DIY: Almond Milk

DIY ALMOND MILK

I recently ventured into an exciting project: HOMEMADE ALMOND MILK!!! It was very exciting and it turned out delicious. I will outline the steps that I took to make my almond milk, but I can't guarantee a recipe because I didn't measure anything (SORRY!).

1. Soak your almonds (cashews, walnuts, pecans, etc) 12 hours or over night.
2. Strain and rinse the nuts.
3. Add nuts to blender with just enough water to cover them and allow them a little room to float. Not too much water as it won't mix properly.
4. Blend the mixture on high until all nuts are broken down and a fine meal is created.
5. Fill blender with water, and mix again thoroughly.
6. Add honey, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, or any spices here and mix again.
7. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a mason jar or other container.
8. Refrigerate and enjoy!! My mixture was good for about a week, but I recommend drinking within 3-4 days. It will separate, so you will need to shake it to incorporate before use.
9. Save that almond or nut meal and add it to pancakes, muffins, breads, smoothies, etc. It's a great source of protein!

Give it a try! You'll love it!!

Blessed Body Brand: Whipped Shea Butter

Ivory Shea butter

Yellow Shea butter

Today, I reached a major milestone and achieved a great accomplishment: I made not one, but two soft, fluffy, whipped SHEA BUTTERS!!! You see, I've been attempting to make whipped Shea butter for over a year! They were all unsuccessful attempts: too hard once cooled, grainy when cooled, too oily, not enough oil, any possible thing that could be wrong was wrong, and I'd use those butters until they were gone (no matter how oily I was LOL). That was a very expensive, very trying process! I decided to share what I've learned during my expensive and arduous process of learning to make whipped Shea butter.

Things you need to make whipped Shea butter:

• hand held mixer or stand mixer
• Shea butter (I'm not even going to touch on the great Shea debate! Use whichever butter you like.)
• oils of your choice
• pot of hot water or double boiler
• silicone spatula
• PATIENCE

The general rule for a successful whipped butter is 60-75% hard oil or butter and 40-25% liquid oils. You will need to add all of the oils and butter to a glass or metal bowl or the top pot of a double boiler. Put the pot of water on the stove and let it come to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the stove off, add the pot/bowl of oils to the top of the pot of water. Stir as needed to encourage a faster melting process. Once the Shea butter is nearly melted (only a few small clumps left) remove from heat and stir until Shea is completely melted. Once melted, place mixture into the freezer. Allow to cool. DO NOT LET IT FREEZE!!

Once the butter mixture is cooled has gelled around the edges and in the center remove from the freezer and prepare to whip! Scrape the sides of the bowl to loosen the cooled Shea so that you don't end up with bits of Shea butter that are not whipped. (It doesn't affect the consistency or quality of the rest of the batch. It's more for aesthetics.) Get your stand mixer or handheld mixer and beat on high for 5 minutes. Turn the bowl and rotate the mixer in one direction only, ONE DIRECTION! I tend to go counter clockwise with the bowl and clockwise with the mixer (It'll make sense when you're doing it). After 5 minutes, check the consistency. If it is light and fluffy KUDOS!! Add essential oils and whip it again on high for 5 minute intervals until it is the consistency and volume that you'd like use a silicone spatula to slowly fold in the essential oils. You want to try and keep the air in the butter and keep the consistency creamy during this process. If it is as hard as a brick products begins to settle and does not have a creamy consistency, have no fear! At this point, add more of the lightest oil with the longest shelf life in your recipe to the butter batter and mix until incorporated. Repeat as necessary to achieve a soft, light whipped butter. Be careful not to "overmix" the batter. Scoop, pour, or pipe into jars and enjoy!

I used this recipe for the Ivory Shea pictured above.

