Nut Milk

Nut milks are simply non-dairy containing milks made out of 1) filtered water, 2) nut or seed of your choice, and 3) possible flavour additions. Nut milks are a perfect way to still enjoy the versatility of cows milk without the dairy proteins involved (which are often the cause of inflammation/allergic reactions); they are much easier on the digestion, taste great, environmentally sustainable, easy to make, affordable, and did I mention tastes great? Yes, well it’s delicious

Are you sensitive or intolerant to dairy?
Possible symptoms or signs that you may have a dairy intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy: constipation, gas, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches or migraines, acne on the face/back/chest, sinus infections, severe allergies or nasal congestion, earaches (especially in small children), colic (in babies), runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, may worsen symptoms of IBS or coeliac disease, heartburn, and arthritis/joint inflammation. These symptoms don’t necessarily arise immediately upon consuming dairy, but rather general consumption of.

Beat the bloat.
I often hear magazines giving their readers lists of foods for flat abs and stomachs; however, they fail to mention limiting or avoiding dairy. Some of these lists actually recommend dairy to decrease bloating, this is simply not effective for those who have intolerances, allergies, or even small sensitivities- in the end, it’s inflammatory to most. What can help you better “beat the bloat” are Nut Milks. They’re digestive friendly, meaning incredibly simple to digest and most contain omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in the nuts and seeds which also help fight inflammation.

Calcium and milk myth!
“Emma, where will I get my calcium and vitamin D if I don’t drink my milk?”  This is a routine question I get from so many clients that makes me want to stomp in frustration - not your fault at all - it’s the working of good marketing from the Dairy Council and traditions of drilling into our heads that milk = the only source of calcium and vitamin D in our diets. Well, this is wrong. Calcium is widely presented in many plant-based foods, for example did you know 100g of broccoli contains about 100mg of calcium? Even higher in calcium is the little ole’ sesame seed, 1 cup of sesame seeds is equal to about 1400mg of calcium and 100g almonds has about 380mg of calcium. As far as vitamin D goes, going outside daily for about 20-30 minutes (depending on your skin tone) during the day of highest sun and you’ll get adequate amounts, or of course supplementation for those needing more.

Nut Milk Recipe
125g/41⁄20z/1 cup nuts such as cashew or almonds
750ml/26fl oz/3 cups water
3 pitted dates to sweeten if needed only

1. Soak the nuts for at least 2 hours in water, 4 would be better. Drain and rinse.
2. Place the nuts in a high-speed blender with the remaining ingredients.
3. Process until smooth.
4. Pour through a nut milk bag or piece of muslin placed over a sieve. Store in the fridge until needed.  It will last for 4 days to 1 week. 

Options 
Vanilla Milk - add 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Milk - add 2 tbsp. raw cacao powder
Supergreens Milk - add 1 tbsp. green superfood powder, such as chlorella, spirulina or barley grass, and a little extra sweetener.
Maca Milk - add 1 tbsp. maca powder
Speedy Nut Butter Milk - use 2 tbsp. almond or cashew nut butter and blend with 250ml /9fl oz. / 1 cup water. Sweeten with a couple of dates if you like.

​Emma xx