Today might be Presidents Day but did you know tomorrow is National Almond Day?
I haven’t done my research to uncover the origins of this very special day, but I suspect a very clever marketer was behind the scenes of this joyous celebration.
By the way, I plan on launching a National Fitness & Spice Day this year. We’ll all have a day off from work or school, there will be sales galore, and probably a parade. Don’t even get me started about the number of Hallmark cards that will be sold in honor of Fitness & Spice Day. More on that later, I don’t want to take away from (cue the confetti) National Almond Day.
Registered dietitian and James-Beard award-winning healthy recipe developer Cheryl Forberg recommends almonds for more than just a satisfying snack. She says,
“Not only are they linked to heart health, but they’re a perfect complement to chocolate and berries.”
Who am I to argue with an award-winning RD? In case you plan on whooping it up in celebration of National Almond Day you might want to add this recipe from Clean Eating Magazine to your dessert tray…
Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted almond butter, stirred well
- 3/4 cup Sucanat (I didn’t have any of whatever that is so I used NuNaturals Stevia Baking Blend instead)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 3 oz dark chocolate (70% or greater) broken into small pieces
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together first 5 ingredients until blended. Stir in chocolate. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
I’m not going to lie, these cookies are fabulous and fabulously-simple! And for all of you that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and/or guilt-free, you’re welcome!
Now I really must go make the guest list for the party tomorrow…I’m inviting a bunch of nuts!
Jessica@HowSweet says:
February 15th 2010Those sound amazzzzing.
The Candid RD says:
February 15th 2010I had no idea it was NAtional Almond Day! I’ll just have to crack open my new jar of Barney Butter then, right?! IT only makes sense. I haven’t finished my last jar yet, but I don’t like it as much as Barney Butter :)
These cookies sound great. I could probably make them with oat bran flour instead, yum. Nick LOVES the actual candy bars, Almond Joys, they are his favorite.
Have a nice day Joanna!
Marisa (Loser For Life) says:
February 15th 2010I just drooled over those while reading Clean Eating last night! YUM!
amanda says:
February 15th 2010I love almonds and I have become obbessed with eating them lately. I ate a whole jar of almond butter within a three day period…also love cocoa roasted almonds from Emeralds. I made a mistake of buying a huge container from Sam’s club. Anyway the cookie recipe sounds evil but delicious. :)
Allie (Protein Girl) says:
February 15th 2010Every day is Almond Day! Did you use 3/4 c. of NuNaturals baking blend? I have that in the cupboard. I’m waiting for my Fitness & Spice Day t-shirt to wear to the gym.
FYI – Sucanat is powdered insulin.
Jess (Fit Chick in the City) says:
February 15th 2010National Fitness & Spice Day is a YES! Can I be in your parade?
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
February 15th 2010I like that F&S day! As for almonds.. LOVE THEM!!! Have them in the house all the time!!!! And those cookies look too good to keep in the house! :-)
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says:
February 15th 2010Almond day…lol :-) These cookies look delicious! Have a great day!
sian-girlgetstrong says:
February 15th 2010those look so yummy! I love my almond spread!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says:
February 15th 2010Oh YUM!
Melissa says:
February 15th 2010I love almonds and I’m addicted to Barney Butter. I will be whooping it up tomorrow and showering my family with almond confetti!
april says:
February 15th 2010National almond day.. how exciting!! haha.
Alyson says:
February 15th 2010yummm, well you know my love for Almond Butter! I’m not sure about “guilt free” though, considering I could eat the whole batch in one day :p
empowermephotoguy says:
February 15th 2010Thanks for your post on almonds! I knew they were good for you, and I do know that they help satisfy cravings and keep you from feeling hungry. National Fitness & Spice Day is a great idea too! Hope it works to help keep the masses healthy and motivated!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
February 15th 2010Yum, these sound awesome. Kinda like peanut butter Hershey kiss cookies but with the amazingness of almonds? Even better.
I think on National Fitness & Spice Day we should get free one-day membership to any gym, time off work to exercise, and discounts on all jars of spices. Maybe even some free samples at the grocery store. ;)
Suzanne says:
February 15th 2010Mmm, those look good. I bet they’d be tasty with some dried cherries thrown in there too.
Nancy says:
February 15th 2010And don’t forget, on F&S day, we ALL have to head to the gym…oh, wait – we do that everyday, right??? ha ha. Those cookies look divine. Trader Joe’s Raw Cruchy Almond Butter is my absolute favorite. I might set a little on the side just to make a bach of those. Thanks for the recipe! Printing it out right now……:-)
Diane Fit to the Finish says:
February 15th 2010Yum Yum! I just tried nut butters recently and almond is my favorite.
Jessica @ WHY DONTCHA RUN says:
February 15th 2010I’ve got to try this recipe! I’m a baker and have yet to incorporate AB into any recipes – but I sure do love it! Is is just me or is AB pretty pricey?… I wish Barney Butter was sold around here. I can’t bring myself to purchase a jar when the shipping is almost as much as the actual jar. Blarg!
Thanks for sharing! :)
Joanna Sutter says:
February 15th 2010Jessica, You are so right about the cost of almond butter! In fact, when I was shopping for almond butter this weekend I stopped the manager and asked him if the price on the shelf was correct! I had a bit of sticker shock. I think there are affordable almond butters on the shelf…just not at the store I was in on Saturday.
FatFighterTV says:
February 15th 2010Wow – those sound fantastic! Almond butter is pricey, but I’ve found it at a reasonable enough price at Trader Joe’s and maybe Costco (can’t remember now!)
Allie (Protein Girl) says:
February 16th 2010Made em with crunchy organic pb and NuNaturals More Fiber. (I know right? Totally wrong on Almond Day!). Kid and gluten-free Man approved!