Monthly Archives: November 2012

How to make Activated Almonds – Soak Your Nuts Baby!

Picture courtesy of Pete Evans

So, it’s a bit of a hot topic around the traps of late, who knew nut soaking could elicit such controversy! In case you missed it, chef and TV presenter Pete Evans was interviewed about his diet for a newspaper column, and the ongoing public response has been incredibly surprising to me. Have a look below at the actual article.

The resulting Twitter onslaught included over 4000 comments about activated almonds, and how ridiculous and expensive they are. This column is something that appears each week in the paper, with a different person interviewed each week. It is not Pete dictating what others should eat, it is simply him sharing what he likes to eat. I found myself in conversations about this during the week, with others saying “…sure, he can eat what he wants, but he doesn’t have to be such a bourgeois wanker about it.” I find this so interesting (and frustrating). Yes, activated nuts from the health food shop are more expensive, but activating them at home is extremely easy, and no more expensive than normal almonds. Score! If Pete chooses to eat food that is easier on his digestive system and higher in nutrient value than the conventional version, good on him. This is not to say that you have to go through this process to eat a nut. But if he chooses to – great! 

Activated nuts are simply nuts that have been soaked and dehydrated. The soaking breaks down phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors that can bind the the precious minerals (especially calcium, magnesium and zinc) found in nuts, making them less available for the body to digest. In nature, these enzymes are there inside the nut to prevent its growth until it has all the right conditions –

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Liquid gold! Drinkable snacks, including a convertible chocolate shake.

I have recently acquired a new blender, and so needless to say, there has been a LOT of blending going on in our house! And juicing. How beautiful is this juice above?! Who knew kale, cucumber, celery, carrot, beetroot, mint and ginger could be so GORGEOUS? I suspect many of us did! 

Green smoothies have to be THE greatest drinkable snack in my opinion. It’s quick, versatile, fabulously nutritious, and gives you a nourishing little energy boost. I have been dining out on this spicy green smoothie this week – give it a go!

Spicy Green Smoothie
Handful of kale/spinach/greens
1/2 apple or orange
1/4 cup frozen berries
1/4 banana
1/4 – 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
1/2 cup coconut water or filtered water
Blend and love! This is not the greenest of green smoothies due to the different coloured ingredients, but she’s just delightful!

Next up is a ripper of a convertible chocolate milkshake, without the dairy and packed with goodness! Hooray! Leftovers? (not likely) Convert it to a choc-mint mousse, oh yes! This thick shake is packed with protein and good fat, which is exactly what you should be looking for in a sustaining snack. The protein will stave off the sugar cravings and balance your blood sugar, and the healthy fats will fill your tummy and keep you satisfied.





Raw Chocolate Good Shake 
1 large frozen banana (the frozen part is important to get the right taste and texture at the end
1/4 cup cashews – soaked for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours (or other nut of your choice – macadamias would be fab)
1 avocado
2 tbs raw cacao
2 tbs agave or maple syrup
1 1/4 cups nut milk, or water
A pinch of sea salt
A few ice cubes

Blend, thin out

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