On the road to being dairy free

      We have very recently learned our daughter, Laikynn can't have any dairy. She has always had a sensitive stomach, but this was different. The older she got the more stomach aches she had. I think that she may have been just dealing with it and not telling me how bad it was.  Lately every time she would eat it would be, " mom my stomach is upset I think I'm going to throw up." She would go lay down and it would pass and she would feel fine. I knew it was food related, but didn't know what food was the cause. The culprit was finally found, (milk, every part of milk.) We are a family that uses a lot of dairy products, yogurt, sour cream, butter, cheese and the list goes on and on. Needless to say it has been very interesting and a huge learning experience trying to find substitutes for some of those products. Through some trial and error we found that soy works the best for her. We tried the almond milk and the coconut milk and the two combined, but those didn't work. I am happy to say she is feeling so much better it is amazing.
        It has been interesting finding foods that she likes and that doesn't have milk in them. Cooking has definitely changed in our home. We have always cooked healthy, but sometimes we would have a meal that had cheese in it. Breakfast has been the biggest trial. You have your traditional breakfast foods like; eggs and bacon, sausage and pancakes, the list goes on. We really don't eat that kind of breakfast, maybe the occasional eggs and turkey bacon. We are more yogurt and berries, cottage cheese and peaches, or smoothies. The kids sometimes eat cereal, but not very often. She has decided that she likes smoothies, soy yogurt, and turkey bacon for her breakfast choices. I bought her, her own personal blender that she can use just for her smoothies and the great thing is she able to make one for herself when ever she likes.

Here is her favorite smoothie: 1 cup mixed fresh berries
                                                 1/2 cup silken tofu or you can use soy yogurt
                                                 1/2 cup juice ( berry mixture)
                                                 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon honey or to taste
                                                 1 scoop unflavored soy protein powder

          Add everything together in blender and blend well. You can alter it to your own taste. Play with it, the possibilities are endless. This is a thick smoothie, so if you would like a thinner smoothie just add a 1/4 cup more juice.

          I love smoothies and I was amazed with the taste of this smoothie. It's like a berry explosion in your mouth.