Almond Butter dilemma

[Riiiya]

Hello!

So there's raw almond butter on sale at Kroger and i got one can.. and i practically ate half of it in one sitting with celery.. THAT must not be normal. But i seem to lose control when it comes to butters :( should i just NOT buy them? or how to exercise self-control!?

also.. with all this almond irradiation- i guess that "raw" butter is not technically raw right? uuh

[Raene]

That's right, it's not really raw. The only place I have found really raw un-pasteurized almond butter is from the Living Tree Community (? I think that's what it's called).
It is best to limit nut consumption, but if you're new to raw, just eat whatever appeals to you that's raw. Later on you can wean yourself from so much nut butter. I used to eat 2 jars a week of it too but now I hardly ever eat nuts.

[RawSinger]

Well, I don't like the word "normal." I don't think there's anything wrong with indulging in some raw almond butter. Just don't do it every day. If it makes you feel that bad though, then either don't buy it, do an extra workout that day, and/or eat a little lighter the rest of the day. As for raw almond butter not really being raw, that's probably true. I believe Alissa is selling real raw almonds on her sight now, or will be soon, so try making your own almond butter.

[SuzyQ]

Two of my best friends are the measuring cup and measuring spoon! They keep me accountable and don't let me overdo it. I can count on them rain or shine, always there to support me and offer help. ;)

[gritsnla]

Maybe I should have asked a salesperson at Whole Foods, but I just bought some of their fresh made "Raw Cashew Butter" should I assume that it is not raw?

Thanks gang!

[Raene]

I doubt it...but you could ask, though they might not know either.

[Riiiya]

i guess it's just about disciipline........today i didn't touch the remaining of the butter- i just packed my lunch for tomorrow and put two teaspoons of it with celery.... perhaps that's a good way to keep yourself from binging- packing it into several containers? ah i'm working on this :)

p.s. cashew butter......well they say cashews are steamed (??) so they're not raw to begin with.... neither i would expect them to be soaked or anything..... And the one cashew butter i was oging to buy that was raw- had added oil to it (smth like soybean oil?uuuuh) that just sucks.... you have to be extra careful with nuts i guess :/

[gritsnla]

I remember at old WW meetings someone would buy individual sized products instead of whole bags, boxes etc to help stay in portion control. It might cost more to do it this way, but it's worth it. Or something also just a sandwich bag can solve, which I do a lot.
Kepp up the good work.

[samariah]

maybe spoon the butter into individual small serving containers. and never eat it on its own, always spread it on something like an apple. my faveee is almond butter on an apple with cinnamon.

[rawnerino]

I would like to make my own almond butter. I guess I need to soak the almonds overnight first. Is the food processor okay for this? I find the blender needs to have some oil added and I don't have a twin gear juicer (yet!!!). Any ideas?

I know I asked at the wonderful raw food restaurant I go to regularly and they don't own a twin gear juicer. They make their own almond butter in the food processor but didn't offer any hints as that is their business I suppose.

Any tips would be very much appreciated!

[iamacranberry]

If you have a decent food processor! I have already killed two cheap food processors...since September. I'm not buying another one until I can afford one that wont' break. I always had to add oil to my nut butters even when I had a decent food processor, though.

[Riiiya]

so what kind of oil to add if making your own nut butter?

[iamacranberry]

Preferably the same oil as the nut you're grinding. Either that or an oil with relatively little flavor, such as sunflower oil. You may find that you don't need to add much at all though.

[rawnerino]

I have not been happy with most raw almond butters that have sunflower oil added. Even some with almond oil added aren't so great. They can be pastey and almost off tasting.

I find the best ones just have "raw almonds" as the ingredient.