To do this properly requires planning, as you need to soak the raw almonds for 24 hours. You’ll find multiple sources for raw, organic almonds on the left navigation bar.

Raw Almond Milk: 2 Servings
Ingredients 1/2 cup whole, raw, organic almonds ( no shells) 1 1/2 cups purified water (best water available) Sweetener, see choices below (optional) 1/4 tsp vanilla or dash of cinnamon (optional)
Equipment blender nut milk bag Directions 1. Soak the almonds in 2 cups water for 24 hours; rinse well, discard soak water. 2. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 3. Strain through a nut milk bag. You can use a nylon bag designed for this purpose, a hemp bag designed for sprouting, or a double layer of cheese cloth. 4. The liquid is the milk. The pulp has plenty of nutrition and uses.

Soaking the Almonds. Raw organic almonds are incredible food. The reason they have long shelf life is that they have a natural growth inhibitor on the outside. That is toxic — not deadly, but not pleasant, especially for sensitive individuals. The 24 hour soaking removes this. I usually change the soak water several times, just to remove the toxins. The almonds are now ready, or they can be left, drained but still wet, for several hours unrefrigerated or several days refrigerated.

Blending the Almonds. You can do this recipe in any blender, but you’ll have finer pulp in a high-speed blender.

Straining the Pulp. If you just want to experiment with making the Almond Milk, I suggest you use cheese cloth, as that is so easily accessible, even if potentially messier. I find the help sprouting bag is acceptable, but I don’t suggest you purchase one of this purpose. If you’re going to purchase anything, I recommend the nylon bag. Please note: a little more than "straining" is required. You must actually squeeze the bag or cheese cloth to get the most out of the blended almonds and water.

Flavoring the Milk. Almond Milk is wonderful straight without any sweetening or flavoring. To my taste, almonds are already sweet. Stevia and dates are often used as sweeteners for raw foodists. Cinnamon added to almond milk is awesome, with or without additional sweetener. Add hemp nut seed to it and you will be in ecstasy.

Using the Milk. That’s easy, drink it! I’ve created some yummy desserts using the almond milk as a base.

Chocolate Almond Milk. To the above, add raw cacao; you may need to adjust the sweetener. I also often add carob, which is a regular ingredient in my recipes.

Using the Pulp. If you love Almond Milk, you’ll want to be creative about using the pulp that’s left over. I’ve discovered or invented quite a number of uses for the pulp. Use the pulp in raw (or non raw) cookies or bread, Raw Food Energy Soup or any other soup, smoothies, or dehydrate it for later use. Dehydrated almond pulp adds an interesting texture to any of the recipes you might add fresh almond pulp.

Enjoy!
After a few times, you won’t need a recipe.

I expect to write about a variety of approaches to natural health. Of course, "natural" means different things to different people, which is something that I’ll explore.

What does it mean to you? You can respond to that question as a comment.

Based on questions I’ve asked of potential readers and my own primary interests, I’ve decided to begin this blog with posts mainly about raw foods. I believe that will provide the best foundation for related topics. My first post after this one will be My Raw Food Story.

When focusing on health, specific foods or other substances or practices can be important. However, I believe the consciousness with which you make a choice is even more powerful than the final decision itself. When you make a choice in desperation, you’re more likely to experience desperate results. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting into a slightly better state of consciousness or improved mental attitude before you decide so that more satisfying results occur.

So this blog is also about making choices. It’s not my style to tell people what to do. I’ll make suggestions and trust you will take responsibility to make your own choice.

I have a special interest in raw, living foods. I believe they are extremely helpful in keeping people healthy and can also reverse adverse health conditions. Of course, the results of a lifetime of unhealthy choices need time to reverse themselves, so be gentle with your body and yourself.

If you have an adverse health condition, I’ll try to provide some information, insights, and products to help you to get your life back on track. However, I am health-oriented, not illness-oriented. I can suggest, encourage, and lead you to resources that promote health and well being. I cannot, however, diagnose or treat, as I am not a licensed practitioner.

I wish you health. May all your choices about health be as joyful as possible.

Joyfully,

B. Joy Preston