Peanuts and Peanut Butter are Good for Your Diet

April 2 was National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Peanuts and peanut butter are good for your health. Research studies suggest peanuts may be good for your heart, and eating them may make it a little easier to lose weight. They're a good source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, niacin, folate and vitamin E. Peanuts and peanut butter also contain resveratrol, which works as an antioxidant.

Peanuts and heart health: Peanuts are heart healthy because they're a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids. Eating peanuts may help lower your total cholesterol. The United States Food and Drug Administration allows the following claim to be placed on the packaging of foods that contain whole or chopped peanuts:Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts such as peanuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.

One and a half ounces of peanuts is equal to about 50 nuts, and would have about 240 calories -- but you can divide that into two different snacks. Or you can use peanuts in your recipes or sprinkle them on a salad.

Peanuts and weight loss: Peanuts are not low in calories because they're energy-dense. But as long as you watch your portions, eating them may help you lose weight. Studies indicate that people who eat nuts, including peanuts, tend to have lower body mass indexes. So how can food that's high in calories help you lose weight? Part of the reason may be that peanuts are high in good fats, protein and fiber, so just a small serving can satisfy your hunger and keep you feeling fuller longer. The key to eating peanuts and losing weight is to watch your serving sizes closely. Next time you get hungry between meals, eat one ounce of peanuts (about 35 individual nuts). That will add about 160 calories to your daily intake, but may tide you over until your next meal and this may help stop you from overeating when that meal is served.

Peanuts and weight gain: It may seem a little odd that the same food can be good for losing and gaining weight. But it's true -- a small amount of peanuts may help curb your appetite, but they provide extra calories and encourage weight gain when eaten in larger amounts. If you want to gain weight, you should do so by increasing your intake of nutritious, energy dense foods, not by eating more junk foods. Since peanuts and peanut butter are higher in calories -- but still nutritious -- they're a good choice for adding extra calories or try a healthier Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich.

Natural Bridge to Become Virginia State Park

Natural Bridge, a 215-foot-high stone bridge once owned by Thomas Jefferson and a centuries-old tourist attraction, has been sold by its private owner, Angelo Puglisi, at a fraction of its value to a conservation group and is destined to become part of Virginia's park system. Once the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund repays the loan it used to pay Puglisi, the attraction will be transferred to Virginia as a state park. Angelo Puglisi donated the 215-foot limestone arch, valued at $21 million, to the newly formed Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund and received conservation tax credits estimated to be worth about $7 million along with $8.6 million in cash for the balance of his Natural Bridge holdings that encompass more than 1,500 mostly forested acres. For Puglisi, entrusting the historic structure to the state offers the assurance that generations to come can stand in awe of Jefferson’s bridge on property surveyed by George Washington and hear the story of the nation’s founding. That could occur as early as 2015.

Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president, bought the property from the British crown and built a log cabin on it. It has since been in private hands. The site was a popular destination for tourists in the 18th and 19th centuries and ranked with Niagara Falls as a must-see attraction. The Bridge is a Virginia Historic Landmark as well as a National Historic Landmark.

America's First American Holiday

By the Julian calendar, which was in general use in Great Britain and her colonies in the early 18th century, George Washington was born on February 11, 1731/2.March 25th (the Feast of the Incarnation of Christ) had earlier been celebrated as the start of the New Year, but Washington’s contemporaries celebrated that holiday on January 1. On December 31, 1751 Great Britain officially switched from the Julian to the more widely accepted Gregorian Calendar. Switching to the Christian or Gregorian Calendar required the addition of 11 more days to the year 1752, and retroactive redating moved Washington's birthday back to the date of February 22, 1732. February 22 was observed as a federal public holiday until 1971 when President Richard Nixon declared that in order to honor all past presidents, a single holiday to be called Presidents' Day would be observed on the 3rd Monday in February. Due to the legal mechanism that President Nixon used, the name Presidents’ Day never became the permanent name of the holiday, and the day is still properly called George Washington’s Birthday on all official Federal Government calendars and writings.

