This post is sponsored by The Almond Board of California. They are sponsoring my travel to Fitbloggin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hi Friends!
As some of you may know, Fitbloggin is coming up this weekend! Fitbloggin is a blogging conference for those interested in fitness, wellness and an overall healthy lifestyle. I’ve never been and I’m excited to be able to go this year! I’m actually only going to be there for the second day of the conference since we weren’t sure what hubby’s shoulder surgery situation was going to be when I made my travel arrangements and I didn’t want to leave him to fend for himself for too long. BUT it will still be a great experience. My trip is being sponsored by The Almond Board of California and I’m so grateful for their support! I actually get to hang out in their booth on Saturday during the expo and chat nutrition with all the attendees (so make sure to stop by if you’re going to be there!) and then Saturday night I’m part of a pro-blogger speaking panel where we’ll be talking a little bit about blogging and then answering lots of audience questions which will be fun! I’m speaking with Katy, Shannon & Leah and Erica is moderating.
Today I thought I’d spend a little time spreading the almond love by sharing some of my favorite ways to eat almonds, in all their various forms!
But first, let’s recap why almonds are so awesome! In one serving of almonds (1 oz), which amounts to 23 whole almonds, there is:
- 6g protein
- 4g fiber
- 9g monounsaturated fat –*One serving of almonds contain 13g of unsaturated fat and 1g of saturated fat.
- Vitamin E (35% DV) – important antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage & promote healthy skin and hair
- Riboflavin (20% DV) – important for red blood cell production
- Magnesium (20% DV) – helps regulate muscle & nerve function, blood sugar levels and blood pressure
- Phosphorus (15% DV) – helps build strong bones & teeth
- Plus calcium, potassium, niacin and iron
That’s a whole lot of goodness packed into these little nuts!
So, how can you add more almonds to your diet? Here are some of my favorite ways to eat them:
Whole Almonds
Homemade Trailmix
Current fav flavor combo:
Raw almonds + pumpkin seeds + roasted chickpeas +raisins
This lightened up version is perfect for snacking,
but also sweet enough to work as a dessert!
They’re also HIGHLY addictive.
I posted this recipe at the beginning of the year-
CLICK HERE to check it out.
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Almond Butter
Current fav flavor combo:
Homemade Honey Vanilla Cinnamon
2 cups raw almonds +1 tsp honey + 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp vanilla
Place in high powered blender or food processor.
Process until smooth.
Taste and add more honey, cinnamon or vanilla if desired.
No-Bake Granola Bars
Combine 1 cups rolled oats + 1 cup cereal + 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds + 1/4 cup chopped almonds + 1/4 cup chocolate chips + 2 Tbsp chia seeds in a large bowl.
Melt 1/2 cup almond butter + 1/3 cup honey and mix well.
Add wet to dry, mix until well coated (use your hands if you have to).
Dump into a 9×9 inch pan, press to flatten and cover bottom.
Freeze for 30 minutes, cut into bars and enjoy.
Store in the fridge.
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Almond Milk
Homemade Almond Milk
It’s SO easy to make yourself…
and then you don’t have to worry about any funky additives.
CLICK HERE for the super simple recipe.
Try adding it to your cereal, coffee, smoothies, etc.
Peach Blackberry Smoothie
The Almond Board has tons of great recipes on their website.
I made this smoothie the other day.
It’s basically everything good about summer in one glass.
CLICK HERE for the recipe.
Bonus- it uses almond milk AND almond butter!
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Almond Meal
Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
These are made with sweet potatoes, almond meal and lots of blueberries!
They make a great pre-workout snack.
I posted this recipe back in December-
CLICK HERE to check it out!
Almond-Crusted Chicken Tenders
Mix 1 cup almond meal with your favorite spices.
I used paprika, garlic powder, black pepper & cayenne.
*Tip- make your own by simply pulsing
whole almonds in the blender or food processor*
Cut 1 pound of chicken breasts into tenders (or use store bought).
Dip tenders in egg wash, then press into almond meal mixture.
Set a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet.
Place the chicken tenders on the rack.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.
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A few other suggestions:
- Add some sliced almonds to your next batch of muffins.
- Toast some slivered almonds and sprinkle them on your salad.
- Enjoy an apple with a side of almond butter for an afternoon snack.
Let’s chat:
What’s your favorite way to enjoy almonds?
