Cultivating Habits: Almond Milk
Earlier this week, I made one of my many mini grocery store runs (I'm one of those 'buy as needed' shoppers), and picked up a box of my favorite cereal, Honey Bunches of Oats. However, I deliberately did not purchase the half gallon of whole milk that I normally would. I wanted to try something different. I wanted to see how my beloved cereal would taste if I used almond milk instead of whole milk. I already had two cartons of almond milk at home, so the next step would be to simply give it a go.
I am not what you would consider a health nut. I believe in enjoying the foods that I love without feeling bad for doing so. But, lately, I've been more open to incorporating healthier food options into my life. Key word being 'incorporated' because I'm still going to enjoy those Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles, okay? But, it IS nice knowing that some of the food items I've been indulging in these days are quite beneficial to my health. What items, you ask? Chia seeds, for instance. I even made chia pudding for the first time (super simple recipe: two tablespoons of chia seeds + 1/2 cup of almond milk + organic honey or vanilla extract. A pinch of cinnamon too. Mix together well, and refrigerate for about four hours. Top with your favorite fruits. Done). I've been quite the daring one lately.
I don't see a permanent future with chia pudding, but I'll indulge every now and then. It's also a great addition to your smoothies.
Back to this cereal situation. Yesterday, I tried it with the almond milk, and truthfully, I didn't hate it. There was a slight difference in taste, but not enough for me to toss the idea out the window completely. With that said, I think I'll give this almond milk thing a try, and lay off the whole milk for a while. Assuming that you are not allergic to nuts, these sort of non-traditional milks such as almond milk, soy milk, and cashew milk are a much healthier option. Almond milk is high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. It's also lower in calories than your standard whole milk. That's more than enough reason for me to try and carve this habit in stone.