Wandering with Walnuts

You have to have faith in the future to plant a Walnut Tree..............
My Father planted 2 out at the farm, from a mail order catalog I think.  They can grow up to 150 ft high..... and live several times as long as we humans.  They were planted next to the Horse corrals, and it has been a good relationship.  The old Manure has fed the trees...... and the horses have beautiful shiny coats.

It took a few years for the trees to produce....  they were just little saplings when they were planted.  When they finally did set,  My parents convinced my Baby Brother Rand he could make a killing selling FRESH, HAND CRACKED WALNUTS.  He went to the store and saw they were $2.79 a pound (yes, this was a long time ago....)  and Rand , being the bright business mind he was..... saw dollar signs on those  trees.The wheels were set in motion.  All Fall he picked and shelled walnuts until the freezer was full.  He even had a great slogan.........  "Hand Picked by Real Native Americans".........   Yes it was a grand plan,  until Ma and Pa gave all of his hard work away......  to his sisters, visiting friends......  Neighbors........  so much for the Walnut fund..........   But thank you Rand,  for the Walnuts! 

My children also got to get in the walnut harvesting business.....  they would get a Quarter for every bag full of walnuts they picked up.  (they assure me this was NOT enough money.....)  and now My brothers children pick up the walnuts at the farm.........  and tonight,  I am cracking a batch. 

Walnuts have long been considered Brain food......from the doctrine of signatures.Walnuts are one of the few nuts that contain omega -3 fatty acids and they are the main non-fish source of Alpha -linolenic acid. They are nutrient dense with antioxidants, vitamin E, and minerals. They are a rich source of protein, dietary fiber and have no dietary cholesterol.(Murray 461)

A 1/3 cup serving of shelled walnuts contain 210 calories, 20 grams of fat,  5 grams of protein, and 6 grams of carbohydrate.    Shelled by your own had and kept in the freezer, they will keep for a year.

Sally Fallon, in Nourishing Traditions
 http://books.google.com/books/about/Nourishing_Traditions.html?id=xIKkmlKOFfQC
Shows you how to soak and then re-crisp your nuts to retain the wonderful nutrition in walnuts. Soaking them overnight helps neutralize the natural enzyme inhibitors in the nuts so your body can more easily absorb the nutrition.  Her Rosemary Walnuts are amazing.......  I just love this book in general......  I highly recommend it.


Walnut Pesto,Cinnamon Walnut Granola, and of course many a Carrot cake through the years have had the secret ingredient of wonderful fresh walnuts. 

Yesterday, My baby brother Rand and his partner had a beautiful baby boy, Max Davin.  I think, the best gift I could give them, is a Walnut tree.
You have to have faith in the future to plant a Walnut Tree...............