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Got Peanuts? + Working Out Wednesday

by bhealthy on July 20, 2011

I spent most of the work day yesterday judging the Peanut Presentations for the annual State Congress and learned so much  from 9-18 year olds. I really did not expect a full morning of food demonstrations worthy of the food network! It was also filled with tasty treats packed with powerful protein-full peanuts! Did you know that the peanut is not actually a nut but a legume ?  I will not forget that fact anytime soon! Do you know what the best peanut butter joke is? …. (no…What is it?) ….. I can’t tell you …You’ll spread it !

Everyone was nutty about the nutrition of peanuts yesterday! Peanuts are actually a seed from a plant and provide healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fiber, vitamin E and many other important nutrients & minerals.  We evaluated presentations based on content, subject matter, knowledge of topic, voice, professionalism/appearance, visual aids and the ability to answer questions.
The nutrition was taken into account but only in regards to their concept of recipe, a treat is a treat but the health should be kept in mind considering it was 4H (Head, Heart, Hands, Health). My favorite presentation that took into consideration nutrition and health was the only girl who showed us how to make peanut butter from peanuts. She used peanuts and olive oil- that was it. It was the true representation of the topic, utilizing a plant food and turning it into something else that is versatile and so nutritious! The most innovative recipe idea was from the presentation: “Party with Peanut Pate.”
How creative is it to make Pate using peanuts!? The recipe had a longer ingredient list but it was an easy preparation! Instead of goose or chicken liver pate, the presenter blended peanuts in front of our eyes, with soy sauce, herbs, garlic and more fresh ingredients all pre-measured in clear demo cups to make a Pate worthy for a party. She explained all the nutritional benefits of peanuts while blending too!  I swear these kids will be on food network one day. Maybe they will remember their awesome judge at the congress in 2011… I came home with several recipe cards so they were well-prepared also. The presentations did not cease to amaze me at Pate though. We were taken “Out to the Ball Game” with homemade candied peanuts, we were shown the proper way to make a pb&j sandwich and given many delightful surprises!
Peanut Delight was a revamped recipe, with the help of the presenter’s 4H Agent, which used nonfat powdered milk instead of powdered sugar and subbed out 1/2 dried cherries & 1/2 mini chocolate chips for the entire cup of chocolate chips (original recipe).  Still on the sweeter side, we enjoyed Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies.

NC comes in 5th for overall peanut production, several counties contribute over 3000 acres of peanut farms from their county alone!
We blasted off with Blast Off Bars,  a combination of roasted peanuts, peanut butter, whole grain cheerios, whole grain flake cereal, honey, and dried fruit ingredients. These were 206 calories per bar, 7 grams of fat, and 5 grams of protein.  These bars made a perfect breakfast for “Uncle Bob”, who rounded out his meal with lowfat milk and strawberries!

The next presentation was right up my alley on creativity, simplicity, and well-rounded nutrition- it was a fabulous “Peanut Fusion Salad.”

This recipe was gluten and dairy free and incorporated peanuts (protein group, of course), fruit (dried cranberries), vegetables (scallions, green snow peas, pepper) and whole grains (brown rice) into the dish! The dressing used peanut oil, juice, herbs and spices.

We judged 14 presentations (no judging was based on recipe taste but rather the presentation itself, content, voice, preparation, etc as I mentioned above!). However,  we tasted 12 recipes from what I remember and at some point- the peanut delights and peanut surprises became less of a surprise and delight! The last one of the day was really delicious though- Peanut Fluff Dip. The recipe was simple: mix one 6 oz container of yogurt, 1/3 cup peanut butter, and 1 cup whip topping and serve.

It was honestly delicious and I can say that after having peanuts or peanut butter products ALL DAY. What I loved was the presentation surrounding the “Kids Cooking Show”. The presenter really made an entrance with a voice recording of her as the show host, incorporated the most research of peanuts, peanut butter, and nutrition information, and spoke clearly and accurately!

No more peanuts or peanut butter or peanut anything for me for awhile though- I’m going nuts!

Have you ever judged food presentations before?

It was tough after the first 3 peanut dishes but I wouldn’t trade my job at all today! It is so inspiring to see these wonderful kids learning and growing!

