by VICTORIA HENLEY
For CTFashionMag.com
What is sweet, buttery, delicious, and nutritious and helps with weight loss and iswidely lauded for anti-aging benefits?
Why, it is none other than Georgia pecans, of course.
Arguably one of the most nutrient-dense and versatile products of Mother Nature’s bounty, we all know that pecans are a delicious, nutritious, compliment to an array of dishes, ranging from pies, to salads to casseroles. The health benefits of pecans are vast and abundant, and this tiny tree nut is a viable source of phytonutrients, plant based compounds with powerful anti-oxidant benefits.
Following the unprecedented 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, finding immune boosting natural supplements and foods have taken top priority among consumers, and we don’t have to look very far to find Georgia pecans as the United States (predominantly Georgia) grows and supplies up to 80 % of the world’s supply.
Pecans are quickly becoming an integral part of nutrition and diet plans as just one single ounce of the nut (roughly 19 halves) is 200 calories and chock full of mono-unsaturated fats (known as “good fats”) that, in addition to the obvious benefit of weight loss, help reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation.
Another great attribute of pecans?
They are naturally sweet.
Low in sugar, pecans have a naturally sweet, buttery flavor, sure to satisfy even the most intense dessert cravings, and pecans also help regulate blood sugar and appetite.
Pecans are also high in phosphorus and the nuts effectively reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, especially in women, and are also proven to delay the rapid onset of Parkinson’s disease as the nut is high in thiamine and copper, which work together to stop free radical damage in the brain from the aforementioned disease, while stabilizing the brain’s synaptic process.
Still not convinced that pecans should be a staple in your diet?
Well, pecans provide more than 19 vitamins and minerals, including but not limited to, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin and zinc.
Just an ounce of pecans provides about 10 percent of your daily recommended fiber intake, providing protein and natural energy to keep your body alert and moving.
Hundreds more factoids and statistics supporting the myriad health benefits of this incredible super nut are readily available, but you get the point: pecans are simply amazing.
Think all pecans are the same?
Think again. Pecans come in all shapes, sizes, flavors and varieties, distinguishable by factors including color, texture, and taste.
The Elliot pecan is a variety grown primarily in Georgia and Florida named after the American lumberma, Henry Elliot, desired by chefs and foodies alike for their signature sweet flavor, high oil content, and natural, buttery crunch. Caddos are considered a high-yield tree that reliably produces nuts from a young age until maturity, and the tree produces medium size, football shaped nuts with good overall quality and excellent shelling characteristics for convenience.
Sumner pecans, a favorite among commercial growers, are known for being a relatively large nut of good quality with a paper thin shell that is easy to crack, noted for its durability and leaf disease resistance.
Pecan oils have been utilized for cooking and various recipes for many decades.
Most recently, the oils have been lauded as hair and skin care products and can also help stimulate hair growth.
Fashion and beauty insiders, models, celebrities, and more are deeming pecan oils as an accessible, cruelty-free, eco-friendly product for both skin and hair health.
Just when you thought we covered all potential, practical uses for pecans: Wait! There’s more.
Shells of pecans also serve a purpose as they are often cracked into pieces and used as mulch for landscaping projects
The meats of substandard nuts are also commonly utilized as bird feed and are also ground into a fine powder and branded “Pecan Flour,” a healthier, more nutrient dense alternative to common white flour.
So what are you waiting for?
Incorporate Georgia pecans into your daily diet and beauty routine: Your mind and body will thank you.
Victoria Henley, in charge of marketing for Vicki Lynn Pecan Company, is a model, entertainment correspondent, actress, magazine contributor, documentary filmmaker, and fashion show/ TV host. Outside of the fashion industry, she is known for finishing in the top five of Cycle 19 of “America’s Next Top Model.”
Connect with the Vicki Lynn team on social media:
Instagram: @VICTORIAHENLEY @vickylynnpecans @lynnhenleyphotography
Facebook.com/JTVVictoria
Facebook.com/quirkyvictoriafanpage
Facebook.com/backstagepasswithvictoriahenley
Credits:
Photography: Lynn Henley Photography (@lynnhenleyphotography)
Model: Victoria Henley (@victoriahenley)
On Location: Vicki Lynn Pecan Orchards (@vickylynnpecans)
Wardrobe:
First look: Gianni Bini
Second look: Chelsea and Violet
Third and fourth look: Daughtery’s Empire
