Almonds are one of the healthiest things you can eat. Here are ten reasons why, though there are no doubt hundreds of reasons - many still undiscovered - to include them in your diet:
1. Almonds - and all nuts - lower cholesterol.
2. They may help you lose weight. In one study, those who included almonds as a source of healthy fat in their diet lost more weight and body fat than those who didn't, even though those who didn't include almonds had less fat in their diets.
3. They are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, both essential to healthy heart function and disease prevention.
4. They contain loads of magnesium, a mineral of which most people don't get enough. Just 1/4 cup of almonds contains 24.7% of the recommended daily value of magnesium. Magnesium is important for just about every function of the human body, especially the heart.
5. Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin that happens after eating, making them a good tool in the arsenal against diabetes.
6. They are full of good-for-you antioxidants.
7. Don't remove the skin. Almond skins contain at least 20 powerful antioxidant flavanoids.
8. They reduce C-reactive protein levels just as well as statin drugs. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a plasma protein produced by the liver that, when elevated, is an indication of inflammation in the body. This inflammation is believed to increase the risk of health problems and diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
9. Almonds contain boron, a nutrient that research suggests may prevent prostate cancer.
10. Protein! Don't ever again ask a vegan how he or she gets enough protein. A quarter cup of almonds contains more protein than an egg.
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clairenotes
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My husband was just telling me recently that there is a drink that is getting popular in California that is a mixture of almonds and rice milk. It has a spanish name that escapes me now. Anyway, it is said to be bestowing a lot of health benefits.
I think they soak the almonds overnight, which makes them easier to digest (a problem sometimes with GI compromise).
Claire
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
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charlie
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horchata is the name of it...you can get it in groceries here.
I found it too sweet for my taste, but maybe some brands are less sugary.
Charlie
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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I use the good ol' Magic Bullet to grind them up.. add some seasonings.. and Viola.. breading for chicken or fish. Yummy!
-------------------- ~Ro~
Don't wait for someone to take you under their wing. Find a good wing and climb up underneath it~ Frank C. Bucaro Posts: 80 | From Desert Southwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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Just Julie
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Trader Joes carries a big bag (like potato chip size bag) of lots of little bags of "a handful of almonds" which is what the name on the bag is for this yummy snack.
I think this was the very smartest way to market this, each little bag has approx. 1/4 cup almonds!
Easy, and portable. I find myself grabbing a little bag when I'm leaving out the door.
-------------------- Julie Posts: 1027 | From Northern CA | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Thanks for the great tip, Vanilla! I don't handle the mag. pills well & wasn't sure of natural sources. Posts: 176 | From Tenn | Registered: Jul 2004
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Vanilla
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It is really easy to make your own fresh almond milk and it tastes delicious.
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clairenotes
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Vanilla -- is the recipe just a matter of blending water and almonds or pre-soaked almonds?
If not, could you provide the recipe?
Thanks.
Claire
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
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Vanilla
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I tried making some the other night. I want to buy a nut milk bag for straining because a regular strainer was difficult to use and kept clogging up. I found lots of recipes on-line. The second recipe seemed a bit watery when I tried it so play around with it.
Almond Milk
This brief lens will show you how to make yourself a cool, refreshing (or hot, if you prefer!) glass of great tasting, dairy free almond milk.
Got almonds? Got a blender? Got a strainer of some sort? Great!
You can be in business very quickly. I'll show you how.
Almond Milk in 5 Minutes or Less -- The Recipe
Ok, I suppose it's a little presumptuous to call this a recipe... it's more like very simple instructions. There are no exact amounts. Make it to taste, experiment a little and have fun!
Dump a handful of whole, raw, preferably organic ALMONDS into the blender. (If you're a proponent of raw foods, you may wish to soak the almonds overnight in filtered water to 'sprout' them, but it's not absolutely necessary.)
Add a pinch of SEA SALT.
