Almond Cocoa with Home made Almond Milk(100% Dairy free), Almond milk Versus Cow's milk


Like many I assumed only dairy products milk\cheese\yogurt as good sources of calcium.Considering how big and powerful the milk industry is,people are made to believe that it is the only good source.Unless one chooses to become vegetarian for better health or search for alternatives due to allergies or lactose intolerance,the equally nutritive alternative sources like Soy ,Almonds, vegetables like Kale,broccoli,Okra,lentils like Urad, remain undiscovered.

In my case it was my son's asthma which lead to hunt for alternatives.Excess intake of Dairy products are not recommended for asthmatics,as it can increase the mucus production.I have limited his intake to Organic reduced fat milk after the diagnosis ,I also substituted with alternative sources like above to make up for the daily required recommendation of calcium.He is used to the flavor of cow's milk,the change to soy milk with a distinct after taste was not liked hence I tried the almond milk with mellower taste,even that he wouldn't take it unless flavored with cocoa.Total transition seems impossible with his picky tastes.But when ever he has an episode of cold followed by symptoms of asthma,I stop all kinds of dairy products for few days until he gets back to normal breathing pattern,that helps the symptoms from getting bad to worse.That's no doctors advice,its purely based on my observation and research in milk's connection with excess mucus\phlegm production.

Even if you don't suffer with any kind of milk allergies,try Almonds for its extra nutrition of Iron and Vitamin E ,totally absent in cow's milk and above all it has Zero cholesterol.

Though prepacked Almond milk may not provide same health benefits as the Whole Almonds ,home made Almond milk is good alternative.If plain is too bland for you,flavor it up with cocoa or the strawberry syrup.


How to make Home made Almond Milk?

Ingredients:
1 cup Raw almonds
3 cups of water(use filtered or nursery water for babies)

Method : Soak the almonds overnight in plenty of water.Remove the skin and process in the blender with 3 cups of water until smooth.Now filter through a cheese cloth\muslin cloth in to a clean storage container.Store in fridge for 4-5 days.
Do not throw away the pulp
Use it in baking cookies ,bread or thickening gravies .You even dehydrate it until dry and flaky then dry grind it to make almond flour.
See a helpful Step-by-Step almond milk recipe


For my brave boy who has been through so much struggle at tender age,this almond cocoa is just for you buddy.
Almond Cocoa (Hot and Cold)
Ingredients

2 cups unsweetened Home made almond milk
2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar or natural sweetener like agave nectar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla or pinch of cinnamon for flavor.

Method
Cold
Process in a blender or use a whisk to blend together the cold almond milk,sugar and cocoa until well combined.
Hot
Heat the milk to desired temperature over medium heat,whisk in cocoa and sugar until smooth.Serve warm.

The recipe is off to Alka's Just For You event.

Daily Calcium Needs
How much calcium is one supposed to take for healthy bones and efficient functioning of other vital body processes ?

1 cup of almond or cow or soy milk has about 300mg of calcium.

Please Note:sodium increases calcium losses,so reducing salt intake would also help in calcium absorption in the body..thanks for the useful bit of info Sweta.

Comments

Recipeswap said…
Yasmeen this is such a nice ,informative post.......I really didnt know that dairy products increases mucus production.
When I saw the header Almond milk I thgt it would be a long difficult process but no its simple and healthy.My daughter is very fussy with milk......Ill try this and see if she likes it any better.Thanks for sharing!
Varsha Vipins said…
I totally agree with the fact abt almond milk.loved that 1st collage pic..ur cutu looks soo happy to have the glass.:p.Thanks for sharing so much of info..:)
Anonymous said…
this is a very informative post.. Thank you :)
and I too suffered from asthma when I was a little kid... in most of the cases, as you grow older, you tend to get more immune... so don't worry :)

I love you collection of recipes!
FH said…
Great post! look at him enjoying the milk! :D

Drinking milk does give me tummy ache these days, got to make some Almond milk.
Aalya said…
Wow that is amazing information about Almond milk...never realized it has so much calcium! Thanks for the recipe...I think I will try making that!

