Milk with Hazelnuts and Brown Rice

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:
Hazelnuts – 1/4th cup soaked overnight
Brown rice – 1/4th cup soaked at least for one hour
Salt – two pinches
Sweetener like stevia (optional)
Water – 6 cups

Preparation:
Hazelnuts or filberts are a good source of Vitamins A and E, folate, potassium and calcium. Also these nuts have cancer fighting ability. The oleic acid present in these is a monounsaturated fatty acid that helps in lowering cholesterol. High fiber and the protein make it a healthy snack. The special taste of hazelnuts makes them very unique!

Boil two cups of water with salt in it. When the water is bubbling, add the brown rice and let it cook well. Allow it to cool a bit. In a blender, add the hazelnuts, sweetener (if you are using), remaining four cups of water and the watery rice. Blend thoroughly for 4-5 minutes. Filter the milk and transfer into serving glasses.

The mushy substance that collects in the filter can be used for your breakfast. You could top this with some walnuts and brown sugar and enjoy it!



Active Preparation Time: About ½ hour

Serves: 3

Potato Milk with Almonds

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:
Potatoes – 2 medium sized peeled and cut in ½
Almonds – 1/3rd cup (soaked overnight)
Stevia/honey – as needed
Pure Vanilla Extract – 1tsp
Water – 5 cups

Preparation:
Soak almonds for four hours at least. Boil the potatoes in four cups of water for ½ hour. Let this cool off before blending. Blend the almonds, potatoes, vanilla extract and the sweetener and water for three minutes. Strain through a strainer if you want to but I drink it without straining. Enjoy this great tasting milk!

Preparation Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4

Milk with Pistachios and Dates

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:
Pistachios – ½ cup soaked for 4 hours
Dates – 8-10 (Pitted and soaked for an hour at least)
Sea salt – two pinches
Water – 2 cups
Cardamom powder – 2 pinches

Preparation:
Put all these ingredients in a blender and blend for 3-4 minutes. Transfer this into a cup and enjoy!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes leaving the time to soak the nuts and dates

Serves: 3

Milk with Rice, Oats and Almonds

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:
Brown Rice – 1/4th cup
Gluten-Free Oats – 1/4th cup
Almonds – 1/4th cup
Sea salt – few pinches
Water – 4 cups (+ 1 or 2 cups optional)

Preparation:
Soak the brown rice and almonds separately for at least an hour. Bring three cups of water to a boil and add brown rice, oats and a pinch or two of sea salt. Let the rice and oats become smooth and mushy.

Put the soaked almonds in a blender and add a cup of water, vanilla extract and honey or a sweetener of your choice and blend the ingredients for about a minute. Add the cooked rice and oats mixture and blend for another two minutes. You could add one or two additional cups of water if you like at this time and blend for a minute. Strain the blended mixture and the filtrate is your alternate milk ready for you to enjoy. The semi-solid mushy content that settles on your strainer can be used as a substitute for eggs in your cakes or cookies. Or you could enjoy it for your breakfast as “no wheat” cream of wheat!

Preparation Time: ½ hour leaving the soaking time

Serves: 4

Easy Almond Milk

By: Esther Vasa

ALMONDS:

Cholesterol Regulation is one of the most known benefits of Almonds. Ninety percent of the fat in almonds is unsaturated fat, and frequent consumption, as a result, could help lower blood cholesterol levels. You can eat almonds directly, preferably eat it empty stomach to ensure absorption of their nutrients. You can soak them in water overnight and eat in the morning. You can also garnish various dishes with crushed almonds. Almonds are high in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, Copper, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Almonds help prevent osteoporosis and they regulate blood pressure.

Total Benefits :

Growth of Brain: Almond induces high intellectual level and has been considered as an essential food item for growing children.

Good for heart: Mono-saturated fat, protein and potassium contained in almonds are good for the heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases.

Skin care

Regulates blood pressure

Prevention of cancer

Protection against diabetes

Good in pregnancy: Weight loss, Prevention of constipation and Boosts energy

Ingredients:

Almonds – 1/3 cup

Filtered Water – 2 cups or slightly more (to soak and to prepare milk)

Organic Vanilla Essence – ½ tsp (optional)

Raw Honey – 1tsp or stevia as desired 

Himalayan salt – a pinch

Preparation:

Avoiding milk and sugars is good for Multiple Sclerosis. Alternate milk like almond milk can be prepared in the comfort of your home, in the most natural and healthy way and if desired 3-4 cups of milk can be made and stored for 3-4 days. Note, consuming it fresh has extra benefits.

Soak almonds for 6-8 hours in a cup of filtered water. Drain the water and put the almonds in the blender with fresh water, vanilla extract, honey and salt. Blend in a blender for 2-3 minutes. I drink my cup of almond milk without straining. If you don't like it that way, use a nut milk bag or strainer to strain the milk. Enjoy this easy and delicious almond milk.

Preparation Time: Less than 10 minutes

Serves: 2