Almond Milk

Using a nut bag to make smooth almond milk

Homemade Almond Milk

What you will need:

1 cup almonds, soaked overnight in cool water

4 cups filtered water

blender

nut bag or cheese cloth with a strainer

glass jar to keep your milk in

1. Take the dry almonds, rinse and soak them under at least three inches of cool water overnight. Toss any almonds that floated to the top.

2. In the morning, drain and rinse the almonds a few times. Place them in the blender with four cups of filtered water. Blend slowly at first then turn your dial to 10 and on high (Vitamix). Blend for a min, maybe two depending on the power of your blender.

3. To get a smooth milk, strain your milk thru a nut bag or cheesecloth. 

Take a large bowl, preferably with a spout on it (it makes it easier to pour out when done) to catch your milk, pour the milk into the nut bag and squeeze the liquid out the bag and into the bowl. If using cheese cloth, place it over a strainer and pour your milk slowly thru. Squeezing the cloth to push the liquid into the large bowl.

4. Pour your fresh milk into your glass container. Makes about 4 cups, depending on your blender. Keep in the refrigerator. Use within five days. 

Milk Protecter (glass container)

When you blend your almonds you can add a sweetener like soaked dates. Use three or four of them depending on how sweet you like your milk. Just remember you can always add to your own drink later, but you can’t unsweeten the whole batch. Soak your dates in warm water for a few hours just to break down the fibers, drain and blend in milk.

The sky is the limit as to what your homemade almond milk can taste like, try cinnamon and nutmeg, or a bit of maple syrup. Test it out first on a small amount to see what you do and don’t like.  

This may not be the most cost effective way to get your almond milk. Almonds are $$$ and almond milk you find in the store is a bit cheaper. Next time you pick up a box of almond milk or rice or soy milk, read the label and see what else you are drinking besides almonds, rice or soy. You may find the $$$ spent is well worth it.

"Ice box" Chia Seed Oatmeal

By: Genevieve Melzer

Hello everybody,

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted and it’s time to get back into sharing recipes with all of you. This week for me was all about preparing meals for the next day. I always work out and eat healthy because that is a part of my healthy lifestyle, but since I have gotten engaged I have really stepped it up a notch.

I eat healthier when I have it mapped out for the day. I love eating oatmeal in the morning because it fuels me for much of my day, so when a friend told me about this easy oatmeal recipe I had to try it.

Start by using a Mason jar or tuber-ware container.

What you will need:
½ cup oats
1 cup almond milk (can use coconut milk or hemp milk)
2 teaspoons of chia seeds
¼ cup blueberries
1. Scoop oats into the mason jar
2. Pour almond milk on top of the oats.
3. Add chia seeds and blueberries.
4. Mix everything together well.
5. Seal Mason jar or tuber-ware container.
6. Place in “ice box” (refrigerator) over night and oatmeal will be ready to eat in the morning.
7. Eat & Enjoy!

You can heat the oatmeal up or just enjoy it cold like I did. Feel free to add any fruit you like besides blueberries, that’s just what I had in the house so that’s what I used. I love bananas and strawberries in my oatmeal so I will probably use those next time. Also feel free to add cinnamon or agave if you need more of a sweet taste.

This Ice Box Chia Seed Oatmeal is the perfect grab n’ go breakfast when you are running late for work or just too tired in the morning to make something. On Tuesday mornings I go to Zumba class and sometimes I am so tired I can’t get up to make breakfast so this is the perfect thing to have in the “ice box” waiting for me.

This oatmeal is vegan, made with all organic ingredients and super healthy for you too. It is a great go to meal when you are super busy with work and life. Post in the comments below what you add to your oatmeal from the garden, I’m always looking for new ides. Until next time eat healthy, live in the moment and keep moving.