FRESH, CREAMY, AND NUTRIENT-DENSE
The Healing Power of Almonds and How to Make Almond Milk
Almonds are used in healing diets to restore and nourish all tissue layers of the body. Almonds are the oldest cultivated nut and are considered the most medicinal nut available.
Almonds are thought to reduce vata in Ayurvedic medicine. (the Ayurvedic mind-body element associated with air and space.) Almonds support the nervous, digestive, and reproductive system as well as being very nourishing for the skin. Energetically, they’re considered cooling and nutritive. As kitchen medicine, they help to relieve dry coughs, constipation, Kidney stones, and Gall stones. A number of substances in almonds have been shown to have an anticancer effect. Almonds also contain protein, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and high levels of vitamin E.
The best way to consume almonds is to soak them overnight. This helps to remove the brown skin which can irritate the stomach. Check out the recipe below for an easy way to incorporate the benefits of almonds into your diet.
How to Make Almond Milk
Almond milk is a wonderful and delicate dairy and soy free beverage. Making your own fresh almond milk is easy, cheap, healthy, and it provides much more benefits than the store bought plant milk products. Plus, making your own is much more eco friendly by reducing the need for packaging and transport.
Ingredients:
1 cup raw almonds
4 cups filtered water (plus more for soaking overnight)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon date syrup (substitute for agave, or 3 dates)
Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Add almonds to a bowl and cover with enough water to submerge. Soak 6-8 hours or overnight. This helps them soften enough so that they can blend properly.
In the morning, drain almonds from their soaking water and rinse them in a strainer.
Add soaked almonds and 4 cups of fresh filtered water to a high-powered blender. Add in vanilla, date syrup and salt
Blend on high speed for 1 minute, adding 30 seconds more if you feel it necessary to blend.
Place your nut milk bag or muslin towel over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the almond milk into the bag and strain the liquid into the bowl, using your hands to wring out all of the milk.
Pour the almond milk from the bowl into glass jars. Almond milk will keep in the fridge 3-5 days. in the refrigerator. If it separates, simply shake the jars Enjoy!!
In addition you can make this unsweetened by omitting the vanilla and date syrup, or you can add additional flavorings based on your preference or season - ie: pumpkin spice or cinnamon.