Before I even get started... I know we just discussed keeping our temperatures down, to preserve the health benefits in our almonds... but these are merely a "treat" and, for the erythritol to "sugar" the almonds, it must be cooked at a higher temperature... So JUST ENJOY! INGREDIENTS:
1.5 C almonds 1 fresh egg white (or comparable carton whites) 1.5 TBS butter (we use Amish butter, when we can!) 1/4 - 1/2 tsp THM Himalayan Mineral Salt 2 TBS THM Gentle Sweet OR 1 TBS THM Super Sweet Blend (Or to taste) 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon SAVE LOADS OF $$$ WITH THE "HOW-TO'S" OF HOMEMADE ALMOND PRODUCTS! If you are "thrifty" Almond-lover, you will appreciate the following information... and if you are not an Almond-lover, maybe this will convince you to give them another try! HOMEMADE IS ALWAYS BEST! For myself, my "thrift" comes, mostly, due to our tight grocery budget - but I don't have to skimp on such near-exotics as Almond Milk, Almond Flour, Almond Meal, Almond Butter, Dry-Roasted Almonds, and Candied Almonds... because I can purchase raw almonds on sale, and then make my own, homemade versions... for a fraction of the cost -- While avoiding nasty fillers, additives, and preservatives! A definite "Win-Win" for this Mama! Below, you will find links to some super-easy, THM-friendly Almond Recipes I think you will enjoy! Now, before you pass on by, I want you to know that you don't have to be "handy" in the kitchen to pull these off - so if you are more of a "convenience-food", "drive-thru" sort, you may surprise yourself! MEAMAKING HOMEMADE ALMOND MILK? THIS IS A GREAT FOLLOW-UP! Now, this is not the way Almond Flour manufacturers process their flour (at least I am fairly certain - ha!) but since it is easy to make, and easy to incorporate into recipes, and it makes the absolute MOST of your almonds... Did I mention that I LOVE to save money? If you plan to incorporate this into a crust or crumble recipe right away, there is no need to dry first - Just add this in (up to *1/3 of the almond flour called for in your recipe) and then bake per recipe instructions. As the flour is still moist (without drying first), timing may vary, so double-check your recipe cook-times. *As a note, I have not used this product as a straight-across substitute for almond flour in recipes - but have used up to 1/3 sub, with great results! Depending upon the recipe, you may be able to incorporate more of this Almond "Flour", but I won't vouch for higher quantities. If you do try it, please let us all know what recipe you use, and how it turns out! IF YOU HAVE NEVER MADE YOUR OWN ALMOND BUTTER, YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT! So... I hate spending money on items I can make myself... More important, it irks me when big companies cut corners, put in questionable fillers, or they substitute healthy ingredients for lesser ones... Often this happens all in the same product. When we make things at home, we yield a far better product, and we save money. A definite, "Win-Win"! We have been on an almond "kick" for some time now... Not "lots" of almonds, but an enjoyable quantity. Raw. Oven-roasted. Candied. Almond Milk. Almond Flour. Almond Meal. Almond Butter... Almonds are versatile - and just plain AWESOME! They are also super-easy to transform into products which seem almost exotic... or at least like they came from a fancy healthy food store! WHAT'S THIS I HEAR? YOU ARE A "TRIM HEALTHY MAMA"?! Chances are, if you are a woman, you have likely LIVED one or more elements of my life, so some of the following may feel painful in its honesty. That is OK, because my story ends with “Happily ever after” – and yours can too! Did I just hear an audible GROOOOAN???Yup. The reason I heard so many groans emanating from my readers is that you all think you know the drill… Never fear - this won't be the typical, "Drink 8, 8oz glasses of water per day" lecture! Most “diets” require us to guzzle water by the bucket-full (how exciting) – Not because we actually need to drink alarming quantities of water, but because the "diet gurus" pushing the crazy fad-diets want us to load up on water, to hydrate... but also so we do not feel hungry or deprived... Ever been there? ME TOO… so, I am groaning right along with you! I don't know about you, but water never fills my rumbling tummy if I am truly hungry. Trim Healthy Mama is brilliant; we don’t have to spend our days feeling deprived, hungry, or dissatisfied... and we don't do things “just because"! Now, don't get me wrong - Of course, water IS important, but there is far more to hydrating [and nourishing] a THM than just water. From a sheer JOY perspective, a healthy level of hydration need NOT be “boring” or "tasteless"! PROPER HYDRATION WILL:
Since beginning Trim Healthy Mama, I have discovered a ga-zillion amazing, healthful drinks... and, as I worked toward better health, I realized I had been damaging my body. Continual, low-grade dehydration is hard on our organs - Many of my daily "symptoms" were actually my body's plea for more fluid...
