We’ve got a heavier post today, but bear with me because it’s paired with a step by step picture tutorial to make your own homemade Cinnamon Cashew Butter! It’s clean, easy and best of all has only 2 ingredients! Cashews are a great source of protein and healthy fats, too. Even better? It requires no oil, added sugars, or chemicals so it’s healthier than most of the packaged variety you find at the grocery store. So, what are you waiting for?! Let’s get blending.
Sorry guys, this will be a bit of a heavy post, but it will come with a tasty picture tutorial on how to make a comfort food of mine, because after this post we are going to need some comfort. Today’s comfort special? Nut butter! Specifically cashew butter. Yum.
Ok, so in my last post I was describing some things that have been going on in my life recently, both good and bad. Unfortunately one of those bad things is on the much more serious side. One of the intern at the place I’m working at decided to commit suicide. I didn’t know the person, but I was suppose to meet them today. Even being somewhat on the outside, I can see the wide repercussions this event has already had. It’s difficult seeing all the emotions, or having an attending just start crying in front of you. The program and the people in that particular residency are reeling and I can’t even imagine how the family is feeling. My prayers and thoughts go out to them and anyone who is trying to come to terms with what happened.
One of the many medical topics I had considered covering in upcoming posts was depression. Now, I am more committed to doing it to help you be able to recognize depression in yourselves, or those who are close to you. So, stay tuned for that.
This incident, though, is devastating in so many ways. It is so hard and takes a lot of work to become and continue to be a doctor. There are pressures put on you from so many different angles. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, there is a huge emotional, mental and even physical toll that this job can take on you.
Also, unfortunately, those in my profession are at significant risk for things like burnout and depression likely because of the demands placed on us. Even worse? We have a very significantly higher risk of suicide than the average population and remains so even when compared to other professions. We are also much more likely to complete suicide (in our world we differentiate between suicide attempts and those who successfully complete their suicide attempt) than the average person. I imagine this is solely because of our knowledge base.
Even though we have a much higher risk, these things can affect anyone. I just ask you to be aware of others. Notice if things don’t seem right. Say a (genuine) kind word if you see someone is having a hard day. Kindness, however small, can really make a difference. Take the time to ask if everything is ok. If you yourself feel down, talk to someone! Try and get help. Setting up an appointment with your primary care doctor (or go straight to a psychiatrist) can be a way to get started finding what resources and treatments are available.
There are a number of specific resources available for those who are depressed, needing someone to talk to, or contemplating suicide. One such resource is the national suicide prevention lifeline. 1-800-273 TALK (8255). This hotline is available 24/7. it is confidential and the people answering the phones are trained specifically to deal with these types of calls. It can be a great resource for those who need it. Know someone who is at risk? You can also call this number and find out what resources are available in your area to help that person. You may be surprised, especially in our modern world, how much is out there and available for you or for someone who is at risk.
Now onto the comfort food. As you’ve seen in the post, this is the way I make homemade cashew butter. Unlike most pre-packaged nut butters found in the store this one has no oil, or sugar, or other chemicals added. It’s perfectly clean and only requires 2 ingredients. So, if you’ve never tried making homemade cashew butter before, now you can see how easy it is! Looking for ways to use it? You can try out a few of the recipes I have on the blog so far that request cashew butter such as:
Toasted Coconut and Cashew Butter Chocolate Protein Oatmeal
Double Chocolate Raspberry Protein Notmeal
Low Carb 6 Ingredient Clean Vegan Fudgy Protein Brownies
- Preheat your oven to 350 and place your cashews on a baking pan.
- Roast the nuts for ~8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them.
