Todays blog is about almonds, as I have written in many blogs in my opinion the Mediterranean diet is the best diet for health. I talked about this diet in my first blog, but to reiterate it is a healthy eating plan that is based on foods from that region. Those include lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, legumes and nuts. Replacing butter with healthy oils like olive oil and using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods. Limiting red meat and adding some poultry and fish. Last but not least being active and enjoying meals with friends and family.
Nuts are a great snack instead of all the chips, pretzels and other packaged snacks we eat In many studies nuts have shown to help lower the rate of heart disease but they do have a lot of calories and moderation is key.Personally my favorite nut is the almond its taste is so versatile and it has a long shelf life. Almonds also taste amazing as almond butter and almond flour is delicious in baked goods, especially if its gluten free.
“Almonds Nutrition Facts. Almond is a highly nutritional nut and a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It also contains zinc, selenium, copper and niacin. Compared to all other nuts, they are the most packed with nutrients and beneficial components.” From the internet
I enjoy almond butter on toast and almonds in granola, but once in a while my sweet tooth convinces me to have a dessert and I love almond cake. I love eating it with mixed berries with some cream. I know this a wellness blog but its also my personal story, so as long as its only one in a while, I do make it and eat it. It does contain butter and sugar but my favorite desserts all have butter. The French desserts are the best treats. My younger sister who does not eat my banana bread loves it and also my mother in law.
Today I made it in celebration of a friends birthday and I am sharing the recipe.
Almond cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 2 tablespoon flax chia mix
- 6 tablespoons grass fed butter
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- little less than 1/2 cup sugar
Method
Beat the softened butter and sugar till fluffy add the eggs one at a time. Then add milk and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl mix the flours, baking powder, ground flax seed and salt. Mix the dry ingredients in the wet ingredients. Pour the combined mix into a greased loaf pan or a small round 8 inch pan and place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes and check that the middle is not soft. Take out cool and serve with berries.
I am a new blogger and my pictures are awful but I am visual so here they are till I learn Photoshop or whatever programs make pictures look beautiful and enticing. If you serve a slice with whipped cream and berries, it does look pretty.
