Healthy RAW Almond Milk! (includes bonus usages!)

 At the coming of the 21st century, more and more people have decided to let dairy out of their daily diet and go for a vegan lifestyle. Some people, on the other hand, are allergic or intolerant to dairy. And since such situations became more and more popular lately, milk alternatives have been invented!
Growing up with a dietician/nutrisionist coaches' family, I have never been on dairy milk and I have been drinking almond milk for as long as I can remember, and it is a delicious substitute for a healthy and varied daily diet, so kick off your shoes and find out how to make your own RAW and VEGAN and HEALTHY almond milk at home!
The following recipe belongs to my Mother, so thank you for it!
DISCLAIMER: we do not own the image.
Even though almond milk is a great way to fulfill your natural and healthy lifestyle, make sure you consult the doctor before giving it to babies, toddlers and small kids!

You'll need:

• Raw Almonds (soaked in a bowl of water overnight or more), any quantity that you have. 
• Fresh, portable WATER. 
• Any natural sweeteneres (e.g., stevia, xylithol or agave), honey is not considered vegan but you may still use it as a sweetener. This ingredient is optional, because you may prefer a natural, unsweetened almond milk. It's up to YOU. 

Method:

1. Make sure that your raw almonds have been soaked in water for several hours or preferably overnight, because we need to make sure that we get rid of the harmful acid that raw almonds posses. Soaking the raw almonds reduces their level or phytates, and therefore make them safe to eat. MAKE SURE YOU DEPOSIT AND THROW AWAY THE WATER IN WHICH THEY WERE SOAKED IN.
2. Pop your soaked, raw almonds into a blender and add some water. The ratio of almonds to water to blend in order to make the milk is one cup of almonds to 2-4 cups of water, but it is still up to you to decide how much to use. Just pop in some almonds into the blender and pour in some water to cover them whole and then some more to add more liquid. 
3. Blend your two ingredients first and then add the desired amount of the sweetner(s) that you've chosen.
4. Pour out the mixture that you've accompished. THE ALMOND MILK IS NOT READY YET. 
5. Pour out the liquid mixture through a sieve into a jug or bowl. The liquid milk will drain through the sieve and enter the bowl, but it is still not all of it, because the goodness hides within the ground almond pieces that were left behind in the sieve. Take a handful of these almonds on your sieve with bare hands and squeeze each part to squeeze in all the liquid from every time. Set the dried and used ground almonds aside and make sure that the liquid flows through the sieve and into the bowl with every squeeze. 
6. Continue the process until you have no more ground almonds left.
7. Pour in your almonds milk, add any more sweetenres or mint leaves (if desired) and start off the party because it is ready for drinking now!

The usages of almond milk and the ground almonds left behind after soaking

• You can use almond milk in everyday life. Pour it into cereal, cornflakes, into coffee, tea, hot chocolate or use it to make your own pancakes, cakes or cookies. Add to oatmeal or sauces.
• The ground almonds that were left behind after in the sieve during the process can be used as a gluten-free flour to bake cakes, cookies or make HEALTHY chocolate truffles. WATCH OUT BECAUSE WE WILL BE POSTING SOME RECIPES ON THAT TOPIC VERY SOON HERE!

We really hope that you've enjoyed making this recipe and enjoyed drinking it even more! You may always share your results, questions or extra ideas in the comment section below and we will answer your concerns as soon as possible! Thank you!

Yours,

    ~Reham, Sofia and Spring. :)