The hardest thing about my diet is through the week I miss cheese... Yes all dairy really, until the weekends at least, but even then I have to be careful. As I mentioned before (I believe in part 1) it's been shown that alot of dairy consumption can increase anxiety, mostly in those who already have trouble managing stress. Clinical anxiety is something I have had since childhood. How can a happy child be anxious? It's easy, genetics. People who come from a long history of genetic mental illness are predisposed. How do I maintain this? Well like most people with anxiety I am not always able to. Some people take meds, and I have yet to try that route, but since I cut back on dairy I gotta say my level of anxiety and quick to anger temper has changed dramatically. As I mentioned before my husband noticed the change almost right away. I notice it too, things that would normally make me lose my head or fly off the handle just don't get under my skin like before. And usually around PMS time I am one cranky person that no one wants to be around, this past month I didn't even know I had PMS, it seemed like any other week, no bloating, no irritability. But if my testimonial hasn't convinced you, here are some other hard hitting facts about dairy consumption that go beyond the mental, and straight to the future of your aging body.Now again I am not saying NEVER have dairy or meat (nor do I or would I ever look down on someone who eats meat everyday, like my hubby), but what I am trying to say is limit those things, moderate the level at which you eat these things, and make sure you getting plenty of plant proteins to replace and in the end enhance your lifestyle.
When you think about it, reallllly think about it, we are the only species that drinks milk from another animal after we are weaned. Dairy is a luxury, humans used their brain and technologies to create these decadent treats, so should we really eat such rich foods every single day? I guess over so many years of eating such tasty treats like cheese, ice cream and chocolate milk it has become second nature, and the food administration pumps us with this idea that the best way to get calcium in by drinking milk and eating milk based products.This site sums it all up, but I will quote a few high lights in case you don't want to read the whole thing.
http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vegdiets/health-concerns-about-dairy-products
"A 2005 review published in Pediatrics showed that milk consumption does not improve bone integrity in children.1 Similarly, the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study,2 which followed more than 72,000 women for 18 years, showed no protective effect of increased milk consumption on fracture risk."
"You can decrease your risk of osteoporosis by reducing sodium and animal protein intake in the diet,6-9 increasing intake of fruits and vegetables,9,10 exercising,4,11 and ensuring adequate calcium intake from plant foods such as kale, broccoli, and other leafy green vegetables and beans"
"Diets high in fat and saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease, among other serious health problems."
"Prostate and breast cancers have been linked to consumption of dairy products, presumably related to increases in a compound called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)
To read the full article check out that link above. There are amazing alternatives to milk, cheese and the ever favorite ice cream which funnily enough have way more calcium, and are better absorbed by our bodies. I will list some for you after I share this easy to make, fun to alter spreadable nut cheese recipe. The base is very simple, from there you can add salt, garlic, onion powder, whatever your tastebuds fancy. The possibilities are endless. This is a great substitute for ricotta cheese, sour cream on your taco, feta in your salad or wrap, crackers, or a veggie dip, and so much more. You may have to alter the flavor options to each meal, but this basic recipe makes a LOT, so you can divide it up, and make different kinds to suite your meal needs. You can even make a sweet cheese, I will note the variations. This is crazy healthy, and FULL of protein, more than dairy. Vegan and raw.
RECIPE BELOW
IMPORTANT: This only will last in your fridge for up to 4 days, so you want to eat it up in that time. Because it's so fresh and raw, that is why it will not keep. You can half the recipe with that in mind if you don't need very much. In size it yields roughly 18 oz.
NOTE: to make a thicker cheese, spoon contents into cheese cloth fold the cloth over it, place a weight on top, and let it drain for 24 hours What you need:
A deep bowl of water (with a top preferably, if not plastic wrap works too.
3/4 cup raw (NOT roasted not salted) cashew nuts
3/4 macadamia nuts not salted
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (you can find this at most Whole Food type places, or online)
1/2 teaspoon salt (you may add more to taste, but I like less salt)
2 tablespoons lemon juice (again this is optional, I made mine without)
1/3 cup water (add more if you want it less thick)
THINGS YOU CAN ADD:
Onion powder (for a good veggie and chip dip)
Herbs, like basil, parsley, dill, or rosemary (again all about what you want to use it for)
Sun dried tomatoes
kalamata olives
Garlic
For a ricotta type cheese add one clove of garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tbsp fresh oregano
The first step is soaking, this takes a LONG time, so prepare at least a day before you need the cheese. Place the nuts in the bowl of water overnight or until it's completely soaked, mine took roughly 12-13 hours.
The seconds step, drain the nuts, and place nuts in a food processor, or a hand mixer container. I used a hand mixer and while it was a little harder to plow through the nuts, as I added water it got easier. Once you get it creamy you may add in the extras you like, or keep it plain jane, once it's done you can serve it right away.
Enjoy, and while you waiting for those nuts to soak enjoy these links:
Benefits of Cashews: http://organiccashewnuts.com/health/
Protect your brain, eat less dairy and meat: http://www.vegsource.com/news/2010/02/eat-less-meat-dairy-to-protect-brain.html
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