Homemade Nut Milk

If you can turn on your blender then you can make homemade nut milk.  I learned this several months ago when I finally decided to try it for myself.  Right off the bat I will say that a high powered blender makes better nut milk (i.e. Vita-Mix or BlendTec); however, I made it for a long time with my regular blender and it was good, too.  Let me back up, though, because I am getting ahead of myself.  I need to answer the obvious question of why in the world would I want to make nut milk.

Where do I start?  The effects of dairy on the body are so complex and confusing that it's one of those things that you just need to do your own research on and make a decision based on your body.  We have been brainwashed to believe that we must eat dairy to build stronger bones and most people do not question the authority of the "grand" Food Pyramid.  And why would we?  Dairy tastes so good, so it works out perfectly!  Believe it or not, though, a good portion of the world's population was not born with an enzyme called lactase, which is required to digest milk's sugar, lactose.  Those people are classified as lactose intolerant and dairy causes them a great deal of pain when they consume it.  The rest of the population still suffers from the ill-effects of dairy without knowing it due to natural hormones found in cow's milk, as well as, the body's reaction to create excess mucus.  Excess mucus leads to chronic sinus, ear, and upper respiratory infections, as well as, inadequate absorption of nutrients by the intestines.  Typically, these things are treated with antibiotics or other drugs, maybe washed down with a big glass of milk, and the problems are only compounded.  The long term effects can be devastating, even deadly.  In fact, the major killers in America (heart disease, cancer, diabetes), as well as, other common issues (depression, headaches, allergies, infertility) can all be linked back to nutrient deficiencies.  What a bummer!  Really.  It's very troublesome to me.  That just scratches the surface, too, and does not even begin to address the mass production of dairy loaded up with synthetic hormones. 

To sum it up, if you must consume dairy it's best for you when unpasteurized or raw.  All of the beneficial enzymes that will actually help your body digest it (and therefore take a load off of your pancreas) are still in tact.  Read more here and just know that it will take more effort to get raw milk products.  If you are like me and want to find alternatives to dairy then nut milk is the way to go (soy is whole 'nother story).  There is no question that we benefit from all that nuts have to offer, except for the poor people who are allergic to nuts.  Most commonly people make almond and cashew milk, but brazil, macadamia, and pecan nuts all make wonderful milk, as well.  Each one brings it's own health benefits to the table.   The process to make milk is pretty much the same no matter what kind of nut you use, the only difference being whether or not you have to strain it at the end.  And, if you are wondering where are going to get your calcium from, there are other sources, such as dark leafy greens, you can turn to.

For the record, my family still consumes dairy products; although, I will be eliminating it soon from mine and my 2 year olds diet.  At least for awhile.  It's a pretty heavy topic, I know, and it isn't going to be easy.  Luckily, I can come up with plenty of alternatives to satisfy.  It's not like coffee.  That is something I straight up admit to having an addiction to and nothing will ever take it's place.  To each is his own...

Homemade Nut Milk

1 cup raw, organic nuts (almonds, cashews, macadamias, etc.)
4 cups water, plus more for soaking
1/4 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon raw honey or 2-3 tiny scoops of powdered stevia (using the scoop that comes with it)

Cover the nuts in water and allow them to soak for 8 hours or overnight.  When finished, drain and rinse the nuts very well.  Discard the soaking water.

Add the nuts to a blender along with 4 cups of water.  Blend on high for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy.  Add the salt, sweetener, and vanilla and continue to blend for another 20 seconds.  Strain the pulp (if any) using a nut milk bag or a paint strainer works well, too. Chill the milk and enjoy!

Note:  Almond milk always needs to be strained.  Others will depend how good of a blender you have.  If you are using a Vita-Mix or a BlendTec then you should not have to strain cashew or macadamia nut milk.  If you are using a regular blender then you might.  It depends on how you are using the milk, too.  Over cereal or in smoothies, don't bother.  In coffee or drinking it straight, yeah, nut grit isn't good.  Also, do not discard the pulp.  You can add it to smoothies, oatmeal, or dehydrate it and pulverize it and you can use it as faux bread crumbs, in cookies, all kinds of things.