Today is National Almond Day, which means we get to celebrate this amazing heart-healthy snack. Almonds are simply the best, and today is the day to indulge in some of your favorite almond variations. Whether you are a fan of munching on almonds, drinking the milk, baking with almond flour, or moisturizing with almond oil, the benefits of almonds are pretty amazing.
A Brief History of Almonds
Long before people were asking for almond milk in their lattes at coffee shops, civilizations were cultivating almonds in different locations by 4,000 B.C. Almonds trees thrived in the regions surrounding the Mediterranean, and Hebrew texts make reference to the nut. Almonds are even mentioned in the Bible in Genesis. Legend has it that King Tut took a handful of almonds to his grave to nourish him on his way to the afterlife.
Almonds continued to be a staple food that helped to sustain nomadic people in central and southwest Asia. They were a hot commodity on the Silk Road and were eventually circulated around the world. Now, roughly 80% of all the world’s almonds are grown in California.
How Almonds Benefit You
Almonds are loaded with vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, and are one of the best foods to nourish your heart. Even the FDA said that eating 1.5 ounces of almonds (20 almonds) a day, combined with a diet low in saturated fat, could help reduce the risk of heart disease. For your reference, 20 almonds satisfy 12% of your daily protein requirement and have the same amount of calcium as ¼ cup of milk. Because almonds contain potassium and have a low sodium content, eating them can regulate blood sugar and keep cholesterol levels down.
Great For Weight Loss
If you have a hard time losing weight, you need almonds in your life. They are rich in monounsaturated fat, which helps you feel full, keeps your hunger at bay, and works to eliminate cravings. This will help you control your portions so you won’t eat as much.
Silky Smooth Skin
Almond oil, or almond milk for that matter, can help nourish your hair and skin. Almond oil is rich in vitamins A & E, which help boost collagen production. This gives your skin a healthy shine. You can mix almond oil, raw honey, and fresh lemon juice and apply it as a face mask once a week. You can even grind fresh almonds and use them as facial cleanser.
Our Favorite Almond Recipes
Raw Almond Butter
Almond butter reigns supreme when it comes to nut butters. You get healthy doses of magnesium, protein, and it tastes awesome on almost anything.
Click here to make the recipe.
Homemade Almond Milk
Want to avoid the processed ingredients and added sugars are in a lot of almond milk varieties? Making your own almond milk is so incredibly easy and delicious.
Click here to make the recipe.
Raw Pad Thai With A Spicy Almond Butter Sauce
It has all the rich, spicy yet sweet flavors of Thai food in one healthy, delicious bowl. Let’s not even get started on the sauce. It is out of this world tasty!
Click here to make the recipe.
