Pumpkin & Pomegranate

I have been experimenting again. I loved my last batch of nut butter so much I had to add even more goodness. For those of you who aren’t into twitter (or who don’t follow me) I made a batch of Brazil nut- cashed butter last week and it was divine. I used 8oz of each (the Brazil nuts were raw, and the cashews were roasted and lightly salted). Just blended them in Dolce (my Vita-Mix) and deliciousness poured out. I have found that raw cashews are difficult to blend in the Vita, but somehow the oils are released during roasted and so they are much easier to blend when roasted. Maybe I can work on raw in the future as I do know that raw is better for you (even though most “raw” nuts here aren’t completely raw. I cannot afford the truly raw nuts because they are SUPER expensive.)

So this particular batch is a mixture of nuts and seeds. I like it but might add even more next time! It tastes quite good, but I wouldn’t call it a “gourmet” nut butter per se, it is more of a health kick nut butter than something you would want to use in a dish you feed your gourmet friends. i do know that my friends who are into healthy food will LOVE it though. I think next time I might try adding some almonds and hemp seeds as well, but for this batch here is the recipe, if you can even call it that.

Nut and Seed Butter #1

Ingredients:

• 1 C. Raw Brazil Nuts
• 1 C. Lightly Salted Roasted Cashews
• 1 C. Raw Walnuts
• 1/2 C. Raw Sunflower Seeds
• 1/4 C. Golden Flax Seeds
• 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt

Method:

Combine all your nuts in a high speed blender (I used the Vita-Mix), or food processor and blend until smooth. Store in the refrigerator in air tight containers.

I am not a huge proponent of flax seeds. Mainly because I think most people are getting ripped off. If you do use flax here are some things you need to know:

1. Flax seeds MUST be stored in the fridge at ALL times. Don’t buy any that are not in the refrigerated section of the store, they are pretty much useless at that point as flax seeds are very sensitive to heat and light and are extremely perishable.
2. you have to either chew up each seed completely, or grind them before eating them to get any health benefit from the oil. Otherwise they just pass right through you.
3. You cannot cook with them. They will again become useless to you.

So, this is why I actually prefer chia seeds over flax. The only reason I used flax in this blend is because I happen to have a refrigerated bag of golden flax seeds, and flaxseeds are easier to grind up in my nut/seed butter than chia. Plus they don’t get stuck in your teeth! I wouldn’t buy any nut butters with flax seeds in them though because chances are they have been heated and therefore have lost any health benefit when it comes to healthy oils. Plus, they sit on the shelf, and again, lost that health benefit. I think ultimately the addition of flax in a lot of ready made foods is purely for marketing as flax is trendy.

I do admit to buying flax crackers from time to time, but that is just because sometimes I want a cracker. I am actually planning on trying to make my own chia chips soon. I want to try to mimic these BBQ flax chips, and I think a chia-flax mix might work out well.

I put this on my breakfast buckwheat this morning. I have cut out the date sugar, so the banana was the only sweetener. The nut butter was divine!And if you are wondering why I cut the date sugar it is because I feel like I have been adding sweetness to everything, and while I don’t think dates are inherently bad for me, it is not a good plan to make everything sweet as then our taste buds crave it. I am trying to use it less, and prefer to use whole fruits. This doesn’t mean that I will stop completely, just that I am going to stop relying on dates unless I am really feeling a craving! We can be strong people, and we can also change our taste buds. I used to hate mustard and recently it sounds appealing to me (like in the BBQ flax chips!)

I think I am going to do my first giveaway soon! Do you all prefer food related items? or would something else also be appreciated?

And finally, a big thank you to Averie for suggesting this mat for me:

My cheap little mat was not doing me any favors. I asked my yoga instructor what I was doing wrong because I kept slipping, and she felt my mat and said that I need a better one. I splurged on the package deal as it is less expensive than buying both separately, and now I am the proud owner of a yoga mat that will last me a long time. Don’t get me wrong, it was pricey even as a package, but my 30th birthday is in 2 weeks and well I just felt that it would be my birthday present to myself! I also ordered a couple of pairs of yoga toe-socks because I don’t like walking barefoot where others walk barefoot (it is one of my lovely quirks that is ever so charming). next up, I am going to buy my own bolster! No more face where stranger crotch has been! (Then again I have been bringing a towel to class to use as a “bolster condom”). I am going to test drive the new mat tonight. I haven’t been to yoga in 2 weeks due to life getting in the way, and well last night traffic got in the way.No matter, just get back on that horse, er mat!