Once upon a time the word “nuts” was not part of my vocabulary, now most nights you’ll find Lefty and I with our hands in the nut bin (his left hand mostly).
Yes, you read right, we have a bin of nuts! The trick is to stop at only a few each night, which is easier said than done with some varieties. (I hope you’re smiling by now!)
Seriously, nuts are nature’s way of showing us that good things come in small packages. These bite-sized nutritional powerhouses are packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Nuts are underrated as nutritious snacks, particularly raw tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and more, which have been linked to lower cholesterol, better heart health, weight control, and even a lower cancer risk.
I’ve found a little bit of info on a few different varieties we eat just out of interest and thought I’d share one or two each month.
Walnuts: inflammation fighters: In addition to containing the most antioxidants of all nuts, which help protect your body from the cellular damage that contributes to heart disease, cancer, and premature aging, “walnuts are also the richest in omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation,” according to Joy Bauer. They’re an especially great way to get these healthy unsaturated fats if you’re not a fan of fish, where these types of fats are predominantly found. A walnut snack may also turn around a bad day during that time of the month as the manganese they contain may reduce PMS symptoms.
Wishing you all a very Nutty Merry Christmas! (As ours will be!)
Larraine, Ruishton Cottage
