My son recently mentioned that he’s considering becoming a vegetarian. He’s very health conscious and interested in fitness and nutrition, so it wasn’t surprising to me. I myself was vegetarian in my early twenties. Unfortunately, I didn’t know everything that I know now about getting enough protein in my diet.

Twenty years ago, vegetarians were told to eat tofu and beans to get protein. For a girl like me, that didn’t sound very appetizing. I didn’t know how to work with those foods, and I wasn’t aware of all of my options. I didn’t supplement properly and became ill, and eventually returned to eating meat.

One thing I definitely didn’t know twenty years ago is that peanuts have more protein than any other nut. Containing high quality plant protein, eating peanuts help build and repair muscles. There are so many things you can make with peanuts in order to get this powerhouse plant protein, like this peanut ice cream.

Peanut Ice Cream

Serves: Makes about 1 litre
Cooking Time: 1 hour plus freezing time

This delicious peanutty ice cream is the perfect summer dessert. Enjoy on its own, or pair it with another dessert – either way, you’ll be happy you tried it!

Ingredients:

• 6 egg yolks
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 2 cups cream
• 1 tbsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until frothy and blanched, about 5 minutes.
2. Heat the milk. Integrate the milk gradually to yolks. Return to saucepan and heat until it starts to thicken, stirring with a wooden spoon, add the peanut butter. Remove from heat.
3. Whisk the cream until it holds soft peaks; fold in the cream until blended; add vanilla.
4. Pour in plastic mold, cover and freeze until it thickens. Serve with ice cream scoop. You can add red fruit jam.

If you love frozen treats, check out these Chili Chocolate Peanut Butter Popsicles. They are a delicious treat and the perfect way to cool on a hot summer day! The kids don’t need to know that they are packed full of magnesium, Vitamin E, folate, iron, thiamine, Vitamin B6 and zinc.

Peanuts are not just found in desserts and peanut butter. You can use them salads and entrees too. The health benefits are endless. They contain fibre, essential vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats too. They help you feel full longer and they can help control blood sugar levels. Research says that eating peanuts in moderation can also help keep your heart healthy. These tasty little nuts can be a valuable tool in your plan to health and nutrition.

Whether you are looking for extra sources of protein, or you just want a healthy snack, peanuts are the answer. Grab some today!

For all of my contest loving readers, here’s a contest you won’t want to miss. The Peanut Bureau of Canada has launched a photo contest on their Facebook page called “Join our Peanut Gallery”. It’s open to all residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, and calls for peanut lovers to share a photo of their nutty love affair – from recipe photos to empty peanut butter jars. You can win grocery gift cards, so be sure to enter!