Tag: chocolate almond milk

What to Look for When Buying Almond Milk?

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Almond milk has taken the world by storm and is hitting headlines across the country. You can see it being mentioned on twitter feeds and celebrity Instagram posts, on television ads and billboards on your way to work. Is it worth the hype? Absolutely! Coming on as a challenger to dairy milk, almond milk has become quite a favourite of many households in a short time. The vegans love it, the lactose intolerant take delight in it and fitness conscious people swear by it. And top it off with the rich crispy flavour of almonds, it’s no wonder why people are flocking to this plant based milk instead of dairy milk.

We all know the benefits of milk and why from children to adults, love it. Almond milk has all those benefits and none of the harmful stuff. That means, cholesterol count is low and it doesn’t contain any saturated fats. This in turn ensures a healthy heart for healthy living.

When you plan to buy almond milk, look for two things.

  1. The unsweetened version- Most packaged almond milk comes added with sugar. Sugar free or unsweetened almond milk is a low carb drink and doesn’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This makes it ideal for people following a low carb diet and for the ones suffering from diabetes.
  2. Fortified with calcium/protein. In general, almond milk is rich in micronutrients but has a low concentration of proteins and calcium. Make sure to check the label of the brand and ensure it mentions “fortified with calcium or proteins” so that you meet your required daily quota.

Another thing worth noting is that almond milk is also available in different flavours. Chocolate almond milk is one of the most popular flavours available as it is popular with all age groups. Try using flavoured almond milk in your recipes and shakes for a tasty surprise.

Easy Way to Make Almond Milk At Home

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The popularity of almond milk India and other countries has grown significantly in the last few years. Although dairy milk still remains popular, a greater number of people are switching to plant-based milk. This is because almond milk does not contain cholesterol which is considered as a big heart risk.

Making almond milk at home is super easy. It is recommended to make almond milk at home if your consumption is always high. For others, many brands of almond milk are readily available online or at your nearest supermarket.

To make organic almond milk at home, first of all, you’ll need organic almonds. You can source these at your nearest grocers. With the demand for organic food rising in the country, organic almonds are readily available. Do not forget to buy a little extra from the shop or order online so that it is delivered to your doorstep.

The next thing you will need is a blender followed by a mixing bowl, water, and a nylon mesh bag. This mesh bag will be needed to strain the pulp of almonds after you pour the blended badam milk through it.

Method:

Take a cup of organic almonds and put them in a bowl. Add water and keep them soaked overnight. Soaking almonds in water overnight helps in softening the hard skin of the almonds. Drain the water the next and rinse the organic almonds overflowing water. Make sure to rinse the organic almonds a couple of times. Now that rinsing is done, take a blender and pour the almonds into it. Add about 1 litre of fresh water and blend the mixture. You’ll see the creamy blend once it is done. Now take the nylon mesh bag and place it over a bowl. Gently pour the mixture on the mesh bag taking care not to spill the pulp into the bowl. This will prevent the almond globs that would otherwise appear on milk if you are not careful. Once the entire mixture is poured, gently lift the nylon mesh bag, and hold it from the top. Start applying pressure by squeezing the bag from all sides to drain all the available milk in the pulp. Once the entire milk is drained, transfer it into a jar and you are ready to enjoy your homemade organic almond milk.

You can use this almond milk for your recipes and delicious milkshakes. Almond milk is rich in texture and comes with a crispy taste that is both delicious and enjoyable. For a twist in flavour, you can make delicious fruit shakes with almond milk or the popular chocolate almond milk shake.

Almond milk does not need to be refrigerated and hence does not spoil easily. This makes it perfect for carrying it with you on your trips. The benefits of organic almond milk are tremendous. From being rich in antioxidants that nourish your skin to the lack of saturated fats which are harmful for your health, almond milk is a refreshing perfect alternative to your dairy milk.

Making Delicious Milkshakes with Almond Milk

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Be it summers or throughout the year, milkshakes are loved by kids and approved by adults as a refreshing drink. And if you’re planning on losing weight or following a dairy-free diet, there’s nothing better than milkshakes with almond milk to soothe your taste buds. Why? That’s because almond milk is not only delicious but it also has a rich texture giving that extra oomph to an otherwise plain shake. Be it for breakfast or a quick drink in the evening, we bring to you two tasty and easy milkshakes to light up your day.

Let us get going. The first shake up is badam milkshake. Not only they’re delicious, badam milk also helps in increasing memory power and is a good alternative for kids.

