Nuts about Mylk

Are you on the nut mylk band wagon!?!  Are you interested in trying nut mylk?  Are you sick of buying nut mylk?  Are you wondering why I am typing mylk and not milk?

It seems as though everyone is buying nondairy alternatives as a 'milk' beverage of choice!  It is something that has been going on for awhile but it seems that more and more stores and restaurants are having nondairy milk alternatives.  If you are someone who is buying and drinking nondairy milk, such as almond mylk I recommend you try making it on your own because it is super easy and cheaper.

To answer the mylk and not milk question before I move on...I spell milk when referring to a nondairy milk as mylk because it is a way to differentiate dairy v. nondairy...that's all...nothing more fancy or deeper meaning than that!

To make nut mylk (in this case lets work with almonds).  I recommend buying raw almonds.  That way they are pure, having been roasted, dried, salted, smoked, sugared, etc...

You can make any amount of nut mylk you want at a time, just keep in mind the ration of nuts to water will be 1:2 cups.

If you can I also recommend using alkaline water or reverse osmosis water...just to be more pure and balancing for the body.

****If you do not have a nut bag you will need to purchase one...or cheese clothe

1. First get your nuts.  Lets just work with a simple 1 cup of raw almonds.  First you need to soak your nuts for at least 4 hours.  I recommend just soaking them in the frig the night before.  To soak, place nuts in a bowl with enough water to cover the nuts.
2. After your nuts have been soaked rise them off.
3. (some people like to peel their nuts but I don't find it necessary)
4. In a blender place the 1 cups of nuts with 2 cups of water.
5. At the very minimum I suggest adding a pinch of stevia and a pinch of salt.  If you want sweeter milk add in more stevia, or agave, maple syrup, molasses, honey etc (experiment with your taste preference).
6. Blend nuts on high for 1 minute.
7. Get container you will put your nut mylk in and cover the opening with the nut bag.
8. Pour nut mylk through nut bag to allow nut bag to catch the nut pulp.
9. Squeeze nut bag so make sure you get every last drop of goodness
10. Place nut mylk in frig and drink up.

Should last in frig for a few days.  You will notice separation...this does not mean it is bad, just shake it up before serving.  I find that mason jars work the best!

If you are someone who doesn't like to be wasteful there are plenty of recipes to use the nut pulp (aka almond flour) in...especially in healthy baked goods.  Yum!

Healthy Surprise

A surprise is one of those things that someone loves or someone hates...there really is no in between or gray area with someone's feelings towards surprises.  I know I would not appreciate a clown popping up from around the corner and surprising the living day lights out of me with a horn squeaking in my face.  What if I said I have a surprise for you that has a guaranteed positive reaction towards.  I mean I literally think it could make you like surprises for all of you who are surprise haters!!!!

Check it out...its a healthy, no hassle, comes to your front door, box of goodness.  Do I have you convinced yet!?!?!?!?!

HEALTHY SURPRISE

(or what I like to call, 'happiness in a box')

Everything is VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE and SOY FREE!

There are healthy snacks for every different pallet.  

Prices range from as low as $33/month up to $99/month plus free shipping!!!!

Even if this doesn't seem like a good idea or too many snacks for a home.  How about getting it for the office?  Too many offices have BAD BAD BAD snacks.  It is where most diet fails are seen.  Make that office a success and keep healthy snacks around for all to share!

Click on the here for a direct link to the different box options.

There is also a gift option if you don't want to subscribe monthly to the service.

Happy Surprise Snacking!

Pasta Alternatives

To keep a healthy diet and waist line, we have to make sure we eat in moderation....The Golden Rule.  One of the hardest macronutrients to keep under control is carbohydrates.  They are everywhere!!!  Even when you think something doesn't have carbohydrates, there usually are.  They like to surprise attack us which leads to a surprise attack increase on the scale...not good.  Keeping the carbs at bay, keeps the fat astray :-)  Moving on...

There are many alternatives to the carb loaded pasta dishes we all love and crave.  Some alternatives are as simple as just going to the market and picking up a new item, while others involve a little more elbow grease.  Lets touch on some of the easier options first.

A couple products I have come across that just take a little boiling water are:

Explore Asian Organic Black Bean Spaghetti

 

Check out the macronutrients listed for this great spaghetti alternative.  Only 16g of carbs per serving AND 20.5g of protein.  A double bonus, low carb and high protein.  You could literally eat this whole back of black bean spaghetti and eat as many carbs as a cup of whole wheat spaghetti.  If you do decide to get all crazy and eat the whole bag, please let me know I don't want me be near your back door ;-)

Another product that has gained huge popularity, mainly do to Hungry Girl, is the Shirataki Noodle.

