Organic,Vegan Protein for Your Training Table - Easy Homemade Almond Milk and Almond Meal

Organic Almond and other nut milks are high in protein and delicious!

When we are cross training, we never want to miss an opportunity to add a little high quality protein to the table. What about getting an organic, raw and vegan source of protein that is loaded with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, calcium, vitamin E, B-12 and riboflavin as well? Look no further than Organic Almond Milk and Almond Meal which I will show you how to make at home. So easy!

Homemade Almond /Nut Milks
Actually, this method will work with other raw nuts such as cashews, Brazil nuts etc. however those nuts do not require pre-soaking. Raw, organic almonds do so here is the method from Raw/Living Food Chef and author, Brenda Hinton creator of RawsomeCreations.com:

1 cup Raw Organic Almonds (Timbuktu Ranches of CA are amazingly fresh)
3 cups of cool filtered water
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract (Optional)
Yield: about 3 cups of almond milk

Soak almonds in a covered container for about 6 hours. After that, pour off the water and you are ready to process them into almond milk.

1 cup of organic almonds soaking in 3 cups filtered water

Processing Your Nut Milk
You will need a blender or food processor to grind the soaked almonds into a pulp you can "milk". The trick is not to over-process the almonds. Add the soaked almonds to your blender and fill with just enough water to cover them. You don't want the almonds floating and spinning above the blades. I've blended them on high for about 30 seconds but I used my VitaMix which has a 2 hp motor.

Soaked almonds ready for processing

Once the almonds get going, you can add more filtered water if you like. It makes the pulp easier to pour if it's more on the liquid side. You can use a kitchen sieve or mesh strainer but if you really want to do the job right, get a Nut Milk Bag.

Book by Chef Hinton and Pack of Three Nut Milk Bags

I used Rawsome Creation's More Than a Nut Milk Bag which is a high quality, reusable 10" x 12" white nylon sieve. As the name implies, you can use it for much more than making nut milks. Use it for sprouting seeds, straining juices, making cheeses, teas and a lot more as shown in the Recipe Collection book above by Chef Hinton.

This nut milk bag is very well made and can even be boiled.

I chose my Pyrex mixing bowl with a lip which allows me to pour off the almond milk after straining.
The bag has a little drawstring and I simply loop it over the lip to keep it in place while I pour the almond pulp.

Almond milk draining from the nut milk bag

The next step is the knead or "milk" the bag so that you get out as much liquid as possible. Save the pulp because you can use it in other recipes like pancakes, muffins or added to Irish Oatmeal as a porridge. It is SO delicious!

Almond meal collected from the nut milk bag

My last step is to pour the collected almond milk into a container. Glass is preferable but I use my stainless steel thermal Klean Kanteen as it has an air-tight lid and is easy to pour. Refrigerate and use your almond milk and almond meal within 3 days of processing. You can also freeze these products for up to one month. I used Certified Raw Organic Almonds from Timbuktu Ranches in CA and the quality of their nuts is superior. They also sell them in bulk sizes of 5, 10, 20 and 30 lb bags. Check them out at TimbuktuRanches.com

Delicious, creamy organic raw almond milk!

At only about 60 calories per cup, your unsweetened, raw almond milk is a nutritional powerhouse winner. Unlike many commercially processed almond milk beverages your homemade version contains NO added sugars, emulsifiers, preservatives or artificial flavors.  I use it anywhere I would cow's milk and it is especially good in my Organic Plant Protein shakes from Garden of Life. Try their easy to mix Smooth Chocolate & Smooth Marley Coffee with a splash of almond milk for the ultimate morning protein bomb! 

These GOL Organic Plant Protein shakes mix well with almond milk

If you want to drink it straight, you can add a little vanilla extract for flavor. Use the almond meal in pancakes (just add it to the batter), muffins and quick breads as this almond product has the most protein ounce for ounce. 

Organic Cleanse Delivered to Your Door - Chef V, NYC

Organic Green Drink delivered fresh to your door from Chef V, NYC.

If you are looking for a fall detox to restart your cross training program, you might like to try Chef V's Organic Green Drink and Soups delivered fresh to your door. As part of a whole detoxification program, specific directions are included for your cleanse. The pre-cleanse lists of foods to include and exclude are very helpful and should be adhered to 2 days before and 2 days after the actual cleanse. I found a lot of foods on the "Include" list are items I eat every day anyway so can easily plan my meals accordingly.

Thermal Delivery bag of everything you'll need for your cleanse.

