My Favorite Non-Milk Alternative

As hard as I try to hate meat, I just can't. All my tree hugging seems like it should translate into vegetarianism or veganism, but I simply can't take the steps necessary. I don't eat a lot of meat anyway, and it's convenient not to have to watch myself when I go over friends houses or to restaurants. I believe that the problem with meat is not on the principle of eating it, but in the cruel way industrially farmed animals are treated (but this is a discussion for another time).

Cutting to the chase.

While I believe in the concept, because I can't force the anti-meat and anti-dairy life completely upon myself, I try to make small choices that encourage me towards a healthier and more eco-friendly diet and lifestyle. (For the record, this means choosing to eat fewer animal products, whether that means directly [meat] or indirectly [milk, eggs, cheese].) I have never liked cow milk, so a few months ago I decided that that was one of the things I'd eradicate completely from my shopping list, both for flavor reasons and in the interest of boycotting cow cruelty in my own small way.

Ever since then, I've tried a few varieties of non-cow milk, including soy, rice and almond. Even hemp (BLECH), as I've mentioned. But almond is - by FAR - my favorite.



Almond Breeze, a brand put forward by Blue Diamond Growers, is the only almond milk I know of. It's also delicious. And - wait for it - half the calories of milk. The original version is only 60 calories per serving. It also comes in Vanilla and Chocolate. Unfortunately, it tends to be a bit more expensive than soy milk (which you can actually find for rather cheap, depending upon where you go), usually around $5, so I buy only every so often.

EDIT: I have since discovered you can buy this brand at BJs for $3 a half gallon. Now that's what I'm talking about!