The trouble with chronic dehydration is the body doesn't "feel" thirsty... and one begins to think that peeing 2 times per day is normal... that moodiness, irritability, fatigue, headaches, etc are all "normal"... SOME SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DEHYDRATION: Understanding THM principles is important to success! As an Admin on Trim Healthy Mama's FB pages, I see many new members struggling to get a handle on recipes or to learn proper implementation of THM. Do not fear... You WILL get the hang of this! Now, before I begin, I would like to be clear... With THM, we absolutely DO have great freedom to enjoy AMAZING desserts - complete with real butter, real whipping cream, real chocolate and more! Equally-exciting, if we are properly implementing THM, we will NOT have to meticulously count calories, fat grams, or carbs... but we should be conscious of needlessly, unnecessarily, loading with 100s-1000s extra calories -- just for the sake of doing so. Unfortunately, with tens of thousands of THM members, scattered throughout many, many Facebook groups, a good portion of recipes crossing these boards are not waistline-friendly. While many of these could be deemed to fit "S" in a very broad sense, they are *clearly* "indulgent"... and not necessarily in a "good" way. For instance, I often see recipes calling for full cups of heavy cream: One cup of heavy cream equals 821 calories and a whopping 88 grams of fat... That, my sweet THMs, is a lot. Truly. Do you REALLY want to be healthy? There comes a point when we look in the mirror and ask ourselves, "Is that REALLY me?" If we can, honestly, look into that mirror and decide we WANT to continue on this way, likely to gain 5 - 10 pounds more, each and every year, then so be it... If we, truly, wish to become healthy, we WILL purpose to make a permanent change... and we WILL stick to it. THERE IS NO IN-BETWEEN. To be successful, we must decide to just DO what needs doing! No more excuses. No more looking into that mirror - hating what we see, yet "loving" the food combinations which brought us to this point. If we, truly, wish to become healthy, we WILL purpose to make a permanent change... and we WILL stick to it. As an Admin for Trim Health Mama, I see common excuses posted regularly… and, in an effort to be “real” with you, most of these excuses are simply what we say when we wish to avoid taking the responsibility for our own health. I do not write this in judgment, but because I have walked this journey before you. “IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME TO COOK!” Nope. Better review that recipe section again! Implementing Trim Healthy Mama correctly, we can make up a healthy snack or meal in a matter of minutes. In other words, we can make a healthy meal in the time it takes to scarf down a bowl of Fruit Loops... So "scheduling", honestly, isn't a valid excuse. Of course, for those who love the kitchen, THM is not just about “convenience”. In the instance you desire something "incredible”, you can spend all day in the kitchen, whipping up mouthwatering masterpieces – worthy of serving your family, friends... the first course to disappear at potlucks! “MY <INSERT HEALTH ISSUE> IS WHY I HAVE GAINED WEIGHT!” Overweight or obese people often use an injury or illness as the excuse for their weight-gain, and/or their inability to lose. Again, no judgment, as I have been here myself. The truth is, we simply must get past the excuse stage and face REALITY: Most of us are overweight and/or obese, not specifically because of a health issue or an inability to exercise - but because of our OWN choices. Eating correctly does NOT require the ability to run a 5K; hike a tall mountain; do kettle-bells; T-Tap... Quite frankly, eating correctly doesn't even require the ability to walk! "HEALTH" simply demands that we put the right food into our mouths... and stop consuming the foods which put us into this unhealthy state. “IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE!” I completely understand financial limitations -- but I am also here to tell you, there ARE ways to make THM work - even on an exceptionally tight budget. Protein provides stamina that cheap, empty carbs do not. I may be able to purchase a bag of chips for less than the cost of 3 eggs and veggies… but the healthy option will carry me far longer than empty carbs/sugars. In honesty, it requires LESS healthy food to satiate hunger, while nourishing and healing the body. "OFF-PLAN FOODS AND CHEATS ARE NOT MY PROBLEM!” I can tell you from experience, wrong food combinations are, indeed, what brought you here - and if you are continuing to bring these foods to your lips, this practice is, indeed, causing your health issues. Some people state the THM portion-sizes are the true culprit for stalls and/or weight gain... Perhaps you are simply not eating commonsense portions? There is no need to feel "hungry" or "deprived" on THM, as portions are incredibly generous... but some people DO struggle with serious over-eating. If you are doubling portions or eating multiple portions of dessert... then take the time to drink a tall glass of GGMS or a Shrinker before your snacks and meals. Beginning your meal well-hydrated WILL gratify with smaller food portions. “BUT I JUST CAN’T PASS UP <CHIPS, CAKE, SODA, FRIES, COOKIES, CANDY>!” When you look in that full-length mirror, do you feel happy with the reflection looking back at you? Are you “trim” and “healthy”? "Who do you want to see... and who do you want to be?" Temptation is nothing but a thing to say, "NO!" to. So you are craving something unhealthy? SO WHAT!? Put something healthy in its place. Your body will soon crave what truly nourishes it.! Temptation is nothing but a thing to say, "NO!" to. So you are craving something unhealthy? SO WHAT!? Put something healthy in its place. Your body will soon crave what truly nourishes it! TRUTH
We have a terrific, successful food-guideline with Trim Healthy Mama... so, regardless of schedules, most health issues, finances and other peoples' influences, WE are the ones in control of what we stuff into our mouths. Being honest with yourself is the first step... A trimmer, healthier YOU is just a decision away. Jaque These are AWESOME. That is all. Ok, so "Zesty" and "Zucchini" might not sound like they go together, but let me assure you... When it comes to pleasing a large family, these are a winner! We like to serve these with RunAmok Mama's Parmesan Pork Spareribs, because they use the same base coating, and really add a nice flair to mealtime! Sooooo easy, and the family thinks I worked extra hard. <wink> Packed with flavor and coated with a crunchy rush of spice, these Spicy Parmesan Pork Spareribs are one of our family's favorite recipes - Requested OFTEN! Served with Zesty Zucchini Spears, and accompanied by a side of stir-fry vegetables sautéed in butter, this makes for a wonderful "S" dinner for THMs - fit for any evening of the week! |
RUNAMOK MAMAPrecision-run households may find my title, "RunAmok Mama" to feel a tad alarming, so I'd like to offer a quick assurance that my life is more an exercise of controlled chaos than sheer pandemonium! Archives
June 2018
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