 

This noodle is tofu based, which means you have to be okay with consuming soy in order to add this product to your grocery chart.  It has a funky smell, but quickly dissipates when washed and boiled.  This noodle alternative has no flavor, takes on the taste of what is made with it and has VERY low carbs...about 3g which is mainly fiber.  Another double bonus!  Both of these brands provide the same technique to use as a swap for pasta.  Here you can read up more on the first picture, Miracle Noodle.

Lastly there is a popular food in the raw food world called kelp noodles.

Again a very low to nonexistent carb alternative to the popular pasta noodle, however this product may be the one that takes the highest adjustment curve.  This noodle is crunchy.  It has no flavor but you have to be pre-warned that it has a little crunch to it...not like a chip crunch but a well done pasta type crunch.  Below is a picture of the noodles that might help you understand its texture.  

Definitely worth trying though...the palette likes variety!

Time for the elbow grease!!!!

Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven, and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled.  Use a large spoon or fork to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the toppings of choice. Serve warm.

Zucchini Noodles (or any other fibrous vegetable...carrot, cucumber, etc)
Simply use a Julienne or Carrot/Skin Pealer to cut up the veggie to make noodles that resemble this:

You can also achieve the same string or ribbon pattern using a mandolin shredder!


Regardless of your pasta alternative, keep that golden rule in mind and happy low carb eating!

Allergies-Wheat

If you have noticed in some of the past posts there is a common similarity to them.  The posts have pin pointed wheat as a bad guy.  There is lots of research lately pointing to wheat as being a huge problem in the american diet.  Something that has turned into a staple, is what many people believe to be looked at as a desert...meaning it shouldn't be in your diet, if not at all.

For most people we do not feel a specific reaction to wheat or other common allergies.  If you think about it though doesn't it make sense that things a lot of people are allergic too probably aren't good for anyone's body. (common allergies such as: wheat, dairy and nuts to name a few).  

Here is a quick look at what wheat does to the body "Lets assume that we start with a normal digestive tract (which in itself is unusual). Than we over-consume wheat which contributes to bacterial or fungal dysbiosis. This results in a heightened intestinal immune response with degradation of the intestinal lining or leaky gut syndrome. This is followed by pancreatic dysfunction (insulin and digestive enzyme deficiency) and a susceptibility to parasitic infection followed by an inability to absorb micro-nutrients ultimately leading to degraded health, vitality and even chronic sickness and disease." Source

Even if it is for a few days, try taking wheat and its sisters out of your diet.  Pay close attention to how you feel, both mentally and physically.  Maybe wheat is something your body doesn't need either!

Whole30

Yes, lets talk about diets...not that whole existence these days seems to be overly populated by diets.  (Let me rephrase if you are looking for a diet to go on it can be overwhelming to weed through all the different ones and then there are those that just don't care and even those people know more than they want to know about certain diet names).

The one that seems to be the most talked about in the fitness world is the Paleo diet aka Caveman diet.  Yes go eat like a caveman, its the way we were intended to eat...(its a little more complex then that).  Basically think of yourself living 2.5 million years ago and figure out what to eat!  To adapt this to our reality it simply means eat a diet full of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots and nuts.  DO NOT eat grains, legumes, dairy, salt, refined sugar and processed oils.  Can seem a little overwhelming right?!?

Thats where Whole30 comes into action.  It is a transformation based on the same scientific research as the paleo diet that lasts 30 days.  Its goal is, "Whole9’s original program designed to change your life in 30 days. Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, calm systemic inflammation and put an end to unhealthy cravings, habits, and relationships with food. Since 2009, thousands of people have used our program as a jump-start to changing the way they eat for the rest of their lives."


Source

Simply speaking all you have to do is stick to whole foods.  Shop in the fresh produce isle and the butcher shop!

There is a huge following recently with Whole30 and free information on their website.

My favorite thing is that they have available a shopping list...pretty fool proof if you ask me!

The likeness of the Whole30 is that they aren't shoving down your throat that this is the way you should eat for the rest of your life.  There is understanding that you will want to have some SAD cheats, but following it for at least 30 days is a guarantee that your life will change...for the better!

Morning Shot

Ever think about adding wheat grass into your life...

 

Afraid that is might taste as gross as it looks? (you might be true-however, think about how many shots of alcohol you have consumed in your life and I bet that didn't taste too great either!?)

Would some health facts about wheatgrass help to get over the taste excuse and add it into your life?!

Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. 

Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. 

Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

Restores alkalinity to the blood. 

Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. 

The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. 

Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. 

The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

Contains beneficial enzymes. 

Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds...enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. 

Don't cook it.

(source)

Beneficial for animals as well.

Convinced yet?  Will you take a shot with me tomorrow?