove from heat, stir to fluff, and serve.

For this and other irresistible veg recipes, visit www.CatTeaCorner.com!

It’s summertime! That means it’s ice cream time – so run for this tasty all-organic treat to beat the heat. Turtle Mountain’s Purely Decadent frozen desserts are non-dairy, cholesterol-free, and contain zero trans fats… the perfect way to appease your sweet cravings without tipping the scales too much. And the best part is that Purely Decadent has less than half the fat of dairy ice cream – you can’t go wrong! Coconut Craze is one of the many exciting flavors. It features a hodgepodge of shredded coconut, roasted almonds and crispy flakes of dark chocolate... ideal for an after dinner treat or a delightful snack.

A supporter of good causes, Turtle Mountain is a proud sponsor of the upcoming Animal Rights 2007 National Conference.

For more information about this and other products, visit www.TurtleMountain.com!

A new study suggests that incorporating pistachios into the diet can help reduce cholesterol levels in people with moderate hypercholesterolemia (elevated blood cholesterol). The study, published in the April edition Journal of American College of Nutrition, follows a 2005 study proving that, among snack foods, pistachios contain the richest source of phytosterols believed to reduce blood cholesterol.

The new study reveals that a daily diet (for at least four weeks) consisting of 15% of calories from pistachios improved blood serum lipid levels, reducing risk of coronary disease. "A diet with a moderate amount of healthful monounsaturated fat, like the kind found in pistachios, is a more effective way to prevent heart disease than reducing overall fat intake," commented Dr. James Cooper of George Mason University who conducted the study.

To read the full article, click here!

Sasha Clark (center in photo) is a normal fourteen-year-old teenager with exceptional values. A life-long vegan, Sasha does not eat or wear any animal products. She seeks to introduce her peers to her compassionate, animal-friendly lifestyle by sharing recipes and even hosting annual educational events, such as The Great American Meatout.

According to Sasha, some of her friends think her vegan lifestyle is cool and interesting, while others are intrigued but also unsure what to think. Regardless of negative reactions, she calmly answers all questions, and if anyone cracks jokes, she jokes back! “It's important to have a good sense of humor if you deal with stuff like this every day, otherwise you will get nowhere, in my opinion,” she says. For more in-depth information about the reasons behind a vegan lifestyle, she recommends reading the book Diet for a New America by John Robbins.

To read an interview with Sasha, click here!

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