This humble nut is packed with nutrients; fibre, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium. This delicious nut is packed with flavour, a slight woody flavour on the outside, and delicious buttery peanut butter like consistency once chewed.
Almonds have more calcium than any other nut – 75 milligrams (mg) in one serving (about 23 almonds), about one serving of almonds provides half of the body’s Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E.
Almonds also help keep you alert, so if you’re feeling tired in the office, facing your computer, you can reach out for a handful of almonds. Almond is even sometimes said to be good for coughs. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine drinking Sweet Pear, honey almond could provide tonic benefits (see recipe below).
Like all nuts, Almonds are a good source of protein. Also, since most of the fats in Almonds are mono saturated fat, they are beneficial for your heart.
Here are ways to include almonds in your daily healthy living.
- Eat almonds as snacks, instead off unhealthy alternatives such as chips or cake. They are both light and easy to store. ( Be careful to choose non sugar or salted almonds, those can pack on much unwanted calories)
- Add almonds into your breakfast cereal or oatmeal for a fulfilling breakfast that will keep you full for hours
- Make your own healthy version of peanut butter by grinding almonds
- Drink almond milk
Here is an easy recipe to follow:
1. Place 1 cup freshly roasted almonds in a glass jar.
2. Cover with 4 cups water.
3. Tightly close the jar.
4. Refrigerate for 1 day or no more than 2 days.
5. Pour into blender and blend until smooth.
6. Strain liquid from pulp through cheesecloth, applying pressure to squeeze out all liquid.
7. Retain the almond paste pulp for other uses.
Tips:
1. Use almond milk in recipes or as a delicious drink by itself or with a little honey and vanilla.
2. The almond paste pulp can be used to top cereal, vegetables, or rice.
3. 1 pound shelled almonds = 3 cups halves or 4 cups slivered.
You will need:
• almonds
• glass jar
• blender
- Also consider including almonds in your drinks
Such as the Chinese Pear and & Honey Tonic Drink
Ingredients:
2 Chinese Pears/Japanese Pears
4-6 Red Dates
1/2 Tablespoon gou qi zi (Wolfberry fruit)
10g Soaked White Fungus
1 Tablespoon of Sweet & Bitter Almond
6 Strips of Sha Shen
1 litre of Water
About 2 Tablespoons of Honey
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Instructions:
1. Wash all the herbs.
2. Peel and core pears. Then cut into quarters and put into a double boiler pot.
3. Bring water to boil in another pot and add in all the herbs and white fungus. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Pour the herbs ingredients into the pot containing the pears and let it double boil in a slower cooker for about 3 hrs.
5. Switch off the heat, allow to cool slightly and add in the honey before drinking the soup.
This recipe serves 3 persons.
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The ingredients used in the above recipe are very common and you can easily find them in most Chinese medical halls.
Sweet & Bitter Almonds(南北杏):
Sweet almond tastes sweet and is of neutral nature, whereas bitter almond tastes bitter and is of warm nature. They both heal coughing and expel sputum.
Sha Shen(沙参):
Sweet and slightly cold, it moisturises the lungs, stops coughing, brings down fever and and increases appetite.
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