Author: Irene Pastore

Hello! I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilates Instructor who specializes in fitness after 50. My service is Live Streaming. Connect with me from anywhere in the world. I look forward to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Pecan Sandies Cookie Recipe

May 13, 2025
Pecan Sandies

Pecan Sandies Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar divided
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar sifted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Beat 1 cup white sugar, butter, oil, and confectioners’ sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl; stir into egg mixture until dough comes together. Mix in pecans.
  • Place remaining 1/2 cup white sugar into a small shallow bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and flatten slightly. Roll in sugar to coat evenly.
  • Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe Source: AllRecipes.com

The Nutritional Benefits of Pecans: A Superfood Guide

May 12, 2025
Raw Pecans

What Are Pecans?

Pecans are a nutrition powerhouse loaded with vitamins and minerals. They are very filling and make a great snack. For culinary purposes, pecans are considered nuts. Botanically, pecans are classified as a fruit.

Pecans grow on trees In Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. They have a hard outer shell and look a lot like walnuts when opened. Pecans have a rich, buttery flavor.

Pecan Nutrition

Pecans contain over 15 vitamins and minerals. They are a superb source of antioxidants and have the highest antioxidant capacity compared to eight other tree nuts.

  • Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6
  • Vitamin A, C and K
  • Folate
  • Manganese
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Iron
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Selenium
  • Antioxidants: Vitamin E, Lutein, Zea-xanthin, and Phenolics, Omega-3

Pecan Health Benefits

  • Arthritis Management
  • Heart Health
  • Immune System Support
  • Bone Health
  • Diabetes Control
  • Prevents Inflammation
  • Disease Prevention
  • Skin Care
  • Eye Care
  • Improves Digestion

How To Use Pecans In Recipes

  • Add to salads for crunch and sweetness
  • Mix into morning cereal
  • Use them in trail mix
  • Bake a pecan pie
  • Bake pecan cookies
  • Bake an upside down pecan apple pie

Understanding the Mental Health Impact of Romance Scams

May 8, 2025

Older adults are primary targets in romance scams due to social isolation, trusting nature, financial stability and limited digital literacy. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, more than 100,000 older adults, over the age of 60, submitted reports of internet fraud in 2023. These scams amounted to a loss of over $3.4 billion. Source ElderLawAnswers.com

Romance scams can harm the victim beyond the financial loss. It turns out that the emotional trauma from a romance scam can have lasting effects on the victim’s mental health (via LifePaths Counseling). Source OZHelp.org.au

Delicious Almond and Pear Cake Recipe

May 6, 2025
Almond and Pear Cake

Photo by Buckwheat Queen

Almond and Pear Cake Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 firm pear, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
  • ¾ cup sliced blanched almonds
  • 6 tablespoons white sugar, divided
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a small tart pan or a 9-inch cake pan.
  • Mix pear slices and amaretto liqueur together in a bowl.
  • Process almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar together in a food processor until the mixture is a fine almond meal.
  • Beat 1/4 cup sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy; add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. Mix almond meal mixture, flour, and salt into creamed butter mixture to make a smooth batter.
  • Drain pears, reserving the amaretto liqueur. Stir drained liqueur into batter just until incorporated.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing batter if uneven. Arrange pear slices in a decorative pattern atop batter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cake is starting to pull away from the edges, about 25 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Recipe Source: AllRecipes.com