Coming clean

 Ok so it's only been a couple posts but I feel like I need to come clean. I have a confession.... I am an addict, a nut butter addict. It all started with my love for peanut butter and has significantly progressed to just about any nut butter. My most recent obsession however, is the one and only almond butter. 

The other day I was at the commissary(for those not familiar with military lingo, it's the grocery store on base) and went to grab a jar of the deliciousness.  I did a double take at the price tag and almost dies $8.00!!!!  Completely unacceptable... I don't care how bad the addiction is I refuse to pay $8.00 for a 6 oz jar of that stuff. Needless to say, it forced the Martha Stewart out in me and I decided to make my own.

And let me tell ya, I am never going back.

This stuff is 832764628746 times better than any store stuff I've ever bought. PLUS you get to lick your spatula and consume about half the batch before its even done. If any of you have made this stuff you know what I'm talking about. AND there are no preservatives, sugar, or salt here...Just all natural amazingness

Here is how it went down...

2 cups raw almonds( I had already processed mine to almond flour)

After about 2 minutes of processing

Scrape down sides and repeat process of processing and scraping over and over

After about 6 minutes I got the desired consistency I wanted

Heavenly

Homemade Almond Butter

2-4 cups raw almonds(depending on size of food processor)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

If you want a nuttier taste, roast almonds on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes or until fragrant.

Let cool off a bit then start blending away in the food processor.

It will start to clump together, so stop the processor and scrape down the sides. You are going to have do this multiple times.

Keep blending until you get desired consistency, scrape into a well sealed jar and eat yourself sick :)

Happy squaterday

Oh wow do I have a leg workout for you. When your legs feel like jello and it hurts to sit down you KNOW it's been a good leg day. 

 Today's workout

Circuit 1 (perform 3 sets)

Squats-15 reps: 95 lbs

Superset with 20 jump squats

Circuit 2  (perform 3 sets)

Split squat on smith machine(10 each leg)

Superset with 20 bench jumps

Circuit 3 (perform 3 sets)

Walking DB lunges-12 reps each side

Super set with bench step ups (lighter weight)- 12 reps each side, one side at a time!

Finish off with leg extensions 3x15 reps......enjoy!

Trust me your butt will thank me later :)

Mama's Nuts

  When I walked into my parents house over Christmas break, I walked into the most heavenly aroma of cinnamon maple sweetness. I don't know about y'all, but I found this out probably within the first month of going away to college...there is nothing like coming home. I went from being the typical teenager who could not wait to move out, to realizing there is no better place than home. I dont care how old I get there is always going to be that comfort of being at home. The same smells you will always remember, the comfy bed you slept in for 18 years of your life and of course the amazing homecooked meals I swear my Mom whips out in her sleep.

Ok, back to the deliciousness....After I walked through the door the first words out of my mouth were "what is that heavenly smell?" not waiting even .2 seconds to dig in...My sweet little innocent Mom replies "my nuts!"

Needless to say, these were made on a daily basis because yes, I would finish off a whole plate in one sitting completely unashamed.

 Here is the recipe in all its glory...

I

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2 cups raw almonds or walnuts

1/4 cup sugar free or regular maple syrup

2 tbs cinnamon 

1-3 tbs of sugar or stevia (depends on how sweet you like)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into greased pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Depends on how done you like them. I like mine on the edge of burnt so I did 14 minutes, but if you like chewier do 10 :)

Enjoy!