Nuts to You!

Thinking about nuts is NOT nuts! and it's not just peanuts.  Get out of your shell, and have fun chewing on these nutty activities.

CONNECT:

• Learn 7 nutty things about nuts at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-kirkpatrick-ms-rd-ld/diet-and-nutrition_b_5234528.html
• Can bears really live on nuts and berries? Find out at http://www.covebear.com/BlackBearFoods.htm
• When is a nut not a nut? When it’s a peanut. They are actually legumes, like peas.
• Why do squirrels hoard nuts? Ready why at http://sciencenetlinks.com/science-news/science-updates/squirrel-hoarding/
• How old are walnuts? Would you believe 50,000 years ago in Iraq? The Nutcracker Museum shares the history of nuts at http://nutcrackermuseum.com/history_nuts.htm
• Discover the story behind idioms about peanuts at http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/peanut

CREATE:

• See how peanuts grow: at http://nationalpeanutboard.org/the-facts/how-peanuts-grow/. You can even grow your own peanuts: at http://nationalpeanutboard.org/farmlife-sustainability/how-to-grow-peanuts-in-your-own-garden/
• Are you nuts about peanuts? Cook up some nutty treats, following the directions at  http://txkidskitchen.com/blog/kids-in-the-kitchen-thursday-we-are-nuts-about-peanut-butter/
• Go natural with these nutty crafts: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/seashellsnutshellseggshellsartscraftsideaskids.html
• Learn how to play the British game of conkers, which traditionally uses horse chestnuts: http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/conkers.html. You can even watch the World Conker Championships at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_j4BtYGufY

CARE:

• What is the story behind nut and peanut allergies? They really are nothing to sneeze at, as you’ll see at http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/allergiesimmune/nut_allergy.html
• Learn how the Amazon Conversation Association is protecting Brazil nuts: http://www.amazonconservation.org/ourwork/livelihoods.html
• Jobs depend on rainforests, and specifically tagua nuts, as you can see at http://www.oneworldprojects.com/products/tagua.shtml
• Help donate peanut butter for the hungry: http://www.peanutbutterforthehungry.org/

CAREERS:

Nuts to you: they start from trees or the ground, then to manufacturers, packagers, all the way to stores and other retailers. And there are jobs associated at every stage.

• Get the inside story about almond growing at http://www.almonds.com/growers
• Crack open the peanut industry at https://www.peanutsusa.com/about-peanuts/the-peanut-industry3.html