Find out why you should include Almond Milk in your diet

We are constantly bombarded with food trends and fads.Some leave just as fast as they arrive while others stand the test of time.Almonds known for years as the miracle brain food for children was something I was fed as a kid.Whole Almonds powdered and mixed with milk was what Mum tortured us with as kids.Little did I know that Almond Milk would become a food trend and one I would fall in love with.Enter Almond Breeze a fantastic brand that makes having Almond Milk a breeze no more powdering almonds or grinding them into a pulp to make a kind of milk.

With modern medicine we have also discovered that not all of us can digest milk and are actually lactose intolerant. So in order to get our calcium intake we have to find other alternatives to meet our daily needs. So that is why Almond Breeze is a great milk substitute to the diet of anyone who is lactose intolerant but still gives you all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Benefits of Almond Milk :

Helps in weight management as it only contains 60 calories
keeps your heart healthy as there is no cholesterol and saturated fat in Almond Milk.
Keeps your bones strong as it supplies 30% of the daily recommended allowance of calcium and vitamin D.
It keeps your skin glowing as it contains 50% of your daily recommended allowance of Vitamin D.
Regulates your digestive system as it has almost 1 gram of fibre.

Why pick Almond Breeze?

Almond Breeze almond milk is a great tasting and all-natural alternative to milk, made from almonds. With great health benefits, Almond Breeze is a low-calorie, lactose-free alternative to dairy and can be used in cereals, smoothies, coffee, in baking or simply a delicious glass on its own.

Available in two varieties, Original and Unsweetened, Almond Breeze is a great alternative for people looking to live a healthier lifestyle. It is also suitable for people with dairy allergies or those following a vegan diet. As almond milk contains no cholesterol, it is also recommended for people suffering from heart disease or high cholesterol and the Unsweetened variety has a low glycaemic index (GI) with no added sugar, making it a suitable option for health conscious consumers.

Almond Breeze combines the superfood health benefits of almonds with a delicious taste. It’s packed with calcium as well as vitamin A, D and E to support strong bones and healthy skin. Almond Breeze is proudly produced and distributed locally by Good Hope International Beverages and is GMO free, with no additives, MSG or preservatives.

Almond Breeze Original and Unsweetened are available at leading retailers nationally for a recommended selling price of R36, 99 for a 1L carton.

Almond Breeze Original

Almond Breeze Original is a great tasting, creamy alternative to dairy and soy milk. Our almond milk has many beneficial health properties and offers the perfect alternative to those that are lactose intolerant.

200 kilojoules per 250 ml
A source of Calcium and Vitamins A, D and E
A naturally cholesterol free food
A naturally dairy-, soy-, lactose-, peanut-, egg-, casein-, gluten-and MSG free food
A naturally low in saturated fat food
Suitable for vegans
Non genetically modified

Almond Breeze Unsweetened

The Unsweetened version of Almond Breeze provides a touch of the almond’s natural sweetness, but eliminates the added sugar. Besides all the health benefits, it contains half the calories found in low fat and skim milk.

160 kilojoules per 250 ml
A source of Calcium and Vitamins A, D and E
A naturally cholesterol free food
A naturally dairy-, soy-, lactose-, peanut-, egg-, casein-, gluten-and MSG free food
A naturally low in saturated fat food
No sugar added (contains naturally occurring sugars)
Suitable for vegans
Non genetically modified

Almond Breeze Barista Blend

Designed to work just like milk and other non-dairy alternatives, helping cafés tap into the rising consumer preference for almond milk.

The product is set to take specialty cafés across South Africa by storm, as baristas will now be able to deliver great tasting and great looking almond milk coffees to their customers.

With all the important health properties, including being lactose free, low GI and low in calories and fat, “Almond Breeze Barista Blend” complements the taste of coffee and produces a rich creamy froth to sit atop specialty coffees.

Used in cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites & red espresso/cappuccinos.

Contains 30% less calories than skim milk and regular soy milk
A naturally cholesterol free food
A naturally dairy, soy, lactose, peanut, egg, casein, gluten and MSG free food
A naturally low in saturated fat food
Suitable for vegans
Non genetically modified

The great flavour complements the world’s finest coffees in terms of taste, and provides the consistency when frothing, which is key to visual appeal.