George Washington was born on his father's Pope Creek tobacco farm on February 22, 1732. Popes Creek is a 5.3-mile-long tidal tributary of the Potomac River in Westmoreland County,  Virginia. George Washington spent the first 3 formative years of his life on his father’s plantation and would return as an adolescent to visit his older half brother, Augustine, Junior. It was here at Popes Creek that George performed his first survey at 14. In 1779 the home where Washington was born burned. A Memorial House was built near the spot in 1930. Today the National Park Service operates a colonial farm where costumed interpreters recreate the sights, sounds and smells of 18th century plantation life. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument lies along the north side of Popes Creek. George Washington Birthplace National Monument preserves the heart of the Washingtons' lands in America. John Washington, the immigrant, arrived in Westmoreland County in 1657, and settled near Bridges Creek. Generations of Washingtons lived on these lands and established a legacy of public service, leadership, and love of the land. The rich legacy of the Washingtons would culminate with George Washington's achievements as the "Father of Our Country."

When George was 3 1/2,  his father took his family to live at Mount Vernon. The riverside estate of George Washington now includes the Ford Orientation Center and Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, new facilities with 25 galleries and theaters, more than 700 artifacts, and interactive displays that introduce visitors to the real George Washington. The most famous dentures in the world are on display, along with three life-size models of Washington created from a forensic investigation. The historic area features the restored Mansion, original outbuildings, the tomb where the Washingtons are buried, beautiful gardens, and heritage breed animals who work at a four-acre farm site near the river.

Located 38 miles south of Mount Vernon on the banks of the Rappahannock River opposite Fredericksburg, is Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the land Washington inherited at age 11 and where he lived between the ages of 6 and 20. Washington's Ferry Farm is an active archaeological site and the discovery of the location of the Washington house was announced in 2008. The Visitor Center contains an archaeology lab with displays of fascinating artifacts from the Washington period.

Did you know Washington's Birthday was the first American Holiday?

In 1778, in the midst of the War for Independence, the first public celebration of Washington’s Birthday took place at Valley Forge. A band of fifers and drummers from Proctor’s Artillery serenaded General Washington at his quarters. In 1781 the French at Newport held a parade in Washington’s honor. The French celebrated it on Monday, February 23rd to avoid holding the event on a Sunday. Washington wrote to Count Rochambeau that, “The flattering distinction paid to the anniversary of my birthday is an honor for which I dare not attempt to express my gratitude. I confide in your sensibilities to interpret my feelings for this, and for the obliging manner in which you are pleased to announce it.”

Jan. 1 is National Bloody Mary Day

Bloody Mary Brunch Basket

A Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and usually other spices or flavorings. While there is not much complexity in mixing vodka and tomato juice, more elaborate versions of the drink have become trademarks of the bartenders who make them. A common garnish is a celery stalk when served in a tall glass, often over ice. The Bloody Mary is the US’s most popular alcoholic drink for brunch. This drink has been called “The world’s most complex cocktail.

The Bloody Mary's origin is unclear. Fernand Petiot claimed to have invented the drink in 1921 while working at the New York Bar, which later became Harry's New York Bar, a frequent Paris hangout for Ernest Hemingway and other American expatriates. Another tradition maintains that actor George Jessel created the drink around 1939. In 1939, Lucius Beebe printed in his gossip column "This New York" one of the earliest U.S. references to this drink, along with the original recipe: "George Jessel’s newest pick-me-up which is receiving attention from the town’s paragraphers is called a Bloody Mary: half tomato juice, half vodka."

The name "Bloody Mary" is associated with a number of historical figures—particularly Queen Mary I of England—and fictional women from folklore. Some drink aficionados believe the inspiration for the name was Hollywood star Mary Pickford. Others trace the name to a waitress named Mary who worked at a Chicago bar called the Bucket of Blood.

