Homemade Almond Milk

I have been on a health kick lately.  Like everyone else in January.  We'll see how much longer I last...haha.  Anyways, I'm mildly lactose intolerant so I've been drinking almond milk for years. Recently, I ran out of milk, but had a bunch of raw almonds, so I thought...why don't I just make some???! Genius.  It was AHHmazing.  Here's my recipe!


1 cup raw almonds

3.5 cups water

1/2  tsp dried ground cinnamon

1/2  tsp dried ground cardamom

1/2 to 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (madagascar bourbon vanilla is best!)


  1. Soak the almonds in water for at least 4 hours, up to 2 days, so that they get plump & soft
  2. Put the soaked almonds + 3 cups water into your blender
  3. Blend on high until it's nice and creamy
  4. Add cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla (all optional, use whatever spices you like or none at all!) and blend a little more
  5. For a rustic almond milk, you can drink it just like this!  If you prefer a more silky smooth kind, like what you would buy from a store, strain the milk first by squeezing it through a cheese cloth, or a nut milk bag (like this one) (hehehe i know it's a funny name)
  6. Pour into a cute glass bottle, chill, and enjoy your homemade goodness!  This recipe makes about 28 oz.

Let me know if you try this recipe! I love making my own milk because I can control exactly what goes into it. Do you ever make your own nut milk?  What do you put in it?  

stay gold,


My Favorite Green Smoothie

Hi Everyone!

Over the weekend, we had law prom (yes, really!) and while there were no corsages or awkward dates, there was a lot of dressing up and a lot more open bar. As a result, I tricked my poor mid-twenties body into thinking it could handle liquor like a 21 year old sorority girl at UCSB.  MISTAKE.  SO MANY REGRETS.  I spent today getting back on tracking by doing hot yoga (painful but necessary) and drinking more veggies than an African Elephant (world's largest herbivore) consumes in a year.  Not really, but you get the idea.  Here's the recipe for my favorite green-detox-fit girl-fit life forever-i regret my poor weekend choices smoothie.


[Recipe makes about 2-3 smoothies]

2 cups greens (i like spinach or kale with stems removed)

2 cups liquid (coconut water, almond milk, fresh juice or any combo of these)

3 cups mixed frozen fruit (mango/pineapple/berries/peach)

Chopped ginger, Chia seeds, Phytonutrient powder, Protein powder (some or all)

  1. Blend the greens with the liquid first to make sure it's really smooth.  You can use more greens and less fruit if you are trying to minimize sugar consumption.
  2. Add in the fruit.  You can use a combination of frozen and fresh, but be sure to use something frozen or add ice cubes.  If you add ice, you'll need more liquid.
  3. Finally, add in all your "super" goodies at the end and blend until smooth.
  4. Chug until you feel normal and healthy and glowy again.  Repeat.  Force your roommate and/or significant other to try your green concoction also.  Sharing is caring!

stay gold,


10 Day Cleanse: Part One

Hi Everyone!

I've been hinting in my posts and on my Instagram that I jump started my year with a ten day cleanse. I'm all done now and the results were amazing!  I feel energized, lean, and so healthy!  I lost about 4 pounds on the cleanse, 1 percent body fat, and I lost about 2.5 pounds of "bloat" water.

I got such great results that I want to share with you my ten day plan for resetting.   In just ten short days, you'll learn about any food intolerances you may have and really see how much eating whole, nutrient dense foods can change your life.  The plan will come to you in three parts!

In this first post, I've included general nutrition guidelines.  Below are the categories of food you will be eating from, and I've included a suggested shopping list so you can prepare.  On certain days of the cleanse, you'll limit your food intake more than others, so I tried to give you guidelines about how much to buy.  If it's easier, plan to go to the market twice during the cleanse so that you don't overbuy.  The key to success is preparation! Take this list, go shopping today or tomorrow, clean the junk out of your fridge and pantry, and get ready for a whole new you.

General Food Choices

Fruits: all fruits, fresh, frozen, canned (in water)

Vegetables:  all vegetables, except corn or potatoes (sweet potatoes are okay)

Legumes: beans, peas, hummus  (DO NOT eat soy)

Fish: all wild caught fish (avoid shell fish)

Meat: organic, free range chicken & turkey, all wild game, cage free organic eggs

Grains: rice, gluten free oats, quinoa, millet, arrowroot, etc.

Nuts/Seeds: all, including nut butters (avoid peanuts)

Beverages: water, tea (Unsweetened)

Spices/Condiments: vinegars (not malt), fresh/dry herbs, oils (olive, coconut, canola, sesame, flaxseed)

Shopping List

Fruits: Berries, Apples, Pears (Enough for 10 days)

Vegetables: Primary Veggies: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Lettuce, Kale, Brussel Sprouts (enough for 10 days); Secondary Veggies: Zucchini, Asparagus, Avocado (only enough for 4 days max)

Fish: Salmon, Mahi Mahi, Halibut, Dover Sole, Tuna (enough for 10 days)

Meat: Chicken & Turkey (enough for 3 days max)

Grains: Rice (enough for 4 days max) OR Quinoa (enough for 3 days max)

Nuts: Almond or Cashew butter (enough for 3 days max)

Spices & Condiments: Salt free seasoning blend, sea salt, fresh peppercorns, your favorite herbs, olive and coconut oil

I hope you're excited to start the cleanse!  Check back tomorrow for Part Two, which will give you specific cleanse instructions, and then look for Part Three, which will give you a suggested menu plan. Message me if you have any questions!

stay gold,