Homemade Almond Butter

I’ve been buying raw almonds to snack on for years, and once I told my husband that almond butter was healthier for him than peanut butter, he began to buy the almond butter at our local health food store. Although I loved the flavor of the almond butter, it was very expensive, and I found the texture a little too grainy and it was a little too thick to spread.

Browsing through Pinterest recently, I came across a number of recipes for Roasted Almond Butter and seeing how easy it was to make I decided to make it myself. You need raw, unsalted almonds, and that is all. Really, how easy is that? Simply toast them for 8 to 10 minutes, but do not let them brown too much, and then into your food processor they go. I found that it was best to make the almond butter in smaller batches, as I started out with too much and had to remove some. It took a while with my food processor which isn’t very powerful, but it turned out very creamy and smooth with a rich almond flavor. Exactly what I was looking for!
Why choose almonds? Check out the health benefits!

1. They reduce heart attack risk. – Those who consume nuts five times a week have about a 50 percent reduction in risk of heart attack according to the Loma Linda School of Public Health.

2. They lower ‘bad’ cholesterol. – Almonds added to the diet have a favorable effect on blood cholesterol levels, according to a clinical study by Dr. Gene Spiller, Director of the Health Research and Studies Center, Inc.

3. They protects artery walls from damage. – It was found that the flavonoids in almond skins work in synergy with the vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease (Research at Tufts University).

4. Almonds help build strong bones and teeth. – The phosphorus in almonds helps make this possible.

5. They provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss. – Although nuts are high in fat, frequent nut eaters are thinner on average than those who almost never consume nuts. Those who ate nuts at least two times per week were 31 percent less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom ate them in a study involving 8865 adults. (WHFood’s article on almonds)

6. Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals.

7. They help provide good brain function. – Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

8. They nourish the nervous system. – According to Ayurveda, almonds help increase high intellectual level and longevity.

9. They alkalize the body. – Almonds are the only nut and one of the few proteins that are alkaline forming. When your body is not alkaline enough, you risk osteoporosis, poor immune function, low energy and weight gain.

*Health Benefits From Care2.com

• Almonds are a good source of protein and are rich in phytosterols which help to lower cholesterol. Also rich in fiber and vitamin E.
• Making your own nut butter ensures it is all natural with no preservatives or sweeteners.