Dairy-free inspiration

Dairy-free Inspiration

In my work I find that dairy products cause more problems than wheat or even fish or meat. From my work I can quickly pick up if dairy is a problem for your body.

Mucus is the main obvious problem with dairy, I usually suggest that you stop all dairy prodcust if you are suffering from any kind of mucus forming infection such as colds, sinus infections, chest infections, asthma, and ear infections.

Most people find it very difficult to stop their beloved dairy, which as a country girl myself I do understand is big business for our farmers. However over the past 10 years I have seen so many amazing recoveries just through cutting out dairy that I often start with this when working with a new patient.

Now just so you know, I loved dairy; icecream and cheese on toast were food made in heaven and 20 years ago when I had to give them up I felt life was so unfair! Today it is very easy to cut out dairy with new dairy-free products coming out all the time, you can find soya milks, creams, yoghurts and ice-creams in all supermarkets and also rice, oat and almond milks as well. Just so you know some continents and countries never have dairy in their diet (until they become westernised and 'modern') and do not suffer with lack of calcium or many of the health conditions we have.

So below I tackle the calcium question - it is not in depth but gives you an idea and then I talk you through making your own dairy-free mylks that are delicious and healthy and suitable for children as well.

Calcium

What about Calcium? As soon as we discuss reducing/cutting out dairy products the immediate question is about calcium. So here is a short summary on calcium the natural way.

Calcium is an important mineral and so is magnesium and Vitamin D.

Common sources of calcium include raw almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts and coconut (nuts are best soaked in water before use). Sunflower seeds, carrot juice, dried figs, seaweeds including kelp and parsley are other high sources.Herbs such as Nettle, peppermint and oatstraw are very high in both calcium and magnesium.There are many other sources as well.

You also need to be aware of calcium antagonists which interfere with calcium utilization. This includes;(from S Weed)

*Phosphorus-rich foods including carbonated drinks, white flour and many processed foods.

* The following also deplete our stores of calcium - coffee, white sugar, tobacco, alcohol, nutritional yeast and salt.

* Steroids, fluoride and restricted calorie diets are other ways calcium in depleted in the body.

I conclude this very short summary on calcium & dairy with the fact that many countries do not traditionally consume dairy products at all.

Almond Mylk

1 cup of soaked almonds (you can cheat and use almond butter)

3 cups of pure water.

Just simply blend with a hand blender, smoothie maker or other Blender.

Now if using almonds you can then strain the mylk to remove the 'bits' - there are nut milk bags available, I just use a strainer. If you are worried about calorie content straining reduces this.

Variations;

1. Sweeten your mylk with dates (blend with the almonds) or add agave nectar a lovely natural sweetener.

2. For a more filling smoothie blend a banana in as well.

3.Depending on your tastes you could add vanilla essence or pod, cinnamon, or carob powder.

4. Using this method you can make mylk from other nuts such as pecans and seeds such as sesame.

5.It goes without saying taste as you go along to get it just right for you - and then jot down your quantities for next time!

(Infact I am drinking a small smooth frothy glass of almond, banana and carob powder smoothie as I type this......hmmmm)

I hope this has got you thinking, I certainly wish I had known about all this when I had to cut dairy out of my life................have a play and come up with your own mylk that is just right for you!

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Dairy-free inspiration