Sunflower Carob Milk | Dairy-Free, Nut-Free

by ALEXA

Nut and seed milks have been our saving grace.

When our son was 14 months old, chronic sinusitis and GI “issues” led us to suspect an intolerance to cow’s milk and soy milk. Shortly thereafter, skin and blood allergy tests confirmed it.

Hearing of our plight, my raw foodist sister showed up on our doorstep with a pitcher of creamy, date-sweetened almond milk. “Try this,” she said, and showed us how easy it was to make.

Two years later and thanks to my sis, nut and seed milks have become a staple in our kitchen. We use the milks in smoothies, in baking, for making ice cream and over hot cereal. We’ve tried almond, cashew, Brazil nut, hazelnut, sunflower, hemp, sesame and even rice and oat.

This week sunflower seed milk is the flavor in the fridge. Sunflower seed milk may not be as neutral in taste as say, almond or cashew, but it’s one of the creamiest by far, and super rich when mixed with carob powder (or cocoa) and a touch of sweetener.

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Just one ounce of sunflower seeds boasts a whopping 76% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance
of vitamin E—a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from the harmful effects of toxins and
carcinogens that cause free radical damage to cells in the body. According to the USDA Nutrient
Database sunflower seeds are the best whole food source of vitamin E. 

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Making nut and seed milks is so easy! A good blender and a bag for straining are the only tools needed. Sources online sell bags specifically designed for straining nut milk. I started out using these but have discovered a more durable and economical solution—reusable produce bags from 3B Bags. 3-packs of these 100% polyester, fine mesh bags may be purchased from the Lexie’s Kitchen Amazon Store, direct from 3B Bags and from a number of natural food stores (Whole Foods, Sunflower Market and Vitamin Cottage to name a few). They retail for around $7.50. Locally they are as low as $4.99! Clean-up is easy, just rinse and toss the bags in the laundry and hang dry. The great thing about buying them in 3-packs is that it ensures you always have a clean nut milk bag on hand!

Sunflower Carob Milk

Gluten-Free | Casein-Free | Citrus-Free | Corn-Free | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Fish-Free | Nightshade-Free | Peanut-Free | Potato-Free | Rice-Free | Shellfish-Free | Soy-Free | Tree Nut-Free | Wheat-Free | Grain-Free | Sesame-Free | Easily Sweetener-Free | Yeast-free | GFCF | Vegetarian | Easily Vegan | Raw

Serves:  Makes approximately 4 cups
Active Time:  5 minutes
Soak Time:  2 hours

Ingredients:

1 cup raw, hulled SUNFLOWER SEEDS, soak in water for 2 hours, rinse, drain
4 cups WATER
1 small CINNAMON STICK (optional), soak with sunflower seeds
1/4 cup CAROB POWDER
STEVIA, raw HONEY or SOAKED DATES (4-5) to taste
Pinch SEA SALT

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender. Blend on high until smooth.

Drape nut milk bag over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture through nut milk bag. Pull draw string tight and gently squeeze milk out of bag into bowl. Discard pulp or use in crackers. Transfer milk to a pitcher or jar, chill and serve. If milk separates, just give it a good stir before serving.

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21 comments

Mercedes @ Cultivating Consciousness April 22, 2011 - 12:41 pm

Looks good! I'm excited about the cinnamon/carob combo. Our most used "green" tip is "no cars in town." We moved into town, after living in the boonies, and made a deal with ourselves that whenever we're going somewhere- library, restaurant, park, etc- we either walk or bike. Rain or shine!

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Ricki April 22, 2011 - 1:17 pm

Your milk sounds fabulous! For some reason I've never made sunflower milk among my many nut and seed miliks. Will give it a try! And I love those bags–would love to have one. 🙂 One of the things I've started doing is putting extra water–if I don't finish a glass and leave it on the counter, if it's time to change the dogs' bowl and there's still some left in it, if my hubby drinks only half a bottle and then leaves it in the TV room–and using it for watering plants. It's amazing how it adds up and my plants are loving it!

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Rhonda Rogalski April 22, 2011 - 1:40 pm

My favorite "green" tip is baking soda. I use it to brush my teeth and use it as a cleanser for scrubbing my shower, bathroom throne, kitchen sink or any other area that needs a bit of non-scratching scrubbing.

