Got Almond Milk?
This week we’re transitioning from thinking and planning to some tactics.
And I'm starting with dairy. Often when people are experiencing a range of health issues, from acne to digestive issues, milk (as well as dairy in general) can be the culprit. Eliminating dairy from your diet might be the first step to helping you feel better.
My husband and I both experimented with a 30 day reset diet last year (the goal of which is to figure out which foods might be bothering you), and when we introduced dairy back into our diet, we were surprised at how uncomfortable it made us feel - bloated and gassy.
It’s interesting that when you remove something from your diet that can be unknowingly aggravating to your body, that short break from that item cleans things out a bit, and enables your body to restore functionality and receptivity to foods.
So when you reintroduce that item, your body has restored its capacity to tell you to put the brakes on.
That was an interesting discovery for us, and detrimental to Ben and Jerry’s stock price, as our consumption of Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia rapidly plummeted.
Milk is one of those funny and confusing foods.. Our doctors taut it as the best way to meet our calcium needs … yet, it is one of the most common causes of food allergies in children; the casein proteins can create inflammation that results in issues including eczema, ear infections, congestion and sinus problems.
Additionally, about 70% of the world’s population suffers from milk induced digestive distress because of lactose intolerance. In most of us, the production of lactase, the enzyme that digests dairy, starts to decline around age two. So as adults, most of us just aren't equipped to digest milk very well.
Enter plant based milks. There are a multitude of both fresh and shelf stable options out there which you’ve probably noticed and perhaps tried.
But because a friend shared a recipe for almond milk with me, I decided to try it. After buying a couple things (a nut bag and cute quart sized milk bottles), the process of making almond milk doesn't take more than 5 minutes. And after being a half and half girl for so long, I totally converted.
It couuldn’t be easier. And I like doing it myself, since I then know what exactly is in it. Despite the convenience of buying at the store, it is hard to find products that are free from sugar and preservatives.
In addition to a blender, you will also need a nut bag to strain the milk thru, removing the almond skins. This leftover is actually almond meal, and if you are enterprising you can make almond flour with that, but I typically discard it.
So here's the recipe:
Almond Milk:
1 cup raw almonds (soaked in water overnight or 6 hours; this not only softens them, but also unlocks their nutrients so they are more readily absorbed)
Drain and rinse almonds.
Place in Blender with 4 cups of water
1 tsp vanilla
2 pitted Medjool dates (or more for added sweetness)
Sprinkle of cinnamon (if that appeals to you)
Blend for one to two minutes.
To strain through the nutbag, I pull out a wide mouthed pitcher and put the bag in the pitcher and fold the top of the bag around the top edges of the pitcher. Then pour the milk through the nut bag, and squeeze out the milk into the pitcher.
I have also purchased quart size milk bottles that hold the almond milk perfectly. Links for nut bags and milk bottles below.
The almond milk should last 5 - 7 days.
Here's the nut bag I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLT6X9W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And the bottles I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018BDZQUQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's always fun to experiment with food, and every so often you'll stumble upon something that can really make a difference in how you feel. PLEASE reach out if you have any questions about it.