Vanilla Almond Milk Recipe + The Nasty Little Truth About the Store Bought Version

How did it take me so long to start making my own almond milk?  I'd seen recipes galore all over blogs and on Pinterest but for some reason I had it in the back of my head that making almond milk at home was too difficult to try.  Wrong!   I finally gave it a try a few weeks ago....OMG.  It is so yummy and beyond easy to master in the comfort of your kitchen. 

The nice thing about making this at home is that you're able to control exactly what you're putting into your body.  I decided to google the ingredients that are in our favorite almond milk brand that we used to purchase from Whole Foods.  I was so disappointed to learn that DL-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, which is a synthetic man made version of vitamin E is added to my delicious vanilla drink, but labeled as vitamin E so it appears "healthy" to those who don't know so.  This nasty little additive is created through a chemical process that uses petroleum as the base.  YUCK!!  It really is true - if you can't pronounce it, don't consume it.  

Lesson learned.  From now on, almond milk is created in my kitchen NOT in a lab!

Ingredients

1 cup plain organic almonds (not dry roasted or salted)
2 dates, pitted and chopped (the dates add a nice caramel flavor!)
1 whole vanilla bean, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups water
1 tsp honey
pinch cinnamon
pinch sea salt


Directions

Place almonds in a bowl and soak overnight (or at least 4 hours minimum).  After soaking, strain and give the almonds a good rinse.

Place almonds in a blender, and add water, dates, and vanilla bean.  Blend until smooth.

Pour mixture into a bowl that is lined with either a cheesecloth or a clean dishtowel and allow to drain through.  Wrap up almond mixture in the cheesecloth/dishtowel and squeeze out excess liquid.

Once all excess liquid is drained, whisk in honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sea salt.  

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.



Do you make your own almond milk at home?  I would love if you shared any tips/tricks that you use!  xx

This Week In Pics

Yayyyy its Friday!!  I'm having such a hard time grasping that its the last weekend of July, and that its almost officially August.  How has this summer gone by so fast already?  I haven't done a 'This Week in Pics' in a couple weeks, so today's post will feature pictures captured from the past 3 weeks including my short few days that I spent in Washington D.C.  I flew up there last week to meet up with my mother and watch my brother be presented with the 2013 Marine Times Marine of the Year award.  Last year he was awarded the USO Marine of the Year, and since I wasn't there for that ceremony I was really excited to attend this one!  It was only my second time in DC, and the weather was absolutely DREADFUL.   I thought Miami was bad in the summer, but 100+ degrees plus humidity= torture!  I definitely feel for you girls that live in the area!  Even though the heat was a little tough to handle, we still had a great time touring around DC, exploring the area, and watching him be awarded.  So proud!
 
Here's my week the last few weeks in pics, and you can always follow along on Instagram as well to see more :)  (instagram: andy_adler)

Milo's is one of our favorite restaurants in Miami & Vegas.  I love the presentation of fish - you just walk right up and select your dinner!

New workout kicks :)

And some new lovelies I scored as well! I couldn't resist the sale price on net-a-porter...

My copycat version of Milo's salad.  I asked the waiter exactly how they make it, and this turned out even better!

J.Crew oversized sweater, siwy denim shorts, Miu Miu wedges.

Thanks to a little work in the gym, plus the Suja juice cleanse that I did, I'm down 4 lbs and back in my comfort weight zone.

I'm never buying store bought almond milk again :)  Making it at home is way better!

Touring around D.C.

With my brother, my mom, and Gen. Paxton. 

My mom & I toured the Holocaust Museum - so emotional.  Never Forget.

I'm still in love with my Rag & Bone denim vest!  (Also wearing Joie silk pants)

Meeting with our baby princess.  We get to take her home next weekend!!!

Thanks so much for checking out my blog!  Have a beautiful weekend! xx

Margherita Pizza Made With Homemade Cauliflower Crust

I LOVE pizza.  For real, its one of my favorite things to eat.  So imagine my horror when the results of my food sensitivity testing came back last summer showing high intolerance's to gluten, and bakers yeast.  I almost cried.  Actually, I did cry but that was due to the nutritionists recommendation not to drink wine anymore (turns out I'm intolerant to brewers yeast as well).  Yeah, like that was going to happen.....Anyhoo, once I got over my little pity party I discovered a whole world of healthy substitutions for wheat + yeast.  I also figured out that I can still have a love affair with pizza by making healthier swaps for the crust.

If you've never tried cauliflower crust pizza, I really encourage you to give it a try!  If you're like myself and have any issues with gluten, you'll be thankful that you can indulge in a slice of pie without paying for it later.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into 1-2 inch chunks
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg; lightly beaten
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
Any brand of pizza sauce (I used Organicville because its GF)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
1 roma tomato; sliced thin 
Fresh basil


Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Using a food processor pulse batches of cauliflower florets until they are broken down to very small pieces (about the size of a lentil). 

Transfer to a large pot, fill with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes.  

Using a fine mesh strainer, drain cooked cauliflower.  You can use a large wooden spoon to lightly press & pack the cauliflower into the strainer to aid in the draining process.  Allow to slightly cool.

Transfer cauliflower from strainer to a cheesecloth (or a clean dishtowel) and squeeze out any excess water until it feels completely dry.  *Its much easier to do this step once the cauliflower has cooled slightly*

In a large bowl, mix cooked cauliflower, egg, parmesan cheese, oregano, dried basil, and salt until well combined.

Transfer to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and press "dough" out into a circle about 1/3" thickness.

Bake for 35 minutes @ 400 degrees, or until pizza is golden brown & firm to the touch.

Remove pizza from oven, and immediately top with desired amount of pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and tomato slices.  Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted.

Top with fresh basil slices and serve immediately.