Organic Cleanse to Your Door 
This chic thermal tote was delivered icy cold to my door very early at about 4:30am. This was followed up with a text message to my cell heralding its arrival. So my usual Friday morning run would have this bag of goodness waiting for me on my doorstep. It's like someone preparing my VitaMix juice for me plus a summer vegetable soup for lunch. Bliss!

Raw, cold packed organic goodies

Chef V's Organic Detox Soup de Jour 
I make similar summer vegetable purees myself in my VitaMix using organic vegetables grown on our NJ estate. So I'm rather spoiled from enjoying these sorts of delicious vegetable soups during the season. Her soup did not disappoint as it was every bit as good as my homemade version made with my own organic garden vegetables.

Organic and heirloom vegetables grown on my NJ estate.

Chef V adds her culinary expertise by adding organic herbs and spices. Her sumptuous signature soup contains:
Organic Zucchini, golden beets, garlic, sweet potato, onion, carrots, lemongrass, basil, ginger and spices.

Chef V's Detox Soup de Jour

Chef V's Ultra Shake
This raw food shake mix is included in the bag along with the cool shaker cup. The recommendation is to drink two of these protein shakes a day. The all organic shake mix contains sprouted brown rice, quinoa sprout and millet, amaranth, garbanzo bean, lentil, flax sunflower seed, pumpkin seed and chia seed sprout. Each shake will give you about 11 g of protein only 100 calories if mixed with cold water and ice. It's also delicious!
I have Garden of Life's Raw Protein Beyond Organic Protein Formula every morning and it is very close to Chef V's Ultra Shake formula. In fact the GOL formula even has a few more organic spouted grains included. 

Shake mix for three days.

Blender Bottle

The Wrap
This service could be a Godsend to someone who is gone all day and unable to prepare fresh, raw juices, shakes and soups. Really to benefit, it has to be an integral part of your lifestyle. I do eat clean and make raw juices and vegetable soups at home so this service is a luxury and treat not having to prepare these meals myself. I believe as such, you can do the cleanse as prescribed,(there's a LOT of water involved so you may need to stay near the bathroom) or simply work these foods into a clean eating program for the week. After a weekend on the cleanse, I had tons of energy Monday morning for an 8+ mile bicycle ride.
Also included in the weekly delivery are about three bags of Organic Detox Tea with dandelion root and other cleansing herbs.

There is also Chef V's Monthly Newsletter with tips and testimonials from subscribers and you can call or text your order to 858-397-5454 during the month of August with Promo Code:RAW for 50% off your $35.00 order. Delivery is FREE to California, NYC and Northern to Central New Jersey. Visit Chef V's blog at ChefVblog.com or ChefVCleanse.com for more information on her delivery services and cleansing foods.

Healthy Green Drink Doorstep Service from Chef V.

Summer Training Table Favorites - New Garden of Life Organic Vitamins

Something new on the training table!

The Rapha Women's 100 is this weekend and I have to admit that I have been traveling a LOT this spring and summer. I would usually have more road bike miles in by now but with the rain and local flooding, the last few weeks have been a wash (literally)! All the same I have been cross training with my weight machine, by taking walks/runs and laps in the pool.

Fuel for the Rapha Women's 100

Still, that doesn't stop me as I feel that I am in the best shape ever and have added a few new things to my summer training table. I was sent these supplements from Garden of Life to try, I'd say about 6 weeks ago.
They all blend quickly and easily without having to break out the VitaMix. I just add a scoop to water and a little milk in my shaker cup and BOOM, breakfast! 

My favorite is the Raw Protein Chocolate Cacao. It's absolutely delicious with no grainy texture. What makes this line different is the use of raw, sprouted grains like brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, millet, buckwheat and an assortment of bean sprouts. Added to this is high protein chlorella and mixed tocopherols (vitamin E). If I want an extra boost, I'll add fruits and garden vegetables to the Garden of Life Raw Fit which has Green Coffee Bean Extract and more of a neutral flavor. I'll also mix Rainbow Light's Acai Berry Blast and NeoCell's Collagen based powders in my smoothies. The combinations are nearly endless so I've not been bored.

I always add a scoop of protein powder to my smoothies.

Garden of Life KIND Organics Multivitamins
I've just started taking these so the jury is still out on if they are making a difference performance wise. One thing I like is that you can take them on an empty stomach without much worry of stomach upset. Sometimes even before I can down my smoothie, I want to take something when I get up. So far these have been good but most vitamins are better absorbed with a little food so I will take them with a handful of nuts in the AM.

