
My mom and dad always had a wooden bowl of raw nuts sitting on our buffet. It was our endless snack bowl. When you take the time to crack the nuts you eat less - more doing than eating. At my home now, I only get 1 out of 4 nuts, my dogs anxiously await their fair share. It's the perfect snack food, they're raw, fresh out of the shell & I have to work for it. I take pleasure in the process--I like the sound. It is reminiscent of my childhood & maybe others who grew up in a farming community can relate to this.
It makes me feel healthy.
There are certain things in life that we do that take more work, but they are so rewarding. It is a life lesson in showing kids where things come from and holding onto simple things. Nuts don't grow in cans!
When I have those nuts in my hand (don't take that the wrong way please!!!) with the shells intact, I feel a direct connection & appreciation for the farmers who grew them & the nurturing it took -- they are just little freakin' miracles!
Crazy as it may seem, it keeps me closer to my roots and everyday I have a little bite of my childhood in hand. Eat Healthy - Live Long!
For those in North Texas--check this out http://www.pickyourown.org/TXdallas.htm
http://www.almondboard.com/growers/Pages/Default.aspx
http://www.farmersinternational.com/
http://www.bluediamond.com/
http://www.tpga.org/
http://www.yurosekfarms.com/?gclid=CK3-59mT5K0CFU6Mtgod-hTOiQ
http://www.bulkfoods.com/nuts.asp