HOMEMADE ROASTED & TOASTED ALMONDS - BETTER THAN STORE-BOUGHT!!

I love almonds.  There.  I said it. 

There is something amazing and slightly exotic about almonds.  An "allure" that causes them to surpass most other nuts on my list... except for family, of course! 

My blissful relationship with almonds may be because they are so versatile... or because they work well with Trim Healthy Mama snacks and meals.  Or both, perhaps? 

In any case, they are simply AWESOME!  Better yet, consumed in moderation they are exceptionally healthy... and "health" IS what we are all going for, isn't it?

NUTRITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Almonds are a good source of biotin, Vitamin E, manganese, copper, Vitamin B2, phosphorus, magnesium and fiber!  They are loaded with antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, reducing the risk of cardiovascular and coronary disease; they protect against diabetes; may help reduce weight, while lessening the risk of weight gain; provide energy boost; prevent gallstones... and, they are tasty too!  *The World's Healthiest Foods: Almonds

There is a time and place for "blanched" almonds, however... removing the skins also removes nutrients - and the health benefits are one of the reasons we consume almonds to begin with... right?  RIGHT.  Most recipes you find on this site incorporate the almond skins, simply for good measure. 

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!

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: