Soybeans contain hemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance which causes red blood cells to clump together. These clustered blood cells cannot properly absorb oxygen for distribution to the body's tissues, and are unable to help in maintaining good cardiac health. Soybeans also reportedly contain an anti-nutrient called "phytic acid", which all beans do. However, soybeans have higher levels of phytic acid than any other legume. Phytic acid may block the absorption of certain minerals, including magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. Epidemiological studies have shown that people in 3rd World Countries who have high consumption of grains and soy also commonly have deficiencies in these minerals. It must also be noted that this may be of particular concern with regard to babies who are using soy-based infant formulas. Not to mention is being linked to thyroid and other ridiculous problems..
With that all said to this I say, um there is something in everything these days.. Little traces of this and little traces of that is not the end of the world. So like everything eating soy products in moderation is not going to kill you!!!
If you want to broaden your horizons however there are different nut and seed milks to look into or make yourself.. The price and waste of the store bought nut milks are out of hand so why not try making it yourself! What happens to dairy cows is not as sweet as we all think, they are not gently milked by a sweet prairie lady, instead they "are chained by their necks and kept indoors most of the day. Cow trainers hang above the cows to give them a shock when they arch their backs. This forces them to move back to drop urine and manure into a gutter. They are artificially inseminated each year and are milked on average 305 days per year. As with humans, a cow's pregnancy lasts nine months. Having to give birth every year is physically very demanding"... Yikes right? Why contribute to that, A. Dairy products are not for humans, they are for cows period....... B. Humans bodies have a harder time digesting dairy because yet again the milk is for COWS..... If you are a must have milk person because I eat cereal everyday, or a must have milk person because I need it in my coffee, I can assure there are tons of dairy free substitutes. You will be amazed at how fun and easy it is to make nut milk at home!!! Super simple!! Got nuts, water, food processor and cheesecloth "you are there man"...
Here are a few health benefits to spicing it up and using other nuts, and seeds!!
Almond milk contains 30% of our recommended daily value of calcium and 25% of Vitamin D. These nutrients work together to build strong bones in men, women, children and infants.
Vitamin D also helps improve immunity and cell function. Some studies have shown that Vitamin D helps decrease osteoporosis and even Alzheimer’s disease. The magnesium in found in almond milk helps absorb more of the calcium provided by the nutritious beverage.
Cashew Milk The American Heart Association identifies high levels of cholesterol as a major risk factor for heart disease. For individuals on a low cholesterol diet, cashew milk is a great alternative to dairy milk as cashews are cholesterol free.
So here we go this is the 411 on making nut and seed milks!!!
Try any of these nut or seed options, or a blend of two or three:
Nuts: Almonds, Cashews, Brazil nuts, Hazelnuts, Macadamias, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts
Seeds: Hemp, Sunflower, Flax,Pumpkin, Sesame, Pine nuts which are a tad pricey but if you are a baller try it, it's tres yummy!!!
Rice, is a option as well that is super simple, you add rice and water and blend... strain and serve!! Herro simple!!!!
Get started!!
- Organic nuts or seeds. A general rule is one cup of nuts for every three cups of milk you want to make.
- Half-gallon mason jar or glass pitcher. Use this for soaking the nuts and storing your final product.
- Blender of food processor. You don’t need a high-speed blender or anything fancy to make nut milk.
- Nut milk bag, cheesecloth or fine-meshed sieve. Use if you like your milk smooth instead of pulpish...
1. Soak and rinse the nuts. Soak the nuts covered in water to overnight. Soaking de-activates the compounds that keep the nuts dormant, and activates the enzymes that make them sprout. Soaked nuts and seeds tend to be easier to digest and the nutrients have an enhanced ability to be utilized by the cells. Plus, soaking the nuts makes them tender enough to blend. Drain the water and rinse the nuts well before using.
2. Blend the soaked nuts with water. Place the soaked nuts into a blender or food processor and add about 3 cups of fresh water for each cup of pre soaked nuts. Blend until water has turned a light milky color.
3. Strain the pulp (optional). A nut milk bag is used specifically for this purpose: It’s clean and easy and also reusable. A cheesecloth folded in 3-4 layers or a large fine-meshed sieve also work well. Scooping the pulp into a bowl while straining is a good idea if you want to use it at the end!!! I always do!!! Almond milk will keep to up to a week in airtight container!!!!
Here are ideas to sweeten it up!!!
To taste you may try adding one of these Vanilla extract, almond extract, raw coca powder, sweet spices cinnamon sticks let steep in milk in fridge for a day!!! I usually can get away with only adding 2 teas to my 2 cups almonds 6 cups water ratio and the milk will taste a hint sweeter....
Or get super sassy add 1 cup of chopped strawberries and let it sit over night in fridge then strain through a sieve... The little ones will be lovin you for this one, especially any of those fancy nancey girls out there!!!
What to do with all the left over pulp? Well here we go just a couple ideas!!!!
The pulp can be dehydrated or placed in a 200 degree oven until dried. Grind the dried pulp in a spice grinder or high-speed blender until fine and you got homemade almond flour.
or Soft, raw cheese. See my Almond Party Spread recipe below...
For a few tools to help aid you here are my picks:
Cheese cloth: you can get anywhere and what is cool about is that you get a whole lot!!!
Nutbags:
These are cool because they will fit around what you are straining into nicely.. You just tie them off.. And the pulp stays in one place..
http://www.amazon.com/Nut-Milk-Bag--New-Improved/dp/B00158U8DU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332110182&sr=8-1
Blender:
I am not a label whore what so ever, I actually would buy good kitchen gadgets that will last me before I would ever buy a coach purse.. But when it comes to my kitchen gadgets momma wants the best.. I have gone through a blender a year at one point, and believe me that is worse on waste and your bank account.. So buy the best if you are going to get a blender.. This one happens to make soups, and smoothies, and juice and milk, and hummus and ummm you get it ;0)
http://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-1782-TurboBlend-2-Speed/dp/B004VMAC8I/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1332110371&sr=1-1-catcorr
Storage:
It is always best to store in some kind of glass container.. I use mason Jars so here is a good place to get the big ens you will need for all that milk!!
http://www.amazon.com/JARDEN-HOME-BRANDS-68100-Ball/dp/B0000BYE26/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1332110587&sr=1-1
Sweet it up:
Here are a few places to get great flavor extracts to sass up your milks!!
http://www.naturesflavors.com/index.php/flavors-organic-flavors/organic-flavors-organic-flavor-concentrates-flavor-concentrates/organic-flavor-extract/organic-almond-flavor-extract.html
If you are a nut milk fan please give this a shot at least once.. I am sure you will be so amazed and excited about what we can do ourselves, and how we can control what we are putting in our bodies.. If you have a trick that you have used while making milk please comment below and share.. I love learning more and passing along the info!! Tread lightly!!!
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