almonds

Gingerbread Spiced Almonds

November 16, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 6 Comments

With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, I am always looking for new and unique gifts to give out to my family and friends. I always love making some kind of holiday food in a healthy way! I decided to adapt a gingerbread spice almond recipe that I found on the internet, making it with whole and better-for-you ingredients. I am sure that everyone from young to old will enjoy these gingerbread spiced treats! No one will know that they are the least bit healthy because they are so delicious! These are the perfect treat to bring to your Thanksgiving/Christmas parties or are a great gift!

Gingerbread Spiced Almonds (recipe adapted from Crosby’s)

1 tbsp Earth Balance Organic Coconut Spread
2 tbsp Molasses
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1.5 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cups unsalted almonds

1. Melt Coconut spread, molasses, sugar and spices in a small sauce pan on low heat, about 5 minutes, or until sugar dissolves

2. Toss in almonds and mix well to combine

3. Cover a jelly roll pan with wax paper and spread almonds in a single layer on pan

4. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until

5. Enjoy

Health Benefits

Whole Recipe:

Paleo
Vegan
Protein
Refined sugar free
Gluten-free
Clean
Healthy fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Fiber
All natural
No Preservatives

Almonds:

Vitamin E, B2, Biotin, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Manganese, Copper
High in Healthy Fats
High in fiber

Amazing Almond Butter Brand: Barney Butter

October 2, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 6 Comments

I think its known to the world that I love my nut butter. I mean about 80%(if not more) of my recipes include it as an ingredient. I’m always open to try different brands and flavors that my fellow bloggers are raving about. While reading another blogger’s post, I came across Barney Butter. I instantly started drooling when I read the flavors; vanilla bean & espresso, honey & flax, raw & chia, cocoa & coconut? It sounded like a winner to me, and they definitely were!

Image Source: The Roxx Box

Here’s a break down for you:

Nutrition Facts: Similar to that of almond butter, about 180-200 calories and 15-18 fat grams for 2 Tbsp. 6 grams of protein and no more than 3 grams of sugar per serving.

Ingredients: Very short ingredient list even for the flavored ones.The plain flavors contain blanched roasted almonds, evaporated cane juice, palm fruit oil and sea salt. Other flavors add a bit more ingredients;

honey &flax adds flax seeds and powdered honey
raw & chia has raw almonds and chia seeds
vanilla bean & espresso adds natural vanilla flavor and ground espresso beans
cocoa & coconut adds chocolate chips, EV coconut oil and natural coconut flavor

Flavors: All flavors were amazing! Vanilla bean and espresso was definitely my favorite by far (you can never go wrong with a little caffeine ).

Barney Butter is perfect for:

your morning oats
dipped in your favorite fruit
mixed in with plain greek yogurt
spread on whole wheat/ ezekiel bread
mixed in a smoothie
or even eaten by the spoonful!

Try it in my Paleo Nut Butter Filled Chocolate Coconut Flour Munchkins and Mixed in with my Coconut Flour Breakfast Porridge!

Paleo Banana Nut Breakfast Cereal

September 2, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 7 Comments

Cereal is one of my most favorite foods. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Eat it by the handful, spoonful, or on top of a yogurt parfait. When I was little I used to mix all kinds of cereal together because loved having a variety or textures and flavors in my mouth. I wanted to make some kind of cereal other than granola, and after researching on other food blogs I came up with this cereal! You won’t find added sugar or preservatives in here, just the delicious taste of banana and nutty goodness. So easy and simple to make, you don’t need to buy cereal anymore! This has the taste of banana nut muffins in a wheat-free and gluten-free cereal! Make this now!

Paleo Banana Nut Breakfast Cereal

serves 3-4

1/2 cup almond meal
2 Tbsp. flaxseeds
2 Tbsp. golden raisins
2 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut
2 Tbsp, sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 banana, mashed
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. maple syrup/honey/agave

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine banana, coconut oil and maple syrup. Mix well and add to other ingredients . Stir well, scraping the sides of the bowl each time.
Place parchment paper on a cooking sheet and spread on cereal in a thin layer.
Bake for about 45 minutes, checking every 15 minutes. Break into flakes and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until golden.
Enjoy!