Whipped Shea Butter for Hair
5 oz Ivory Shea butter
0.42 oz Hemp Oil
3 oz Sunflower oil
5 drops Peppermint essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Orange essential oil

My Natural Hair Journey: Deep Conditioning Protein Treatment

 

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I have goals and ambitions for my hair just like I do in every other area of my life, so I'm learning what it takes to reach these goals and maintain them. My current hair goals are to strengthen & retain length and achieve bra-strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I've been natural for over 10 years, but my hair has never been longer than my collarbone/shoulders (except my post-partum  hair). This "lack" of growth is not relevant to my hair's growth rate at all. In fact, my hair grows very quickly. Actually my lack of apparent hair growth is due to my retention levels and my inconsistencies including inconsistent protective styling, inconsistent diet, and inconsistent exercise levels. Let's not even begin to discuss my stress levels... PHEW!!. All of these things and more work together to grow longer, stronger, healthier hair, and all or most of these things have been working against me.

Now that my life is in a different place and I can focus more on me, I am making a point to devote more time to my self care and maintenance. I am also a part of the Hair Luv community where I receive encouragement and great tips and tricks on how to grow my hair longer, stronger, and healthier!

Today, I washed, deep conditioned/protein treated, finger detangled, and moisturized my hair. I used my liquefied black soap as shampoo and I created my own deep conditioning yogurt protein treatment (recipe below). Followed by my hair and scalp oil and whipped Shea butter (Shea butter, hemp oil, sunflower oil). My hair is supple, moist, and silky! I then separated my hair into four equal sections and twisted each section of my hair into four two-strand twists. It feels so great! My hair is in love! This was the first time I'd ever finger detangled successfully, and I loved it. No combs for the next 90 days! I will definitely be sticking to this routine!

Deep Conditioning Yogurt Protein Treatment
1 cup (8 oz) plain yogurt (shown in the picture)
1 tsp honey (I had Fischer's Raw Honey on hand)
1/8 cup (1 oz - 1.5 oz) Avocado oil
15 drops Lemon essential oil
8 drops Rosemary essential oil

This recipe is not exact; however, this is my base. You can adjust this recipe as needed for your hair. My hair and scalp loved this entire regimen, so I will definitely be sticking to it! For additional benefits and an even better scent, try peppermint, lavender, ylang ylang, or clary sage essential oils. Please research safe usage rates and usage recommendations before using any essential oil as some essential oils are not safe fro pregnant women and others.

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

SPROUTS!!!

I love to sprout! I love sprouting! OOOOOOWEEEEE! Ain't nothin' like it :)

But seriously, I truly enjoy sprouting, especially mung beans and lentils. I started sprouting earlier this year. My first sprouts were lentils. The process was very simple, and they sprouted without any effort. I started sprouting because I enjoy eating beans but they usually cause me a lot of discomfort.

I started some research on sprouting after I talked to my mail carrier, Jean the mean mail carrying Machine. He told me that sprouting beans unlocks their nutritional potential and it helps break down the enzymes that cause stomach discomfort and help make the beans easier to digest. I found out that Jean knew exactly what he was talking about.

The sprouted beans didn't cause me any discomfort and I found several recipes that I could use to help ease me into the raw food life. Sprouted Lentils and Mung beans can be eaten "raw," and they taste phenomenal!

How to sprout: I use a very simple technique for sprouting. I add the beans to the jar, soak 8-12 hours or overnight, rinse daily, and allow to "air dry" between rinses. I bought the jars in the picture from Hobby Lobby at 50% off and I got my cheese cloth from the Dollar Tree. I used gallon jugs of spring water or distilled water from Wal-Mart for rinsing and soaking the beans. These jars can hold up to 24 oz. When you start to sprout, remember SPROUTS GROW! Even though these jars are large, I only add 2 oz or 1/4 cup of beans, lentils, legumes etc to the jar.

I cover the lentils with water and soak 8-10 hours, rinse, and allow them to sit in an open are of my kitchen so that they do not get over heated and turn rancid during the sprouting process. I rinse them in clean, fresh water every day and watch the sprouts begin to grow. Since I'm contending with Alabama heat and humidity, my sprouts usually sprout within 48 hours of soaking! I follow the same process with black beans, kidney beans, red beans and other large beans; however, I soak them 12-24 hours. The rest of the process is the same. These are not special seeds or beans. I get them from my local Wal-Mart and Publix. Try your hand at sprouting, and tell me how you like it.