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Rhonda Rogalski April 22, 2011 - 1:41 pm

I liked 3B Bags facebook page 😀

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Sharmista April 22, 2011 - 1:47 pm

I've never tried sunflower milk, but that sounds really good!

My green tip… Replace paper towels with cloth. I hang a couple of kitchen towels on the paper towel holder to make it easy for my kids to reach for. And I put a small bucket under the sink to collect the dirty ones. Easy-peasy!

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Kate April 22, 2011 - 2:09 pm

My favorite Green Tip: white vinegar. I use it in the washing machine instead of fabric softener, I mix it with water and a bit of lemon juice for cleaning, for what do you use it?

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Alena Mack April 22, 2011 - 2:13 pm

Using cloth napkins. We actually made napkins for our wedding 5 years ago, and still use them! We also got a bunch of second hand dishes as we catered our own wedding so we wouldn't have to use plastic or paper. We donated a bunch after, but use the rest for parties

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Alisa Fleming April 22, 2011 - 2:26 pm

I love carob Alexa! This milk is a brilliant idea. I could see the sunflower taste being stronger,but working with this flavor nicely.

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Julia Ekpo April 22, 2011 - 4:13 pm

We love Almond Milk over here! Can't wait to make it myself! One of our green tips is we make our own cleaners. White vinegar, baking soda, and lavender oil. Smells good and doesn't aggravate our asthma. We also hardly ever run our air conditioner. We have ceiling fans in every room of the house, we just open windows, run fans, and wear shorts. We live in Texas and it gets HOT, so we do run it in when temps get too high!

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Amber S. April 22, 2011 - 9:10 pm

I have never tried making my own milk— of any kind! But it would be fun to experiment. I don't have any overly unique green tips, but one is to put your used wrapping paper through a paper shredder to make fun, colorful packing material. As a bonus: it won't leave your hands (or the hands of your box recipient) all inky from using crumpled newspaper.

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AmandaonMaui April 22, 2011 - 10:14 pm

I always reuse the produce bags when I go to the store, but it would be very nice to have reusable bags. I've also begun making my own nut milk, so this would be a great alternative to cheesecloth.

Fall in love with vinegar, it's the best green cleaner I know!

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Sarah P April 23, 2011 - 3:23 am

My kids have been begging for chocolate milk – think I'll make them this instead!

My favorite green activity this time of year is hanging laundry. Awhile ago we unplugged our drier and hang clothes indoors in the winter, but I just love how that Fort Collins Spring sun can dry clothes outside as fast as the machine can!

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angelica April 23, 2011 - 3:28 am

i love using baking soda for cleaning. its great for the tub and sink & the best thing is it doesn't leave any type of odor, and its safe for the kids to clean too.

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Lexie April 23, 2011 - 3:42 am

I am just LOVING all these great "green" ideas. Keep them coming : ) Sarah, good for you for unplugging your dryer! One plus to living above 5000 feet, things dry FAST.

Lexie

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Jessica April 23, 2011 - 4:40 am

We recycle and buy local.

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Karen April 24, 2011 - 6:06 am

What a great give away! I have 1 nut milk bag, but like you said…it's always dirty. Also I've been threatening to make my own produce bags but just haven't gotten around to it. These would be great! My green tip is: homemade. Laundry detergent, bar soap, household cleaners, etc. The less chemicals the better for our earth, our body, and our health.

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Kim(Cook It Allergy Free) April 25, 2011 - 5:54 pm

Ha! I have those produce bags and use them all the time. Never thought about using them for my nut milks. I am officially making this right now. It looks delish!!! Love it, Lex!
xo
k

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Karen M April 27, 2011 - 1:30 am

I love this idea for all the milks that leave the sludge behind.
Thanks for another alternative.

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Melinda J April 27, 2011 - 4:35 am

This sounds delicious! Thanks for the recipe and the tip about using the bags!!!

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JJ May 2, 2014 - 4:56 am

This looks so good! Is it okay to keep in the fridge for a couple of days, or do you need to make it fresh when you want it?

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Lexie May 2, 2014 - 1:16 pm

JJ — it definitely will keep for 3 days 🙂 xoLexie

Reply

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