Last week I got an email from a gal who noticed that I use almond milk in many of my smoothie recipes. She suspected it had more meaning then just for flavor but wasn't really sure why. It's such an excellent question I thought I'd share the WHY with you here too. I try to stay away from dairy as much as possible because it causes inflammation and a build up of mucus in the body. Inflammation leads to disease. Short + simple.
I use a variety of non-dairy milks. Almond + coconut milk weekly. Hemp milk + rice milk every now and again. We make our own almond + hemp milk, it's so simple! How to video here. When I say coconut milk I'm talking about the full fat coconut milk that comes in a can. Always eat as close to the source as possible, so the fewer ingredients the better. Our almond milk has two ingredients, almonds and filtered water.
I was allergic to milk as a child and never developed a taste for it. I did, however, LOVE the taste of chocolate milk (um- hello sugar overload) and would drink it when I was constipated to get things going. Yeap, you read that right. I would intentionally give myself something I knew I was allergic to knowing full well that it would upset my stomach to the point of diarrhea and I'd do it ON PURPOSE. At the time I had no idea how to heal my digestion but I learned how to painfully manage it. A girl will do a lot when there's a back up in the system.
I also find it really interesting that we are the only species who grows up and consumes another species milk. Cow's milk is really meant to take a 60+ pound baby calf and turn it into a 600+ pound cow in a matter of months. I'm definitely not looking for that kind of weight gain! Don't get me wrong, I still eat the occasional cheese because it's so delicious but I try to stay mindful of how much dairy I allow into my body.
I avoid soy milk (and UNfermented soy products) because it's quite hard on the tummy and can have a profound negative effect on hormones. Soy mimics estrogen in the body and an accumulation of it can lead to certain cancers.
Here are a few more smoothies to add into your rotation! One with almond milk and one with coconut milk!
Enjoy, enjoy! Lacy
Peanut Butter + Banana Smoothie
A Grown-up take on an old classic! Perfect for lunch.
Ingredients • 1 cup almond milk • 1 handful of spinach or other greens • 1/2 avocado • 1-2 tbsp peanut butter (I usually go for a heaping tbsp) • 1 tbsp chia seeds • 1 frozen banana • 5 cubes of ice
Directions Blend all ingredients except banana and ice. Then add banana and ice and blend again until smooth. Enjoy!
Serves 1
Banana Coco Ginger Green Smoothie
*Gluten-free *Dairy-free *Vegan
Ingredients • 1 cup coconut milk • 1 giant handful of spinach (about 2 cups) • 2 frozen bananas • 1 carrot • 3 dates • 1/2 - 1 inch piece of peeled ginger
Directions Blend spinach + coconut milk til smooth. Add dates + carrot + ginger blend til smooth. Then add bananas and blend again. (I like to put leaves in first + frozen items (banana in this case) in last to make sure the smoothie comes out nice and frosty) Enjoy!
Serves 1-2
