WATCH: Make your own Almond Milk

Smooth out those wrinkles, dose up on some vitamin E, strengthen your bones with a shot of magnesium and load up on antioxidants.

Get all of this goodness and more with a crunch on a handful of almonds or maybe a glass of almond milk?

“Commercial almond milk brands are widely available, but it is important to stay clear of products with added sugar,” said Lotriet.

“Most brands fortify their products with added vitamins and minerals or proteins as well as calcium. This is because although there are many health benefits attributed to eating raw almonds, but whole Almond milk does not contain the fibre and many of the anti-oxidants are lost in its processing/straining.

“The nutrient value of the almond milk is very dependant on how many almonds were used in its making.”

Below are some of the advantages from a natural unfortified almond milk:

• It has high levels of vitamin E as well as thiamin (vitamin B1).
• It is naturally low in calories (half of cow’s milk) as well as carbohydrates.
• Regular consumption of nuts and almonds in particular have been linked to reduced risks of heart disease. Studies have shown that eating up to 66grams of almonds or almond oil every day for six weeks can reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol by six per cent, triglycerides by 14% as well as increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol by six per cent. Almond milk is one per cent oil by weight of which about 90% is unsaturated and it’s fatty acid profile is what makes it most beneficial to our health.

Mario Hajipetrou from Manolis Munchies in Ballito said it is important to buy the best quality raw almonds to ensure you get all those good nutrients.

“Almonds are considered to be the healthiest of all nuts and to guarantee that our customers get the best of these healthy nuts, we source our almonds from California (USA), which offers all natural, supreme sized nuts at unbeatable quality,” said Hajipetrou.

Homemade almond milk recipe:

What you need:

• Blender
• Bowl
• Strainer
• Measuring cup
• Fine-mesh nut bag or cheese cloth

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of raw Manolis Munchies almonds
• Water for soaking and to blend into the almonds (the ratio is about two cups of water to one cup almonds, but if you like thinner milk, add more water or reduce water for thicker milk)
• Sweeteners like honey, sugar, agave syrup or maple syrup are optional and should be added to taste.

Watch the below video and follow the easy steps to make your own almond milk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5PirAQ-S5k

Manolis August specials

• RS Cashews 1kg – R199.95
• RS Jumbo Peanuts + Raisins 1kg – R39.95
• Raw Almonds (std) 1kg – R119.95
• Cranberries (choice) 1kg – R79.95
• Omega 3 (seed pack) 1kg – R47.95
• Couscous 1kg – R35.95
• Polenta 1kg – R13.95

All prices exclude vat.