Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk

Did I mention that my middle name is Lactose-Intolerant?  Well, it is.  I know, strange name, especially for a girl, but my parents really had no choice in the matter.  I've been picked on and tormented about my middle name for YEARS.  When I finally came to my senses and realized what dairy was doing to my tummy, I put a halt to it.  Worked like a charm!  I said "bye bye!" to cheese, cow's milk and anything with dairy in it (pizza, cream-based soups, Alfredo, ice cream, etc) and have not for one moment regretted my decision!  Can't say that I even miss those foods.

Give up that cow's milk!  Cow's milk was made for baby cows and human milk was made for baby humans.  I know it may be difficult finding human breast milk in your local market, so I'm really leaving you with no choice here:) You also might be thinking, "Hey, I'm gonna stick with my store bought almond or soy milk."  Don't do it!  Did you check those labels?  I won't name names, but most of the popular almond milk brands use chemical additives and natural flavoring in their recipes.  "Natural flavoring" isn't as innocent as it sounds.  In fact, it's worse than "artificial flavoring"!  If you are striving for optimum health on a cellular level (like me), you don't want to put that poison in your system.  More on that at a later date. 

The benefits of all natural, raw almond milk:

• Rich in potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron
• Contains a lg. amount of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that destroys free radicals; a harmful compounds in the body that damage DNA and cause cell death (Vitamin E = glowing skin!)
• Hormone free
• High in protein and omega fatty acids
• Free of cholesterol and saturated fat
• Completely additive and preservative free and you know where it came from!

My daily morning routine consists of my homemade raw granola topped with this FitLicious homemade Almond Milk.  You can substitute it in recipes that requires milk or cream and even add it to your morning coffee or latte.

So I challenge you, if you have never thought of making your own milk, give this recipe a go.  There are no almond teets to milk, all you really need is a blender and a strainer.


Vanilla Almond Milk (yields 3 cups)
1 cup almonds, soaked 8-12 hours beforehand if it’s possible
4 cups water
6 dates or 1/4 cup raw agave
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or the contents of a vanilla bean)
Procedure:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for 1-2 min.
Strain the milk into a lg. bowl, collecting the almond pulp (I use a mesh strainer or you could use cheesecloth). Transfer milk into an air tight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

First Call to Order: Clean Your Kitchen!

Okay, now that you've decided to get on the right path to a healthier lifestyle, you must, MUST, take the horse by the reigns and CLEAN UP!  This can be an emotional experience for a lot of people.  I know it was for my parents on Day 1 when I went through their cupboards.  My advice- take a deep breath and just do it!  Reading labels is so important when buying groceries and most of us don't even think of doing it, especially if you think you are buying what's deemed "healthy" by society.  The Standard American Diet is just that, SAD.  Do not live according to our government's standards in diet.  It is a trap (possibly even a conspiracy) that will keep you from that FitLicious body you've been dying for!

Step 1:  Open your cupboards.  Throw out (or donate) all of the processed foods in your cabinets and refrigerator/freezer.  Not sure what to look for on labels?  Anything (including soda and juice) that has the following ingredients or labels you should toss:  enriched flour, high fructose corn syrup, sugar-free, natural flavor, from-concentrate, additives, preservatives, and food dye/coloring are just a few to get you started.  If you can think of more, please chime in!  What I tell myself is "If God didn't plant it, it's not food".  And I'm pretty sure God didn't plant "sugar-free".

Step 2:  Gather and destroy poor literature.  If you can donate or recycle them, please do, but seriously, don't hang on to food magazines, cookbooks, and old recipes that are unhealthy for you.  Sorry, Paula Deen.  It's best to start fresh and not not let these old loves haunt and tempt you.

Step 3:  Take out a pen.   Start a new grocery list, since you now have almost nothing left to eat in the house!  Choose organic whenever possible and avoid meat and dairy for optimum digestion.  Here's a guide to get you started.  You will soon notice that you will only be shopping in the produce section from now on and you will be turning lots of heads, too!  Really, really. 

