Almonds

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Almonds for Health

Did you know that almonds are a healthy snack and that they have been proven beneficial for weight loss, and can help to combat a number of health problems?

Almonds posses a very high nutritional profile and are revered for their ability to strengthen the body and soothe mucus membranes. In the Indian tradition, they are called the "King of Fruits." Being that almonds are composed primarily of protein (16.5 percent) and oil (41 percent) and do not contain any starch, powdered almonds have historically been made into bread, cakes and pudding for people suffering from diabetes. Almond oil is similar to olive oil, but is sweeter tasting and more nutritious.

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The Lovely Almond Tree by Plàcid Pérez Bru

About Almonds 

"The Almond is a species of tree native to the Middle East. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated nut of this tree. Within the genus Prunus, it is classified in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed.

Although popularly referred to as a nut, the edible part of the almond is botanically not a true nut, but the seed of a drupe (a botanic name for a type of fruit). "Shelling" almonds refers to removing the shell (the endocarp of the fruit) to reveal the seed. Almonds are commonly sold "shelled", i.e. after the shells are removed, or "unshelled", i.e. with the shells still attached. Blanched almonds are shelled almonds that have been treated with hot water to soften the seedcoat, which is then removed to reveal the white embryo."

~~Wikipedia

Almonds For Health 

Studies indicate that almonds may provide important nutritional support to combat diabetes, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, inflammation and obesity.

Almonds are a source of nutrients that can facilitate weight loss and can help your heart. When overweight Americans used about a 2/3 cup of almonds per day as part of a weight-loss diet, they increased weight loss by 62 percent more than when following a standard weight loss diet and had a 50 percent greater reduction in waist circumference.

Exciting research that shows almonds may help to fight The Insulin Resistance Syndrome, also called the Metabolic Syndrome, which affects 40 percent of U.S. adults.

Read the whole article here:
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Almonds in Recipes & Meal Plans 

Almonds are featured in the recipes and healthy mean plans in the book, The Fat Resistance Diet

Steamed Kale and Slivered Almonds Attribution ShareAlike 3.0

 

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According to Chinese medicine

Almonds posses a neutral temperature and sweet taste and benefit the lungs, transform phlegm and soothe the intestines.

According to Chinese Medicine 

The Five Flavors
The Five flavors refer to the concept of five kinds of taste of foods or drugs, ie, pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty,

Foods with bitter flavor: Bitter melon, almond, lily bulb, orange peel, tea, coffee, bitter green, arrow root, pig liver.

Attribution of Five Flavors:
In terms of the theory of Five elements it is held in traditional Chinese medicine that bitter attributes to the heart, sour to the liver, sweet to the spleen, pungent to the lungs and salty to the kidneys.

Meridian tropism
Meridian tropism what area the herbs or foods act on since they have strong affinity to internal organs and meridians.

Some foods tropistic to Lung meridian::Ginger, onion, (white) turnip, pear, lily bulb, almond, water chestnut.

Soaking Almonds 

If possible almonds should be purchased in their shell. This helps to ensure that your almonds are fresh and not rancid. Almonds should be soaked to improve their digestibility and nutrition profile.

Soaking also removes harmful tannic acid and enzyme inhibitors. Soak in cool water and if possible drain the soaked water after 20-40 minutes. Add fresh water and continue the soaking for another 8-12 hours.

Almonds Should Be Blanched

Being that the almond skin is potentially irritating to the lining of the stomach and intestines the almonds should be blanched (following soaking).

To Blanch Almonds 

difficulty level: easy easy
preparation time: 5 minutes

1. Place soaked almonds in a saucepan of boiling water.
2. Time seven (7) seconds.
3. Immediately remove from heat.
4. Drain and cover almonds with cold water to cool.
5. Press each almond between thumb and forefinger to slip off skin.
6. Dry almonds on paper towels.

You can also try blanching them in warm water (15-30 seconds in hot water from faucet.)

Ayurvedic & Unani Medical Systems

Almonds are a primary tonic food used to promote vitality and are used to treat anemia ( due to its high iron content and vitamins), mental fatigue, constipation, impotence, respiratory disorders and warm the body during the winter.