Add a touch of HONEY or AGAVE NECTAR, or your choice of light sweetener.
Add about 2 cups of WATER.
Possible extras: CINNAMON, CAROB, RAW CACAO, VANILLA BEAN
COVER and BLEND for 1-2 minutes.
STRAIN (fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth, nut milk bag) or don't strain if you like it chunky!
"A sweet and delicious fresh milk with the elegant essence of vanilla"
1 cup soaked raw almonds (soaked 4-8 hours)
4 cups filtered water
Pinch of sun-dried sea salt
1 T non-alcohol vanilla extract
1/2 vanilla bean (optional)
3 T raw honey or maple syrup (or 3 soft dates, pitted)
In a blender, at medium, then high speed, blend soaked almonds, water, and sea salt until smooth. Pour through a strainer (or use a nut bag) to separate pulp. Pour liquid back in the the blender and blend in vanilla extract and bean (if using) and sweetener until smooth.
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Cobweb
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Trader Joe's here I come!
Anybody else want to add to my healthy shopping list at TJ's?
clairenotes
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Thank you, Vanilla.
Claire
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
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Vanilla
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I tried making some almond milk last night with half a dried vanilla bean tossed into the blender. It really gave it a nice flavor. Freshly made almond milk is so much tastier then any other.
I have yet to buy a nut milk bag but I did find if you use a strainer lined with cheese cloth you can squeeze the milk out of the cheese cloth which takes a while but it beats milking a real cow.
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johnnyb
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Yum! This sounds really good. I can't wait to try it Posts: 1197 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2005
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As far as eating almonds (or other nuts too) - are raw or roasted better for you?
Posts: 443 | From The Wild West | Registered: Jan 2002
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5dana8
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Thanks for the post Vanilla
and for all the wonderful almond milk recipes ~ sounds yummy & can't wait to try them
I get my almonds on line at ohnuts.com. I buy in bulk (raw almonds) & usually buy by the pound to save on price then freeze the remainder till I use them.
take care dana
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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mojo
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Almonds are awesome! They are helpful for heartburn, stomach upset and weight loss. too. They are also one of the alkaline nuts (as are cashews)
Don't know where I would have gotten my protein during my early treatment when I couldn't eat hardly anything.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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Vanilla
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According to this doctor's website RAW are better for you then roasted.
Q. Is it better to eat an almond raw or roasted ( toasted )?
A. I think there is little doubt that raw almonds have a healthier fatty acid composition than roasted almonds. The higher the temperature almonds are exposed to, the more damage that occurs to the fatty acids. If possible, consider raw organic almonds.
The above link is full of good info on almonds.
Here is more info on almonds
Almond Milk for anxiety and to sooth the nerves system Unusual Remedies for Stress
In the current issue of Yoga International, Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Vasant Lad, explains that anxiety is primarily due to an aggravated vata constitution. Lifestyle factors such as late hours, overwork, windy weather conditions and improper diet all contribute to an imbalanced vata condition.
To soothe the nervous system, Dr. Lad suggests a strict routine of eating, sleeping, working and slow, methodical exercises like walking or swimming. In addition, he encourages a daily oil massage, alternate nostril breathing, a hot bath containing one-third cups each of ginger and baking soda, aromatherapy (using three drops of frankincense, basil, orange or clove essential oil) and a glass of warm almond milk containing a pinch of ginger, nutmeg and saffron.
Health Benefits
pH > 6.0. Demulcent, emollient. Almonds are traditionally regarded as having special healing and protecting properties; some doctors even ``prescribe'' almonds daily for their patients. The most alkaline of all nuts (but still slightly acidic), almonds are particularly valuable as an essential ``building food'' for those who are underweight. Their high fat, carbohydrate, and protein content make them an ideal food for strengthening the body when there is no need to worry about the increase in the supply of fat. Almonds contain a small amount of amygdalin, better known as laetrile, which has resulted in their gaining a reputation as an anticancer food. According to Ayurvedic medicine, almonds build and strengthen the bones, nerves, and reproductive system. Best eaten raw, they are easy to digest when well masticated or ground fine.