It can be such a trial with children but you have really come up with great alternatives!!
Vikis Kitchen said…
Info about almond milk is new to me. Much useful a post ya. I suffered the asthma when I was a kid .I was allergic to many items like milk, fish, peanut etc etc..I got it cured naturally, in course of time. Don't worry dear. As we get older we will develop strength to overcome this. My hearty prayers for the child to get rid of this problem soon dear.
CurryLeaf said…
Very very good informative post.Never thgt of preparing almond milk at home.Love the way you have given the comparison chart.I too used to believe that on dairy products prvide calcium.Only slowly I started soymilk -for baking that is and as an egg replacer.Love this post and the cute pics Y.Homemade is always good as it is filled with Love.Take care
Malar Gandhi said…
Totally new information. Almost same % of Vitamin D & Calcium, right and an extra bonus of Vitamin E and no Sat-fat...Wow.

I love Almond milk already...cocoa on top...sounds like double treat to me.
Malar Gandhi said…
Well...My Mother had Asthma for more than 15 years. And she used to be allergic to so many items...curd, brinjal, tomatoes...what not. When she took Homeopathy medicines everything came down to normal...free from allergies and absolutely no asthma.

No worries, my friend...as we get older we build strong immune system. You have my prayers for his good health!
Anonymous said…
Good info yaar. I always make badam kesar dudh at home. Nice & Refreshing!... love ur strawberrry milk & mostly the lasan chutney!
I will definitely try this! I tried to make it in my Champion juicer after soaking the almonds overnight, but the nuts were still too hard and it didn't work. It was fun squeezing off the skins, though!
Suganya said…
Home made almond milk.... Sounds great. Nice recipe. Looks so good... YUM! YUM!
Ashwini said…
Great information...Nice post..Simple and healthy and nutrisious milk ..
Sounds yummy Yasmeen!
This would be a great substitute for those who are lactose intolerant too!!A lot of adults become intolerant to milk later on in life.This may be an expensive substitute to soy milk for them-but,worth the try :-)
Selba said…
I love almond! This is a great idea to make a home made almond milk, thanks for sharing!
Sharmila said…
Such good info Yasmeen! I love bits and pieces of dry fruit in my glass of milk ... adding cocoa is a good way of getting rid of that plain milky taste. :-) Good health to your sonny boy. :-)
Sunshinemom said…
I agree about your observation on mucus production through milk. I used to stop external milk when the kids used to have cough when they were young for the same reason. Almond milk is a very good alternative. Just wondering whether you have tried the two together - almond milk and soy milk, half and half or suitable proportion? I have used in cakes etc. and I like it too but I do not know whether your son would. I also flavor it with fresh vanilla from pod. With children of course it is a little difficult esp. once they have already known the good taste of other things!!
lubnakarim06 said…
Informative and yummy post.
jayasree said…
Very informative post. And an yummy recipe.
Bharti said…
Hugs to your brave son! He is very lucky to have you for a mom..kudos to you for coming up with delicious alternatives for him. I love almond milk too, but never tried it in cocoa. Sounds good.
Cham said…
My mom says don't give milk for kids when they have cough & cold, that increase mucus, probably elders would have adviced her. But poor kid, he has to suffer at this age. Hope he gets better with ur health concious! I never thought of almond milk, seems he is enjoying mom's discovery!
Vijitha said…
I love almonds and Imp i really liked ur son's cute expression.

Lovely post yasmeen.i
Preety said…
so much of good info with such an easy recipe..good work yasmeen
notyet100 said…
thanks for posting such a yummy post,..;)
Unknown said…
this iss awonderful post..thanks a lot for sharing how to make almond milk at home..nice info..
Meeta K. Wolff said…
lovely post. i have taken a liking to almond milk too - right now baking a lot with it! thanks for all the information!
Finla said…
I have never made myself at home almond milk.
You have give lot of good information.
Raks said…
This is really a useful post dear,I know doctors say no to milk when we have cold, but dint knew why,thanks for the info and thanks for the almond milk recipe! Think with coco kids will sure like:)
Priya Suresh said…
Very informative n delicious almond milk, happy to see ur son enjoying his cup of almond cocao..looks great yasmeen..
sangeeta said…
good information yasmeen.......
have you tried ayurvedic principles for you child? The information about milk causing mucus also confirms to ayurveda, but there are other ways in ayurveda which can be of help.
i have tried a peanut milk recipe and even made paneer with that and it was awesome, i found the recipe in a book published by groundnut board of India, i shall post that in my blog in future.
Dershana said…
Really hope lil Nabeel throws of the menace as he grows!

