Now that's a SUPER #smoothie with #strawberries #banana #gojiberry #camucamu sunwarrior #beepollen… instagram.com/p/Zp9v55q9Pb/
Milking it…for what it’s worth!
June 24, 2010
If you didn’t know this already, I am not an advocate for cow’s milk. I can write a whole blog post about this or I can simply just tell you that it is not conducive to human health. It does not build our immune systems, it suppresses it, it does not help with digestion, it hinders it – and most conventional types are loaded with pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. Do you want this in your body or in your child’s body? I think not. Have a look here on more on the Dangers of Cow’s Milk. I know this can be frightening for many, as the Dairy industry dictates so much of the information about dairy that we have grown to believe. More than you even know. We are brought up in schools that push the four food groups (with Dairy being in it’s own category), milk and chocolate milk are available everywhere, they have so much money that they pay off companies to promote to the public that it is healthy, bone building and ESSENTIAL for health. But those who have already made the transition, swear by the differences in their health – as far as allergies, immunity and over all well being – who can attest to this (please comment below)?
So that I don’t leave you hanging, I want to set you with the alternatives, the other possibilities that are out there to complete your smoothies, breakfasts cereals, granola, latte’s, baking ingredients and even ice cream etc… there are many such solutions.
First off you can go to the store and buy all kinds of milk substitutes. Of course soy is one of them – but I am going to steer clear from that one, again, there are alternatives. There is rice milk (Rice Dream, Ryza), Almond Milk (Almond Breeze), Hemp Milk (Living Harvest and Hemp Bliss) – even Oat Milk can be found in the markets. These are convenient and easy choices for most people. I am not completely opposed to them as people need to find things that are available to make this an easy and smooth transition. Just be sure to look at the side panel for the amount of sugars or other additives. (FYI – added oils, and sugars are not necessary). You can buy unsweetened versions and just sweeten them yourself! Again, this is a safe easy bet for most people.
Now if you want to take it one step further, make your own milk. Sounds complicated, but really it isn’t. This works best mostly with either nuts or seeds – as making rice milk at home is not so simple! So once you have decided on your base – almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, sesame seeds, or hempseeds – all you need is water and other additions of your choice. You will also need a blender and some kind of contraption to strain your milk with. However with seeds, you can just blend and drink (you can with nuts too, it just depends whether you want a smooth creamy milk, similar to what you are used to!).
For straining you can use a fine mesh colander, cheesecloth or the funny looking device I have hear (which is actually a Jelly Strainer). But it works wonders for making nut milk. It is so easy to use and makes perfect milk every time. You actually get to “milk it” as if you were milking a cow, by squeezing down on the bag – you want to extract every last drop of liquid. It is rather fun! In fact I am going to give one away – depending on and how many times and how you respond to this post! The winner will be announced in one week! So if you want to know how to make the perfect “milk” then see the recipe below. Otherwise I encourage you to explore some of the other options that are out there, they are tasty, delicious and make the perfect substitution for milk.
For those of you who are wondering where you get your calcium and protein from without milk – let me assure you that even though the dairy industry would disagree, but you can get plenty of calcium from almonds, hemp seeds and sesame seeds! As for rice milk, you would look to other areas of your diet to boost these nutrients. Not everything has to come from a cow 
P.S. FOR THE MILK TOLERANT PEOPLE – I want to just mention that Raw or Organic Cow’s Milk, Goat’s Milk and Sheep’s Milk are all suitable options!
Nut Milk Recipe
1 cup almonds, brazil nuts or hempseeds (soaked overnight)
4 cups of water
1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup – you can even use 1-2 dates
1 tsp vanilla bean powder (or extract)
Simple and Delicious! Enjoy
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30 Responses to “Milking it…for what it’s worth!”
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So true! RT @joyoushealth: 5 Types of People Who Think They Are Healthy Eaters But They're Not: ow.ly/liELP
There are many options when it comes to eating #glutenfree ow.ly/lhobB @GlutenFreeFind @Glu10FreeGarage
I quit milk back in August of 2009. What a difference!
Loose stools cleared up.
Sinuses cleared up.
Nausea cleared up.
Low energy improved (I still eat too much sugar for my own good, thus zapping me)
Acne cleared up!
No more sensations of my ears being clogged up.
I’ve had a decrease in pain.
I feel more alert & together mentally.
And my calcium levels are fine based on my blood work from my regular dr! And I do NOT supplement with additional calcium either.
AND best of all – I’M OFFICIALLY OFF MY BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS! This is partly due to dairy-free, but also gluten-free & using unrefined sea salt.
