Happy Holistic Living: Amazing Almond Recipes

Happy Monday! I know most of you are likely groaning like a zombie because it's the start of the work week. I'm one of those insane people who love Mondays because I'm not happy unless I have something to do. My brain simply runs with about a million different ideas each day. So anyway, I heard about the nice people of nuts.com.

And got involved in their project, getting people talking about almonds. However instead of one recipe, I have two! Though before the recipe part, I'm going to give some reasons why almonds are amazing.

Almond Nutrition Facts :

*As a Master Herbalist , I often suggest diet changes along with herbal suggestions. Eating a handful of raw almonds daily is what I suggest for most cancer patients. Almonds are great for helping to kill cancer cells.

* Almonds contain Vitamin E and Vitamin B2, as well as copper, magnesium, phosporous and many other awesome nutrients.

* Almonds can lower your LDL cholesterol and help reduce Heart Disease risk.
* Almonds are full of Fiber, and wonderful for helping reduce Diabetes risk.
*Almonds are wonderful for improving blood fats.
* Eating Almonds can help you lose weight and lowers risk of gaining weight

So 6 awesome reason to buy a big bag of almonds and eat them daily :) I highly suggest it. Now on to some great recipes ( once you have some almonds in your possession ).

Warm Vegetarian Curry Salad with Almonds.

This is the most amazing salad ever ( ok I think most salads are the most amazing salad ever. Except in the case of stale , sitting out too long fast food salads. Gross. ) but it really is. It's warm and spicy and sweet. Juicy yet crisp. Warm, but cool and refreshing. All Served with warmed Lavash, because I couldn't find Naan at the store ( I have yet to make Naan ). But Lavash is an amazing bread, plus this was low carb.
Most of the veggies are fresh from my garden or the farmer's market. I think maybe 4 ( carrots, lettuce, squash, mushrooms) are store bought. So it's a super healthy salad, with yummy slivered almonds. Recipe is below, remember to try to use organics!

Warm Vegetarian Curry Salad with Almonds

For the Curry Veggies :
* 1 Carrot, Chopped
* 1 onion , chopped
* 1 Green Bell Pepper, Chopped
* 1 Red Bell Pepper, Chopped
* 1 Yellow Bell Pepper , Chopped
* 1 Yellow Squash, Sliced ( can use zucchini)
* 1 Cup Sliced Mushrooms ( Can be white button or portabella )
* 2 Tbsp Slivered Almonds
* 1 tsp Curry Powder
* 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
* 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
* 1/4 tsp Cumin
* 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder ( or minced garlic )
* 1/2 Swonson's Flavor Boost Packet ( If you can find an organic brand like this, wonderful , but if not, it's fine. )
* Salt and pepper to taste
For The Curry Rice :

* 1 Cup Brown Rice
* 1 tsp Curry powder
* 1/4 tsp Cumin
* 1/8 tsp ginger
*1/4 Chili Powder
* 1 tsp garlic powder
* 1/2 Swonson's Flavor Boost Packet
* Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Salad :

* 2 Cups Romane Lettuce , Torn
* 1 Cucumber, Sliced
* 1 Cup Whole Kernal Corn, warmed
* 1-2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes , sliced.
* Warm Lavash Bread, Sliced
* Slivered Almonds
For the Dressing :
* 1 tsp Curry Powder
* 2 Tbsp White Wine Vinegar
* 1 tsp Honey
* 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
* 1/8 tsp Ground Ginger
1/4 tsp Parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions :
Make rice as directed on package, however in the last few moments of simmering, add the seasonings and mix well. Cover and sit to the side once finished. Next add all Curry veggies, almonds and seasonings, to a frying pan, saute' until carrots are mostly cooked through ( soft , yet still crunchy). Cover and sit to the side. Next Mix together all salad dressing ingredients.
Now assemble the salad. Make a bed of lettuce at the bottom of the bowl, then top with tomatoes, cucumber, corn, curried veggies, and curried rice, sprinkle slivered almonds on top and drizzle dressing over the salad and serve with warm lavash. You may also add fresh cilantro.

It's great for lunch or Dinner :)

Fairytale Refined Sugar Free Blueberry Crumble

This is such an amazing dessert! I came up with this after we bought a 5 pound box of blueberries!

It's like heaven on earth. Now on to the lovely recipe! Remember to try to use Organic, or Non-GMO

Fairytale Refined Sugar Free Blueberry Crumble

* 2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
* 1 and 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats
* 1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds
* 1 Egg
* 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
* 1/2 tsp Orange Extract
* 3/4 Cup Honey

Directions :
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together oats, almonds, egg, vanilla extract, orange extract, and 1/2 cup of honey ( reserve the rest). Mix well, until everything is sticky. Next spray a pie plate with cooking spray. Add the 2 cups of blueberries. Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup honey over the blue berries. Spread the oat mixture on top of the blueberries.