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The Perfect Pecan: 5 Health + Beauty Uses, Just in Time for Thanksgiving

The Perfect Pecan

Pecans aren’t just for pies and are certainly not holiday-specific.  Give the perfect pecan a little attention using these simple health and beauty tips.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’ll be seeing lots of our little friend, the pecan.  Pies, stuffing, and delectable dishes aplenty will all boast the buttery, nutty pecan.  I love a handful of roasted pecans for a snack, but they are nutritional powerhouses, chock full of vitamins, minerals, and all sorts of goodness for your skin too!

Some Quick Facts:

One serving of the perfect pecan is about 18 halves, for approximately 195 calories.  Go easy, but remember that all that healthy unsaturated fat, is fantastic for you (think lower cholesterol).

There are about 3 grams of protein in 1 ounce of pecans.

The perfect pecan contains 34 milligrams of flavonoids per serving.  Flavonoids work in an antioxidant capacity and prevent inflammation (in this role, they are said to also help prevent cardiovascular disease).

5 Health and Beauty Uses for the Perfect Pecan

1) Keep your skin beautiful and bright! All that healthy fat and those anti-inflammatory properties are wonderful for your skin, so add some pulverized pecans to your cleansing grains recipe.

2) Keep your skin smooth and soft! Mix pecans into a basic sugar scrub (1 part oil of choice + 2 parts sugar of choice + the perfect pecan for extra oomph) for lovely, touchable skin.

3) Get energized!  Make homemade energy bars or balls with delicious pecans.

4)  Feed your body! Include pecans in your daily diet to take advantage of all of their healthy goodness.  Try this or this for an easy snack or weeknight preparation.

5) Feed your mind!  All those omega-3 fatty acids are great for your brain.  Grab a perfect pecan (or 10!) to improve your brain health.

Get more information about the health benefits of a variety of nuts here.

Image credit: Pecan, sugar scrub, and woman holding pecan via Shutterstock.

Written by Leah Gehlsen Morlan

lives and works in Iowa City, Iowa. She has a film degree from the University of Iowa, and her interests include: watching & writing about film, chasing her kids around, childbirth, healthy cooking & living, and DIY body & baby products. Find me on Google+.

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