peanuts and walnuts

february 21 according to the lunar calendar, is january 15th. and it is on that day that koreans remember to eat peanuts and walnuts. it is korean custom to chomp down on the nuts because it is supposed to bring you good teeth, good skin and general good health overall. i was introduced to this custom the other day at my korean academy. at the reception area, there was a tray of peanuts and walnuts that beckoned me to eat them. (free food is universal!) while i was chomping on some walnuts, the head instructor asked me why i eat nuts in korean. and in korean i replied, "because they're good to eat!" she laughed heartily and explained the custom. when you have a limited vocabulary, it's the simple answers that are the most fun.