Guest Post: Food I Love//Brooke

During the month of February you'll see some guests on Nova Granola talking about a food they love.

Guest: Brooke (Brooke and I (along with Ellie) have been cooking together for a year and we share a passion for cooking wholesome natural foods and trying new things in the kitchen. It's been the best to learn new recipes with these girls.)

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Sometimes it seems like the highlights of my life are a series of food memories: the best sandwich I ever ate, the best apple I ever ate, the best brownie I ever ate (have you seen The Food Network's The Best Thing I ever Ate??)

One of my best food memories is the discovery of almond milk. All my life I hated milk, and all my life I loved almonds. What could this collaboration of something I love and something I hate ever be like? It could be the best thing to ever happen to me, that's what!

Nowadays I go through a carton of almond milk every 5-6 days or so. Can't even keep it in the fridge for a week. But I feel guilt-free about it, because I buy Silk's PureAlmond Unsweetened almond milk. At 35 calories and 0 grams of sugar per cup, I can't think of a better way to eat my bran cereal, jazz up my oatmeal, whiz up a banana smoothie, or concoct my own healthy horchata. Anything you would make with cow's milk can be made with almond milk too!

I have to admit the unsweetened, unflavored almond milk does take some warming up to — it's not for the almond milk rookies. The flavor is pure, nutty goodness, but if it's your first time trying out the non-dairy drink I would suggest sweetening it with your own natural sweetener (I like Stevia), a dash of sea salt and a few drops of vanilla extract. But the next thing you know you'll be swigging down cartons of unsweetened almond milk with the best of us!

Here is one of my favorite guilt-free almond milk indulgences this winter. It's vegan and low-cal. You should probably try it now:

-1 1/2 cups of ice
-1 cup of almond milk
-1/4 cup of canned pumpkin
-a dash of pure maple syrup
-nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves to taste
-a pinch of sea salt

Blend everything up and enjoy a tasty after-dinner smoothie treat!

> Thanks Brooke! I love almond milk too! I am eager to try this drink.