My morning Latte makes me happy. It is the morning solace that I look forward to once the dog has been walked and fed, and the kids are off to school.

As I am not a big dairy fan and a few years ago I switched to plant based milk. I was pleasantly surprised. The best part? When you make your own, plant based milks are low in fat and sugar and high in protein. If you choose to purchase your plant based milks, be sure to choose an un-sweetened, no added oil version. 

Some milk alternatives) are enriched, often with added B vitamins, iron, calcium, and magnesium. I strictly avoid this and prefer a non-enriched option.

It is important to choose your milk brand wisely. Look for organic (which is pesticide free), gluten free (if you are gluten sensitive), and be sure it does not include rapeseed oil or canola oil. Canola oil is a no-no in any diet as it is a low-quality omega-6 oil and typically is genetically modified (GMO) which we should all do our best to avoid. 

Be sure to read the label as you also want to avoid any gums, emulsifiers and artificial flavours, and pay attention to the sugar content. If you are so inclined, it is easy to make your own plant based milks using organic ingredients and clean, filtered water (see instructions below on how to make your own Oat Milk).

I top off my latte with a generous sprinkling of organic Ceylon cinnamon. Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, and can help lower blood sugar. It has also been suggested that cinnamon can kill bacteria and viruses. 

Whatever your morning routine, just make sure it puts a smile on your face! 

Homemade Oat Milk 

• 1 cup of organic rolled oats
• 4 cups of clean, filtered water

1. Add rolled oats and water to a high-speed blender and blend on high for 30-45 seconds. Do not over blend as over-blending will make the oat milk slimy.

2. Strain the oat milk through a cheese cloth or clean dish towel. You can use a nut milk bag or a fine mesh strainer but these tend to allow for too much pulp so we would not

3. If desired, add a sprinkle of sea salt, cinnamon, cacao powder or vanilla extract when blending to add some flavor.

 Interested in other easy recipes that support health & wellness? You can find some of my favorites HERE