Going dairy-free was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
I had ice cream out a few weeks ago & I felt so gross… diarrhea, nausea, tummy cramping…
Do yourself & your family – get rid of the dairy.
Use ghee, nut milks, hemp milk, and coconut milk & oil!
MAKE THAT CHANGE
Andrea – I can’t believe I forgot to mention COCONUT MILK! One of my absolutely favourites! Thanks for sharing!
I mostly stopped drinking cow’s milk as a teenager, though I’ll still eat dairy (including conventional cow dairy, though I’ve started moving towards goat when I can). For milk, it was soy until a year or two ago when almond started to become more available (and cheaper than soy!).
I’ll make nut milk when I can, though I’ve started to use packaged almond milk when traveling since I can get it almost anywhere. (The tetra pack will last a day or so once opened without refrigeration, and I can bring chia cereal and dried fruit with me.)
Oooh, and I’m totally falling in love with coconut ice cream. I like this recipe: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2009/02/15/rest-to-digest/
That sounds great Val, you are making a true effort! The tetra packs even stay good for a bit longer sometimes!
I make coconut milk ice cream all the time! Nothing beats it – and if you don’t want to make it Coconut Bliss is an amazing one to buy!
I drink almond or rice milk, but usually unsweetened almond breeze. I discovered that dairy gives me terrible acne. Do you think goat milk would cause acne as well?
Samantha,
Goat Milk metabolizes completely different than’s cow’s milk in the human body – but if you don’t have the right enzymes, than acne may be a result!
But both Goat and Sheep’s milk are much easier on the digestive system, so you are best to do a little test and if not, there are plenty of options!
I like to use unsweetened almond milk in green smoothies. I also bake with it and don’t notice any difference from regular milk. Sometimes I heat it up with a tsp on honey and pinch of cinnamon instead of having hot chocolate.
Sounds amazing!
I tweeted the giveaway
I’m a fan of delicious knowledge on facebook
I gave up dairy years ago. I do admit to a bit of cheese once and awhile but that is all….:(
I have switched to Almond milk over a year ago for all of my baking and now also make yogurt and ice cream out of Coconut Milk.
My next goal would be to make my own Almond milk and try making yogurt of it….
Once you start making your own Almond Milk – you are hooked!! There is nothing wrong with a little cheese or dairy (especially if it is goat or sheep) – I do like goat cheese on pizza once in a while
I have been working on which seems to work best with my IBS but just started following you the other day as I peeked off someone else’s page! Love this whole conversation and look forward to giving it a try on my own as it gets a bit challenging always keeping eyes on who is doing what and adding what to their products.
Thanks Marni!
Good luck Deborah, I am here for support! You can do it! Glad you found me
I absolutely love using unsweetened Almond milk. I use it the most in hot teas especially in the winter months with chai. Recently I’ve been adding it to my Lucipia Caramel and Rum rooibos tea with a touch of stevia and it makes for the most lovely milky caramel tea!
Another way I like to use almond milk is to heat it up on the stove top with some agar agar flakes, let it firm up in the fridge and then blend it with goat yogurt, a touch of vanilla and sea salt. It’s my own version of frozen yogurt a la Pinkberry!
Dianna, almond milk is so great in hot drink, especially a chai latte! I can’t wait for the day that almond milk is available in all coffee shops! Your Fro-Yo recipe also sounds amazing, i must try that one!
I have tried making almond milk but I usually buy my own. giving up dairy was huge in healing from digestive disease… and i think my intolerance may be related to my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in my 20′s. When I cut out dairy and gluten, my husband ate way less and he vastly improved his asthma. He never needs steroids anymore. We have never given our kids dairy and my 3 year old will tell anyone “cow’s milk makes me a little sick”!
Michelle, that is great news! Sometimes people don’t equate dairy sensitivities to Diabetes, but the book that CHINA STUDY actually proves that! You are well on your way – so is your family! But definitely have a look at this book!
I’ve recently started looking into going organic after reading a book on changing ones metabolism.
Today, I started researching organic markets to begin shopping for ‘real’ food in the Scarborough area. In my exploration I found a link to your site and have since bookmarked it in the hope to learn more about this lifestyle change.
I have been obese for about 15 years or more. In the last 5 to 10 years, I’ve been bouncing 10 lbs up and down from around 320lbs (I’m 6’2” with BMI of 40-ish).
I’ve made some changes in my diet, mostly inspired by my young 4’10, 103lb fiancée (like low-sugar juices, no carbonated drinks, no late night meals, etc.), but I still can’t manage to drop the weight and keep it off.
