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Plantbased “milk” coles notes [aka but what the hell do I put in my coffee??]

OK. Full disclosure. Once I got over the hamburger thing, my main hurdle to becoming plant-based was contemplating how the hell I was going to make my morning cappuccino (no it wasn’t the damn cheese, I mean com’on, get over the cheese already). I really like my morning cappuccino.

I’ve been experimenting with this for at least a year, LOL! Here’s what I’ve learned:

  • soy milk froths the best no matter what any online blogger tells you
  • homemade milk tastes so much better than store bought
  • in terms of homemade nut milks, almond froths the best, hazelnuts next best, cashews are so-so
  • if you want to mimic cream, go for cashew/hazelnut mix

Now here comes the … I don’t have time to make homemade milk … yes, yes you do. Stop reading my nonsense and use those 10 minutes a week to make your milk.

You need a nut milk bag, heavy duty blender (I use the nutribullet), and a hand held milk frother if you want to froth.

The recipe for any nut milk is 1cup of nuts (e.g. 1/2 cup hazelnut, 1/2 cashew), 3-4cups of water (I use 3 ’cause I like it creamy), and a bit of salt. Soak nuts for 6hours OR just 1-2hours if you soak them in near boiling water. Then rinse, put in blender, add water/salt, blend for 45secs. Then pour through nut milk bag and milk that sh*t.

For my dreamy morning cappuccinos, I warm up 3/4 cup of milk on the stove in a small pot (takes about 45secs at LOW heat). Remove when it starts to bubble a bit then froth it up and pour over your espresso.

Believe me, if I can achieve this, you can too.

Jan 1/2020 – Update – we must evolve, right? Nuts can be expensive and nuts consume a goodly number of resources to produce too, moderation in all, right? Enter my recent fave recipe from the minimalist baker. Now, they say this milk froths, it doesn’t. But, it is exceedingly creamy, I completely love it in espresso. Use a teaspoon of high quality maple syrup, not a date. Use very low heat to warm gently and give it a whisk to bring it all back together at the end. Enjoy.

Cashew Coconut Oat Milk (Our Oil-Free Take on Oatly Barista Milk!)
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What we are eating this week.

After months of procrastination, I finally got us all in to get our labs checked. After a 2+ years of eating vegan, I wanted to make sure none of us were ‘deficient’ in anything. Intellectually and intuitively I am certain that eating this way is what health really looks like in its broadest meaning, but even the strongest of us can fall prey to second guessing.

I can now officially report that we are mostly not deficient, lol.

We don’t take supplements because, honestly, we can’t remember to and I’m a little skeptical that all they make for is expensive pee.

My hubby could use a titch more B12, my kids were pretty rock solid, and despite all my long distance running, my iron and B12 are great. And, if I do say so myself, I have the most stunning lipid profile I have ever seen.

So we will carry on! Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

Tuesday – Rabbit and Wolves Bang Bang Broccoli, Minimalist Baker Notuna Sandwiches

Wednesday – There’s a food truck in town called Red Fish Blue Fish, they make an amazing fish chowder, we take out the fish and use chickpeas … so good on a cold fall night!

Thursday – we be heading out to Bin 4 for veggie burgers with my Dad!!

Friday – Red Thai Coconut Curry

Saturday – Red Kale and White Bean soup from How Not to Die and Sesame Turmeric sweet potato fries from No Meat Athlete

Sunday – I use a multigrain crust from Bubby Rose’s and the pesto sauce from PlantPower Way and a cashew cheese sauce to make homemade pizza, and probably some brussels sprouts roasted in the oven

Monday – we’ll be in Vancouver at Lana Del Rey!! Favourite vegan places there so far are Heirloom and Meet.

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Many questions about britches.

I have always lauded those around me for keeping me ‘in check’ – making sure I was never too big for my britches so to speak.

I still believe this to be important.  I would like to think it has made me kind and thoughtful in what I do and aim to achieve. I would like to think this has enabled reasonable priorities and perspective – it lends one more to the pursuit of general-ism and a broadness of scope if one doesn’t subscribe to the thought that they could be the ultimate authority in any one thing.

Furthermore, it’s obvious to me that I don’t just hold myself to this – humility may just be the distinguishing trait as to whether I consider you friend or foe.

Yet, I’ve been wondering lately, is there a risk to keeping oneself too “in check”? Is ambition necessarily a four-letter word? Can one have freedom from pride – and thus, humility – but also be able to celebrate one’s wins? If we are to push ourselves to our limits, strive for the unlikely, reach for the stars, be all that we can be, and so forth, is it not healthy and a bit of self-care to sit back and enjoy the odd achievement? In this ever complex world, where landscapes are saturated with voices screaming their messages, how does one share their ideas without a dash of assertiveness and a hint of hauteur?

Do I want my girls to ever question if they are too big for their britches – I don’t think so.  Do I want them to be humble?  Do I want them to listen?  Do I want them to have the ability to hear an argument and change their stance, if appropriate?  Absolutely.  Non-negotiable characteristics in my mind.  Do I want them to believe in hierarchy?  In dutifully earning one’s spot at the table instead of claiming it?  I don’t think so.  Would it be different if my children were male, not female?  I don’t know.  Are there times in life where ambition should be tampered in trade for humility?  Interesting thought.  Do you need to learn humility before ambition?  Tough to say.

Will – when I’ve exerted it – has oft lead to backlash and an immediate need to self reflect. Am I being too brash, too “difficult” – too big for my britches? Does this contemplation lend itself to further achievement or detract from it? Is the perceived backlash an indication of what growth my audience needs to do or what I must do?

It is more than obvious that I have more questions than answers. One point for humility I suppose. Yay me. But when one is in their forties and starting to speak and at times get listened to, it feels paramount to get to the bottom of this. So, as I walk forward in the various spaces of my life I will continue to mull this over and over.  I hope that in the important moments I find the right balance, or even better, the proper imbalance.  If I have successfully learned humility, I hope I can enter my season of ambition with grace.  I mean really, most britches are stretchy these days anyway right? 😉

~ xo J

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You MUST.

Now, I haven’t made any demands yet, but that is going to stop tonight.

You must make this.

It is heaven in your mouth.

The Amazon is on fire, eat your damn broccoli.

[photo cred: Rabbitandwolves.com – the pinnacle of vegan deliciousness]

Vegan Bang Bang Broccoli