Nuts

DIY Almond Flour from Nuts

Any seed wants to be a plant. Seeds include nuts, seeds, beans, and grains. To protect itself, a seed has phytic acid and other enzyme inhibitors and anti-nutrients. These substances attack the body of the animal that ate the seed, preventing the digestion of the seed. This is why we see whole seeds in bird poop.

Manually grinding seeds into flours does nothing to negate these enzyme inhibitors and anti-nutrients. We may not necessarily see whole seeds in our stools but we don’t need to for our bodies to experience the effects of these substances. Inflammation, poor absorption of foods, and leaky gut are some of the effects on our bodies of eating seeds that are not properly prepared. To learn more about properly preparing grains, check out my video.

HOW TO PREPARE GRAINS PROPERLY

When we properly prepare our grains however, we begin the germination process, which changes the seeds chemical structure. It neutralizes the anti-nutrients and enzyme inhibitors, and the seed prepares to bring life. When we eat a seed in this state, it’s nutrients are available to us and it brings life to our bodies.  

All seeds can be prepared in three ways - soaking, sprouting or fermenting. Fermenting is by far the most simple and the most beneficial. All it requires is whey. These directions are for almond flour but you can use the same concept to any nut, seed, or grain. For specific instructions on how to do this with whole seeds, see my recipe on trail mix.

The other benefit of using fermented almond flour is that it makes a much lighter end product. The fermentation process acts somewhat like a baking soda or powder, increasing the air space as your treat bakes, making it less dense.

This is a great way to make fermented almond flour if your recipe calls for a very specific ratio of wet to dry ingredients. It’s also great for recipes that call for frying, like these onion rings!

You can also make fermented flour with almonds already made into flour. See the recipe here.

Ingredients for Making Almond Flour from Fermented Nuts

  • 3 cups Almonds

  • ½ cup Whey

  • Filtered Water

Directions for Making Almond Flour from Fermented Nuts

Place your almonds in filtered water with whey. Allow to soak for 24 hours.

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Drain the almonds in a colander and rinse with filtered water.

For the easiest almond flour, peel the almonds by squeezing them between your fingers until the skins pop off.

Drain the almonds well. If you don’t drain them well, your flour will be wet.

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Place almonds into a food processor. Pulse them consistently for about 60 seconds in one second pulses. Scrape the sides of the food processor consistently to ensure almonds are all blended to the same size.

Don’t pulse for too long or you will get almond butter!


DIY Almond Flour

Author:
prep time: cook time: total time:

ingredients:

  • 3 cups Almonds
  • ½ cup Whey
  • Filtered Water

instructions:

How to cook DIY Almond Flour

  1. Place your almonds in filtered water with whey. Allow to soak for 24 hours.
  2. Drain the almonds in a colander and rinse with filtered water.
  3. For the easiest almond flour, peel the almonds by squeezing them between your fingers until the skins pop off.
  4. Drain the almonds well. If you don’t drain them well, your flour will be wet.
  5. Place almonds into a food processor. Pulse them consistently for about 60 seconds in one second pulses. Scrape the sides of the food processor consistently to ensure almonds are all blended to the same size.
  6. Don’t pulse for too long or you will get almond butter!
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How to Ferment Almond Flour

Fermenting Almond Flour for Proper Digestion

Any seed wants to be a plant. Seeds include nuts, seeds, beans, and grains. To protect itself, a seed has phytic acid and other enzyme inhibitors and anti-nutrients. These substances attack the body of the animal that ate the seed, preventing the digestion of the seed. This is why we see whole seeds in bird poop.

Manually grinding seeds into flours does nothing to negate these enzyme inhibitors and anti-nutrients. We may not necessarily see whole seeds in our stools but we don’t need to for our bodies to experience the effects of these substances. Inflammation, poor absorption of foods, and leaky gut are some of the effects on our bodies of eating seeds that are not properly prepared. To learn more about properly preparing grains, check out my video.

How to Prepare Grains Properly

When we properly prepare our grains however, we begin the germination process, which changes the seeds chemical structure. It neutralizes the anti-nutrients and enzyme inhibitors, and the seed prepares to bring life. When we eat a seed in this state, it’s nutrients are available to us and it brings life to our bodies.  

All seeds can be prepared in three ways - soaking, sprouting or fermenting. Fermenting is by far the most simple and the most beneficial. All it requires is whey. These directions are for almond flour but you can use the same concept to any nut, seed, or grain. For specific instructions on how to do this with whole seeds, see my recipe on trail mix.

The other benefit of using fermented almond flour is that it makes a much lighter end product. The fermentation process acts somewhat like a baking soda or powder, increasing the air space as your treat bakes, making it less dense.

Preparing fermented almond flour is quite easy. After letting it ferment for 24 hours, this base can be kept in the fridge for about a week. If you have a family that loves sweet treats, this is a food that you can keep on hand at all times to create a quick twenty minute cookie. Fermented almond flour is a great base for many baked goods.

Ingredients for Fermented Almond Flour:

  • 2 Cups Almond Flour

  • 1/4 Cup Whey

Directions for Fermented Almond Flour

Fermented almond flour makes for a much lighter baked good. The fermentation process acts like a baking soda, increasing air as your treat bakes. Fermenting almond flour is quite easy; it just needs to be done 24 hours before you bake. How to Fermen…

Add almond flour to a glass bowl.

Fermented almond flour makes for a much lighter baked good. The fermentation process acts like a baking soda, increasing air as your treat bakes. Fermenting almond flour is quite easy; it just needs to be done 24 hours before you bake. How to Fermen…

Pour whey over almond flour.

