Almond Milk...and Stuff

So last night I bought some Almond milk. Yes, yes, I Vinny of the high fat double cheeseburger mashed taters double everything diet, bought a milk substitute product that I had never heard of until sometime last week. 

I saw a few of my fellow bloggers talking about it on Twitter (@Tidbits_of_Tara and @HalfOfJess) and was very curious after hearing how good they thought it was. I figured I could at least give this a try and if I didn't like it I would blame it on peer pressure and give a stern finger waggle to Tara and Jess. So like I said, last night I decided to give it a try and bought some. This is what I bought:

This morning (actually 5 minutes ago) I finally got up enough courage to actually try it. Now due to my lack of bravery of trying healthy stuff, this was a process. I took it out of the fridge when it was nicely chilled and shook it per instructions. I also read on the label that it must be used within 7-10 days after opening BUT if I did not open it, I had until March of next year to get up the courage to try it.

After briefly considering the March of 2011 option, I stared at the carton for a few more minutes and shook it again. Then the phone rang (reprieve...whew), then I came back to the bottle and shook it again. I looked at the bottle some more and decided it was a good time to give my dog water (I kid you not....I am a freak). After getting him water, I shook the carton again (this thing is well mixed by now I am sure) and I got out a small glass. I considered using a shot glass for this obviously major experiment, but decided against it seeing as that might be breaking some kind of alcohol rule and I do not wish to answer to those gods. Finally, I opened the top, pulled the tab off and started the 7-10 day clock (Pressure!). I poured me a little bit....and I mean a little bit, smelled it a few dozen times and rolled it around the glass like I was about to drink a fine wine. The smell was ok, there was a hint of almond and it looked like milk.

The time had come to try this nutty concoction. I slowly put the glass to my lips and sipped. Well....it was a bit nutty in flavor, sweet, but not too sweet, it was cold and......

it was good!

I was surprised. This is something I will most certainly buy again and I will be trying it as a substitute for milk in my fruit smoothies and protein shakes. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a tasty alternative to milk (only 90 calories and the unsweetened only has 40), and for anyone who is lactose intolerant.  Next time I think I will try the chocolate flavor just for kicks. 

So, thank Tara and Jess. There will be no finger wagging at you for this tip, I am glad I tried it. Now on to Nutella, although I looked at that on the shelf and I was unsure about picking it up. 

Next post will about eating healthy and my lack thereof. So stay tuned for my next healthy food experiment. I'm not sure what it will be, but I'm sure it will take me just as long to try as this Almond milk took.