I do 98% of the cooking (which bites. lol), but my cooking is nothing special… Mac and cheese, pasta, frozen foods (fish sticks, frozen egg rolls, TV dinners), riz …Well, you get the picture. I have tried to move towards other healthy choices, like chicken breast sandwiches, whole grain bread, eggs and toast, and lots more vegetables, it’s just not easy choosing healthy on a budget and keeping it simple and tasty. I realize going organic is far from cheap, but it’s the cheapest solution in the long run.
I haven’t gone through the bulk of your site yet, but I’m hoping there might be a section that helps people who are struggling with weight issues to make practical life changes.
I made my fiancée a promise when we met over 3 years ago… I was going to lose the weight! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to make good on that promise. I’m only 35 and I feel so much older…
- Sore feet and ankles
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Low energy and motivation
- High cholesterol and fatty liver
- Sex drive is sucky compared to when I was in my early 20’s
We want to have children, and I don’t want to be one of those parents who do less with their kids because of their weight, health problems as a result, or worse… a parent that doesn’t live long enough to see their kid graduate or get married.
I think about my hopes and dream from time to time, which fade when I look in the mirror. I find it amazing that change is so hard when the benefits can be profound… I guess I just need to cut the fat already and get healthy.
I love the idea of making your own milk and would love to try that. I never realized cow’s milk was so unhealthy… but might explain a few things.
Anyways, I look forward to reading more and watching the videos on your site… and if we can squeeze it out of our budget, it would be great to have a consultation, makeover or a few of your cooking classes… if not for me, I would love my fiancée to go… or maybe accompany me, so I can have less face time with the kitchen appliances
Sorry… My short and sweet comment kind of got away from me
Wow JP, thanks so much for sharing! I am so happy that you are on the roll with taking care of your health and I am more than happy to be a platform for this change in your lifestyle!
Making your own food, recipes and meals at home, is one of the first steps to weight loss, your are not only completely in control of the ingredients, but you are also in control of the
portion sizes. Also this way you can choose whole and fresh foods and avoid all of the added “junk” that is in most processed foods.
I am looking forward to being in touch with – thanks for sharing all that you did!
Marns:
Because of you I took out dairy 4 years ago and feel so much better! Thanks for that. xo. Big question: what to do if you are anaphylactic to all nuts? What’s a good alternative if I can ever get Robbie to switch over?! Remember: must be store bought as you know I am allergic to the kitchen.
I am so happy you made the switch and feel better as a result. The perfect solution for Robbie is a seed based milk. Hemp Milk and Rice Milk are your answers for sure!!
Rice Milk may be more neutral! But Hemp Milk is delicious! Let me know how it goes!
Hi Marnie, I came across your site while googling for nut milk bags. Where did you get your *contraption* from LOl? I’m just starting to transition from cow’s milk to almond milk and straining through cheesecloth takes forever! Thanks for this site and your advice!
Hi Jodi,
It is actually a Jelly Strainer…I think you can get one at most kitchen appliance stores and just use it for a milk bag! It is amazing how well they work!
THE WINNER HAS BEEN SELECTED!
I have taken my time, but the winner is JP – since he is new to whole foods and starting to make positive changes in his and his fiancees life, I wanted to dedicate the Nut Milk prize to him. He deserves to get started on the right (not so sore) foot!
Congratulations JP!
Hi Marni!
What are your thoughts on nut milk for a 9 month old on a wide variety of colorful organic solids? I was unable to nurse her – devastating – and have been searching for a suitable dairy free homemade alternative for her instead of synthetic formula. She consumes fats from avocado, egg yolks from my dad’s chickens, cubes of pure coconut milk ect. I would also include her liquid multi vitamin to fill in the gaps if needed. She loves her green veggies – all sorts!
Since she is this age – I wonder if I can gradually wean her and begin homemade almond and coconut milk? I know it goes against popular thinking – but I’m so anxious to wean her from this stuff – it is full of corn syrup and since it is synthetic and not a ‘real’ food – who knows how much her little body is absorbing anyway!
Hi Marni.
I made the switch to nut milks about two years ago for my children who were always sick with colds. Within no time the mucus buildup was gone and the common cold was a thing of the past. Seasonal allergies are much better too.
I generally use YU organic brown rice milk, Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk and So Nice Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk. We are a family of five and we like to change it up, so we always have these three on hand and occasionally I buy the Almond Breeze Unsweetened Chocolate Milk to make hot cocoa.
Nice to meet you at VEGFEST.
Vibeke