- Once a deep golden brown, take them out and place them into your blender (or food processor) and blend for a few seconds
- Add cinnamon and continue to blend until smooth (stop every once in a while to scrap down the sides)
- The more nuts you use, the easier it is to blend them. Therefore, I recommend no less than 2 cups per batch
- Keep a close eye on your nuts while roasting. I find that once you start smelling them, then they are done or just about done. Keep a close eye on them especially if you start to smell them
- I like to blend the nuts a bit before adding the cinnamon because then it is better incorporated into the butter rather than falling to the bottom of the blender
- Be patient! It takes time to blend. You DO NOT need to add oil. The nuts have plenty of natural oils and once they break down to release them, you will get a smooth, melty nut butter. Patience is the key
I link up with Deborah and Sarah’s, and running on happy’s/ the fit foodie mama’s Meatless Monday, #recipeoftheweek, Best of the Blogosphere, Homestead Blog Hop, glutenfreefridays,#healthyveganfridays, What’s for Dinner, Sunday Fitness and Food, GraciousPantry
![Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Protein Cookies [Clean, Vegan, GF, Paleo]...And A Dash of Cinnamon Close](https://i0.wp.com/www.andadashofcinnamon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Chocolate-Chip-Sweet-Potato-Protein-Cookies-Clean-Vegan-GF-Paleo...And-A-Dash-of-Cinnamon-Close-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1418&ssl=1)
I’m sorry about the intern at your work. I cannot imagine how it would feel that nothing could be done to make myself feel better and bring myself out of a dark place (and I am someone who suffers from depression). I’ve known people to attempt suicide, fortunately, not successfully and I appreciate you bringing this to light so people know the signs to look for and what to do to help.
Thanks for your support. Thanks for sharing some of your personal insight. Please feel free to leave advice on what helps you to get out of a slump! (Either on this post, or my formal depression post when I get to writing it!)
So simple and looks so yummy! Love the combo of cinnamon and cashews!
Me too…I love both of the separately and well I LOVE cinnamon if you couldn’t guess and use it all the time haha
I’m so sorry, that is terrible… I know the pressure & stress that everyone deals with in healthcare and it does not seem to be getting any better…
It is for sure unfortunate, and I agree… it only seems to be getting worse :/
wow, i don’t even know what to say. first off, i’m a nutrition major/pre-med undergrad, so we have very similar views on food & medicine, and i’m so happy to have found your blog through the RR!
that being said, i know the suicide and depression rates are sadly so so high in the field, i feel like almost everyone knows someone dealing with mental and emotional struggles. i am so sorry he felt that way. i hope you and the rest of his friends and family are able to get through it and be strong <3 sending love.
That’s awesome! And a great combo of majors. I’m so glad you found my blog as well! It’s always great connecting with others. What year are you in your undergraduate studies? Thank you for your kind words. It affected me much more negatively than anticipated so that makes my prayers go out that much more to those who knew him well. It is unfortunately alarming how high the rates are, and I hope more awareness/support can be brought to the issue.
Oh wow, I’m so sorry to hear about this. Suicide is never to be taken lightly. Much love to you and staff and family. xxoo
Thank you for your kind words. It’s incredible the ramifications these events can have
Cashew butter is a favorite and cinnamon cashew butter, yes please! Dipping dates in fresh warm cinnamon cashew butter sounds so good right now!
Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!
Oh wow dipping dates into warm cinnamon cashew butter sounds amazing right now
Wow that is so unfortunate about your colleague and such a devastating loss for all of you. As someone who used to work in the mental health field, I know how important it is to get awareness out there. Thanks for linking up for meatless Monday
Thank you for helping me to spread it
My husband loves cashew butter – I’ll have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up
I do too! I hope you give it a try! Thanks for having me!
So sorry to hear of the intern’s suicide. It does have a wider impact than the person probably even thought! It’s interesting to me that as a 60-something I’m asked ever time I go to the doctor – “are you depressed?” so I think it’s great the medical profession is so aware and watching for depression. Love cashew butter – thanks for posting! Blessings, Janet
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the impact is surprising. I’m even surprised at how negatively it affected me and I didn’t even know the person. I’m very glad to hear that you are being screened! I love cashew butter too 🙂 Yum!
Oh I love making my own nut butters and adding cinnamon just make it so much more delicious! 🙂
Suicide is such a hard thing to talk about but I think you have done it well. Such a touching post I hope this makes people more aware of the support that out there – I know it’s hard.
Yep I’m a huge fan of DIY! It is..it was a hard post to write, so thank you. I hope it also helps to make people more aware, as well.
This looks insanely creamy, and I love that it doesn’t have any added oils/crap in it!!!
It is! Super creamy and melty without any oils or crap like you said in it. Major win in my book!