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California Walnuts | Essential Food for Health

About the Smart Salads Recipe Contest

The “Smart Salads” Recipe Contest is a national contest in search of salad recipes incorporating walnuts that are nutritious*, delicious and enjoyed in the appropriate portion. The California Walnut industry has partnered with Charlie Ayers, the man who fed Google, to help you make your family’s salad dishes and menus smarter.

In keeping with the USDA’s food guide pyramid, Smart Salads fit within the nutritional guidelines recommended by the agency. This doesn’t mean they can’t taste good - or that they have to be exclusively prepared with vegetables. These salads can include ingredients from all food groups including fruits & vegetables, nuts (especially Walnuts) & grains, and meat & dairy.

If you want to improve the nutrition of your salad, review the tips provided by Chef Charlie Ayers on this site. But rest assured the fact that it contains walnuts is a bonus. Walnuts can add flavor, texture and provide important alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Using them in your salad is a great way to add essential nutrients to your daily diet.

This is an online entry-only contest, meaning we are only accepting entries on this website, between April 9 and June 30, 2008. During the entry period, registered contestants will be able to rate recipes submitted by other contestants. While this will have no effect on the final judging, it will be a fun way for contestants to track the appeal of their recipes.

Please contact our PR firm, Torme Lauricella Public Relations, with questions about the “Smart Salads” Recipe Contest.

*Within the USDA’s Food Pyramid nutritional guidelines. For more information click here.