 

Working Out Wednesday Recap:

So last weekend ended up totally changing around what I had planned ( as usual!). It’s nice to have a plan in place but I definitely don’t mind that I had to change my workouts because I was able to find an awesome Dance Institute to take adult classes at! I might sign up for adult hip hop and adult jazz funk! It is expensive for an entire year but it would be so worthwhile! Here’s the recap…

Thursday: No Salsa ( Found Jazz Funk on Saturday!) Strength: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps and Elliptical for Cardio
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Jazz Funk Dance class ( I found a nonrecital studio !)
Sunday: Insanity Plyo (55 min)
Monday: Rest!
Tuesday: Insanity Plyo (55 min) plus extra 30 minutes of elliptical for cardio (All those peanuts gave me tons of energy! I would have run 10 mi+ today but it was 102*F )
Wednesday: Gym at Lunch- Strength: Back, Biceps, Quads, Abs and maybe some light cardio.
Thursday: Long Run!
Friday: Travel Day…. :-)
Weekend: Probably a jog, lots of cornhole, who knows what else!

What was your favorite workout of the week ?

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  • http://www.yummychunklet.wordpress.com Yummychunklet

    How fun to judge a food competition! Everything looks great.

  • Anonymous

    How cool! I love kids that get creative in the kitchen!! peanut fluff dip sounds downright awesome. Sandwich in dip form? I’m in! Glad you found the funk class- that sounds awesome! Favorite workout of the week? Hmmm teaching the new body pump!

  • Parsley Sage

    That’s so awesome!  Color me totally green with envy that you got to judge :)  So much fun, and tasty!  That pate is genius!

    Sorry to hear you’re not doing Cayman but you’ll have a blast in the keys too!  And Cayman will be here next year :)

  • Parsley Sage

    Oh!  And I use http://www.picnik.com for all my fun photos :)

  • http://www.modernmom.com/blogs/wendy-irene Wendy Irene

    Peanut Pate sounds much better to me than the traditional kind :)

  • http://www.feedbetweenthelines.com Caitlin

    Love the peanut butter joke.  Working with kiddos is such a rewarding job – especially seeing how excited they get about healthy food.  Loved this post :)

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    Thanks caitlyn! I thought it was hilarious too!

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    It was difficult to judge such awesome presentations!!

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    The fluff was sooo tasty Erica! New pump!! Love it, rock that belly

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    Pate was totally genious PS- seriously in awe!

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    Thanks yummy!

  • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com/ Kelly

    ahh that sounds like so much fun! Working with kids on fun nutrition-related stuff has got to be so rewarding. What you’re doing is awesome – I’d love to do that someday! Nice workouts, lady!

  • http://mycarolinakitchen.blogspot.com Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen

    Laural, what a fun event. Peanut butter pate is fascinating. Who would have thought? It must be fabulous to work with kids and nutrition. I can’t wait to tell my husband the peanut joke. When we lived in the islands, he and some of his friends told jokes on the VHF radio each morning. Silly seventh grade humor, but it was all in fun. Your joke would have been the hit of the day.
    Sam

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    Sam,
    Thank you so much for your comment! It can be a very rewarding job! I loved
    teaching, especially young children and I got to the point where I wanted to
    design what was being taught. I’m so grateful to be doing that at this point
    in my life and I’ve always kept the silly side of me- its’ what keeps me
    young right! I love that your husband would tell jokes like that on air- now
    that is a rewarding work day and fun!

  • http://www.beinghealthier.com Laural (bhealthier)

    Thanks Kelly!!! It is definitely fun, and it is not my everyday office life,
    so that kinda thing is really enjoyable to do!

  • http://twitter.com/TheSpicyRD EA Stewart

    I have never judged a food contest before, but sounds like a lot of fun and you got some great peanut recipe ideas. That peanut pate sounds really yummy.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog-so happy to have found yours as well!

  • http://swankydietitian.com Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian

    Peanuts are seriously my favorite! 
    I just told my coworker that joke..she was laughing. I guess RD’s have a silly sense of humor when it comes to food jokes. :)
    That sounds like a fun day! I have never gotten to judge a food contest but something tells me I would like it!