Wonderful Walnuts!

Walnuts are the most nutritious nut and have some interesting health benefits.  Notably, they can help combat stress and lose weight.  It seems that walnuts calm the adrenal glands which help suppress cortisol production when we're stressed out.  When the body has high cortisol levels, it puts on weight.  Researchers at Pennsylvania State discovered this effect and say it is due to the high levels of alpha-linolenic acid in walnuts.  Adding 1.3 onces (18 walnut halves) per day help relieve stress.  Check it out at http://live.psu.edu/story/48843.

A delicious way to add walnuts is in a delicious and healthy dessert.  Guests will love the aroma and the results!

Delicious Fruit and Nut Pie
Ingredients for Filling:
2 cups walnuts broken into pieces
2 cups applesauce
1 fresh apple diced
1 fresh pear diced
1 cup raisins
1 cup golden raisins
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp water

Ingredients for crust:
2 cups flour
1 & 1/2 tsp salt
1 & 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk

For pie crust sift the 3 dry ingredients together (or stir for 3 minutes).  Mix oil and milk.  Add to dry ingredients and stir.  Separate dough into 2 balls (one for top crust, one for bottom crust.  Refrigerate and roll.

While dough is refrigerating, mix all ingredients for filling.  Line pie plate with one crust, prick with fork to prevent bubbles.  Spread filling in evenly and top with top crust.  Cut 5 holes with scissors and crimp edges. Bake 1 hour at 375 degrees.