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
Eating an apple with almond butter as a post-soccer snack as we speak 🙂
I got a littler single serving tin from California Almonds at a UK blogging event last year and it’s perfect for a daily portion of almonds. I keep a big glass jar out on the side and then fill up the little tin from it every morning and take it out and about with me. I should really try and get another tin so we have one each! Enjoy the conference.
those tins are so awesome!
Almond butter is my absolute FAV! Love all the different flavors too!
This past year has been like an almond-fest in my kitchen. Seriously… they are my new go-to nut-love. I used to *falsely* blame them for my issues with mouth ulcers, but then after getting Alcat tested found it was the pesky Brazil nuts they sometimes hang out with (in mixes and some Kind bars) that was to blame. Since ditching the Brazil nuts, it’s been smooth sailing around here 🙂
So, my favorite ways… hmmm… almond butter tops the list for sure. Apples and almond butter to be exact. But I also love mug cakes made with almond butter and banana bread made with almond meal.
Have fun at Fitbloggin’ 🙂
mug cakes for the win!!
Almond butter is my absolute fav. I love it spread on rye bread… yummy!
Wow. I love almonds in so many ways. I eat them whole/toasted, in cereal, in baked goods, ground up and as a coating on fish, in trail mix. The list goes on and on! I can’t wait to try your no-bake granola bars!!
mmmm I need to try them on fish next!
Great list! I love the idea of adding almond butter to a smoothie and almonds to breading for chicken. I’m always looking for new ways to sneak protein into my food, so I appreciate these suggestions.
Awesome! Enjoy!!
Those granola bars look amazing!
Yum! I really love whole roasted, salted almonds. Just don’t put them in my chocolate or my ice cream. 😉
Do you only do sponsored posts now? You used to come across as so real and honest in your writing and I wish you could go back to that. I’m sure you love almonds, but it doesn’t feel authentic when they are paying for your trip and I’ll see similar posts on other bloggers they sponsor.
Almonds are the best! I love to snack on them as is and I also love almond milk and almond butter!
I honestly love almonds!! I may try the almond crusted chicken fingers to see if my daughter will eat them that way…makes me feel better than giving her chicken nuggets!
ooh hope she likes them!
Great ideas here Lindsay! I can’t wait to make the Honey Vanilla Cinnamon Almond Butter – sounds perfect! But I don’t know if I can be trusted with those sweet & spicy almonds 🙂
they’re def dangerous!
Oh I love all things almond! I don’t know if I can pick a favorite way to eat them {I like them any way!}, but I mostly enjoy them in just their natural raw form as a snack.
sometimes simple is best!
Almond butter is my favorite but I love almonds in all forms!
I’m eager to try your almond butter because I’m striving to find one that I like.
Almonds are my favorite! I tend to eat them plain or use them in no-bake energy bites. :] Planning to attempt to make cocoa-roasted almonds at some point in my life, and this post gives me a whole ton of new inspiration as well!
yes! cocoa roasted are so darn good.
YayyY! *heart eyes emoji* This is wonderful, I LOOOOVE almonds. I should have made my blog name something do with almonds I love them so much.
haha love it
I love almonds! I can’t wait to meet you at FitBloggin!
Almonds are one of my very favorite foods! I love them raw and i love them in all kinds of things. Thanks for a few new ideas, too!
I use almond flour in place of regular flour for almost everything. And almond milk is the best with cereal. Thanks for sharing all these great recipes! I can’t wait to try the gluten-free almond muffins. I hope you have an amazing time at the Fitbloggin conference; it sounds awesome!
~Bre
yay! enjoy the muffins!
Do Almond Flour Cookies count? Those blueberry muffins look delicious..and the peach blackberry smoothie! Lots of new recipe ideas to try this summer so thank you 🙂
Have a great time at Fitbloggin!
hope you enjoy them all!
Those no-bake granola bars look fantastic! All those seeds… 🙂
i like to pack as many in as possible!
Almond milk and almond butter are my favs!
I didn’t know you were going to Fitbloggin! Have so much fun. I wish that I could go but it’s my birthday weekend. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
happy birthday pretty lady!
Almond butter is definitely my favorite way to eat almonds…especially the maple and vanilla varieties!
yum! yes please!
Love almond butter, especially when chocolate is involved 😉
I love putting chopped almond in plain greek yogurt with honey, apple sauce, pumpkin and peanut butter!
that sounds like a great combo!