Wings are undoubtedly one of the most popular appetizers and are great for watching football on game day. The trouble with wings is that they are a tough fit for a healthy eating plan.
However, as with all things, as long as you are doing what is good and good for you more often than not, you are on the right track.
These Peanut Powder Crusted Wings are what I call “worth it wings” — they taste so good, they are worth it!
Welcome to the Good and Good for You™ newsletter, a quick 5-minute read with ideas and info on ways to help improve your life – including a tasty and healthful recipe.
If you are new here, I’m Virginia Willis, a French-trained chef and cookbook author. I lost 65# five years ago and have kept it off, and it has changed my life.
If a post-menopausal French-trained Southern chef can lose weight and gain health, then you can, too.
This issue shares:
- Best Life Living Tip: Deciding What’s Worth It
- Self-Care Strategy: Flavor is Key
- Ideas and Inspiration: Keeping Hope Alive
- Good and Good for You™ Recipe: Oven Roasted Peanut Powder “Worth it Wings”
Thanks for reading! It’s awesome to see that this newsletter is making life better in some way for so many folks.
Read on for more — including these great Oven Roasted Peanut Powder “Worth it Wings”. So good! I know you and your family will love them.
Best Life Living Tip
Worth is a funny thing. I know there are a lot of women who feel invisible once they turn 50. I’ve seen men look right through me, and I know I am not alone.
The only one who can claim your power is you — and you are worth it.
Not too long ago, I was in an unhappy relationship, eating too much, drinking too much, not taking care of myself, and did not feel like I had a voice. I did not feel like I had any worth.
One of the biggest components of my health journey was not losing weight, but finding my worth.
Know Your Worth
- Set the tone. People learn how to treat you by watching how you treat yourself.
- Progress over perfection. You are not defined by the scale, your salary, or anyone else’s opinion.
- Speak up. Using your voice, kindly but confidently, is one of the most powerful things you can do to find your worth.
- Take care of yourself. Time, rest, and joy aren’t luxuries; they’re part of living your best, most powerful life.
You can do it!!
Self-Care Strategy
This issue’s self-care strategy is about how to get more flavor in your food. It doesn’t matter how low-cal or how few points a dish or recipe has if you don’t like it.
Flavor is key to healthy eating.
The secret ingredient to amping up the flavor in these wings is peanut powder! Peanut powder is made from finely powdered peanuts that have been pressed to remove much of the oil and fats.
It is also a great flavor booster and high in umami. The word umami means “yummy” or “delicious” in Japanese. It’s also known as the “fifth taste” and is sometimes described as “savory” to go along with sour, salty, bitter, and sweet.
That savoriness comes from the presence of glutamate, an amino acid that occurs naturally in food. While most often associated with soy sauce, bacon, and other processed ingredients, umami also occurs naturally in whole foods, like peanuts.
Peanut powder can be reconstituted in water to make a spread or peanut butter and is also widely used in protein shakes. It’s become a pantry staple in my home, and I use it as a flavor-boosting ingredient, as with these chicken wings.
Ideas and Inspiration
It’s been pretty grim lately with the news. With the assault on our public lands and the cruelty of ending SNAP benefits, it feels to me like our country has lost its moral compass.
And, I know there are a lot of good people. I know that no storm lasts forever.
One of the ways I protect my peace is by gardening. I came across this post by the Wild Ginger Herbal Center and wanted to share.
Gardening is good for mental health
- It grounds you – Getting your hands in the dirt connects you to the earth and slows your mind. The simple act of planting or weeding can be a form of mindfulness, helping quiet racing thoughts, and reducing stress.
- It nurtures joy and patience – Watching something grow reminds us that good things take time. Gardening teaches patience, gratitude, and the quiet satisfaction of progress.
- It lifts mood and builds resilience – Sunlight, fresh air, and gentle movement trigger feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Over time, that outdoor time helps boost energy, ease anxiety, and improve overall emotional balance.
This weekend, I will plant some flowers in my garden and be hopeful.
Good and Good for You Living Spotlight
My use of a daily gratitude journal has helped me find my worth. It has helped me realize that I am loved and I have value. I make mistakes and slip up just like everyone. I am human, as are you.
My Gratitude Journal helps keep me on track to know what I have, what I offer, and what I am worth.
Keeping a gratitude journal can foster a positive mindset by encouraging you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Reflecting on things you’re thankful for can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall mental well-being.
I strive to be healthy and strong, clear and focused, calm and graceful, and abundant and prosperous.
For more info, click HERE.
Make it Count
Thank you for reading. For more tips, inspiration, and healthy recipes, please follow @virginiawillis on Instagram
If you choose what’s Good and Good for You™ most of the time, you’re headed in the right direction.
You’ve got this!
Bon Appétit, Y’all!
Virginia Willis
Peanut Powder Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon Madras or spicy curry powder
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup plain low-fat Greek-style yogurt
- 3 tablespoons peach preserves
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce or to taste
- 1 cup peanut powder
- Cilantro sprigs for garnish
- Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the wings, curry powder, turmeric, cayenne, soy sauce, canola oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
Meanwhile, to make the sauce, combine the yogurt, preserves, and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Remove the marinated wings from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Add peanut powder and toss to coat. (Heads up -- It won’t be breaded as for fried chicken. The peanut powder almost melts into the wings.)
- Heat the oven to broil. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a rack on top and spray with nonstick spray. Place the wings on the prepared rack.
Broil 10 minutes, turn, and broil another 10 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove wings from the oven and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
Nutrition
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