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DIY Delicious Almond Milk

As I mentioned in this post, we have been taking baby steps, just one at a time towards healthier living, and almond milk was the next step.  The first thing we did was dump out all our nasty cooking oils like canola and vegetable down the drain, and only use coconut oil.  It was simple enough, felt pretty great, not a huge transition.  Plus, things taste better.

As we learn, and our bodies and tastes change, we slowly incorporate more with passing time.  We like going slowly, so that it can be our focus, and to ensure that each change will last, at least that was the hope, and so far so good!  We have been feeling healthier and strong.

Recently, our change was something that has been needing to happen for a while, but the thought seemed daunting prior.  Or so we thought.  And that thing is dairy.  The thought of cutting it out used to seem impossible, yet as an accompaniment to recent changes, it hasn’t just been easy, but amazing!

And we all feel so much better.  Oh my gosh…so much better, why did we wait?

Did you know we are the only mammal that drinks the milk of a different species?  Here is some great info as to why we finally decided to make a change including avoiding growth hormones related to early puberty in children, avoiding higher risk of diabetes and more saturated fat.  (To name a few)

We have known for a while that more than half of us must have at least a small level of  lactose intolerance; but how could we cut out milk, pizza, ice cream!?

Well, we have found better, healthier and yummier alternatives to each, starting with this one:

Homemade 2 Minute Almond Milk.  My kids don’t like the store bought kind, but will guzzle this simple recipe.  I don’t like store bought either, because even the organic variety has many additives.

What I thought may be tricky, was actually simple and ended up only  taking 2 minutes, and the kids loved it, we all did.  They fought over it!  SUCCESS!

DIY Almond Milk

 

Almond milk is plant based and alkalizing, which means it brings your body away from an acidic state, which is where diseases thrive.

 

 

Almond Milk Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw organic almonds
  • 4 cups of filtered water
  • 1/4 TB sea salt (Optional)

(See, you don’t even need to make a list ; )

Healthy Family Homestead Almond Milk

How to Make DIY Almond Milk

Almonds like most seeds and nuts have anti-nutrients and to disable them, soak them overnight in a little bowl or jar.  In the morning, rinse them and put them in a blender or food processor.  Add 4 cups of filtered water and blend at high speed for two minutes.

When you are done, you will need to strain the pulp out.  I don’t recommend a cheese cloth, because we tried it….  But we do recommend this amazing nut bag!  Squeeze all the liquid out of the nut bag…

and enjoy!  

easy almond milk recipe

 

This is the best almond milk we have ever had, and just by throwing two things into a blender!  We are so happy to have found this healthy, wholesome milk replacement!  #VivaHealth!  #VivaYUMMY!  We make ours in small batches because it turns in just a couple days, then we blend a fresh batch!

The boys fought over the jar, until it was all gone.

almond milk smiles

 

Enjoy!  I have a couple other dairy free recipes in the works!  Our tummies are high-fiving us 🙂

Pin it for later—-> http://www.pinterest.com/pin/181762534935916687/

you'll this almond milk

 

Don’t throw out that almond pulp!  Bake with it, use it as sprinkles, etc.  Find out more options here.

Have you ever tried going dairy free?  How was it for you?  Or are you a big milk lover?  Have you ever tried almond or coconut milk before, and what did you think?  Have it your most recent health change?

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Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Crystal June 24, 2014, 11:19 pm

    I love all kinds of milk! We used to buy whatever was on sale for hardly anything back in the States: coconut, almond, soy, rice, etc. but then we moved to the UK. Not only do they have WAY less options here in the grocery store, but everything costs twice as much for half as much. In other words, we can’t afford to buy special milk anymore. So I will definitely be trying this!

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:23 am

      Cool! Enjoy!

  • Sarabeth June 25, 2014, 5:10 am

    How does this compare cost wise to store bought almond milk?

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:23 am

      It is less, plus you can also have almonds on hand for snack and less product waste from the box!

  • Elja June 25, 2014, 8:37 am

    I did dairy free while nursing my second child.. He had a pretty bad allergie. It worked well for me and my body but I kept craving for chocolate and cheese (we dutch loooove our cheese). I started again once I stopped nursing but am trying to take in as minimal as possible.