Here is how you can make your delicious shake at home for yourself or for your kids.

Ingredients

  • 2 glasses of almond milk
  • 15-20 badam/almond
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Saffron strands
  • 2 cardamoms, powdered into fine powder

Method

Step 1: First, soak the badam overnight. Drain the water before you’re about to make the shake and peel the badam. Transfer the peeled badam into a blender. Add 1 tbsp of almond milk and blend the mixture into a paste

Step 2: Bring milk to boil in a pot and add the blended badam. Cook for another 10-12 minutes on low flame while stirring. Add cardamom powder and mix well.

Step 3: Add the sugar and saffron strands. Stir till sugar is dissolved and switch off the flame.

Step 4: Let it cool and transfer it to a glass. Refrigerate or serve chilled with a few ice cubes.

And that’s how you make something delicious as well as healthy. For the vegans and the health conscious, there’s nothing more perfect than making it with our almond milk. There are different types of milkshakes you can experiment with. But if there is one thing in the world that is loved by all, it’s chocolate.

Not only it is a comfort food choice, but cocoa in chocolate contains flavonoids. Flavonoids help in lowering blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. This in turn decreases the risk of heart disease.

Make your own glass of yummy chocolate milk shake. We got you covered.

Ingredient:

  • 2 glasses of almond milk
  • Ice cubes
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 5-2 tbsp sugar
  • Grated chocolate
  • 1 tbsp chocolate syrup

Method:

Step 1: In a blender, add sugar, cocoa powder and almond milk. Blend until the cocoa powder is completely dissolved.

Step 2: Add a couple of ice cubes and blend until the shake looks frothy.

Step 3: Take a glass and pour chocolate syrup on the insides of the glass. Transfer the shake from the blender. Top it up with chocolate shavings and serve cold.

Don’t let the summers pass you buy. Make the most of it with delicious fruit and milk shakes. The almond milk in the shake is not only healthy and a good substitute for dairy milk, it also reduces your calorie intake significantly. For lactose intolerant people, this is one milkshake you can never say no to.

Break the Monotony With Chocolate Almond Milk

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almond_fresh_3 Almond milk is a lot healthier than cow’s milk. It is lactose free, dairy-free, contains 50% more calcium than dairy milk, and is just 120 calories a serving.

Making almond milk or as our mothers would call it ‘badam milk’ is very easy. Those of us who are not in a time crunch, overnight soaking of almonds is the way to go. The almonds can take their time to soak and get all plump and double in size for blending. The more they are soaked and swollen the more amount of almond milk can be produced.

We understand that having plain almond milk may get too monotonous so why not add chocolate to it? By adding chocolate, you end up satisfying your dessert cravings as well as it makes for a healthy breakfast option. In case you find making almond milk at home a tedious task, you may shop them online as well as in supermarkets around you. There are several brands selling sweetened and unsweetened almond milk. If you want to make chocolate almond milk; you can add chocolate to the almond milk or add 1/4 cup cocoa or cacao powder and 2-3 dates for sweetness during the blending process.

Chocolate almond milk makes sure you get a good dose of key vitamins and minerals that support strong bones and other aspects of your health along with a tinge of chocolate. Almond milk delivers about one-quarter of the 400 international units of vitamin D you need daily. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and promotes a healthy immune system. A cup of chocolate almond milk supplies half of the daily value of vitamin B-12, which helps your body make red blood cells and supports the health of your central nervous system. That same amount of almond milk also supplies half of the daily value of vitamin E, which takes care of your cells from damaging and helps your body use vitamin K efficiently. A cup of chocolate almond milk has 17 grams of sugar, and a cup of the original contains 7 grams. Therefore, make your health your priority with almond milk.

Almond Milk and Chocolate Almond Milk

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Dairy-free diets are in demand. Whether you are lactose intolerant, have a dairy allergy, follow a vegan diet, or simply want to try the tasty selection of plant-based milks. Almond Milk is an amazing option. With its delicate nutty flavour and a fluffy and creamy texture, unsweetened dairy milk almond has less calories than skimmed cow’s milk. However, almond milk has less proteins than dairy milk. It contains vitamin E which helps to maintain the skin and eyes as well as boosting the immune system. Most varieties are also enriched with calcium and other nutrients like vitamin D. Its subtle taste can be used in sweet and savoury recipes, and a splash of unsweetened almond milk makes a lovely addition to coffee or chocolate. Ideal for baking, cooking, desserts, or smoothies it makes tasty cakes, biscuits and even rice pudding.