Bloody Marys by the Shore

Blue Crab Bay STING RAY Spicy Bloody Mary Mixer is a thick and rich blend of clam and tomato juices spiced with Blue Crab Bay's Chesapeake Bay Style Seafood Seasoning and freshly grated horseradish. Sting Ray Bloody Mary Mixer won top honors in Outstanding Beverage, a prestigious award competition at the International Fancy Food Show in New York. Great alone, as a mixer, or a cooking sauce A true combination of the flavors of the Chesapeake region!  

October is Breast Cancer Month

All Natural Peanut Butter

October is Breast Cancer Month so eat Virginia Peanuts and natural Peanut Butter made from Virginia Peanuts! A new study in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment showed that young girls who consumed a serving of peanut butter or peanuts at least twice a week, reduced their risk of benign breast disease (BBD) in young adulthood by up to 39%. This gives parents even more of a reason to pack a peanut butter sandwich with their kid's lunch. The article explains that, "Vegetable fat consumed by pre-adolescent girls and vegetable protein consumed by adolescents may be protective, while peanut butter, high in both protein and fat, consumed at any age may be associated with lower risk for BBD." Peanuts contain more protein than any other nut and peanut butter contains about 8g of protein per serving. In addition, peanut butter contains healthy oils and many nutrients such as phytosterols that have been shown to reduce the risk of major diseases including cancer. Previous research has shown that benign breast disease (BBD) in young women is associated with increased risk of breast cancer and other adult diseases. At younger ages, vegetable fat intake from peanut butter and peanuts twice a week, had a 44% decrease in risk for BBD. And in older ages, it was the vegetable protein intake from peanut butter and peanuts that was associated with decreased risk. In addition, these results were stronger with girls who had a family history of breast cancer.

Two Virginia Apple Butter Festivals

Skyland! A snitter's paradise! On Saturday, September 21, there will be held the 14th Annual Apple Butter Celebration at Skyland Resort from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The Apple Butter Celebration is a one-day festival at Shenandoah National Park and it is one of the biggest ones held at the park's Skyland Resort. Freshly made apple butter, apple crafts, apple food …. apples are just everywhere! Celebrate the apple harvest as the staff sets up the copper kettles and stokes up the fire for a day of apple boiling. Apple varietals such as Jonagold, Red Delicious, and Rambo are boiled in kettles to make the festival's apple butter.

By now you’re wondering what it means to "snit". Snitting a peeled apple consists of quartering it, scooping out the core and seeds, then halving the quarters and putting them into a bucket. It takes nine bushels of apples to yield 32 gallons of apple butter from just one kettle. Event organizers plan to make six kettles of apple butter in all. Experts say no two kettles taste the same, as the mix of apples and spices is a little different in each one.

Watch the process, give the kettle a stir and try a delicious sample. Then take home some fresh-from-the-kettle jars of apple butter. There will also be live entertainment featuring the Hi-Horse Cloggers and Narrow Path Blue Grass Band, face painting, pony rides and crafts for the kids and wine tasting for the adults. Local crafters will be on site with their handmade items. Delicious foods featured are Apple Smoked BBQ, Grilled Chicken with an Apple Salsa, Granny Apple Cole Slaw, Apple Cobbler plus hot and cold Apple Cider.

For three weekends in October, Graves Mountain Lodge will be hosting its 44th Apple Harvest Festival. Enjoy fun-filled days complete with Graves famous food, live Bluegrass Music & Cloggers, Arts & Crafts, Hay Maze & Hay Mountain, Hayrides, Horseback Rides, Pick your own Apples and tour the family's working educational farm, visit the animals and more. Experience farm days of yesteryear, watch kettles of apple butter cook over an open fire. Date(s)/Time: Saturday, October 05, 2013 - Sunday, October 06, 2013 (10:00 AM-4:30 PM) Saturday, October 12, 2013 - Sunday, October 13, 2013 (10:00 AM-4:30 PM) Saturday, October 19, 2013 - Sunday, October 20, 2013 (10:00 AM-4:30 PM)

If you can’t make it to one of these great festivals, you can still get some perfectly spiced and incredibly smooth Graves Mountain Apple Butter from us!