Fermented almond flour makes for a much lighter baked good. The fermentation process acts like a baking soda, increasing air as your treat bakes. Fermenting almond flour is quite easy; it just needs to be done 24 hours before you bake. How to Fermen…

Stir to moisten. Add additional whey if needed. Flour should be moist and crumbly but not wet.

Fermented almond flour makes for a much lighter baked good. The fermentation process acts like a baking soda, increasing air as your treat bakes. Fermenting almond flour is quite easy; it just needs to be done 24 hours before you bake. How to Fermen…

Cover and leave for 24 hours to properly ferment. During this time, your fermenting almond flour can be left with other jar ferments because it is covered.


Fermented Almond Flour

Author:
prep time: cook time: total time:

ingredients:

  • 2 Cups Almond Flour
  • 1/4 Cup Whey

instructions:

How to cook Fermented Almond Flour

  1. Add almond flour to a glass bowl.
  2. Pour whey over almond flour.
  3. Stir to moisten. Add additional whey if needed. Flour should be moist and crumbly but not wet.
  4. Cover and leave for 24 hours to properly ferment. During this time, your fermenting almond flour can be left with other jar ferments because it is covered.
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GAPS Legal Trail Mix Recipe

With all the hiking and camping that happens in Colorado, trail mix is almost a main food group. But commercial trail mixes contain candy, sweetened fruit, and unprepared nuts: not the superfoods they claim to be! This can be problematic if you are following a dietary protocol... you can't buy GAPS legal trail mix very easily! Fortunately, trail mix is fairly easy to make, and when you make your own, you can ensure the preparation (and ingredients) are exactly what you want! Below is a recipe for trail mix. Please explore beyond my ideas! You may figure out the next winning combination. If you do, make sure you share it with us in the comments! Enjoy!

GAPS Friendly Trail Mix Ingredients

  • Homemade or Store Bought Yogurt for the Whey

  • Salt

  • Filtered Water

  • Nuts of Your Choice, such as Almonds, Cashews and Walnuts

  • Seeds of Your Choice, such as Pumpkin Seeds

  • Dried Fruit of Your Choice. I used Raisins and Dried Pineapple.

  • Carob Chips or Chocolate Chips (if you can tolerate them in your diet or on your GAPS Stage)

A Note About Nuts and Seeds: Be sure to buy raw and organic nuts (not roasted and salted), except raw cashews. Raw cashews cannot be purchased; they're poisonous!

Directions for making your own trail mix

DIY-Trail-Mix-Properly-Prepared-Grains-GAPS-Trail-Mix-GAPS-GORP-GAPS-Diet-Snack-What-to-eat-on-the-gaps-diet

Using homemade or store bought yogurt, strain out whey. Rinse the nuts and seeds that you want to use through cold water.

DIY-Trail-Mix-Properly-Prepared-Grains-GAPS-Trail-Mix-GAPS-GORP-GAPS-Diet-Snack-What-to-eat-on-the-gaps-diet

Fill jars and bowls with filtered water. Keeping each kind of nut and seed in it's own separate bowl, add 1/4 cup whey to each jar and bowl.

DIY-Trail-Mix-Properly-Prepared-Grains-GAPS-Trail-Mix-GAPS-GORP-GAPS-Diet-Snack-What-to-eat-on-the-gaps-diet

Let nuts and seeds soak and ferment. Most nuts and seeds need 24 hours for proper fermentation. Cashews and pumpkin seeds take only 8 though!

DIY-Trail-Mix-Properly-Prepared-Grains-GAPS-Trail-Mix-GAPS-GORP-GAPS-Diet-Snack-What-to-eat-on-the-gaps-diet

After 24 hours, take the nuts out and set them either on dehydrator trays or on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Let them dry until they become crispy, preferably keeping them under 110° to keep the enzymes live.

DIY-Trail-Mix-Properly-Prepared-Grains-GAPS-Trail-Mix-GAPS-GORP-GAPS-Diet-Snack-What-to-eat-on-the-gaps-diet

Mix any amount of crispy nuts with dried fruit. I used dried pineapples and raisins but you can use any dried fruit that you like and are tolerating! You can also add chocolate or carob chips to your mixture, if you can tolerate them.

DIY-Trail-Mix-Properly-Prepared-Grains-GAPS-Trail-Mix-GAPS-GORP-GAPS-Diet-Snack-What-to-eat-on-the-gaps-diet

Store your trail mix in small baggies for a portable trail snack!


GAPS Legal Trail Mix

Author:
prep time: cook time: total time:

ingredients:

  • Homemade or Store Bought Yogurt for the Whey
  • Salt
  • Filtered Water
  • Nuts of Your Choice, such as Almonds, Cashews and Walnuts
  • Seeds of Your Choice, such as Pumpkin Seeds
  • Dried Fruit of Your Choice. I used Raisins and Dried Pineapple.
  • Carob Chips or Chocolate Chips (if you can tolerate them in your diet or on your GAPS Stage)

instructions:

How to cook GAPS Legal Trail Mix

  1. Using homemade or store bought yogurt, strain out whey. Rinse the nuts and seeds that you want to use through cold water.
  2. Fill jars and bowls with filtered water. Keeping each kind of nut and seed in it's own separate bowl, add 1/4 cup whey to each jar and bowl.
  3. Let nuts and seeds soak and ferment. Most nuts and seeds need 24 hours for proper fermentation. Cashews and pumpkin seeds take only 8 though!
  4. After 24 hours, take the nuts out and set them either on dehydrator trays or on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Let them dry until they become crispy, preferably keeping them under 110° to keep the enzymes live.
  5. Mix any amount of crispy nuts with dried fruit. I used dried pineapples and raisins but you can use any dried fruit that you like and are tolerating! You can also add chocolate or carob chips to your mixture, if you can tolerate them.
  6. Store your trail mix in small baggies for a portable trail snack!
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