If you’re like most of us, overly ambitious New Year’s resolutions may be long-abandoned by now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still commit to a healthier lifestyle! February is American Heart Month, a time to adopt heart-healthy habits to improve your heart-health and overall wellness.
The Power of Three
Did you know? Omega-3s are good for your heart and overall wellness, and California walnuts are the only tree nut with a significant source of omega-3 ALA (2.5 grams per ounce).
Not sure how to get started with walnuts? Begin your journey to better heart-health with the Power of 3 by eating just 3 handfuls of walnuts per week. Commit to a healthier lifestyle and encourage your loved ones to do the same! Small changes can have big effects.
3 Heart-Healthy Recipes to Try
Here’s 3 more of our favorite heart-healthy recipes to try, certified by the American Heart Association, to try this week. There’s something for everyone and every meal!
Breakfast No-Brainer
In the morning, it can be tempting to reach for something indulgent from the pastry case of your favorite coffee shop, like a rich banana bread. This week, treat yourself to a heart-healthy version with these Banana Bread Overnight Oats. Sweet, ripe bananas team up with aromatic cinnamon to serve as the base for this easy breakfast. California walnuts round out the flavors, adding crunch, texture and nutritious goodness. Prep the night before in less than 15 minutes. The oats soak overnight, so there’s no morning prep. Plus, this recipe saves you the extra calories that traditional banana bread might include.
Snacktime Made Simple
When you need a little boost between breakfast and lunch, or if hunger strikes and dinner is nowhere on the horizon, make some Maple Walnut Energy Balls to have on hand. Decadent maple syrup pairs up with old fashioned oats and sweet Medjool dates to create a simple, no-bake snack ready to take on the go. We love how these bites are so easy to make with ingredients you probably already have on hand, and they’ll help energize you when you need it most in your day. Win-win!
Entertain with Ease
You might have dipped cucumbers into hummus as a snack, but have you ever topped cucumbers with hummus and walnuts? These Greek Cucumber Walnut Bites are brilliantly bite-sized and packed with flavor. Between the crisp cucumber, creamy hummus, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts, there’s something for everyone to love about this snack. Make a batch to serve as an appetizer for a party or dinner spread, or keep them all to yourself as part of a lunch meal. This recipe calls for red pepper hummus, but you can play around with other flavors, too, to make them your own!
Show Your Heart Some Love
American Heart Month may be coming to a close, but you can keep heart health top of mind all year long. Make 2020 the year you take steps toward a more heart-healthy lifestyle. The next time you’re looking for a quick snack or a delicious meal, lean on California walnuts. Help those you love take care of their tickers, too. Let three friends know about the advantages of omega-3s and California walnuts! Your heart (and your friends) will thank you.
* Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. (FDA) One ounce of walnuts offers 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid – the plant-based omega-3.
