Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and can reduce the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) while preserving levels of the “good” cholesterol (HDL). Walnuts are available year-round and make a healthy snack or a nice addition to main courses and decadent desserts. Indulge your sweet tooth and get nutrients! Try variations of these Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies with apples, dried berries or whatever you crave!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup organic sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup non-dairy dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a half-sheet pan with unbleached parchment paper.
2. In a large pot, combine oil, bananas, sugar, salt, and cardamom; warm over low heat for 2 minutes and whisk to incorporate; remove from stovetop and set aside.
3. Sift together pastry flour, all-purpose flour, and baking soda; add 1/2 cup at a time to the oil mixture and gently combine with a rubber spatula until no flour spots remain (about 2 mins).
4. Gently fold in chocolate chips and walnuts until well incorporated and forming a ball.
5. Place dough ball onto a cutting board; roll into a rounded log, approximately 16" x 3".
6. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 12 even pieces; place on the cutting board and press down, rounding the edges, ensuring that all pieces are evenly sized. Using a small spatula, transfer to the half-sheet pan.
7. Bake for about 15 minutes; remove from oven and let set on sheet pan for 5 minutes.

For this and other great veg recipes, visit www.VegCooking.com!

Looking for something sweet? You can either eat junk food and feel guilty… or choose a treat that make you feel smart and super healthy! LARABAR makes the best flavors and variety of raw bars. Free of chemicals, sugar and sodium, all the bars are made with raw healthy nuts.

Try the decadent Chocolate Coconut, made with dates, walnuts, almonds, coconut and cocoa powder. You'll swear you're eating a brownie! The unsweetened cocoa is even good for you, providing more antioxidants than green tea. This bar is a whole-food source of 16 essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, Vitamin E and more than 2 grams of Omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids.

For nutritional information about this product, visit www.LARABAR.com!

Many studies have already noted that omega-3s, found in walnuts, reduce inflammation, heart and vascular disease risk, decrease insulin resistance, assist with weight management and may be beneficial in brain function. A new study now reveals that they are beneficial to the skeletal system by decreasing the breakdown of bone.

The report, published in Nutrition Journal, Penn State, is the first human study evaluating the effect of plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) on bone health. Results reveal that a higher consumption of ALA leads to a reduction in bone turnover, and a shift in the balance of bone degradation/formation toward formation. Walnuts are unique as one as one of the most nutrient-dense whole food sources of ALA.

To read the full article, click here!

Theresa Flinck began her evolution to vegetarianism eight years ago. Enrolled in a sociology class, she began to learn about a variety of global social and environmental issues. When talking to her instructor about how each person could make a difference in the world, she received the most unexpected answer: “Eat less meat.”

Initially for environmental reasons, she began slowly eliminating meat from her diet. She came to realize the pain and suffering animals endure for meat production and now states three central reasons for “kicking the meat habit”: health, environment, and animal cruelty.

Theresa is now involved with the Brainerd Area Friends of Animals, a group of activists who work on a variety of social justice, environmental and animal rights issues in Minnesota. The group will be distributing veg samples and recipes on March 30th in honor the Great American Meatout!

To find out more about Meatout, visit www.Meatout.org!

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