Lactose Free Endeavors

So recently I have been trying to eat better and I have been actually listening to what my body is telling me. My body tells me that dairy doesn't make me feel good.

So... I am attempting to cut milk out of my diet.

That means milk, yogurt, cheese and BUTTER!

You wouldn't believe how hard this is.

It's in virtually every rich meal and dessert.... and everything that tastes good...

But... Milk is actually awful for you.

Think about it... it makes sense.

Here's why:

- We are the only species that drink other species milk. 

- Eighty percent of milk protein is "casein". Casein triggers histamine production which in turn triggers mucus production. (see "mucus" at notmilk.com)

- Galactose found in milk is a cause of infertility in women

- "Milk contains plenty of calories, growth hormones, fat and cholesterol. The most powerful growth hormone in the human body is identical to the most powerful growth hormone in a cows body. That hormone instructs every cell in the body to grow."...every cell... including FAT cells.

- Hormones found in cow's milk include: Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, 17-Ketosteroids, Corticosterone... and others, which aid in the making of acne. (Speaking of which, I can't wait to see what this dairy detox will do for my face...)

-Speaking of pimples... Milk = Cow pus... if that's not enough go here.

There are so many other reasons, too, why milk is bad for you. I just liked these reasons the best.

www.notmilk.com--- go there, spend some research time and reconsider your milk intake habits.

It's actually ridiculous. If you think about it, once you have grown out of early development stages in life, you no longer need the concentrated fats in milk. Babies gain tons of weight in their first few months of growth out of the womb and their only source of food is milk.That's why milk makes people sick and why lactose intolerance is so huge.
On that note...As I said before... there is butter or milk in almost everything!

When it comes to dessert... forget it. 

And if it doesn't, most vegan desserts taste super crappy. 

Soooo... I explored. And I came across this awesome Peanut Butter Cookie recipe.

And it's actually delicious.

(Modified from Ashley Skabar's recipe)

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

Yields about 2 dozen

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rice milk

1 1/2 T. lemon juice

1 2/3 cup crunchy natural organic peanut butter, chilled

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 cups organic pastry flour

1/2 cup oatmeal oats

1 t. baking powder

1 1/2 baking soda

a sprinkle of fresh ground sea salt

(Olive oil for baking sheets)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Oil baking sheets and wipe with damp paper towel forming a thin layer of oil on the whole surface.

2. In a small bowl, combine the rice milk with the lemon juice, mixing until well combined. Let sit for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

3. In a medium sized bowl, sift together flour, oats, baking powder, soda and salt. Set aside.

4. In a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat the peanut butter with the sugars for 3 minutes on a medium speed setting.

5. Add the milk mixture, mixing until just combined.

6. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon, mixing until just combined.

7. The mixture should be thick and a little crumbly.

8. Place in the freezer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

9. Drop the batter onto the prepared baking sheets in small mounds about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with a fork.

10. Bake 10 to 12 minutes (I always go for less time), or until golden brown.

11. Let cookies cool for 2-4 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

They come out soft and wonderful and as they sit for a few hours they turn into a lovely crunchy cookie.

So try it! Make these cookies and with every bite just think about how awesome you are because you are eating a vegan snack! Your friends will be jealous.

Also-- Soon I plan on doing a post about milk alternatives. THERE ARE SO MANY!

See you in a little while... Just a little while.... (you and I will be 1, 2, 3, 4...)

(Musical reference.... I'm not crazy...)