Note: Since almonds have a high ratio of arginine to lysine, they should be avoided by individuals susceptible to cold sores or herpes infections; arginine promotes (and lysine prevents) the activation of the virus.
The almond tree is part of the plum family--thus the genus Prunus. Dulcis means ``sweet,'' while amygdalus is the old Latin name for the almond. The English word almond came from the French amande, a derivative of amygdalus.
General Information
The graceful almond tree is native to North Africa, west Asia, and the Mediterranean. Botanically, almonds are a fruit--the ancient ancestor of later fruits that have large stones for seeds, like nectarines, peaches, plums, and apricots.
"The eating of almonds induces normal sleep. A concoction therewith furtherly moistens the basic liquids of the body and its oil, if trickled into the nose, induces sleep. A dish prepared with them is praiseworthy. Almonds are among the most salutory of fruits. They strengthen the stomach and the liver. Similarly its oil. One rubs the stomach and liver regions with it and its benefit is great, either eaten alone with sugar and raisins prior to meals, or during meals, or after meals. They are beneficial when used alone for all situations, and exert a normal drying action. Almonds have the property of guarding the exteriors of the brain. They watch over the moistness of organs extremely well, and do give rise to strange moisture"
Gerard said this of almonds in the 16th century,
"They do serve also to make the physical barley water, and barley creame, which are given in hot fevers, as also, for other sicke and feeble persons, for their further refreshing and nourishments."
Gerard was referring to almond milk, a very ancient beverage used since well before the biblical days to help the body repair itself. The almonds were soaked and grated, and the puree was added to boiling water. This water was then sweetened with honey; the resulting almond "milk" was one of the staples of the sick room. People drank this milk to speed the recovery process and insure a return to strong vibrant health.
In that Almonds are native to India it would pay to take a trip to that part of the world and see what the Indian, or Ayurvedic doctors have to say about them. In India, the almond is seen as a soothing demulcent to the mucous membranes when taken internally.
Mucous membranes line your respiratory, digestive, and urinary tract the way skin lines your external body. When these membranes are unhappy or under the weather, they pump out mucous. When you get a cold you have to blow your nose to rid yourself of this extra mucous. It was in these situations the Indian physicians used and continue to use the almond. In a book entitled "Indian Plants and Drugs" written in 1908, the author states that almond is effective in treating conditions in which excessive production of secretions is a problem, specifically in bronchitis and dysentery.
He also recommends it in urinary problems when the disease is accompanied with abnormal secretion of mucous.
This business of almonds stopping excessive secretions is not exclusively an Indian idea. If we travel to England in 1597 we find Gerard running his mouth about almonds acting to stop the over production of mucous.
"white juice, like milke, which over and besides that it nourisheth, and is good for those that are troubled with the laske and bloudie flix (bloody discharges), it is profitable for those that have the pleurisie and spit up filthie matter;for there is likewise in the almonds an opening and concocting qualitie, with a certain clensing facultie, by which medicine to the chest and lungs, or lights, and serve for the raising up of phlegm and rotten humors. It also cures old coughs."
The almond is a member of the Rose family and the entire family contains tannins, chemicals found in plants that were once used in tanning leathers. Tannins dry out animal skin and convert them into leather. They do the same thing to the linings of the human body. Almonds contain tannins in the brown peal that surrounds the seed and it is likely that these chemicals are in part responsible for the drying nature of the almond.
The best way to use them is to take a pound of almonds with their brown skins on, soak them in a bowl with equal parts water over night and drain.
Put the almonds in the food processor with equal parts water and puree. Mix this paste with equal parts water, strain, and sweeten to the taste.
Three cups a day of this powerful brew should be just about all that a person needs in their convalescent period or if their mucous membranes are over producing mucous.
