Homemade Green Nut Milk Recipe

Spring is (finally!) in the air which can only mean one thing - it's greens season folks! After a Winter of eating lots and lots of root veggies, I am so excited to see all of the bright green colors at the farmer's markets and in my weekly CSA share. Spring is the perfect time to detox your body and get rid of the heavy Winter foods you have been eating for months, and this homemade green nut milk recipe is one way you can do just that. In today's post I am going to share with you how to make green nut milk (it's surprisingly easy!) and why you should incorporate certain ingredients into the recipe this Spring.

This simple recipe is composed of seven ingredients, each one of them being important for adding into your diet this spring. The ingredients for this recipe are described below, followed by the simple homemade green milk recipe.

Cashews - 1/4 cup of these bad boys provide you with 5 grams of protein (the equivalent of an egg) and 10% of your daily iron requirements. Cashews contain protein and healthy fats that are great for your skin, nails, and hair. TIP - Look for raw, organic cashews as they contain the most nutrients.

Coconut Water - Think hydration. As the seasons change so do our bodies, and we need to keep them properly hydrated in the warmers temps. 1 cup of coconut waters yields more potassium than a banana, as well as naturally occurring electrolytes (perfect for fitness junkies). TIP - Purchase unsweetened coconut water to avoid added sugars and artificial flavors.

Cucumber - Again, think hydration. Cucumbers are mostly composed of water, so they help keep your body hydrated, as well as flush toxins out of your system. TIP - Make sure to peel and wash the cucumber when using non-organic to avoid toxic pesticides.

Lemon - Soooo good for detoxing, lemon helps flush out the not-so-good stuff in your body. Incorporating lemons into your Spring meals will help get rid of excess Winter baggage.

Kale - One word: SUPERFOOD. Seriously. Just eat as much of this stuff as you possibly can because it would take me days to write all of the benefits of this hearty green! TIP - Purchase organic kale to help avoid pesticides and toxins.

Dandelion Greens - Like all leafy greens, dandelion greens are great for detoxing your body and flushing out toxins; however, dandelion greens are especially good for detoxing the liver (c'mon, I can't be the only one to drink too much wine while I was coped up over the Winter!). Dandelion greens are also high in calcium and iron levels. TIP - Purchase organic dandelion greens to help avoid pesticides and toxins.

Raw Honey - Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? If so, raw honey can help! (And if not, it still adds some yummy sweetness to your green nut milk). Raw honey contains enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that help keep allergy symptoms at bay. TIP - Purchase raw honey from a local farm stand or farmer’s market – the closer the raw honey is made to your home, the better.

Homemade Green Milk 

Serves 1

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup cashews

1 - 1 1/2 cups coconut water

1/2 cucumber

1/4 lemon slice (peeled)

1 big handful of dandelion greens (about 1 cup)

1 big handful of kale leaves (about 1 cup - remove the stems)

2 tsp. of raw honey

Directions:

1). Place the cashews in a small bowl and cover with water. Allow the cashews to soak 4 - 8 hours (I typically allow them to soak overnight so I can use them in the morning) on your countertop.

2). When you are ready to make the recipe, drain the cashews and place into your Vitamix, or high-speed blender, with 1 cup of the coconut water. Blend until smooth.

3). Then, add the remaining ingredients into the blender. Blend until smooth, adding more coconut water if you'd like a thinner consistency.

4). Pour into a glass and enjoy! This is a great recipe to make for breakfast - make it in 5 minutes then drink it on your way to work.

Bio: After years of struggling with her weight and depression, Andrea Hood was amazed to discover that living a healthy lifestyle could literally change your life. Through healthy eating, particularly through local, organic food, and fitness, she lost weight and experienced significant changes in her overall mood and outlook on life. In an effort to share her love for healthy living and food, Andrea started a blog and enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She is now a certified Holistic Health Coach and teaches others simple and easy ways to incorporate a healthy lifestyle into their busy lives. Within the next few months she will be launching online nutrition programs, designed particularly for the busy working woman. For more recipes and healthy living tips, visit her at www.behealthybehappybelocal.com and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AndreaHoodHC.