I am attempting a dairy free diet for 3 months to see what happens*. At the time of writing, I have been off dairy for 29 days**. I’ve surprised myself – it isn’t quite as hard as I imagined BUT I do miss my coffee. I just can’t drink it black. I’ve tried. And, I’m only allowing myself one soy coffee a week. So, I am becoming an herbal tea connoisseur. Not quite the same, but I have discovered the Byron Bay Tea Company have some really fab’ teas. And, they deliver to your door.
(Image from here)
After enlightenment, the laundry (Zen proverb)
Anyhoo, as part of this dairy free gig, I’ve been doing some experimenting. LM is keeping an open mind. The teenager, not so much.
The green smoothies for breakfast are a small mind-shift from my previous breakfast favourite of greek yoghurt with fruit and nuts. My current favourite is a combo’ of frozen mango cheek, banana, a few strawberries, kale, coconut water and ground chia and flaxseed. Looks like a super green fruit cocktail and tastes great (promise!)…
(Image from here)
I’ve also been making balls. Yes, I did say balls. Nut balls to be precise.
(Image from here)
LM, the chocoholic, has declared these Chocolate Seed & Nut Balls his favourite so far. They are a doddle to make and quite good for a healthy mid-afternoon pick me up (with a cup of herbal tea!)
Chocolate Seed & Nut Balls
Makes 20
Ingredients:
2/3 x cup almonds
2 x Tbsp sunflower seeds
2 x Tbsp pumpkin seeds
2 x Tbsp desiccated coconut
2 x Tbsp flaxseed
2 x tsp sesame seeds
2 x Tbsp cocoa powder (best quality available)
2 x tsp cinnamon
6 x Tbsp almond butter (I use macadamia butter)
2 x Tbsp tahini
3 x tsp coconut palm sugar
3 x tsp sugar, xylitol or sweetener of choice
1. Place all the ingredients into a food processor. Mix until the mixture starts to stick together.
2. Roll the mixture into balls approx. 1 Tbsp in size
3. Keep in the fridge until ready to gobble up
I like to think they make me a little more zen…
*I am allowed a little butter.
**It’s no coincidence I will hit the 3 month mark as we arrive in France!
Well done! I don’t think I could live without cheese, Just think about all those lovely cheeses in France as the ultimate goal! If you are stuck for a herbal tea bag I have a pantry full, you may want to take a trip to whittards when you get to the uk!
Hey BCD – Cheers for the tip on Whittards.
Maybe I will have a cheese-a-thon in France…?
Does “a doddle” mean that they are easy to make? You are so strong to give up dairy. I’m not sure I could do that.
Ha! Yes – ‘doddle’ means easy.
It’s an experiment to see how I feel. To be honest, I think I feel better (although still early days), but I honestly don’t think being dairy-free in France is a happening thing. What a waste of a trip to France!
I agree – though I hope you feel fabulous while you are there, regardless of what you eat!
Syders! I am so into green juice these days, I even wrote about my coffee battle too: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5455/Coffee-Yoga-Its-a-Fine-Balance.html
My fave green juice is kale, spinach, beet, lemon, celery, cucumber, and parsley.
And, I love my coconut water. What brand do you drink of coconut water, or is it from the source? here’s a nice recipe for ya: http://bikramyogamusings.com/2012/07/10/antioxidant-powerhouse-coconut-water-smoothie-guest-blog/
PS In France, you must indulge!
Yogi M! I read your article and really wanted a flat white but made do with my herbal tea…
I love the C Coconut Water. It’s an organic Australian brand. Are you familiar with it? I shall check out the smoothie recipe now. Cheers!
And – I am human, my friend. I cannot go to France and not indulge. It is not in me.
Not sure if I tried that brand when I was in Sydney last as my Bikram studio in Lane Cove stocked something. I drink Harmless Harvest – amazing compared to the other big brands out there. It tastes like coconut! Let me know if you make the smoothie – I like the ginger one but can imagine the cocoa one would be delish! Glad to hear that about France! Have you seen the Dior ad set in Versaille? The music backdrop is ‘Enjoy the Silence’ by Depeche Mode. Youtube likely has it playing.
I have seed the Dior ad now! I love Depeche Mode anyway – but this was amazing! Thanks for the tip, M
No worries! Spread the word – Might make for a nice blog post to get you excited for France!
Beloved went completely off dairy and a whole load of stuff for close to a year. Since then she’s gone ‘low’ which means she gets to indulge in it from time to time. Same with sugar.
I am happy to live without milk, though I do love my spoonful of greek yogurt as a treat from time to time and I do love cheese also, but as I don’t have access to the fridge, this is not in my control – just as well.
Beloved rather likes the look of the green breakfast and may give that a go, just as long as she doesn’t try giving it to me!
Hey Zac – Bella loves green smoothies. Truly.
When you say low – does that mean more cheese and yoghurt than milk?
Cheers!
Oh J – your story is one of success! Since you’ve made it this far, it will be amazing when you hit your goal – and what a reward you get! The funny thing is, that after that long, you might be surprised at how little it will take to satisfy the craving..though after a few days it can all change back 🙂
No straight espresso for you (my fave way to drink coffee!)? I wish I had a good solution to the milk, but really, since those micro foam capps are so good, there really is (IMO) nothing that does it justice! I have heard coffee blended with coconut butter is nice, but can’t verify that 🙂 Proud of you!
Hello lovely Shira – Thanks my friend. I think you may be right about how little it takes. I am becoming slightly obsessed about the whole dairy-free challenge (perhaps not a healthy response, but just how I roll!) I’m actually doing OK with my one soy coffee a week, but I look at my lovely Bezzera Domus Galatea machine everyday and feel the tiniest bit sad – I love the whole ceremony…
You must be getting SO excited! How are you going to manage with dairy free in France?
Great post, TSL – you’re an inspiration! Hope you’re feeling fab…but I’m so glad to hear that your 3 month trial ends pre-France. Phew! 🙂
I’m pretty happy it worked out that way, too, Sparks! Imagine being in France and not being able to fully appreciate all that food… It doesn’t bear thinking about!
Love your resolve don’t think I could be as strong as you especially if I had to give up cheese and lattes. Well done
Crazy – It’s not so hard when you’re cooking at home, but it is a challenge when dining out (and I love to dine out!)
Good luck with the dairy free adventure, I did it for a couple of years and still continue to limit my intake to things I really don’t mind suffering for something yummy such as double cream on a chocolate mudcake or fruit pie.
I’m not sure if this is correct, but someone (maybe a naturapath from way back) once told me that if I stayed clear of dairy for an extended period of time then I should slowly introduce it back into my diet because my intolerance might cause a stronger reaction if I went from being dairy free to consuming lots of creamy, buttery products straight away. Dietary advice changes so quickly that this could all be BS, but I am still careful about where I choose to overindulge on dairy 🙂
I use lactose free milk in my coffee at home, not completely dairy free but tastes better than soy. Enjoy the espresso, they are very good in Paris and you won’t miss milk in your coffee at all.
Thanks 2BDs – It really is more of an experiment to see if I feel markedly better off the dairy. I do seem to feel an improvement, but I MISS MY COFFEE!!!
Love the sound of those chocolate seed & nut balls! Might have to try that one myself!
I have just had one with my afternoon herbal tea… I would MUCH rather be having a coffee! The chocolate is a nice consolation, tho’!