5dana8
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Thanks Vanilla so much for posting the recipe for almond milk
I made it yesterday & it is so delicious
But couldn't find the vanilla beans anywhere. I can see how they would taste really good in this. Do you get them on line somewhere?
Thanks again Dana
ps: I soaked my almonds in water over night ~ it did help cut down on the nausea ~ which I hadn't been able to eat raw almonds in a long time
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Vanilla
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I also posted a recipe for strawberry almond nilk and ice cream on the "Other Topics" area of this board.
I first bought my vanilla beans at the local store in my over priced one horse town. I bought a bottle with 2 beans in it for 10 something. Then I drove for 30 minutes looking for a nut milk bag. You can buy them on EBay for a reasonable price. My health food store did not carry nut milk bags but they were selling organic vanilla beans one for $2. so I bought some.
While picking out my bean out of the jar a couple came looking for the vanilla and thought it was all gone. We had a long talk - they use them for making almond milk too.
They said you can buy vanilla beans online for much cheaper. I think they might have said a company in Sonoma sells them online. I woulds say google vanilla beans. They also said for those living in the Bay Area Cafe Graditude sells nut milk bags for 10 something. The ones on Ebay are priced even better.
I also tried putting a vanilla bean in a yogurt organic fresh strawberry blender drink last night - it was killer and you only have to use a tiny bit of a vanilla bean to taste the flavor. I used one dried date instead of maple syrup to sweeten it and it was delicious.
I bought a small bottle of fresh almond milk 2 weeks ago for over 6 dollars at a farmer's market plus a deposit on their glass bottle. I would much rather make fresh nut milk at home. I now want to try adding powered ginger, nutmeg and cardamon to my next batch of almond milk. You can use pecans or cashews too. The vendor at the farmer's market had many different types of nut milk. They had used many different varieties of nuts.
I would think if someone had the energy for a small side business they could make nut milk and sell it at farmer's markets and small health food stores.
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canefan17
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I drink Almond Breeze
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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timaca
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I drink Silk brand almond milk (original flavor). The vanilla flavor is too sweet for me. It does not have much magnesium (4% daily value in a cup).
I do enjoy it though, and hope that it is providing me some health benefits.
Best, Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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canefan17
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I hope the 7 grams of sugar in my Almond Breeze doesn't mess with yeast.
*shrugs shoulders*
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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I get raw almonds from a health food store. Soak 1 cup in 3 cups of water overnight. The next days I clean them throughly and then add 3 cups of water to the presaoked and cleansed almonds and then blend and then filter the liquid.
Posts: 46 | From Maryland | Registered: Aug 2009
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Well done, everyone. Good information all around. Here are a couple of other tips...
Buy Raw, Organic almonds with nothing on them that have been pasteurized by steam. It is a law that all almonds have to be pasteurized to stop the growth of mold, but only those steam pasteurized are able to be sprouted. These can be extremely expensive ($12 at Whole Foods, per lb) and they don't have to be. Local organic markets are a better place to look, in the bulk section - mine carries the exact same raw, organic california-sourced bulk almonds for only $5.15 lb which is unheard of in my area! If you can afford it, always buy nuts, beans, and grain from the bulk section. Pretty bagged products jack up the price a ton - I've seen a 1/4 lb of bagged organic almonds selling for $10 at Whole Foods, only $2 less than the cost of a pound in bulk (Which, as I noted above, still outrageous)
Almonds also contain chemical properties that help your stomach to tell your brain "I'm full, we don't need to eat a lot more". This is the opposite of what high fructose corn syrup does. This alone is a great reason to make them a snack for anyone attempting to lose weight.
Don't forget to store your almonds or any raw almond product in the refrigerator. Though almonds don't go rancid as swiftly as some other nuts and don't "say" they require refrigeration, for maximum benefit keep any raw nut product in the fridge.
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