Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

Actually, most times I feel like a nut, in more ways than one. If you were to ask my wife, other family members, or any of my close acquaintances, most, if not all, would agree that I tend to conduct myself in a nutty fashion from time to time. Hey, I admit I can be a tad goofy, but that doesn’t make me a bad person, does it? No, it just makes me a bit nutty.

While this post isn’t about me or my nuttiness, it is about nuts. I eat nuts just about every single day. And you should too. Why? Read on…

But first, here is a list of other titles I considered (and rejected) for this post:

1. Go Nutz!
2. The Power of the Peanut!
3. Almonds: The Perfect Snack
4. Ode to Pistachios
5. Wall-to-Wall Walnuts!
6. Have Nuts, Will Travel
7. Please Don’t Eschew Cashews

Being a vegetarian, I am always in search of vegetable protein, and am delighted to report that nuts, besides offering us a (sometimes) salty taste treat, are high in protein. Consider these protein totals while munching your next handful of these popular nuts:

Almonds 8g
Peanuts 7g
Walnuts 6g
Pistachios 6g
Pecans 3g
Cashews 5g
Macadamia Nuts 3g
Brazil Nuts 4g

POP QUIZ!

Q: What is the most consumed nut in the world?

A: The peanut (Almonds are the most popular in America)

Okay, so nuts taste great, have lots of important vegetable protein, but why else should you grab a pile and start devouring them daily?

Fats.

Excuse me?

You heard right: Fats! The good fats, that is.

Most nuts are loaded with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Not only are these fats the antithesis of those evil saturated fats, but consuming massive quantities of them has also been known to:

* reduce bad cholesterol and raise the good stuff
* battle coronary heart disease
* fight diabetes
* improve bone health
* help you lose and/or maintain your weight
* prevent gallstones
* give you more energy

Wow! No wonder I’m nuts about nuts! And I haven’t even mentioned the fiber! Or the fact that most nuts are loaded with antioxidants, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, omega 3 fatty acids, and lots more.

POP QUIZ II!

Q: Which one of these nuts isn’t a nut at all?

a. almond
b. peanut
c. walnut
d. cashew

A: the peanut is actually a member of the legume family.

Most of you know that I take a walk just about every day…oh, but the way, you should too! I walk so much I’ve even produced a video series called "Walking and Talking with Mike." On these daily walks, a handful of nuts are not far from reach. My nut of choice while walking are almonds, but don’t hold me to that—I love them all! For those of you unfamiliar with my walking/talking/crunching routines, I’ve created this video for you:

SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT


Speaking of almonds, I am lucky to live in one of the most prolific almond producing regions in the world, Chico, California, leading me to:

POP QUIZ III!

Q: What percentage of the world’s almonds is produced in California?

a. 50
b. 32
c. 68
d. 80

A: c. 68%, with Northern California, led by Chico, producing the majority.

I love almonds so much, I produced this video over a year ago:

ALMONDS: THE PERFECT SNACK


Okay, class, let’s recap, shall we? Eating just a handful of nuts is a good way to:

* add vegetable protein and fiber to your diet
* lower cholesterol
* control weight gain, fight heart disease and diabetes
* eat smart

And may I add: they are delicious!

Peanut butter is by far the most popular of the nut spreads. A dollop atop a slice of (whole wheat) bread, mingling with some (organic blueberry) jelly still makes one of the all-time favorite sandwiches enjoyed by human beings from age one to one hundred. But if you’re only eating peanut butter, you’re missing out. Cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts all make amazing butters. My favorite, though, is almond butter. It has a distinct taste and is healthier than peanut butter. One of the places I love to visit right here in town is a locally owned shop called Maisie Janes. If you love almonds or are just looking for incredible (and tasty) gift ideas (their gift baskets are loaded with amazing products all locally grown in the area), I suggest visiting them online. You’ll be glad you did. Oh, and tell them Mike at livelife365.com sent you.

One last thing: peanuts and, recently, pistachios, have been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Some crops of these healthy nuts were contaminated with salmonella, a very serious bacterial infection. I stress that you check labels and keep informed regarding product recalls to assure that the nuts you are purchasing and consuming are safe.

It’s a shame that hundreds of thousands of people may deprive themselves of the enjoyment and health benefits derived from eating peanuts and pistachios because of human carelessness. My suggestion: Don’t! Do play it safe and make sure that the next bag of nuts you buy is absolutely safe. And do yourself a favor and:

Eat Your Nuts!
(another considered and rejected post title)



Until next time…



peace,



Mike



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