When we first got into Raw food several months ago there were several questions that we could not find answers to. Almonds are or can be a large part of this way of eating. Almonds are high in Protein, Iron, Vitamin E, a good source of Fiber, and offer heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

Nine clinical studies over the last thirteen years have shown that almonds can lower your LDL cholesterol as part of a diet low in saturated fat. These groundbreaking studies show how a handful of almonds a day consistently lowered LDL cholesterol levels. Almonds are also a filling snack.

But what do you do with them and the leftovers? Here are some great ways you can begin to use Almonds in your diet along with answers to the questions we often had.

Tips on soaked Almonds:
When eating raw almonds they do need to be soaked. Soaking makes them easier to digest. Enzymes are not released until Almonds are soaked as soaking removes enzyme inhibitors. Read up on almonds here: Wiki: Almond

To soak Almonds:
Place 2 cups almonds in a 1 qt mason jar fill with filtered water. Place on side in refrigerator overnight (or they'll get stuck!). By morning they are soaked. Empty water from jar. Use in almond milk or recipes that call for soaked almonds. If  you have extras after your recipe, save in refrigerator.

To save soaked Almonds:
Fill again with water. Rinse and change water daily. Keep up to 7 days. We try to always keep at least 1 to 2 cups soaked at all times. Almonds do expand, so use a larger jar and allow for about 1/3 empty space for expansion. the estimate is they double in size. You only have to do this once to see what I'm referring to.

Simple Almond milk recipe: (makes approx 2 Cups almond milk)
1/2 C soaked Almonds
2 C filtered Water
1 - 2 Tbs Agave or Maple syrup or 2 dates (pitted)
1/4 tsp Vanilla
Pinch of Salt (we always use Himalayan Pink salt...more on that later!)
Put Almonds and water in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into nut milk bag or fine sieve. Squeeze milk from pulp into a clean bowl.  Rinse blender with filtered water. Add nut milk back in blender add sweet addition and salt, stir.
If smoothie is being made, Add fruit and blend.
Or store milk in sealed jar in fridge to use in cereal or save for later.

Secret: Save the pulp in freezer for future use. Lots of raw desserts use Almond pulp. (Leave me a comment if you need a recipe. I am just getting into desserts, honestly have not had time to make one yet but have tons of recipes.)

Tips on Sprouted Almonds:
The only difference between soaked and sprouted seems to be if you soak in the refrigerator or on the counter. Here's an excerpt from a leading raw foodist: "Almonds: Soak 10-14 hours, sprout 1.0 day. Method: cloth Use only unblanched almonds. Sprout+storage time should not exceed 2 days or sprouts may turn rancid. Best to peel sprouts before eating (peeled have incredible flavor). Peeling is tedious, reduced by blanching in warm water (15-30 seconds in hot water from faucet). One of the very best sprouts!"
Taken from the Living-foods.com site.
I've never peeled them. Note: You will not see green at the bottom of the seed after day one. They take too long to actually show a sprout because they are a very large seed.

Dehydrated Seasoned Almond Snack:
Sprout desired amount of Almonds overnight in filtered water.
Remove liquid from jar and add desired amount of salt (make 'em salty!) and spices (example: fresh garlic, chili spice, dill etc.) to make your brine.
Shake vigorously, add water and soak again overnight to marinate in the fridge.
Remove liquid and season / salt again! Use whatever you want to have stuck all over them.
Place on dehydrator sheet.....check every 8-12 hours.
Remove from dehydrator when crunchy. It will take 36 - 72 hours depending on your humidity to get really crispy.
Place in sealed jar and enjoy for a great raw snack!



Raw Almonds marinating in jar.



This photo shows some almonds in water with salt and spices. We dehydrated for approx 48+ hours. They were salty, crispy and excellent!

Quick Tips and Facts:
If you keep raw soaked or sprouted Almonds more than one day, keep them in water, in the refrigerator and don't forget to change the water daily! If they smell sour, they probably are. Dispose of them in the compost.

Make sure you purchase Raw Almonds (not roasted, salted, pasteurized or preserved!). Don't eat them until they are soaked sprouted and/or dehydrated.

Almonds are high in Protein for that all too often stated "How do you get your protein?" question.

Always choose Organic Raw Almonds.

When eating any dehydrated food, drink lots of water!!!!!! Dehydrated foods will soak the fluid out of your system to rehydrate itself.

If you are looking into the raw diet, or just want to he healthier. The first basic fact is: Our health is based on digestion. (Of course it's not the only important thing.) Your food needs to be full of enzymes to use the nutrients that we eat, and to get rid of what is not used. DIGESTION is what it's all about! I've never heard so many people talk about what comes out the other end more than raw foodies! I suppose once you have a child and glad they finally had a healthy "full diaper" you'll never understand. For you new Mom's Get ready for lots of potty talk!