Loving Wellness Now
Loving Wellness Now
Seed & Nut Butter Dip
Prep Time
5-10 mintutes
Prep Notes
I prefer to work with raw seeds and nuts. Additionally I like to soak my raw seeds and nuts in water and a dash of raw apple cider vinegar to slightly ferment and help break down the undigestible phytic acid surrounding all seeds and nuts. Phytic acid is also a nutrient inhibitor meaning it requires your body to access your stores and reserves of vitamins and minerals in order to process; rather than giving you nutrients it takes nutrients away from you. You may prefer roasted which also destroys some of the unwanted phytic acid but roasted lacks all of the living beneficial digestive enzymes found in raw foods. More on raw and sprouted below.
Deciding on a seed or nut butter to work with as your dip base:
raw almond butter (high in nutrients, healthy fats, healing, good for the heart and lungs)
raw walnut butter (high in anti-inflammatory omega 3)
raw sunflower seed butter (good source of vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants)
raw cashew butter (considered a super food very high in nutrients, also very high in phytic acid cashews are best consumed pre-soaked)
raw pumpkin seed butter (high in protein and anti-parasitic)
raw hazelnut butter (good for heart health)
Cooking Time
raw
Yields
1-2 people
Ingredients
1/4 cup seed or nut butter of your choice (see Prep Notes for ideas)
1 teaspoon flax seed, chia seed and/or hemp hearts
1 teaspoon dulce sea veggie flakes or powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 clove of garlic (optional)
1 teaspoon flax or hemp oil (optional)
1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon carob or chocolate powder (optional)
Your choice: carrots sticks, celery sticks, fennel sticks, and/or bok choy sticks
Directions
In a small bowl or jar combine your choice of butter and spices.
Mix thoroughly.
Slice veggie sticks and enjoy your dip.
Notes
Flax, chia and hemp are great sources of essential fatty acids and omegas.
Dulce is high in protein, vitamin C, calcium and so many more trace minerals from the sea.
Turmeric in anti-inflammatory (note most turmeric has had the circumin removed from it so be sure yours is medicinal grade)
Cinnamon is sweet to taste, anti-fungal and adds fire to the belly aiding digestion.
Garlic is a wonderful antibiotic
More on Soaked and sprouted Nuts and Seeds: Nuts have enzyme inhibitors which makes them difficult to digest. That is why I recommend purchasing raw nuts and seeds, then soaking, fermenting and spouting to enliven their digestive enzymes. Dehydrate your soaked seeds and nuts and grind your own butters using a device such as a Champion.
Sprouted seeds and nuts are less acidic and more alkaline in nature. Your body will generally tolerate more consumption of seeds than nuts which are more acidic.
It is always nice to add a little sauerkraut or kimchi to ones meals as the beneficial microorganisms in the living food help us to digest our food and render the nutrients more bioavailable to us. You may try decorating a platter with veggie slices toped with your choice of butter and spices (not necessarily pre mixed sometimes the sprinkled on effect is very appealing, and finally a pinch of kraut or kimchi on top of each piece.
Tips for children: A fun variation of this recipe is to set out a buffet of toppings, spread their choice of butter onto a carrot or celery stick, then let the kids sprinkle their favorite toppings, perhaps adding some black currents to top it off (as an alternative to higher glycemic raisons).
Try using small jars to make to go sized dips with a bag of sliced veggies on the side.
Credit
Lisa Shelton Rohde, CHC