Milk...does a body good.

My husband Tim and I love milk. With cookies, in cereal or just a big cold glass. Tim has been drinking milk his whole life and when we got married we switched to buying only locally produced milk without all of the hormones and antibiotics conventional cows are subjected too. But unfortunately there was a problem. Tim and I both had severe allergies, I have asthma and it seemed for awhile we were suffering from yucky mucus issues all day long. I had known for quite some time that milk is a mucus maker. The milk protein, casein, can also irritate the immune system and stimulate mucus production in many people, especially children. So I went in pursuit of an alternative for us. We tried soy for awhile which was enjoyable but I had seen some research done that women need to watch their intake as it raises estrogen levels. That is when we stumbled across nut milks. We decided to try them out and started with almond milk. The process of making these milks is quite amazing, nuts, water and a little vanilla for added flavor, blend it up and you have a creamy white consistency similar to that of traditional milk. We now buy vanilla almond and hazelnut from Pacific brand foods. Nut milks are packed with good protein and vitamins from natural vegetable sources. They do take some getting used to but after awhile you get over it, especially if you have trouble with dairy products, you are feeling too good to notice.

So if you are looking for a tasty alternative to milk or just want to incorporate something new in addition give nut milk a try. I will attach a recipe for homemade nut milk which is even better if you feel adventurous. It's super easy, tasty and extra creamy!

Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

Makes 4 cups.

1 cup soaked raw almonds (soaked 4-8 hours)

4 cups filtered water

1T vanilla or 3 T raw honey or maple syrup

In a blender, at medium, then high speed, blend soaked almonds, water, and sea salt until smooth. Pour through a strainer (or use a cheese cloth) to separate pulp. Pour liquid back in the the blender and blend in vanilla extract or sweetener until smooth

“I said to the almond tree, ''Friend, speak to me of God,'' and the almond tree blossomed.”
Nikos Kazantzakis