Here is a fun recipe to get a full intake of almonds in the most Indian way!

Badam Milk

INGREDIENTS

  • ¼ cup approx. 30 badam / almonds
  • 2¼ cup almond/skim milk
  • few thread saffron / kesar
  • 3 tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder / elachi powder

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Firstly, soak ¼ cup almonds in hot water for 30 minutes
  • Peel off the almond skin and transfer them into a blender
  • Add in ¼ cup milk of your choice and blend them all into a smooth paste and keep aside.
  • In a large hot plate heat 2 cups of milk and stirring them occasionally
  • Add in the prepared badam paste
  • Add a few threads of saffron,3 tsp sugar and stir well
  • Simmer for 5 minutes until milk thickens
  • Then add in ¼ tsp cardamom powder and stir well
  • Serve badam milk hot or chilled garnished with few saffron threads

  NOTES

  • Soak the almonds in hot water to peel off the skin easily
  • You may garnish with a few blanched almonds / badam to enhance the flavour
  • Additionally, if serving almond milk for toddlers make sure to filter it and skip sugar
  • Furthermore, you may adjust the amount of sugar to your preference

Your dessert and sweet cravings can be fulfilled with chocolate almond milk. The        perfect concoction of chocolate and almonds is healthy and is satisfying your evening hunger pangs.

Benefits of Chocolate Almond Milk

  • No saturated fats: Though this is a chocolate-based beverage, it contains heart-healthy and monounsaturated fats and is free of saturated fats. Thus, making it a smart way to indulge your sweet tooth without affecting your weight.
  • Excellent source of vitamin calcium, vitamins D & E:  The rich source of calcium, vitamins D & E in chocolate almond milk drink will keep your bones stronger as well as your skin and hair healthy.
  • A refreshing alternative to dairy milk: Almond milk is the ideal non-dairy beverage for anyone who is lactose intolerant, and no better way when you can enjoy the taste of health with a hint of chocolate .It is filled with an excellent source of vitamin A and other healthy nutrients. It acts as a refreshing alternative to dairy milk, so you no longer have to skip your protein, and calcium power.

Almond Milk Health Benefits

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These days, people tend to forget about the health benefits that come with almond milk, owing the wide range of options available in milk available in the market. As the name says, almond milk is made from almonds and has a light and frothy fresh taste. It is absolutely healthy and an excellent alternative to cow’s milk. Also, it has proven itself to be the perfect form of milk for people who are lactose intolerant.

Almond milk is an extract of protein-rich almonds and has more nutrients than other dairy products. Thanks to the vitamins, minerals and skyrocketed levels of antioxidants content, almond milk offers a range of benefits. While it has a unique taste to offer, it is also known to add the right savour to your beverages like coffee. It can also be drunk as chocolate almond milk, which makes for a pleasant morning treat. Drinking almond milk boosts the level of vitamin E in human body and keeps your skin looking young and beautiful.

Since this milk is different from other dairy products, it doesn’t need a cold temperature to survive. Almond milk has easy requirements for storage and can be preserved at room temperature. Thus, it is a great choice for when you are on the go with your friends and family.

Almond milk also offers many other benefits –

Almond milk protein has a major role to play in helping you in effective weight loss, while its magnesium content helps in the conversion of the energy in food into a usable energy. It also contains manganese that activates the enzymes in your body and phosphorus strengthens your bones and teeth. The potassium content in almonds makes your heart function better while also maintaining a normal blood pressure. Moreover, its selenium content boosts your body’s immune system. Thus, almond milk has a major role to play when it comes to preventing your body cells and any kind of tissue damage.

Healthy Smoothie for Breakfast On The Go 

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Living the fast life comes with a price to pay – we never end up consuming the meals we hope for, especially not with the nutrition we hope for. We have often heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – so why not make it the one that counts? For those individuals who are always on the go and seek superfoods to keep them up and about, smoothies are a great way to consume fruits, veggies and nuts at once. The key to blending up a spectacular smoothie is hitting the right balance of flavour and health. Lately, individuals have started blending up their favourite fruits and veggies with unsweetened almond milk to keep it low on calories and keep it light as well. Not to mention it works best for vegans and those who are lactose sensitive. Wondering what to blend up for breakfast tomorrow that checks all the boxes on the healthy list? Here’s a list of delicious and easy to whip up smoothies that you must try.

