Time We Don’t Have
Most of us struggle with the limited amount of time and energy we have. We try to divide ourselves between work, those we love, and the giant pile of responsibilities that always seems to be growing. So it’s totally understandable when the thought of taking on one more task is exhausting. My sister and I felt this way about making our own food, bread, drinks etc. It was one more thing we just could not fit in our lives. But here’s the thing we all forget – the more you do something, the easier it gets. So here’s a silly example about almond milk just to remind us that what may seem intimidating at first, can become almost effortless. We can actually learn to rock that next thing we’ve been avoiding, and it may just make our life easier, not harder.
The very first time you make almond milk is going to be annoying. You have to pick a recipe out of the many out there. Then you have to make sure you have all the ingredients, which can translate into going to several stores and/or doing some research online, all of which takes time. You then have to make sure you have all the items/tools you’ll need, like a powerful blender, a nut bag, a big bowl, etc. So after all this, you’re bound to stumble over a detail such as “you should soak the almonds overnight” and this is when you give up all together. “I don’t have time for this!” your brain automatically shouts. This is how I felt too.
Making Almond Milk Is Easier Than Making A Smoothie.
It turns out that making almond milk is easier than making a smoothie, but you don’t feel that way at first.
I’ve just weaned my toddler from breastmilk so I had to replace it with another milk. Our whole family doesn’t do very well with dairy. We can drink it but it upsets our sinuses, causes mucus and just plain doesn’t make us feel great. So, I didn’t want to start my little one on dairy, in case his body has some of the same reactions. I scoured the stores for organic nut milk that I felt good about – but unfortunately almost all of them have several ingredients I can’t pronounce. Most of those are stabilizers but I am not thrilled about replacing breastmilk for my baby with chemicals I can’t even say.
So I decided to finally do it, to make my own almond milk. In my head this would be one more annoyingly difficult task to add to my already long list. And it was – the first time. But soon after, it’s become one of the easiest things I do. I timed myself yesterday and it took me exactly 10 minutes from start to finish. And everyone in my house LOVES it so much that I have to hide it from my husband.
The key to make almond milk easily: quick, efficient straining
Here’s the key to making almond milk quickly and easily: proper straining. Most people will tell you to use a nut bag. That’s perfectly fine but for me it took way too long and required too much clean-up. I don’t have time for that. So I prefer these Medline Disposable Dry Wipes
After putting a regular strainer over a large bowl, I place the Medline wipe on top of the strainer. I only pour a small enough amount of the mixture so that, after it drains for a few seconds, I can bunch up the wipe and still keep everything safely inside, while squeezing out the rest of the milk. I then throw that wipe away and do it again with another. It usually takes 2-3 wipes about 6 minutes to drain the whole mixture.
The Simple Almond Milk Recipe
Once you find the best/quickest way to strain the milk – everything else is really easy.
So here it is:
One cup of soaked almonds (I use Wild Soil Almonds
Three and a half cups of filtered water
A pinch of salt
Put in Vitamix/blender on the highest setting for 2 minutes
Strain
That’s it!
Here are some optional add-ons for sweetness and flavor:
- a dash of cinnamon and three dates (this is my favorite)
- a teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 figs
- a few cashews or other nuts
- You can even add some coco powder and make it chocolate almond milk
It’s exactly like a smoothie. Almonds and water make the milk, the rest is just the flavoring you like. You throw everything in the blender for two minutes and then strain. It’ll last in the fridge for a few days and your family will drink it up before then. The “pulp” left over when you strain the milk is almond meal and you can make great cookies out of it. But if you’re in a hurry and you just want to toss it and move on, no judgement here. Yes, you should soak the almonds overnight if you can. I put mine in a little container in the fridge with enough water to cover them and I make the milk whenever I can the next day. But it’s become a habit so I’ll routinely throw some water covered almonds in my fridge whenever I come upon them in my day. If you don’t have time for that, just pour some boiling water over them and let them sit for about an hour, until you deal with whatever other emergencies are happening.
It’s Easier Than You Think
Maybe almond milk isn’t your thing. That’s ok. I just want us to remember this: we CAN do a lot of things that are intimidating at first! Most of them can be learned quickly and can become easy. Looking at these as burdens is a choice and it doesn’t have to be so. I actually enjoy making the almond milk now especially when my whole family is clamoring around trying to steal some. It’s fun, it takes 10 minutes, it can contain whatever we like, and it makes me happy to give it to my kid. The almonds arrive to my door so I never have to go anywhere to get it. This previously deemed “burden” has become a fun activity my whole family enjoys. So perhaps, if we give ourselves a chance, we can become really good at dealing with that next dreaded burden. Maybe it can even make our life easier not harder.
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