How To Toast Almonds 

To Further protect the almonds from the effect of rancidity and enhance digestion lightly toast the almonds in an oven.

difficulty level: easy
preparation time: 10 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a low sided pan, evenly spread nuts.
3. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
4. Oven toasted nuts are done when you can smell them.
5. All nuts should be cooled on paper towels.

 

Almonds

are a primary tonic food used to promote vitality and are used to treat anemia ( due to its high iron content and vitamins), mental fatigue, constipation, impotence, respiratory disorders and warm the body during the winter.

Almond Photos 

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Almond Cranberry Munch Candy by norwichnuts

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More Info About Almonds 

Almonds can be ground in a coffee grinder or a food processor with the addition of water, sugar and gum arabic to make what is called an emulsion (preparation time: 5 minutes).

An emulsion makes a pleasant drink to soothe the intestines and urinary tract.

By adding an egg yolk and removing the gum arabic, the emulsion can be used for lung ailments and old coughs. If the emulsion is made with an ounce of almonds and a quart of water it makes almond milk (you can also simply add ground blanched almonds and some sugar to water until you achieve the preferred consistency) which shares many characteristics of cow milk and makes a delicious refreshing beverage.

Almonds can also be used to relieve heartburn. Dosage is six to eight blanched almonds.

Almond butter is made by grinding the blanched almonds and is far healthier than peanut butter.

Use a Coffee Grinder To Grind Almonds 

Almond News From The Web 

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Cooking With Almonds 

Toasting and Sugaring Almonds | Make and Takes
As you stir the sugar and almonds around, the almonds will also start to get brown and toasted, making for the perfect topping. Once they are at your desired toasted-ness, pour them onto a piece of tinfoil to cool. ...

Almond Milk Flickr Photo by tiffanywashko

Almond Milk 

Almond milk is a milky drink made from ground almonds. Unlike animal milk, almond milk contains no cholesterol or lactose. It can be used as a substitute for animal milk in many recipes, and is also completely vegan. Commercial almond milk products come in plain, vanilla, or chocolate flavors. They are often enriched with vitamins. It can also be made at home by combining ground almonds with water in a blender. Vanilla flavoring and sweeteners are often added. However, users should be cautious not to use bitter almonds, since the combination of bitter almonds and water releases cyanide[1].

For the weight conscious, unsweetened almond milk is lower in calories than cow's milk or soy milk.

Almond milk is an excellent nutritional source for those on special dietary constraints[citation needed]. The casein in dairy milk may cause allergies[citation needed]. Regular, unsweetened almond milk can replace dairy milk in most recipes. Almond milk is also used by those that are allergic to soy.

~~Wikipedia

History of Almond Milk 

In the Middle Ages, almond milk was known in both the Islamic world and Christendom, where its vegetable composition - being a nut that is the seed of a fruit of a plant - made it suitable for consumption during Lent. Almond milk was also a staple of medieval kitchens because cow's milk would not keep for long without spoiling, and would usually be turned into butter or cheese immediately.

Historically, almond milk was also called amygdalate. It was consumed over a region stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to East Asia.

The Viandier, a 14th-century recipe collection, contains a recipe for almond milk and recommends its use as a substitute for animal milk during fast days

~~Wikipedia

Vote For Your Favorite Book About Almonds 

Or add another

Cholesterol Cures: More Than 325 Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol and Live Longer from Almonds and Chocolate to Garlic and Wine by The Editors of Prevention Health Books, William P. Castelli

Cholesterol Cures: More Than 325 Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol and Live Longer from Almonds and Chocolate to Garlic and Wine by The Editors of Prevention Health Books, William P. Castelli

Are you troubled by scary headlines linking high c more...0 points

The Milk of Almonds: Italian American Women Writers on Food and Culture

The Milk of Almonds: Italian American Women Writers on Food and Culture

Often sentimentalized as nurturing through food, I more...0 points

The New Treasury of Almond Recipes by The Almond People Blue Diamond

The New Treasury of Almond Recipes by The Almond People Blue Diamond

Recipes using almonds as one of the ingredients.0 points

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