Health Benefits

Bananas

Packed with many vitamins and minerals such as potassium, manganese, magnesium, folate, vitamin B6, C and A
Plenty of fiber
Natural sugars

Almonds

High in vitamin E, potassium and magnesium
Healthy fats
Fiber packed

Recipe as a whole

All natural
No processed ingredients
No preservatives
No refined sugar
100% clean
Wheat-free
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Protein
Fiber
Healthy fats
Vegan
Vegetarian
Paleo
Whole 30

Heavenly Nut Butter: Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter Review!

August 23, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel Leave a Comment

Boy oh boy am I excited to share this amazing product with you guys! Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter is simply outstanding in taste, quality and nutrition!

Price: A little pricey, $6.49 for a 10.0 oz jar, but well worth the splurge ( the quality is amazing). Personally I get it only once in a while because I have plenty other nut butters to eat, but if I didn’t I would get it more often.

Ingredients: I’m pretty impressed with the ingredients, all natural , no preservatives, gluten-free and vegan.. There is a tad bit of organic cane sugar and palm fruit oil, but it is way better than the high fructose corn syrup and trans fats you see in processed nut butters. The remaining ingredients are dry roasted almonds, organic cocoa butter, and sea salt, all pretty clean.

Nutrition Facts: The nutrition facts are pretty much similar to any type of nut butter, 180 calories and 14 grams of fat per 2 Tbsp. serving. The fat is about 2 grams lower per serving than peanut butter, 14 grams vs. 16 grams. I like that there is a hefty 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving, more than peanut butter and a great way to sneak it in to your diet. There are 6 grams of sugar per serving, but not a bank breaker because its coming from all-natural ingredients.

Taste: Wow such an amazing sweet taste!This literally tastes like vanilla coated almonds crushed up into a nut butter! Not to sweet, the sea salt balances out the flavors nicely. The vanilla flavor tastes all natural, not a even hint of artificial vanilla flavor like in some prepackaged foods.

Consistency: The texture is PERFECT! Super creamy and delicious! No grainy or gritty texture like some almond butters can have!

This product is AMAZING! Use it in anywhere you would in peanut butter! Perfect in fruit smoothies, over top your oatmeal or yogurt, in a pb&j sammy, spread on a banana or apple, or simply eaten out of the jar!

Use it in recipes that call for nut butter as well! Try it with Our Nut Butter filled Chocolate Coconut Flour Munchkins!

Vanilla Almond Nectarine Oatmeal

June 10, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel Leave a Comment

My Mom just bought a surplus of fresh summer fruit at the market, delicious. Especially the fruits that are in their peak season, watermelon, blueberries and plump, juicy NECTARINES! Nectarines are pretty much like naked peaches, except a bit sweeter. I couldn’t resist putting them in a new concoction of oatmeal. They really taste nice with cinnamon, which makes their sweetness come out, and vanilla as well. I also added Chia seeds into the oats to give them a bit more volume, and almonds for crunch. I topped it off with some big, fat blueberries to give it an edge. This oatmeal is defiantly a great way to use up your ripe summer fruit, and to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast!

Vanilla Almond Nectarine Oatmeal

1/2 cup dry oats
3/4 cup water
2 tsp Chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 nectarine, chopped (use 1/2 for oatmeal and 1/2 for topping)
Blueberries
Almonds
Dash of cinnamon

1. Microwave oats with water, Chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla and 1/2 of the nectarine for about 2 minutes

2. Top off oatmeal with other 1/2 nectarine, blueberries, almonds and a dash of cinnamon, if desired

Health Benefits

Fiber from oats
Protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants from Chia seeds
Vitamin A, magnesium, potassium and phosoprous from nectarines
Vitamins E,A,K and folate as well as protein from almonds
Blood sugar regulation from cinnamon
Vitamins K, A, and C, as well as omega 6 fatty acids from blubs

What’s your favorite summer fruit?

almonds

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