Never thought of almond milk at home, dearie. Feel the urge to try, especially to add in that cocoa :-)
Anonymous said…
Such a wonderful ,informative post with equally wonderful healthy almond milk.
First i thought of writing that i feel sorry for ur kid who is facing so much hurdles in day to day life,but then come to think of it,he is such a brave boy ,so why should i feel sorry,i shud actually feel proud of him.so kudos to the big kiddie,and hats off to his wonderful mother(father too...geeee)
Will surely try this out for my son,since this sounds so yummy and healthy
Thanks for a lovely entry,and hugs to the brave boy :-)
Trupti said…
sVery nice information Yasmeen. I never tried almond milk. Will try it soon
AnuSriram said…
Thats a nice piece of info... Almond cocoa looks delicious!
Judy said…
Very informative. I didn't know how easy it was to make almond milk, and what a great idea to use the drained pulp in baked goods. Thanks.
Anonymous said…
yasmeen,even i crave for a glass..seen your son enjoying...feeling so full seeing kids enjoying..that too a healthy drink..Hats off to such an informative post.
Anjum said…
Asak yasmeen...thats a very nice post...informative ...i dont hav words to express...good work...
Jennifer said…
I do this quite often, love it!! :)
Poornima Nair said…
A great read and a very informative post...will definitely try the almond milk...cheers to ur brave boy!!
Yasmeen said…
Thank you all for the kind prayers and useful suggestions:)
veggie belly said…
wow! i really enjoyed your very informative post. you are so right about the milk industry. i am defenitely going to try this. book marked!
Malini Basu said…
Really a very useful and informative post.........Thanks for sharing.
Sia said…
very informative post yasmeen. thank u for that.
Srikitchen said…
a very informative post from u today and really helpful to all of us!
vidhas said…
Yasmmen, Amazing information. When i was young i had same problem, after marriage i am ok. My daughter has the same problem, cold , wheezing etc.This article, and post is really useful to me, surly will try. thanks a lot dear :-)
Laavanya said…
I was doing some research since my daughter has asthma too and i found that some have long term allergies to milk which results in frequent colds, ear infections, wheezing etc. So, though some have an instant reaction if they have an allergy, it could even be a long term reaction.. so i've switched my daughter to soymilk but i do give her cheese and yogurt once in a while. The one month she was off dairy completely, she didn't have any wheezing episodes. This almond milk is very interesting but my daughter has some nut allergies too so maybe when she outgrows them :) Thanks for the info yasmeen.
Anonymous said…
Nice to know that almond milk is so nutritious and even better than cow's milk. I had no idea!
Spice said…
Hi yasmeen, good info. I also stop milk products as soon the cold symptoms start,with my 7 yr. old...but it's kind of tough. Hope your son is doing lot better with all the nutrional steps u r taking.
Anonymous said…
Hi Yasmeen! I'm researching alternatives for my daughter - she will be 1 year in a couple of months and cannot have dairy. After researching a lot - even if she could tolerate it - I don't think I want her having it anyway! Can you tell me how old your son was when you put him on almond milk? I'm so ready to get her started on it as I could not nurse her; something real and whole in her system will be so welcomed after months of synthetic formula. I make my own almond milk often and love it! She has a very well rounded colorful diet already; so I feel she won't be missing anything by not going on whole milk as most pediatricians suggest. Any thoughts?
Anonymous said…
I've been trying to get my boy to switch to non dairy milk too but he's quite fussy. Will try your recipe. However, I think one cup of almonds only provide 337mg of calcium so your recipe, which makes up a litre I presume, will only have 84mg of calcium, and this is provided the milk has not been strained. Cow's milk on the other hand has 300mg per cup. So just substituting almond milk that is non fortified for cow's milk is not enough. thanks for the recipe though
Its so hard to find almond milk here locally, so this is definitely blessing from Heaven! thanks so much!
Anonymous said…
The Recipe is so delicious and tasty. I have tried many such similar recipes but none have worked so great for me. Thanks a lot for those detailed and step by step instructions that made it easier to get the job done in no time. I love Almond Cocoa with Home made Almond milk and I am greatly fascinated by its health benefits around us. Here I also have some info regarding almond milk that will be a great value to all its readers.

http://www.body-in-balance.org/blog/nutrition/health-benefits-almond-milk/
Sindhi Khaana said…
this is such a nice and informative post.


Sindhi Khaana
nithra said…
Thanks for sharing the nice post for a healthy life. This is helped to improving the better calcium and boosting immunity power. Keep sharing more content.
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