Almond milk.

Milk and dairy products are often subject to controversy. As an European raised in the 80's, I have been exposed to the mainstream idea of getting your daily amount of calcium from cows milk. Nowadays a great number of people have realized that they are intolerant to dairy or have understand that their kids are sensitive too. Whether you consume milk or not, there are a few facts that I consider important to be known:

As a mammal, Human Being is the only animal that consumes milk after it has been raised, in this case, taking the milk from another mammal. This fact shows up that WE DO NOT NEED MILK TO GET OUR DAILY AMOUNT OF CALCIUM. In Europe, as well as in other places in the world, we have been consuming milk & dairy products for thousands of years and in some cases, we have developed digestive enzymes that break down lactose helping milk assimilation. However, in most part of dairy-consumers food traditions, there are ways to eat or drink dairy products in form of fermented or as probiotics, making milk a easier-to-digest food. Today we buy yoghurt and milk in a box or cheese in a plastic tray from the supermarket, and that, somehow denatures the product itself. Also, we have to bare in mind that a few generations ago, industrial farming wasn't a reality as it is today, animals were not subject to exploitation, antibiotic vaccination and use to live in a more healthy environment, grazing pesticides-free grass. 

If you like to consume milk, yoghurt or cheese I would recommend to buy ORGANIC. You can make your own yoghurt  from organic fresh milk and using goats milk could be a great option too. Also, there are plenty of vegan milks made out from cereals or nuts and the can be a healthier option. 

Today I will share a very easy recipe as a healthy alternative to dairy milk. 

Natural almond milk.

The processes for making almond milk is so easy. All you need is a blender, a fine-mesh nut bag or cheese cloth, a strainer and some bowls. 

Ingredients:

-1 cup of almonds, preferably organic and peeled.

-2 cups of water plus more for soaking.

-Sweetener like cinnamon, honey, agave, etc...

Process:

Soak the almonds overnight or up to two days. The longer you soak them, the creamier results.

Drain and rinse the almonds under cool running water and place them in the blender or food processor with the two cups of water. Blend them for 2 minutes in the higher speed.

Place the nut bag into a bowl and pour the mix into the nut bag. Use your clean hands to squeeze and press the mix so the milk separates from the meal.

Sweeten the milk and use it or keep it in a glass container into the fridge for a maximum of 2 days.

You can use the almond meal and your own creativity as an ingredient for your cakes or as a base for a vegan cheese. For vegan cheese, mix the meal with some raw garlic, salt, pepper and fresh herbs and make little round shaped chesses. Coat them with dry herbs or spices like smoked paprika or black pepper. 

Enjoy!