Summer gardens are bursting with peas. Great recipes on how to eat them

Eat your peas! Here is the great reason why

Growing up your Mom would tell you eat your peas! And like most kids you did not like them. I remember my youngest brother eating them like he was taking pills. It was painful to watch  as he would take a mouth full of water and only a few peas in his mouth as he would try to swallow them whole. He would continue this grueling task till the pile of peas on his plate were gone. My other brothers and I would laugh at his funny tradition. The funny thing is if he ever tried them he would have realized they were tender sweet  morsels fresh from the garden. Now as an adult he actually enjoys eating his peas and we will  now see if his sons are like him and don’t eat their peas.
There are many varieties of peas. Peas date back as far back as the biblical days.
Peas are rich in Vitamin B and folate, which are important for in proper metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. They also provide antioxidant protection.

Garden Peas -
Snow Peas -Great in a stir fry or in a salad

Snow Pea, orange and jicama salad

• 4 cups snow peas (about 12 ounces), trimmed
• 2 oranges
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 small jícama, peeled and cut into matchsticks

for full recipe go to http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/snow_pea_orange_jicama_salad.html

Sugar Snap Peas – I like these raw on a salad or dipped in hummus or cooked lightly

1. Spread sugar snap peas in a single layer on a medium baking sheet, and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with shallots, thyme, and kosher salt.
2. Bake at 450 in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, until tender but firm.

Green Peas promote bone health. The vitamin K that is found in peas helps activate the protein in the bone. It can help fight off osteoporosis. Peas also support your cardiovascular health as well.. These little peas help repair blood vessels that leads to a healthy heart. and helps the blood clot. The potassium and magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and the fiber helps lower cholesterol levels.
Peas also help promote eye health by protecting against oxidative stress. People with a diet high in lutein and zeaxanthin have less risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.
Peas a re a great source of energy producing cells and systems in the body. The high Vitamin B helps with the metabolism of protein , carbohydrates and lipids.
They are also important in normal blood cell formation and function. The iron in them helps fight off anemia, fatigue, learning problems and decreased immune functions.
1 Cup of green peas provides 17% of your Daily Value of protein
and 9% of the daily value of carbohydrates
and is 134 calories

Source

The World’s Healthiest Foods

Eating Well