Recipes using almonds

Let’s talk almonds and almond safety! In 2007, the rule became that all almond growers had to sterilize their almonds by either steam heat treatment, ionization, roasting or blanching, or treatment with propylene oxide (PPO).

PPO is a known carcinogen, and most countries, including the EU, have banned imported nuts treated with PPO. The chemical is so nasty that it’s even been banned by both the National Hot Rod and American Motorcycle Racing Associations, where it had been used as a fuel additive before it was deemed too dangerous. [source]

Unfortunately, there is nothing on the labeling that says how almonds were treated and even almonds marketed as raw could have gone through one of these treatments.  To get TRULY RAW almonds, we will have to find out from the source. Here are some sources for raw almonds:

Terrasoul Foods on Amazon

Bremner Farms

Also, shockingly, look for almonds that were grown outside of the US!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALMONDS

Almonds are a good source of the following vitamins:

• Vitamin E
• Magnesium
• Protein
• Manganese
• Magnesium

Almonds also are a good source of healthy fat (monounsaturated fat) – helps keep cholesterol levels down, good for your heart! Almonds contain linoleic and linolenic acids, which help reduce inflammation.

RECIPES WITH ALMOND BUTTER

Make almond butter in the vitamix! 

I love adding a scoop of almond butter into my smoothies!
Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Smoothie – Running with Spoons!
Delicious!

Cookie Dough Smoothie ~ Running with Spoons!

Oh she glows – granola bars
with photo credit: Just a little organic

Detoxinista – Almond Butter Pancakes!
picture credit: Detoxinista
She also has her cookbook coming out on Tuesday, which you can pre-order!

OSG Almond Butter Cups!

These are delicious!

Photo credit: OSG

Coconut Almond Butter
Looks delicious, have not tried this one!

One more nut butter recipe:

RECIPES WITH ALMOND FLOUR

Make almond flour by grinding up almonds in the vitamix into a flour

Elena’s Pantry – Breakfast bars!

picture credit: Elena’s pantry

Cookie Dough Bars – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Cookie Dough Balls – my favorite cookies!

Chocolate Donuts – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Organic almond products are not cheap! And not easy to find either.
Check out nuts.com  – you will find all almond products in the organic form.
For a 16 oz jar of organic almond butter expect to pay $8-15!

For a pound of organic almonds or almond flour expect to pay on average $12-15

What are your favorite almond products!

 * I was not compensated for this post nor is it a sponsored post. All opinions are my own!*