The quick answer: Many have overlooked the healthiness of nuts. Make nuts a regular part of your diet; eat a serving most days.
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A charming Victorian farmhouse high in the Rocky Mountains of Utah is just one of the good things my Beautiful Wife brought to our family. (There are also those six slightly-above-average children and a pack of way-above-average grandchildren.) The farmhouse is located in a small town settled mostly by Swiss emigrants in the 1860s. Though the family farms have mostly disappeared, the traditions linger and influence all who come here. I know this; the customs of this town have given me a deeper reverence for the wisdom of tradition. We’ve been graciously welcomed here, considering that we’re from California, probably because a good part of the town is some kind of cousin to the Beautiful Wife.
There’s always some project to do when we come here, like painting. This trip the trim around the 2nd story roof wanted paint so I needed some scaffolding—which brought me to two local men of character, Steve and Gary. Gary has the scaffolding and Steve has a trailer to haul it to the house. I got to know, and respect, them during the restoration of the home. The other day, standing around a pick-up truck, a place where guys here are prone to visit, they began to reminisce about times past.
Their most vivid memories were about harvesting hay—farm boys work a bunch, but being strong enough to heft hay bales seemed to be the work that signaled a boy’s passage to manhood. The conversation turned to the long-ago death of a friend, killed in a farming accident. Gary, who was there, recalled the boy was going to take a certain pretty girl from the next village to see the fireworks that night. There was a moment of silent remembering; working through the genealogy I realized that the boy who died too soon and his lovely date were cousins of my wife.
We returned later for a missing item and found Gary in his garden, his arms full of squash. In the way of those who farm, he insisted I take some zucchini, which led to a story about a visitor to the area. The visitor was impressed that his host never locked his car and even left the keys inside. But on Sunday, when they went to church, the windows were rolled up tight and the doors locked. Later he asked about the need for such security at church. “Oh, you have to,” the host explained, “while you’re in meeting, they’ll slip their extra zucchini into your car!” When we got back to the house I left the zucchini in Steve’s truck but he returned it later with a grin. We had it for dinner, steamed, with a cheese sauce. As I ate, I pondered how people who garden seem extra healthy.
Healthy Nuts (and Seeds)
Now some past posts come together. As we reduce the animal protein in our diet in favor of plant protein (discussed here, but 1/3 animal, 2/3 plant), we also reduce the saturated fats in favor of their less-saturated cousins. I like beef, and pork; now that I’ve figured out that sheep are the last meat to be pasture-fed I’m taking a liking to lamb also. But there’s a new dietary: Less meat but more fish, legumes, and nuts. You can even save a little money, as well as your health. I like the crunchy chew of nuts, it’s probably a guy thing, and am happy to eat less meat in exchange for more nuts.
Many are unaware of the health benefits of nuts so here are a few highlights:
Budget Wisdom
You can save by buying nuts in bulk. The grocery stores offer nuts in small packages (2-1/4 oz.) at high prices. For example, at the local supermarket almonds were $18/lb in the small package (and $9/lb. in the 6 oz. package); pecans were $24.81/lb; walnuts were $16.20. Prices as high as these are offensive. The same nuts can be bought at the health store in any quantity from bulk bins for $3.59 for almonds, and $9.62 for walnuts (pecans weren’t available at the store visited). If you can use a 2- or 3-lb. bag, Costco offers almonds at $3.26/lb; pecans at 7.50/lb; and walnuts at $7.00/lb. For the best value and taste: buy in bulk and refrigerate your nuts in a sealed container.
Do the supermarkets realize how long the train has been gone? The policy of the grocery stores is to seek the best price rather than offer best nutrition. Worse, they add unneeded processing (sugar coated peanuts?). It’s a bankrupt strategy; they are missing the train.
We buy walnuts from a small grower in northern California after the Fall harvest. When I first met him I wanted to buy a bag full of walnuts in the shell and use them through the year as needed. The grower laughed, “You mean, keep them in your garage?” That was what I had planned, actually. He explained that the fats would oxidize and turn rancid during the year; you have to shell the nuts and freeze or refrigerate them (just like fresh-ground wheat). The grower, who also supplies restaurants, had a cold room to protect his nuts. The fresh walnuts I bought had great taste and color (blond, whereas the older, unrefrigerated walnuts in the stores turn a darker brown as they age), and only cost $5/lb. if I shelled them.
I like nuts with dried fruit. Throw in some oats and you have the Swiss breakfast, muesli. Nuts are important to granola also. And the snack plate is a good place to set out your daily serving.
You likely noticed we didn't have a picture for this post. Reason is my talented photographer, who donates her time to the cause, has mentioned the two words I have been fearing: "Maternity leave." So we're going to have to be more creative for a while.
Please comment on how you buy and use nuts, or your favorite nuts.