Celebrate National Almond Day All Month Long With Unexpected And Creative Tips To Enjoy The Heart-smart, Satisfying Snack

MODESTO, Calif., Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrate National Almond Day (February 16) by exploring the seemingly endless versatility of this crunchy, heart-smart snack[i]. Here's your party favor: Follow California Almonds on Instagram for a new almond "Life Hack" every day in February, and be the first to "Like" each tip for a chance to win one of 28 prize packages that includes many forms of the favorite nut.

National Almond Day fits naturally in February, which also marks American Heart Month, reminding us to focus on healthful eating habits. And almonds' big, distinctive crunch isn't just satisfying, it's also powerful, with 6 grams of energy-giving protein and 4 grams of hunger-fighting fiber per one-ounce serving.

There's more than one way to crunch this nut: The "Life Hacks with Almonds" series includes tips for subtle changes, ingredient substitutions and practical uses for almonds that can make your life easier and have a positive influence on your eating and your overall health. For example:

• Use crushed almonds or almond flour as a flavorful, nutrient-rich, gluten-free substitute for bread crumbs crusting meat, seafood, vegetables and other foods
• Did a Thai recipe turn out too spicy? Mix in some almond butter to tame the spice and add some toasty flavor
• Feeling mid-day hunger pangs? Curb hunger with a spoonful of almond butter and a glass of water
• Save time and make a snack mix for the week with almonds, dried fruit and chocolate, portioned out in snack size bags

Every day during February, California Almonds' Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages will offer a new Almond Life Hack, and the first follower to "Like" the tip on Instagram will be eligible to receive a "Life Hack Pack" filled with useful almond products to try the hacks at home. Visit Almonds.com/national-almond-day for more information, and "Like" California Almonds on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

About California Almonds
Almonds from California are a natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all aspects of marketing, farming and production on behalf of the more than 6,000 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit Almonds.com.

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[i] Good news about almonds and heart health. Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving on almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.

SOURCE Almond Board of California