Simple-Clean Living: Make Your Own Plant-Based Milk in Minutes

Plus a delicious recipe you can enjoy any time of year.

As an Amazon Associate, Breathe Together Yoga earns from qualifying purchases.

milk with straw

Have you ever considered making your own plant-based milk? I did for a long time, but I assumed it would be too complicated and time-consuming, and these assumptions kept me from trying. However, in my quest for eating cleaner, reducing waste, and living more simply overall, I finally decided to give it a go – and what a game changer! It is not only easy and practical, but so much healthier and even more delicious. Moreover, it’s another accessible way to reduce waste, and for a fraction of the cost, as you don’t have to be shopping for milk cartons: not to mention, it’s available for you any time. While there are many plant-based milk options out there, coconut milk is one of my favorites to enjoy every day; with breakfast, in tea, etc. – and, it can be prepared in minutes!

coconut milk in bottles

Coconut Milk Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut flakes (organic and unsweetened)
  • 4 cups of water

You will also need

  • blender (any type will do)
  • sealable, 4-cup glass jar (for storage)
  • fine mesh sieve, nut-milk bag, or cheese cloth

Directions

  1. Boil the water.
  2. Pour the water into your glass container, and add in the coconut flakes.
  3. Let it cool and settle for five to 10 minutes. 
  4. Strain with the fresh mesh sieve, nut-milk bag, or cheese cloth.
  5. *Optional: add sugar to taste. Coconut is sweet by nature, so you may not need to sweeten it.
  6. Refrigerate and use as is, or blend with extra water if it seems too creamy for your taste.

I love coconut milk with smoothies, breakfast oats, savory sauces, and soups (to name a few). But my all-time favorite thing to add coconut milk to is iced tea. Try my favorite iced tea with coconut milk recipe (you might even save yourself time and money by avoiding trips to Starbucks!):

Iced-Tea with Coconut Milk Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1-2 tsp of loose-leaf or 2 tea bags (*Tea of your choice)
  • ¼ cup of water (to steep)
  • ½ cup cold coconut milk 

Directions

  • Boil the water.
  • Steep the tea. (*Time will depend on your choice of tea. Herbal teas need between five and six minutes, while green, black, and white teas need one to five minutes.)
  • Add coconut milk and blend.
  • Add as much ice as you’d like.
  • Enjoy! 

Notes

  • *Any tea, such as loose leaf (with an infuser), portioned tea bags, or powders (i.e. matcha) can be used. I love black tea, but bolder flavors such as chai, mate, and rooibos, can be delicious as well.
  • Consider adding a date or two when blending as a natural sweetener. 
  • Store your milk in the fridge for up to five days. As there are no emulsifiers, expect some separation to occur. Shake well before drinking. 
  • Coconut milk, may separate, and the fat may solidify. Once at room temperature, or shaken, it will be fine. 
  • Get creative! The sky’s the limit.
Picture of Marcela Christjansen

Marcela Christjansen

Marcela is a yoga teacher and passionate lover of all things leading to living your best life, based in Los Gatos, California. The practice of yoga was introduced into her life in her early 20s, when she left her beloved Mexico for what would be a whole new life of constant change. For the first time, yoga became her “home within herself“ – a safe, consistent, and ever reliable home no matter where she went. As a lover of growth and continuous learning, she wanted to share the benefits and offerings of the practice and become a teacher. When she’s not teaching or practicing, you can find her enjoying her family, friends, and dog Luna.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Shine Your Way to Firefly | Izumi Sato

We aim to improve the flexibility of hamstrings and shoulders, as well as the strength in the arms, thigh adductors, and the core. Variations are offered to develop the sense of balance on the arms. It is an exploration of your own expression in Firefly, whatever stage of life you’re in.

Introduction to the Buddhist Mudras | Izumi Sato

Mudras are highly stylized and symbolized as non-verbal communication. In this introduction to the Buddhist mudras, we will learn five Buddhist mudras and the mudras of the five wisdoms, or five Buddhas. After learning the forms and meanings of the mudras, it’s fun to observe the arts such as Buddha sculptures and paintings.

Chanting Gayatri Mantra With Mudras | Izumi Sato

In this mantra, the 24 Mudras are practiced while chanting the Gayatri Mantra which has 24 syllables. Gayatri Mantra is dedicated to Savitri, a Vedic sun deity. Among various translations of the mantra, I introduce the first line by Tias Little and the rest of the lines by Swami Vivekananda.

How Mindfulness Can Help You Navigate Social Media

Now that social media has become an extension of our own communities, a lot of negative perspectives and habits have made their way from the digital world to our real one. By becoming aware of your emotions and actions, you can get past the bad side of social media and enjoy the company of your social circle.

Yoga for the Eyes

Bring awareness to the perspective of not only your physical eye but also the eyes of your heart and mind.