All Things Almond: The Best Nut Around

Did you know that almonds are a superfood? Of course you did! And here’s why (in case you forgot): They’re packed with plenty of heart-healthy vitamins and minerals which aid your heart. (Like arginine, which your body uses to produce nitric oxide, a very necessary molecule that keeps blood vessels flexible. And magnesium and calcium, which help manage and maintain normal blood pressure.) Almonds are also one of the best sources of vitamin E, which is not only great for your skin, but also keeps your arteries clean by preventing LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) from causing blockages. Just two handfuls daily can redulce your LDL by more than 9 percent!

Almonds are readily available everywhere. The most health conscious among us should choose unsalted raw almonds, but they also come salted, roasted, and flavored; and whole, sliced, or slivered. Eat them by the handful or sprinkle them on cereal, salads, or rice.

Looking for a locally run, family owned business to support? The True Nut Company is just that, and delivers salty-sweet, maple roasted almonds to boot. Based in neighboring Keene, NH, it’s run by a father-daughter team, and the almonds are even produced and packaged by nonprofit companies. If that’s not enough to satisfy the do-gooder in you, at least 10 percent of the sale of every package goes to local charities.

What ARE Jordan almonds?

These ubiquitous favors present at weddings everywhere are actually almonds coated with a candy shell. And why weddings? Well, the “bitter” (huh?) almonds and the “sweet” sugar are supposed to represent bittersweet married life.

[Adorable image and favor idea via Martha Stewart]

Almond Joy cookies (YUM)

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons apple sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

Heat oven to 375° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the butter, brown and granulated sugars, corn syrup, and vanilla for 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture.

Add a few handfuls each of sliced almonds, coconut shreds, and dark chocolate chips and mix until incorporated. Form the dough into tablespoon-size mounds. Place on the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart.

Bake until lightly browned at the edges, 12 to 15 minutes.

[Image and recipe via The Lucky Stone]

No wonder I like almonds — I’m Sicilian. And it was those geniuses who first introduced almonds into Italian cooking, which (of course) also spread to drink. And by “drink” I mean “the liquid of heaven” that’s also known as amaretto, an almond-flavored liquor.

Please, do me a favor. Bypass the Amaretto Sours or the Toasted Almonds (though be sure to give me a call if either are in order) and have it on the rocks after dinner. Add a splash of milk or cream for a TRULY amazing treat.

As a champagne-hater, I’m dying to try the Almond Champagne produced by Wilson Creek. Why? According to the producer, "this gold-medal winning champagne is also referred to as the “OH MY GOSH” champagne, because that is typically people’s reaction when they try it." Hello! Sign me up!

The secret? The hint of almond, of course.

Almond-flavored soda? Yessireebob. The Sopranos Amaretto Soda is an all-natural soda with a tiny hint of almond.

Almonds are not only healthy and delicous, but the oil that’s extracted from warm-pressed, sweet almond kernels is second to none in the moisturizing department, which is why it’s a super-popular additive to beauty products galore. And who can resist their creamy, sweet scent? No man, I tell you. So you can thank me when you suddenly have new suitors after incorporating some of these goodies into your daily routine.

I’m in trouble. Because I take notoriously long showers as it is. So if you happen to toss a bottle of this Take Your Sweet Time creamy body polish in there with me, expect me to tie up the shower for another 20 minutes. The almond scent is so yummy, you’ll want to eat it (but no, don’t) and the subtle-yet-effective scrubbing action inspires you to smooth every inch. And after you rinse it off, it leaves a slight moisturizing film, thanks to the almond oil. Perfetto!

Sure, spending $42 on a candle might not be tops on your list of priorites. But the Almond Coconut Milk candle from Laura Mercier is really a worth-it indulgence. First of all, almond paired with aNOTHer of my fave scents, coconut, is a match made in heaven. And with 40 to 50 hours of burn time, it’ll last, too.

L’Occitane is ultra-famous for their incredible scents, and with its subtle almond scent their Amande Shower Oil is no exception. But what really earns rave reviews from users is how moisturizing this product is, even on super-dry skin. Try it in place of shaving cream, too, for a silky smooth shave.

Here’s the risk with this adorable little tin of goodness: I want to eat its contents. Because Carol’s Daughter Lip Butter is not only almond-flavored, but almond and VANILLA flavored. So excuse me if I have hallucinations of cookies while I slather this on to soften my parched lips.

I’m not a perfume person — they’re too strong, too harsh, and give me a headache. But I still love to smell good, so instead I choose singular scents and mix and match to my little heart’s desire. Demeter is my go-to source, and their Almond cologne spray is perfection: it’s delicious and long-lasting, and it layers perfectly with other scents to create your own unique elixir.

For a seriously scented home that beats any — ANY! — candle, use a home fragrance oil (like this almond-flavored one from The Body Shop). Simply put a few drops into a little oil burner, light a votive to heat it, and you’re on your way to having the best smelling house on the block.

Thanks to Snuggle’s newest fabric softener, the sweet scent of almonds will linger on your clothes all day.

Oooh! Random!

Why, of course! Hang almonds on your wall with this print of (dark chocolate covered, cocoa-dusted) almonds.