There are many reasons why you may consider the option of not drinking (or eating) dairy as I outlined in a previous article. Just to recap, some of those reasons may include the fact that some dairy herds are being injected with various types of growth hormones to help stimulate the production of milk to meet market demands, or because they don’t necessarily appreciate the taste. Another reason why you may choose to stop drinking milk is due to the fact that they wish to embrace a vegan diet.
Because there are far too many people these days, including myself, who cannot tolerate dairy, it is important to know about milk alternatives. Specifically, an alternative known as milk from nuts and DIY Home Recipes.
Milk from Nuts
The specific nutrients found in milk that make it such an effective food item is the fact that milk is an excellent source of calcium, B12, Vitamin D and riboflavin. Therefore, if considering a milk alternative, it is important to select a product that will match the nutritional value of milk.
One such excellent source of these nutrients can be found in almond milk. As the name implies this liquid is derived through a processing of almonds. Almonds are bursting with nutrients such as calcium, antioxidants, selenium, copper, manganese, potassium, copper and Vitamin E. Almond milk is sweet to the taste and its nutty-like flavor makes it an enjoyable beverage or on your favorite cereal. Almond milk can also be used as a cooking ingredient.
Another nut milk that has a wonderful flavor and provides beneficial nutrients is cashew milk. This milk maybe a little bit more expense, but provides a bounty of nutrional value. Those nutrients include the B Vitamin family, copper and magnesium.
DIY Home Recipes
A DIY home recipe for cashew milk would involve soaking a cup of raw, unsalted cashews and they should be soaked for at least 2 hours. Following the soaking process the cashews can be blended in a mixer for about a minute to a minute and a half with 2-3 cups of filtered or alkalized water. Following the blending process the drink is ready for consumption. Additionally, different flavorings can be added such as 1/4 tsp of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and a 1/4 of agave syrup.
Depending on the type of blender you have you may need to use a cheese cloth to soak out the liquid and keep any bits of nuts that didn’t make it through the blending process, easy squeezy!
That same recipe can be used for any nut you feel like turning into milk. Go on, give it a shot!