Oat, Coffee and Maple Smoothie –Don’t we all want a jolt of coffee first thing in the morning? But, sometimes, cannot bear the thought of sipping on a hot beverage on a hot day. For those days, here’s a quick coffee-infused fix. Blend up oats, maple and coffee and maybe add one banana to add a rich and luscious texture to your smoothie. This fiber-packed smoothie will keep you full for longer and is out of the ordinary!

 Coconut Milk Smoothie –There’s no arguing about the fact that coconut milk is super delicious, rich, and healthy! To whip up a delicious smoothie using that, you can add blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or any fruit of your choice to the mix!

Kale, Ginger & Mint Smoothie – We know what you’re thinking – how can you consume greens early in the morning? Well, overlook the color and think about it – this delicious, satisfying and ultra-healthy smoothie can keep you on your best game all day! Whip up fresh kale, mint, ginger and a burst of citrus with a fresh lime with some organic almond milk or coconut water for an easy and fast breakfast smoothie that is the epitome of healthy!

Orange & Cranberry Smoothie – Perfectly tangy, packed with the goodness of Vitamin C and of course, fresh! Blend up some almond milk with oranges and cranberries and you will create a smoothie that won’t just wake you right up but energize you to power through the day!

Creamy Date Smoothie – Dates may make for a sticky, difficult to eat snack but don’t forget it is packed with healthy goodness. So, how can you consume dates in an easy way? The solution to this dilemma is simple – drink it! Blend up a few dates with milk or chocolate almond milk for extra flavour to whip up a smoothie that is naturally sweet without added sugars and makes for a filling breakfast on the go!

Is Almond Milk Good for You?

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What is almond milk? 

Almond milk is made from ground almonds and water. Even though most people buy almond milk off the supermarket shelves, it is also easy to whip up at home. Almonds and water are blended and then meticulously strained to get rid of the pulp. This then leaves you with a milky, white-ish, smooth liquid. Most commercial almond milk variants are laced with thickener and preservatives to improve its texture. Almond milk is also available in many flavors like chocolate almond milk, strawberry almond milk, vanilla almond milk etc. Almond milk is dairy-free which means that it is without a question suitable for vegans and individuals who have dairy allergies or lactose-intolerance.

What is the nutrition value of almond milk? 

Almond milk is significantly low on calories, on an average, only about 39 calories per 240ml. Almond milk protein content is about 1 gram per cup, which means that it serves as a rich source of protein. Almond milk is a low-fat alternative as compared to dairy and contains only 3 grams of fat per cup. It is also considerably low in carbohydrates and contains only 3.5 grams of protein per cup. Almond milk provides a good amount of fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin D and vitamin E in every serving.  Since almond milk is rich in vitamins and calcium, it serves as an essential component for bone health and is a vital source of nutrients that keeps the body healthy.

In a nutshell, almond milk is largely preferred over dairy-milk or any other kind of milk available like soy milk, organic milk, skim milk etc. In India, it is slowly gaining fame for its many healthy properties and because veganism is on the rise. It is also believed that almost 40% of adults are lactose-intolerant and almond milk is a great substitute for dairy-milk.

 

High Protein Chocolate Shake

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There are many youngsters who love to buy chocolate milkshake from fast food joints, but it is very obvious that these commercial shakes are often loaded with too many calories. These calories come from sugar, full cream milk, and other ingredients, which is not what you need when you desire a healthy lifestyle. Thus, in order to stay healthy, does it mean chocolate shake is something the youth should stay away from?

No! Fortunately, there is a healthy alternative – high protein chocolate almond milk shakes. Many teenagers lead active lifestyles – sports, go out with friends, go to parties, etc. These activities use up a lot of energy; and their bodies are growing in the speed you cannot imagine. Thus, it makes absolute sense to feed the body proteins, instead of junk.

Proteins can come from daily meals or supplements and if you enjoy chocolate milk shakes, heres what you can do – consume high protein chocolate shakes instead of the one available at the fast food centers.

Make it at the comfort of your own home

  • Protein shake recipe – chocolate flavor
  • 1 glass of soymilk
  • 1 serving of chocolate whey protein
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 banana
  • 5 ice cubes

If you don’t have whey protein powder, you can go with cocoa powder or Milo powder. Add 2 more egg whites, so, in total, you are using 4 egg whites instead of 2. The 2 additional egg whites are meant to replace the protein powder. Start by placing the soymilk in the blender together with the ice cubes. Blend the ice until it comes smaller pieces. Then, make it into the kind you want. Chocolate protein powder has a major role to play when you want a healthy lifestyle with a touch of something deliciously irresistible.