The Beauty of The Simple, the Practical and The Obvious
05 of 52 | When the most basic perception, ingredient and habit makes it all so much better
I have arrived!
For the last ten years, I’ve felt lost. Constantly trying to get somewhere, chasing this imagined future where everything would be better, different, and new.
Recently, I realized that while I saw myself as lost, I was actually moving, growing, going places, and living life. This near-future always “so close I could feel it”, never came to be, and it’s clear now it never will because there is no such thing.
When I get there, this magical place where I am sure of all things, having all I want, and doing as I wish, I’ll be in the only possible place to be: here.
The old here and now.
With this realization, there’s only one conclusion: I have arrived!
Here I am. Writing this newsletter learning and sharing about food; working; exploring new ideas; learning French; raising my daughter; and making vacation plans. I have arrived.
It’s clear: instead of complicating life with imaginary futures, I realized that setting goals and working toward them isn’t about who I’ll become someday, it’s about who I am right now, in the process of creating the thing.
This a-ha moment inspired today’s newsletter Ingredient of the Week, and our To Try This Week. It made me reflect on the everyday ingredients I use and how they serve as the foundation for creating so much more.
I love how this publication is taking shape, week by week. I’m becoming more confident in sharing it with the world and growing our cozy community of 26 subscribers to everyone who wants to be part of it.
Almond Milk
It’s a staple in my smoothies, and also in some juices. It’s been my milk of choice for years, but I’ve never really dug into its nutritional value until now. Enjoying the taste and knowing it had healthy fats was enough for me, but as it turns out, there are even more reasons to love almonds and almond milk.
The United States is the leading producer, particularly in California's Central Valley, which supplies approximately 80% of the world's almonds. Other significant producers include Spain, Iran, and Morocco.
Almond trees bloom in late winter to early spring, typically around February and March. The nuts mature over the summer months and are harvested from mid-August to October. Visiting an almond orchard is officially on my bucket list!
This versatile nut can be eaten raw, in savory or sweet dishes, and of course, blended with water to make creamy almond milk.
Here are some of the health benefits:
Heart Health: The monounsaturated fats in almonds can help reduce bad cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of heart disease.
Blood Sugar Control: The combination of healthy fats, fiber, and protein in almonds aids in regulating blood sugar levels, making them a suitable snack for individuals with diabetes.
Weight Management: Despite being calorie-dense, almonds can promote feelings of fullness, potentially aiding in weight management when consumed in moderation.
Bone Health: Almonds provide calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, essential minerals that support bone strength and density.
Antioxidant Properties: Rich in vitamin E, almonds help combat oxidative stress, protecting cells from damage and reducing inflammation.
Skin Health: The high vitamin E content also contributes to skin health by preventing oxidative damage and supporting skin repair.
Almond Milk
No tradwife apron is needed. It’s super easy to make almond milk at home, but if DIY isn’t your thing, there’s always the store-bought option.
Before I got a nut milk maker last Christmas, I would make almond milk from time to time. It’s simple, but it can be messy.
Ingredients:
1 cup raw almonds
4 cups water
How to:
Place the almonds in a container and soak them for 8-12 hours. Drain and discard the soaking water.
Optional: in a small pan, heat 4 cups of water on the stove until it’s warm, not hot, then turn off the heat.
Blend the almonds and water for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Now comes the messy part: straining the milk.
Recipes online will suggest you use several layers of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. I used a coffee filter with fine mesh, and I think this mesh strainer could also work.
Store the milk in the refrigerator and enjoy up to 4-5 days.
Bonus tip: You can dry the almond pulp in a frying pan on low heat for about 15 minutes to make almond flour.
The whole process (aside from soaking) would take 30-40 minutes. The milk is absolutely delicious, but if you want less mess, check out how I make it now:
Introducing Nut Milk Maker 👏🏾
This isn’t an advertisement or endorsement. For full transparency, I did get a Kidisle Nut Milk Maker for Christmas, and the links I use are affiliate links – but I’m not associated with the brand.
Moving on.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup raw almonds
2 cup water
How to:
Add the almonds and water to the milk maker, select the ‘Nut Milk’ option, and let it work its magic. The process takes just 8 minutes.
It comes with a metal strainer. Strain the milk into a jar and it’s ready to serve.
We are not done yet! For everyday use, here’s my go-to option:
Silk Almond Milk (Unsweetened). I buy it at Costco, 3 cartons for about $10.
When buying almond milk, check the label and try to avoid brands that include these ingredients:
Added sugars (e.g., high-fructose corn syrup)
Carrageenan
Artificial flavors & preservatives (potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate)
Vegetable oils (sunflower oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil)
My honest review:
Almond milk is a staple in my home, I use Silk Almond Milk most days because I make smoothies daily, so I took the practical route. However, it’s so worth it to make my own when I find the time!
The Nut Milk Maker is becoming the weekend kitchen star. The milk is so creamy and tasty! The whole process is easy. No soaking is required, and cleanup is a breeze.
If using the original recipe with soaked almonds and a blender, you can tweak the texture by changing the ratio of water to nuts.
Keeping very simple today:
Drink more water!
It's the substance life is made of. We need it more than food, and yet we neglect our water intake day after day, especially this time of the year.
Our bodies are roughly 60% water, and this precious fluid orchestrates nearly every bodily function we can imagine.
Water is our body's ultimate multitasker. It regulates our temperature, cushions our joints, and acts as a transportation system for nutrients and waste products.
When we're well-hydrated, our brain functions better, our metabolism stays active, and even our skin maintains its elasticity and glow. Dehydration, even mild, can impact your energy levels, focus, and mood before you even feel thirsty.
I do my best to drink plenty of water, but during wintertime, it's harder to keep a good score. Here are a few practical ways I try to use to boost daily water intake that could be helpful to you:
Have a bottle of water with a straw and carry it with you everywhere. The straw makes a difference!
Have a glass of water by you when sitting at your computer desk.
In a jar, add lemon, cucumber, cinnamon stick, or frozen fruits to make flavored water. Make it overnight for a stronger taste.
Drink water before bed and first thing in the morning.
Use an app like Waterllama to track water intake.
Do you have other ideas? Please share in the comments!
Sometimes we need reminders even for the most basic habits. :)
That’s all for today (and it was quite a lot).
Thanks for being HERE with me!
Until next time,
