Every February, we celebrate American Heart Month and California walnuts as THE omega-3 nut (2.5g/oz) and the heart-healthy* properties this small but mighty nut offers. This month, we’re inspiring and motivating ourselves and those we love to make heart health a regular part of our self-care routine.
California walnuts are a certified heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association (AHA), which means walnuts meet the AHA’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program Nutrition Requirements. Since there are plenty of other yummy heart-healthy foods that pair wonderfully with California walnuts, get involved by mixing up your go-to snacks and meals and try out some of these heart-smart power pairings.
The Perfect Pear-ing
Treat yourself to this “pear-ing” that’s so delicious, the heart-healthy benefits are simply an added bonus. With California walnuts and pears, the possibilities are endless. Try out this pairing in a salad with fresh Pears with Walnut and Spinach with Citrusy Dressing. This recipe is more than good for you – it’s easy and fast to make in a pinch. Be sure to pick sweet and ripe pears, use freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice and toast your walnuts for extra flavor. For a hearty meal, throw together a Walnut Pear Yam Skillet. Not only is it full of veggies, but it’s an entirely plant-forward dish!
The Best of Berries
Berries and walnuts are a perfect combination of juicy and crunchy that can be added to meals, sprinkled over oats or eaten on their own as a simple snack. For a quick breakfast that you can take on the go, make this Mixed Berry Walnut Chia Smoothie. Your body (and your heart) will love this combination of sweet mixed berries and walnuts, and your schedule will love the simplicity of a five-minute prep time.
Omega-3 Power Combo
Dish up a smart combo with fish and California walnuts. Omega-3-rich fish and walnuts are good for your brain and heart, and by putting these two powerhouses together, you can reap the most benefits of omega-3s. These Walnut-Coated Fillets with Corn Salsa are sure to make the entire family happy. This is one AHA-approved recipe for heart health your family will ask for on repeat. The tangy bits of lime, cilantro and garlic balance the buttery white fish and sweet corn, and the mild colors of green and yellow will please your eyes as much as the flavor will please your taste buds.
Overnight Oats
Start the day off with a heart-smart breakfast of walnuts and oats. The beauty of this is you start it all the night before for a perfect breakfast that’s almost entirely prepared when your alarm goes off in the morning. Banana Bread Overnight Oats are as yummy as they sound. Ripe bananas, with their extra sweetness, complement the mild base of old-fashioned oats. Cinnamon, vanilla and maple syrup add depth to the lighter skim milk, making for an elegant richness that’ll satisfy your grumbling tummy.
The Trifecta: Sweet Potatoes, Avocados & Walnuts
Upgrade your duo to a trio with this heart-healthy trifecta: sweet potatoes, avocados and walnuts. These Sweet Potato Avocado Toasts with Walnuts are a clever way to ditch bread for a gluten-free meal and use tasty and colorful sweet potatoes instead. Smooth and buttery avocado slices rest on planks of sweet potato for a superfood boost. A few flecks of flaky salt will enhance the sweetness of the potatoes, and with diced walnuts, savory olive oil and a kick of red pepper, your taste buds will experience an advanced flavor profile that will make you say goodbye to your normal butter on toast.
Do something wonderful for your family and yourself. Spread heart health for American Heart Month, and pair up heart-loving foods with the omega nut: California walnuts