Now these are hard pressed tablets BUT they do not contain the usual shellac, hard waxes and fillers found in cheaper supplements. These vitamins are made with organic whole foods and herbs. I especially like the women specific formulations. My preference is to take a liquid vitamin first, then a gelatin capsule and then last a hard tablet. So I will see how well these pills are breaking down and being assimilated.

Pain in NO picnic. My Turmeric Supreme formulations.

Turmeric Supreme
Something else new that I recently wrote about is the addition of Turmeric Supreme to my training table. I have much less back pain and even when I over-do it, recovery is very fast and complete. If I have any extra issues, I've used their Turmeric Pain formula for added relief. Being in the saddle for 5-6 hours to complete the Women's 100 can be a problem for your back and legs. I'm taking this ahead of time to ward off serious soreness afterward.

So that's the nutritional game plan. I've been eating lots of salmon and mackerel while taking extra Omega 3 supplements as well. The garden is coming in so lots of cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, yellow squash and cherry tomatoes so far! My knees feel great and I'm looking forward to this and many more challenges this summer. See you out there!

Remember Mr. Snappy from last year's Women's 100?

What's In My Gym Bag?

Essentials I pack for the health club.

I used to be an active Gold's Gym member primarily because it was on my way home from work. I would stop in every day during the week and get in a few reps and maybe an aerobics class before going home to dinner. Now I have a home gym and prefer getting my aerobic exercise by walking, running and cycling.
This week I'm on my way to The Women's Story at Crystal Springs Resort and am packing things I would usually take to the gym as this is a fitness event at a resort. Keeping in mind that most health clubs have pools, hot tubs, saunas and showers, I've also included a bath/shampoo kit.

Supplements for my workout

Supplements
These have to be easy to digest and take along. I take Rainbow Light's Certified Organics Women's Multivitamins daily so I like to bring them along so I can have them with lunch. Made with Organic Fruits and Vegetables, they are perfect with an equally healthy meal and I've never had an upset stomach taking them either with or without food. Same thing for the individually packaged Gummy Omegalicious chews. These include Omega 3 fatty acids with Vitamin C and can really help with post-workout inflammation.

Inflammation busters: Topricin Topical Pain Creme and Turmeric Supreme

Speaking of inflammation, there are things you can use prophylactically to help deal with soreness before it strikes. I use a small amount of Topricin on my knees and back and take Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme. Both will make a HUGE difference in your recovery time while lessening post workout soreness.

Molton Brown Women's Carry On Flight Collection

Travel Set
I'm really enjoying this complete set of body/ hair shampoos, conditioner and body/hand lotions from Molton Brown, London. Crystal Springs Resort & Spa provides Molton Brown bath products for your stay at the Grand Cascades Hotel. Be sure to take them with you! Otherwise, you can get their cool TSA flight ready travel set with everything you'll need for a shower after your workout.  This Women's Carry On Flight Collection contains: Pink Pepperpod Body Wash, Replenishing Hand Creme & Nourishing Body Lotion, Cress Purifying Shampoo, Mer-rouge Deep Conditioning Mask and Ambrusca Wash and Scrub.
Tip: Apply the Deep Conditioning Mask to your hair, wrap with a warm towel and sit in the sauna. The heat will give your hair a super penetrating moisturizing treat while you relax.

Post Workout & Recovery

After the Gym
If you've worked your muscles, it's best to get some protein in you within about 30 minutes of finishing up. Why? Well, protein is the building block of muscle tissue which has basically been torn apart to allow for new growth. I like the Garden of Life Raw Fit packets as they are easy to take with my Klean Kanteen. Just add water or even a bit of almond or rice milk and you have an instant High Protein Shake. Garden of Life is a bit different as it is made with raw, organic spouted grains like: brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, garbanzo bean and amaranth grain. The Marley Coffee is really delicious, has a low glycemic index and helps burn fat.
Raw Protein to Go
The packets make it easy to take and make on the road as it mixes completely with no lumps. It also has probiotics and enzymes for superior gut health.

Basil's New Market Bag clips onto your rear rack.

My New Bag 
I'm taking this for The Women's Story because there will be some cycling involved and this new bag clips easily onto a rear rack or front of the handlebars. Holds A LOT and has both an outer and inner zippered pocket. Get a bicycle workout en route to the gym with this bag! NEW from Basil.NL