 Grocery Shopping Guide 

Produce:

Veggies

❑ Cucumber
❑ Romaine lettuce
❑ Mushrooms
❑ Green beans
❑ Asparagus
❑ Broccoli
❑ Squash
❑ Turnip
❑ Spinach
❑ Onions
❑ Garlic
❑ Celery
❑ Sweet Potatoes
❑ Sprouts
❑ Zucchini (baby squash)
❑ Tomatoes

Fruits

❑ Fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries,
raspberries, strawberries)
❑ Apples
❑ Bananas
❑ Pears
❑ Avocados
❑ Un-sweetened dried fruit (apricots,
cranberries, raisins,figs)

Dry Goods

❑ Brown rice
❑ Oats
❑ Quinoa
❑ Bulgur
❑ Millet
❑ Sea salt
❑ Sugar substitute (Agave nectar, stevia)
❑ Other whole-grain flours (amaranth, spelt)
❑ Spices (cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon)

Nuts, Seeds, Snacks
❑ Unsalted, unroasted (Raw) almonds, cashews, walnuts
❑ Unsalted, unroasted (Raw) sunflower seeds
❑ All-natural nut & seed butters (almond,
cashew, peanut, tahini)
❑ Flaxseed
❑ Extra-virgin olive, cold-pressed
❑ Raw Granola (I make a great variety, email if you want a fresh batch made for you!)

Misc.

❑ Apple cider vinegar
❑ Vanilla, best quality

Welcome to FitLicious!

Hi, glad you came!  I've created this site for those seeking culinary creativity, education and support on leading a Clean and Fit lifestyle.  You will find easy recipes, tips, and info to help you transform your mind and body.

My background:  I'm a foodie at heart.  I love to eat.  My life passion has been centered around cooking and baking, as I love to experiment with new and flavorful combinations.  Health and fitness has also been a a huge part of my journey to living a truly free life.  When I say "free"  I mean free of guilt and emotional hang-ups about food and my body, as well as living a free-spirited lifestyle.  It's an amazing feeling!

I'm currently a Raw Food Chef at a restaurant called My Parents House.  Although I am not yet 100% raw, I aim to be very shortly.  While staying with my parents for the next few months, we figured a great way to pay my rent is to become their personal chef and fitness muse.  It is definitely a challenge, as they are stubborn and scared to change their old and poor eating habits.  They have struggled with their weight for decades now and I know deep down they realize that fad diets (South Beach, Atkins, etc) and magic pills just DON'T WORK.  Period.  This is where I have decided to gently take their hands on get them on the right track to FitLicious bodies. After their raw food transitioning (some raw, some cooked) phase is over, I plan on eating 100% raw (my parents will make their own decision to follow suit).  Please, wish me luck on this journey!

Many of my friends are interested in what I've been doing to get fit.  Well, my recent efforts took place last fall... accidentally!  Several months ago I was at Barnes & Noble looking for a kick-ass pecan pie recipe to knock my family's socks off at Thanksgiving.  Well, I think my guardian angel had others culinary plans for me because I turned around and saw a book entitled Life Force Energy by Natalia Rose.  I picked it up and turned directly to a page that screamed to me.  The paragraph I landed on talked about digestive issues and the colon, something I've been struggling with for as long as I can remember.  Not only am I lactose intolerant, up until now I've always been left feeling bloated and awful, even after eating foods that I thought were healthy for me.  To make a long story short, I said "Forget the southern pecan pie, I'm going raw!".  I bought the book and made my family a delicious raw fruit pie, almond crust and all!  I never looked back  My stomach problems have improved as I am in tune with what works and what doesn't for my system, I effortlessly lost 20 lbs., and I'm feeling more and more inspired each day.

There is so much info out there that it can be overwhelming to most.  My goal is to simplify the process and show you exactly what foods and exercise have been working for me, so that you may be inspired.  I absolutely hate rules, in fact I loathe them so much that I live by none!  I'm not the preachy type, but I do have strong opinions on what we should and should not put into our bodies.  My hope is that you will find what works for you and that you will dive right in and get FitLicious!!!