attending trunk shows for AMORROMA Swim and buying a fun, new suit!

eating buffalo chicken pizza (recipe from janetha @ meals & moves)

finally watching Mad Men

celebrating our first LA Pride weekend in West Hollywood (SUR float with Lisa Vanderpump

featured on Satisfy My Sweet Tooth

thrilled to find the newest Trader Joe’s favorite: Lacinito Kale (cut, washed and organic!)

starting the documentary Weight of the Nation

eating our first hot dog of the summer – yum!

starting a new job and loving it! (more on that to come)

Lately you’ve been…

(source)

I have to admit something.

I don’t always love nuts.

But then I remember that they are kind of a perfect snack, and can be pretty darn delicious from time to time. Everyone likes peanut butter, right?  I just recently came around to raw almond butter, and now I slather it on toast, celery and apples on a regular basis. I would never turn down pine nuts in pesto either.

If you are aren’t yet a fan, try adding some nuts in at snack time or nut butters for breakfast or lunch. Here’s the what, why and how…

What:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Cashews
• Pecans
• Pine Nuts
• Brazil Nuts
• Macadamia Nuts
• (peanuts are technically a legume but are usually fall into the nut category)

Why:

• contain fat, protein and fiber
• full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
• can help reduce the risk of diabetes
• nutrient dense: full of vitamin E, folic acid, niacin, copper, magnesium

How:

• Raw Nuts are best and then roast at home so they don’t go rancid
• Add some flavor to roasted nuts (like curried or herbed nuts)
• As a snack, on salads, or part of trail mix
• Nut Butter – look for natural varieties – the only ingredients should be nuts and/or salt.
• Watch portions! Nuts, although good for you, are very calorie-dense. A serving is one ounce.
• Recipes to Try: Almond-Honey Power Bar, Nut Recipes on Foodily, Nut Recipes on Gojee

Do you have a favorite nut or way to eat them?