Blue Diamond Almonds, the perfect energy food
Blue Diamond Growers, who have over 100 years’ experience in growing and harvesting the world’s finest almonds, is proud to introduce Blue Diamond Almonds to South Africa.
Naturally cholesterol free, Blue Diamond Almonds have a deliciously nutty crunch and are perfect for curbing those mid-afternoon snack cravings. The secret is in the oil roasting process that safeguards the freshness and keeps in the flavour. Blue Diamond Almonds are packed with goodness such as calcium and vitamin E and are also GMO, gluten, peanut and MSG free. Available in four irresistibly bold and delicious flavours: Chilli and Lime, Roasted Salted, Salt ‘n Vinegar and Smokehouse.
“Following the great success that Blue Diamond enjoyed bringing Almond Breeze Almond Milk to the South African market in 2015, we are very happy to extend our product range to flavoured snack nuts. Keep them close by as a weapon against those mid afternoon snack cravings. It is the perfect energy food and ideal for take-along snacking.”
Blue Diamond Almonds are currently available at selected Aroma, Spar, Dis-Chem, Food Lovers Market, Wellness Warehouse and Thrupps stores, with plans to expand into other retail outlets over the coming months.
Find out more about Almond Breeze on www.bluediamondalmonds.co.za,

#AlmondBreezeSAPurtassi

For the month of Purtassi , the Almond Breeze team have come up with a bunch of recipes using Almond Milk thus making these dishes Vegan friendly.MasterChef constant Claire Allen came up with these delish recipes which I am sharing with you today.

Almond Breeze Purtassi Recipes :

Chickpea Fritters
Ingredients
• 400 g can chickpea, drained and rinsed
• 5 tbsp Almond Breeze
• 4 tbsp plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 spring onions
• 2 tbsp of chives
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 4 tsp harissa
• 2 tbsp chopped mint
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp sunflower oil

Method
1. Blitz half the can of chickpeas in a food processor until smooth.
2. Add flour , baking powder, garlic, harissa, seasoning.
3. Add the Almond Breeze and fold in the whole chickpeas and chopped spring onions, chives, and mint.
4. Heat the oil and fry in batches, enjoy

Almond Milk Vegetable Curry

Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 chopped onion
4 chilis, seeds in & sliced thin
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp ground ginger powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt, or to taste
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups of cubed potatoes (we used Yukon gold)
1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 cup peas
1 cup cubed carrots
1-cup vegetable stock
2 cups Almond Breeze
1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
Coriander
Method
1. Heat the oil in a large pan, add in onions and chill and sauté unit softened, 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the spices, salt, and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the potatoes, cover and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the vegetable stock cauliflower and peas, cover and bring to the boil.
5. Reduce the heat and add Almond Breeze and let simmer until the veggies are cooked through, 10 minutes or so.
6. Garnish your curry with sliced Almonds, coriander, and chili and enjoy with Roti and Sambals .

Vegan Palak Paneer, with Tofu

Ingredient
• 400 grams Tofu
• 250 grams spinach
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 1 Bay leaf
• 12 grams Garlic
• 12 grams Ginger
• small onion
• 140 grams Tomato
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Garam masala
• 1/3 cup Almond Breeze
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
Method
1. Slice tofu into bite sized cubes.
2. Boil a large pot of water and blanch the spinach just long enough for the spinach to wilt.
3. Immediately plunge the blanched spinach in cold water to stop the cooking.
4. Drain the spinach but do not squeeze it. Put it in a blender or food processor to puree adding a little water if necessary.
5. In a pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat add the cumin seeds and bay leaf.
6. After two min add the garlic, ginger, and onions, sautéing until fragrant.
7. Add chopped tomato, turmeric and salt and then sauté until most of the liquid has evaporated from the tomatoes and the mixture is thick and chunky.
8. Add the spinach puree and tofu and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
9. Adjust salt to taste and finish the palak paneer by adding the garam masala, Almond Breeze, and fresh lemon juice.

Gulgula
Ingredients
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons caster sugar
• 1.4 tsp cardamon powder
• pinch of salt
• ½ cup of Almond Milk
• Oil to fry
Method
1. In a bowel serve and add all dry ingredients.
2. Make a well and add Almond Milk and mix together.
3. You will have a firm dough, roll into 6-8 balls.
4. Fry until each side of gulgula’s is brown.
5. Drain and enjoy with honey.

Sweet Rice Pudding
1 cup of rice
3 cups of Almond Breeze
¼ cup of sugar
pinch of salt
2 tbsp butter
Honey
50g Pistachio nuts
100g Oats
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp butter

Method
1. In a pot bring your Almond Breeze to boil.
2. Add your rice, sugar, salt and cook for 20 min or until cooked.
3. Add butter and serve with fresh honey
4. For a crunchy accompaniment enjoy a pistachio nut crumble
5. Roast pistachio nuts, oats, honey, and butter till golden brown.

Now for the fun part ! The Almond Breeze Team have decided to spoil one of my readers YES that means you reading this post.One reader will win an Almond Breeze Hamper.
This is what you need to do :
1. Comment on this post telling me which recipe you would try out.
2. Share this post and tell me where you shared it in your comment.
3.Tag a friend on the facebook post.
Rules :
1.Winner must live in South Africa.
2.There will be only one winner.
3.Do not spam me with a million entries you will not be considered as a winner.
4.Giveaway closes on 12 October 2017 ,winner will be announced after that.
Good Luck
Be Inspired!
Ciao

Ps this post is in collaboration with Almond Breeze and I was sent a hamper to try out the products.