Planning meals in advance aren’t just for the times
when we were able to be out and about. There are many benefits to meal prep
while you work from home as well. It saves your valuable time and allows you to
be mindful about your eating habits. Making use of California walnuts - a versatile,
nutritious ingredient – is an excellent way to start experiencing the benefits
of meal prepping. Whether you use raw walnuts, pre-toasted walnuts, or seasoned
walnuts, their uses are limitless. As we celebrate National Walnut Day on 17th May, we bring you simple and easy
ways to plan your meals with these dynamic nuts that will help you get started
on your meal prep journey!
Flavorful Toasts
One of the common complaints heard when people begin
to consider meal prep is the amount of time involved. The idea of setting aside
an entire weekend just to prepare a week’s worth of healthy meals, for example,
is quite daunting. Luckily, you can utilize versatile ingredients to make each
week’s meals much more comfortable to prepare. Walnuts are a good example. They
are delicious and extremely versatile. If you toast walnuts ahead of time and
chop up some fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, pears, or tomatoes, you
can create a variety of easy sweet or savoury breakfast toasts to be enjoyed
throughout the week. Making a delicious toast is as simple as topping your
toasted bread with your favourite fruits/vegetables and crushed walnuts.
Sensational Salads - Did you know adding a handful of walnuts on top of
your salad adds 4 grams of power-packed protein and 2.5g of plant-based omega-3
to your meals? Skip the croutons and chop up some walnuts instead. Not only are
they a nutritious alternative, but they also add some delightful crunch! By
chopping up fruits and vegetables and making a large batch of fresh salad
dressing ahead of time, all you have to do during your lunch break is throw the
ingredients together in a bowl and mix them up! Or to shake things up
(literally), pack all the ingredients in a mason jar.
Flour it up
Add grounded walnuts to your weekly stock of flour -
a great way to add a healthy dash to your rotis, bread, muffins and pancake
recipes. With the goodness of walnuts, even a simple recipe can turn out
flavourful and full of nutrients. Remember, walnuts are best when freshly
ground, so make sure to make your weekly batches. When grinding, be careful as
they turn into butter very quickly.
Smoothies with a
Twist
Making a creamy protein shake or breakfast smoothie
is a great way to kick off your day! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding
walnuts to your smoothie. Not only is it a fun way to switch up your classic
recipe, but it also adds a unique texture and flavour to your beverage. Prep
your smoothie ingredients over the weekend by chopping up various ingredients,
such as berries, bananas, and walnuts, and placing them in the freezer. Using
frozen fruit in your smoothie instead of ice will ensure your smoothie won’t
taste watered down. And throwing a handful of walnuts into the mix will add a
delectably rich, creamy and nutty flavour to your smoothie.
Incorporating nutritious ingredients such as walnuts,
into your meal plan lets you enjoy great-tasting food without hassle and a huge
time commitment. Their amazing flavour and versatility will allow you to create
a variety of dishes that’ll help keep you full and focused throughout your day!