Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Almond Butter & Apples - This is my new favorite snack!

I told you here that our family has gone "primal", as in attempting to follow the guidelines of  The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson.  While it is still a work in progress (sourcing good meats, etc.) and keeping the kids consistent, we've made huge strides and experienced the benefits we'd hoped for.  We are leaner, fitter, and happier.  Who knew it would be this easy?

Anyway, one of the things I quickly discovered when we began this journey was that none of the snacks I used to eat such as popcorn, tortilla chips, cookies, etc., are primal.   Neither is peanut butter (no legumes).   I had no interest in coming up with "grain-free" versions of our old favorites because I figured we needed to truly change the way we were eating and set about retraining our tastebuds to taste real food again.  It hasn't always been easy, but I have to say I did get lucky with some of the things I attempt. 

For example, this has become my favorite snack.  Apple slices with home-made almond butter.  It is so good.   I would never have guessed, but my friend A brought over some almond butter for me to try and, after initially turning up my nose, I tried it and I was hooked.  I decided I could make it myself and I was right. 



Even better?  Making it was actually easy.



I simply grind up raw almonds, add a pinch of salt, and keep going until I have the desired consistency and I'm done.  Grinding the almonds releases their natural oils and, as they warm up, they become more smooth and the consistency becomes more creamy.  Once completed,  I store the almond butter in a container in my refrigerator.

Primal snack-time goodness.  What more could a woman ask?


2 comments:

Alison said...

This sounds really good! Have you tried it with any other fruits? I don't really like apples much. Are bananas ok?

Erin said...

Alison, You can use the almond butter with anything that you'd have used peanut butter with...bananas would be fine. I imagine celery would be, too, but I don't do celery!