Wild About Walnuts + A Giveaway

This post's title is not just hyperbole;  I really do love walnuts.  A lot.  In fact, just recently I posted a sweet recipe (very nutty protein pancakes) and a savory recipe (brown butter sauteed sole) using this special nut.  Walnuts are a perfect, crunchy topping for yogurt and cottage cheese, and also perfect in savory garbage salads or chopped salads.  How diverse she is! 

You can imagine my excitement when I received a bag of California Walnuts.  Oh yes.  There was cheering.  Lots of it!  

How sweet is this burlap bag?  Theses walnuts are well dressed: 

The walnuts are sealed for freshness: 

 And a hand written note, personal touch!  

From a nutritional standpoint, walnuts are a superstar!  They are rich in healthy, unsaturated fat, which is the type of fat you want to eat.  While most other nuts are full of monounsaturated fat, walnuts are chocked full of polyunsaturated fat (always loved that fun fact, I know, I know...nutrition nerd).  Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels.  Big up for walnuts! 

Fat, like those contained in walnuts, helps us to absorb nutrients - specifically fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) found in the foods we eat.  Fat also helps to delay stomach emptying, which is a good thing because it allows us to stay full for a longer period of time.  Fat also tastes good!  How bland and boring would food be without a little fat?

Walnuts are also naturally gluten free.  So for all of you wheat (gluten) avoiders out there...these are your boo. 

Nutrition information for a one ounce serving of walnuts: 180 calories,  4g carbohydrate, 18g fat (2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, 2.5g of plant based omega-3s), 4g protein, 2g  fiber

1 ounce is about 14 walnut halves, if want to reap the benefits of walnuts for fewer calories, try 1/2 an ounce (7 halves)...it's OK to count them out! 

California Walnuts launched their #NaturalDefender social media campaign featuring a gallery depicting healthy-living tips.  The images were inspired by ideas from their fans, and illustrate ways to be a #naturaldefender (simple ways to keep your body and mind happy and healthy). Who can argue with that? You can browse the images from their gallery through their app on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cawalnuts/app_275874302493929, or from their website:   http://www.walnuts.org/about-walnuts/healthy-living/natural-defender-health-tip-gallery/

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the #NaturalDefender gallery (talk about inspiration!):

California Walnuts hopes that these images will encourage people to enjoy a healthful life - and also put a smile on their faces.  Their goal is to inspire people to live healthier lives, and in the process, to remind them that walnuts can play an important role when it comes to maintaining a healthy body.

For more info on California Walnuts you can visit their website: http://www.walnuts.org/. 

But here's the exciting part...there's something in it for you!  The kind folks at California Walnuts offered to provide one lucky winner with a goodie bag!  

Here's what's included in the giveaway:

- mini spatula

- heart shaped cookie cutter

- chip clip

- flexible cutting mats

- water pouches (plastic and collapsible - great for on the go, or on hikes, etc!)

- walnut tins  (great for portion control, to keep those calories in check!)

- 1oz snack bags of walnuts

- burlap walnut bag

In order to enter, please leave a comment on the blog with your favorite way to eat walnuts!  Be sure to include your name (and email address in the comment submission form) so that I can announce the winner on Friday!

Good luck and enjoy...

xx,

The Future Mrs. Wolf

Disclaimer: California Walnuts sent me a complimentary bag of walnuts, but I was not compensated for my time or for this blog post.  All opinions are my own.  Additionally, I have never received any money from the spraypaint manufacturers' union, though perhaps I should have.