June is National Dairy Month and the usual constant advertising about how “milk does a body good” is in hyper-drive. Yes, we have all heard the claims about dairy being necessary for our health since the day we were born. Between medical professionals, political groups, dairy councils and media ads, we have all been taught that dairy is essential for healthy teeth, strong bones and building muscle.
It turns out, however, that none of that is true. See the 5 Health Claims about Cow’s Milk that You Need to Quit Believing. Dairy is not as healthy for us as we have been told. Plus, it releases adictive chemicals in our bodies that are similar to morphine, which explains the cravings we get when we try to give up cheese and other dairy products. Read Casein: The Disturbing Connection Between This Dairy Protein and Your Health to learn more. Of course, dairy is also harmful to animals and the planet. Yes, there are a lot of good reasons to ditch dairy.
The good news is that there are plant-based versions of every dairy product. More and more companies are making non-dairy products that taste just as good as, and often better than, their dairy counterparts. Plant-based milks, creams and cheeses are also healthier than dairy products. We can get all the protein, calcium and other nutrients we need from plant-based choices without any of the negative effects. It’s also easy to make our own non-dairy foods at home including cheese. Look at these 20 Amazing Vegan Cheeses You Can Make at Home.
Take a look at The 10 Most Helpful One Green Planet Articles for Dairy-Free Living and see why we should forget National Dairy Month and declare it National Dairy-Free Month instead. Here are 20 easy and delicious recipes that will show you it’s time to ditch the dairy.
1. How to Make Homemade Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Sometimes the most affordable and healthy options are homemade like this Coconut Milk. Instead of a long list of ingredients you need only two: unsweetened coconut and water, and just three ingredients if you want to add vanilla. Plus anything you make at home contains love, and it doesn’t get any sweeter than that.
2. Vanilla Nut Coffee Creamer
Would you like cream in your coffee? Yes, you would especially when it’s this Vanilla Nut Coffee Creamer that is free of dairy and refined sugars. It takes only 3 ingredients – non-dairy milk, cashews and dates – to make a delicious coffee creamer that’s better than any of those specialty flavored creamers you can buy.
3. Hazelnut Fig Milk (How to Make Fresh Nut Milk in Just 5 Minutes!)
If you love milkshakes but are avoiding dairy, then take a look at this Hazelnut Fig Milk recipe. It will show you exactly how you can create fresh nut milk in just 5 minutes. With the addition of dried figs, vanilla, and just a pinch of salt, you’ve got a delicious and nutritious milk shake.
4. Cinnamon Coconut Yogurt
Making your own yogurt is way easier than you think, and is definitely one of the best options to get your healthy dose of probiotics. This Cinnamon Coconut Yogurt is delicious for breakfast or a snack. You can also leave the cinnamon out if you want to use the yogurt in recipes.
5. Homemade Coconut Sour Cream
No need to skip the sour cream on your tacos or nachos. You can whip up this Homemade Coconut Sour Cream in minutes. It’s rich, creamy and perfect for Taco Tuesdays and all the other days of the week.
6. Garlic Herb Avocado Cashew Cream Cheese
Since avocados are nature’s butter, why not let them make your homemade vegan cream cheese more luxurious? In this Garlic Herb Avocado Cashew Cream Cheese, avocados are combined with a thick cashew cream. Add savory garlic and herbs or strawberries, walnuts or whatever is in your favorite bagel spread.
7. Homemade Vegan Butter (Palm Oil-Free, Soy-Free)
You don’t need a churn to make your own Homemade Vegan Butter. Just put a few ingredients in your food processor and you will have a rich, creamy, buttery spread that is free of dairy and palm oil and can be used for cooking, baking or slathered on toast.
8. No-Bake Cookie Butter Cashew Cheesecakes
This No-Bake Cookie Butter Cashew Cheesecake was inspired by a popular store-bought version that contains dairy milk. No need for dairy when you can have this creamy, amazing treat without it. Take that, dairy!
9. Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Mmm…Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is so creamy and refreshing. This non-dairy version is made with coconut milk, dark chocolate chips and fresh mint leaves. It has spirulina too so having a second scoop is actually good for your health.
10. Pasta-Free Baked Cauliflower and Cheese With Peas
If mac and cheese is your go-to comfort food but you want a lighter version for summer, this Cauliflower and Cheese with Peas is the answer. Instead of pasta, cauliflower stands in for the mac and gets smothered by a decadent vegan cheese sauce that is creamy and delicious.
11. Spreadable Almond Cheese 3 Ways
This Spreadable Almond Cheese can be flavored in endless ways – savory, sweet, spicy, whatever you like. Here you have pesto, green onion and garlic. No need to buy dairy cheeses with fake laughing cows on the labels when you make this and really make a cow happy.
12. Vanilla Creme Cappuccino Pie
This Vanilla Crème Cappuccino Pie is layer upon layer of non-dairy goodness. A crispy coconut crust is topped with vanilla pudding and then that is topped with a coffee layer. It’s easy to make too – as easy as cappuccino pie.
13. Lemon and Lavender Yogurt Cake
Greek yogurt is all the rage and that’s fine because there is dairy-free coconut Greek yogurt which is kinder, healthier and yummier. This Lemon and Lavender Yogurt Cake is super moist, tangy and decadent. The yogurt is in both the cake and the lemony glaze.
14. Artichoke and Spinach Risotto With Lemon Cashew Cream
This Artichoke and Spinach Risotto is cheesy, gooey, and dairy-free. The lemon cashew cream makes this risotto extra rich and super creamy. It’s perfect for a casual lunch or an elegant dinner.
15. The Best Vegan Lasagna You Will Ever Make
Lasagna is usually heavy with dairy products but not this one. With a creamy tofu ricotta and a decadent dairy-free béchamel white sauce, you just might declare this The Best Vegan Lasagna you’ve ever had.
16. Mexican Style Pizza
If you think being dairy-free means a lot of boring, bland pizza is in your future, think again. This Mexican Style Pizza has tons of flavor from sh*take mushrooms, black beans, tomatoes and non-dairy mozzarella cheese. The future is suddenly a lot brighter.
17. Banana Split
This Banana Split is a recreation of the classic recipe, but much healthier. It contains no dairy or refined sugars, but it is super tasty, decadent, and totally delicious. It has 3 flavors of ice cream – chocolate cherry, piña colada, and strawberry cake – with caramel and chocolate sauce.
18. Carrot Cake Waffles With Cream Cheese Frosting
Have your cake for breakfast and eat it too with these Carrot Cake Waffles with Cream Cheese Frosting. Pecans add sweetness to the crispy waffles while the dairy-free cream cheese frosting is just delicious icing on the cake…or waffle.
19. Creamy Lemon Ziti With Roasted Asparagus
This Creamy Lemon Ziti has a velvety sauce that is thick and rich and super flavorful. It’s also dairy free as well as oil-free, soy free, and nut free. The tangy sauce is made with nutrient rich white beans for creaminess and with the addition of vitamin heavy asparagus, you want to eat up because this is one healthy and amazing dish!
20. Vegan and Gluten-Free Palak ‘Paneer’
Traditionally, this Indian dish is made with aged soft cheese. This Vegan Palak “Paneer” is uses tofu so it’s dairy-free. It has fresh spinach and warm, fragrant spices for a rich, savory dish you will love.
Yum! With all these amazing recipes, no one will ever miss the dairy. This is only the tip of the dairy-free iceberg. Be sure to check out all our amazing dairy-free recipes!
Lead Image Photo: Banana Split
