How to Make Raw Almond Milk at Home

Ingredients:

• 5 cups water
• 3 cups soaked raw almonds
• 6 pitted dates, soaked

Instructions:

1. Put 3 cups of water, the almonds and the dates in a blender. Run the blender on high until the liquid is very smooth and free of lumps. Add the remaining 2 cups of water and blend again. For a thicker almond "cream," omit the last 2 cups of water.
2. Place a very fine mesh strainer, or cheese cloth over a large bowl. Pour the almond mixture slowly through it to strain any remaining lumps. Squeeze any pulp collected to extract the remaining milk. Alternatively, a sprouting bag may also be used to strain the pulp from the raw almond milk.
3. Store the almond milk in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
4. To use the almond milk, shake it well before serving it.

Other Tasty Options for Making Raw Almond Milk

To further sweeten the raw almond milk, the following ingredients may be added:

• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 2 packets of stevia powder

Alternatively, a cream can be made by omitting the last 2 cups of water.

Using Raw Almond Milk:

Almond milk can be used on cereal, or for anything calling for cow's milk. Here are a few delicious recipes to ensure that almond milk never goes to waste.

Almond Milk Shake
Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup almond milk
• 3 teaspoons sweetener, such as pure maple syrup, raw honey or agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Place all the above ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Serve immediately. Add 3 tablespoons carob powder for a chocolate flavor, or strawberries for a strawberry flavor. Ten to twelve strawberries will be needed.

Almond Milk Ice Cream
This recipe is made from almond "cream" rather than milk. The last 2 cups in the almond milk recipe are omitted.

• 3 cups almond cream
• 4 tablespoons sweetener, such as raw honey, agave nectar, or real maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or the seeds of 2 vanilla beans

Place all the ingredients listed above in a medium bowl. Whisk them to combine. Use an ice cream maker, or frozen yogurt machine, to freeze.

The Health Benefits of Raw Almond Milk

Almonds are rich in magnesium and Vitamin E, as well as selenium. Because this milk is made with raw almonds, it is also rich in enzymes, which help your body digest foods. The almond skins are rich in flavinoids, which are very good for your heart. If you are lactose intolerant, homemade almond milk is a good alternative to cow's milk. It is easy to make and much more nutritious that the boxed non-dairy milks you will find on many store shelves.

More Raw Food Recipes from this Author:

Visit "Easy Raw Food Recipes for Kids," for more quick, easy and tasty recipes that kids (and adults) will love!

2 Raw Food Salad Dressing Recipes - Ranch and French

The french dressing is similar in flavor to the Dorothy Lynch brand and the Ranch dressing is great for salads or as a vegetable dip too. These dressings are sure to be kid-pleasers, but adults will enjoy them too.

Raw Food French Salad Dressing

What you will need:

• 2 medium tomatoes (approximately 1 ½ cups)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• Food processor or blender

Place all the ingredients in the food processor and blend, or process, for about a minute until all the ingredients are well mixed and smooth. This recipe is sweet, with a distinct onion flavor. If you like less onion, try using just 2 tablespoons instead of 1/8 cup.

Raw Food Ranch Dressing Recipe

You will need:

• 1 cup of soaked raw cashews
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon minced fresh basil
• 1 Tablespoon minced fresh dill weed

Add all ingredients except the fresh dill and basil to a blender, or food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. Add the fresh dill and basil and pulse the processor, or blender, just slightly to mix in the fresh herbs. This ranch style salad dressing also makes a great vegetable dip.

Storing the Dressing

Store these raw food salad dressings in the refrigerator for up to five days. Ensure they are kept in a well-sealed container for maximum freshness.

Benefits of Raw Food

If you are new to raw foods, you may not know that raw foods are healthier and more nutritious. This is because the cooking process has not destroyed the nutrients in raw foods. In addition, raw foods have enzymes that help your digestive system break down foods and reap all their benefits. Cooked foods do not have natural enzymes, as enzymes are destroyed in the cooking process.

It is not always easy to maintain a raw food diet. Simply ensuring that you get some raw food each day will keep you healthier than the average person, who eats very little raw food. Trying and testing new raw food recipes will also help you find some tried and true cooked food substitutes. The substitutes will prevent you from feeling deprived of foods you are accustom to eating. Raw food salad dressing is a perfect example, of a raw food recipe you need. Everyone trying to eat more raw food needs to have a good raw food salad dressing recipe on hand.

It is hard to beat the taste of these dressing recipes. Everyone loves the flavor, including kids and adults who prefer to eat like kids. Eating raw food does not have to be boring.

More by this author:

Looking for more raw food recipes? This is from my collection of easy raw food recipes for kids online.