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:25 am

      I did the same while nursing, and felt great! But then went back too. We are starting all of us on this new dairy free life with some great substitutes!

  • Cassie June 25, 2014, 8:59 am

    I have been dairy free for 3 years now! I am severely lactose intolerant, always have been. When I was younger I took special pills before consuming dairy to help break down the lactose enzyme. However, those pills began to cease working a couple of years ago so I decided to just to be done with it! All of it! I drink unsweetened coconut milk and I love it! I use it for coffee, baking in recipes, and the occasional hot chocolate. Delicious! PS: I’m allergic to almonds otherwise I’d be all over this almond milk! 🙂

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:26 am

      Oh yes, I would be all over coconut milk if my kids liked it, but they refuse! Darn, I think it’s awesome!

      Oh yes, nut allergies, sorry about that!

  • Elizabeth June 25, 2014, 9:01 am

    I love making my own nut milks. Sometime, try adding 2-3 dates, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp vanilla. (even better 1/2 a vanilla bean if you have a high speed blender) Last week I did 3/4 cup almonds and 1/4 cup brazil nuts. Delicious!

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:28 am

      YUM! I am definitely going to have to try this! We love dates, I tell my kids that coconut covered dates are chocolate treats, and they LOVE them! We love cinnamon, too!

  • Jolene @ Homespun Heritage June 25, 2014, 9:03 am

    We’re egg free due to my 1 yr olds food allergies and I am vegetarian. I’ve cut out dairy this month (June) and plan to extend it to July to see how I feel. I did make *one* exception. Ice cream from a local Christian dairy farm that has been wonderful at supporting our adoptions…..dude they even have waterbeds for their cows and their cows go OUTSIDE (truly a groundbreaking move around here), etc…

    Here’s a link to the waterbed idea…..
    http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-01-21/cows-water-beds/52699340/1

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:28 am

      oh my gosh, that is the cutest thing I have ever heard of! Since we started having out own chickens, I love hearing about loving treatment of other farm animals! Thank you for sharing!

  • olga June 25, 2014, 10:17 am

    Yay! I’ve cut out diary two month ago- which is great to do while you’re preparing your meals at home. It gets complicated during the weekends, unfortunately….do I feel better? Well, I feel the same, actually. Never had issues with milk or anything else. The only “side effect” is that I lost 6 pounds even without doing sports. I’ll continue 😉

    • tinyteam June 25, 2014, 10:32 am

      oh wow! I am impressed! That’s pretty incredible

  • Nicole June 25, 2014, 2:14 pm

    I so need this for my little one! We have been buying almond milk but I don’t like the additives (even in the unsweetened). I’ve been wanting to try making my own and now you’ve given me the push I needed to go for it. 🙂 Do you need a vitamix-type blender for this?

  • Jezel Bow June 25, 2014, 8:58 pm

    We have been diary free since Rachel was 6 months old. We are lactose intolerant but just dealt with it. When she started having blood in her stools as a baby I was concerned and we took out diary right away. I thought I would be miserable but we adjusted quickly. She eats coconut yogurt vanilla flavored from Trader Joes. We also buy the coconut ice creams for parties from sprouts or Trader Joes. Sprouts also sells coconut ice cream sandwiches we have served those as dessert at dinner gatherings. We honestly can’t remember what milk or other dairy products tasted like and don’t miss it and she is turning 4 in a couple of days. I have never tried to make almond milk it always sounded gross

  • K June 26, 2014, 12:26 pm

    Awesome, I have been vegan for 4 years now and love it. FYI for previous posters there tons of non dairy treats that tasty including chocolate. My fav treat is a smoothie of frozen bananas, *milk peanut butter, ice and a little chocolate syrup or choco powder. I also like these and this site oh she glows…frosty glow cakes. Could not get link to work, sorry. I think limiting dairy and limiting red meat are some of the best things you can do for yourself. Are you getting comments that your kids aren going t
    o have brittle bones etc yet?

  • Bethany June 28, 2014, 7:41 pm

    Try putting a whole vanilla bean in before you blend it. Even better! I put in a dash of cinnamon, too. I love homemade almond milk!

  • Sandy March 15, 2016, 11:44 am

    Where do you get your organic almonds? What brand do you use?