Healthy happy you.
Yesterday, I featured a gorgeous Los Angeles home designed by Commune Design. One feature I really adored was the master bedroom's showstopper live-edge walnut headboard. Overall, the entire room feels luxurious, organic, and restful. Instead of simply sighing over the bedroom's lovely design, I thought I'd take a more proactive approach and see if I could gather up the design elements used in Read more
I recently attended a panel discussion of chefs sponsored by the California Walnut Board (more on that in a later post), and the chefs all demonstrated recipes too. I learned a lot at the event, like walnuts are not just a salad topping, and tasted some amazing food. I will be sharing many of the recipes with you, but thought it best to start with an appetizer. This dish, created by Chef Greg Read more
If you're a furnishing with the word "walnut" in your product description, the chances I'm saving my pennies for you are high. I'm wild for walnut! The fine wood is as durable as it is beautiful, and it only looks better with age. Beyond that, its cool modern style makes a perfect complement to any room. My next big furniture splurge is likely to be walnut. But, seeing as there's so Read more
Etsy is not by any means a go-to place for furniture. But, if you are willing to sift through the crafty, country pieces, you may stumble upon a one-of-a-kind, handmade gem like this KALA Studios Phila Chair ($1,500). Simple and elegant with a beautiful walnut frame, it's what I'd call grown-up furniture for the modern home. Both the seat and back rest are upholstered, making this chair Read more
If you're throwing a holiday party and need some appetizer ideas, rather than putting out the tried-and-true Chex Mix and guacamole, why not try something entirely new? I did, when I brought these blue cheese walnut amuses-bouche to my holiday party this year. The bread, when buttered and toasted, takes on the crispy, airy consistency of a cheese puff, which is a perfect foil for the brandy, Read more
When the FDA and EPA warned pregnant women about mercury levels in fish, consumption of this healthy food dropped dramatically. Women were told not to eat more than 12 oz. a week, but confusion about which fish was OK to eat and fear about getting too much mercury made women give fish up altogether. Now experts are saying that not getting enough Omega-3s is much more dangerous to the developing Read more
I could talk your ear off about omega-3 fatty acids, but hopefully you know by now that they are super beneficial to the body. They increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, prevent irregular heart beats, and prevent blood clot formation. Omega-3s are the fats you should love because they also reduce inflammation throughout the body. Last week when I posted about which fish are Read more
One of the easiest foods to snack on (in my opinion) is nuts - a great Super Bowl munchable. Dieters tend to shy away from them because of their high fat content - but they have the the unsaturated heart-healthy fat that may help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Just want to remind you that even though they are loaded with "good" fat, you still should limit yourself to a handful. Check out how Read more
Cold weather makes me crave warm foods, which unfortunately take more time to prepare. That's why I like making a big batch of something and storing it in the fridge - then you can scoop out as much as you want and re-heat it for a quick warm snack or meal. Walnut Raisin Oatmeal is one of my favorites, and it's not just for breakfast, anymore. You'll need: 2 cups water or milk 2 cups 100% whole Read more
Historically, walnuts haven't been an ingredient that comes to mind often when I'm cooking — I typically eat them out of my hand and in banana bread, but that's about it. But recently, I attended a seminar with cooking host Joanne Weir and the California Walnut Board and Commission, where we enjoyed a walnut-centered lunch. From that broadening meal, I learned so many new ways to incorporate Read more