The History of Cake

In honor of Rowena Fullinwider, known as Norfolk's "Cake Lady" long before she decided to go into business, let's talk about the history of cake.

The history of cake dates back to ancient times. The first cakes were very different from what we eat today. They were more bread-like and sweetened with honey. Nuts and dried fruits were often added. According to the food historians, the precursors of modern cakes (round ones with icing) were first baked in Europe sometime in the mid-17th century. This is due primarily to advances in technology (more reliable ovens, manufacture/availability of food molds) and ingredient availability (refined sugar). At that time cake hoops--round molds for shaping cakes that were placed on flat baking trays--were popular. They could be made of metal, wood or paper. Some were adjustable. Cake pans were sometimes used. The first icings were usually a boiled composition of the finest available sugar, egg whites and sometimes flavorings. This icing was poured on the cake. The cake was then returned to the oven for a while. When removed the icing cooled quickly to form a hard, glossy [ice-like] covering. Many cakes made at this time still contained dried fruits (raisins, currants, citrons). It was not until the middle of the 19th century that cake as we know it today (made with extra refined white flour and baking powder instead of yeast) arrived on the scene. Butter-cream frostings (using butter, cream, powdered sugar and flavorings) began replacing traditional boiled icings in the first few decades of the 20th century.

Cake is a Viking contribution to the English language. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the English word cake back to the 13th century. It is a derivation of 'kaka', an Old Norse word which means a baked flour confection sweetened with sugar or honey, mixed with eggs and often, but not always, with milk and fat. People have consumed cakes of all kinds throughout history and at all sorts of ceremonial occasions. In today's world, people traditionally serve cakes at holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, and baptisms--in short, at all significant times in the cycle of life because they represent our best culinary offering honoring our most loved people. In "olden times" when refined sugar, spices, nuts, and dried fruit were expensive, it was an honor to be honored with cake. Today cake isn't extra expensive and we have many choices (store bought, box mix, scratch, bakery special order) but the message remains constant. Cake says: you're important and we love you.

The tradition of eating cake on ceremonial occasions has its basis in ancient ritual. Cakes, in the ancient world, had ties with the annual cycle, and people used them as offerings to the gods and spirits who exercised their powers at particular times of the year...The Chinese made cakes at harvest time to honor their moon goddess, Heng O. They recognized that the moon played a crucial role in the seasonal cycle, so they made round cakes shaped like the moon to reward the lunar goddess, with an image of the illustrious Heng O stamped on top... "The Russians traditionally pay their respects in spring to a deity named Maslenitsa by making blini, thin pancakes they call sun cakes...The pagan Slavs were not the only people to make round cakes to celebrate the spring sun. The ancient Celts, who celebrated Beltane on the first day of spring, baked and ate Beltane cakes as an important part of their celebration...At the Beltane festival, the ancient Celts also rolled the cakes down a hill to imitate solar movement. Rolling the cakes, they hoped, would ensure the continued motion of the sun. This activity also served as a form of divination: If the cake broke when it reached the bottom of the hill, the Celts believed that whoever rolled it would die within a year's time; but if the cake remained intact, they believed that person would reap a year's good fortune...Agricultural peoples around the globe made offerings of cakes prepared from the grains and fruits that arose from the soil. The types of ingredients used to make these cakes contributed to their symbolism...The cake's size and shape were equally symbolic of its ritual purpose...round cakes symbolized the sun or the moon...All of these cakes had definitive links to the myths the people embraced.

National Cake Day will be celebrated on Nov.26. Be sure to have a slice of cake that day, but you don’t have to wait until then! Check out all our delicious Rowena cakes.