ARE YOU SOAKING YOUR NUTS?
On my first couple of attempts raw, I was a bit intimidated by the whole issue of soaking and dehydrating nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are an important part of a raw vegan lifestyle, and I wanted something more than just plain nuts and seeds sometimes, and I certainly did not enjoy spending $9.00 for a small bag of raw trail mix. I also wanted to offer my husband and kids raw vegan treats and snacks that they would enjoy. So, I eventually found a way to just simplify the whole thing.
1. For starters, raw recipes call for either “soaked nuts” or “dry nuts”. When using soaked nuts, they must be wet, which means they will blend easily.
2. When a recipe calls for dry nuts, or nut flour, you can either just use nuts straight from the bag, or nuts that have already been soaked and dehydrated. That’s what I use due to the digestion and health benefits. It’s an extra but important step. Nuts and seeds contain phytic acid that can eat away at the enamel of your teeth over time, as well as enzyme inhibitors that make digestion of the nuts and seeds difficult.
3. I bulk order raw (non-pasteurized) almonds online, because I can’t get the truly raw version here. The problem with California almonds being pasteurized is that often times chemicals are used, and if not, high heat is used, killing a lot of the nutrients. I store them in the freezer along with other nuts and seeds, in labeled bags.
4. About once every 2 weeks (not often at all) I soak a whole bunch of nuts, all at once. That’s easy. Put nuts in bowl, submerge in water, wait. (8 hours minimum for almonds).
4. Then, I rinse and drain. I will usually make some raw granola bars with the wet ones, and then stick the rest in the dehydrator at 115f overnight so they are available in a pinch for other recipes throughout the next couple of weeks, or for salad toppings, or for snacking.
All of the above is actually very easy, and much simpler than a lot of traditional “cooking”, it just takes some preparation ahead of time. It’s why being organized and well-stocked is a lifesaver on a raw plan.
Dehydrated foods that are pre-made can be a bit pricey in the store but making them yourself can cut back on the cost.
Remember, soaking the nuts or seeds creates very easily absorbed and digested fats; increases the enzymes and nutrients; makes the nut a complete protein and makes the nut very easy to digest, allowing the body to receive more energy from the nuts.
