How does a person live to the age of fifty-five and not know she has a dairy allergy? If I knew the answer to that question, my allergy would have been diagnosed long ago. Instead, the was confirmed by “a moderately positive response” to a blood test at the Allergy Clinic of La Crosse. The doctor recommended eliminating dairy from my diet for a month to see if doing so would clear up my sinus issues.
Two days into the diet, my sinuses felt way better as did various parts of my digestive tract. (That’s all I’m going to say about that.) Feeling better was the easy part. The hard part is finding tasty and effective ways to avoid milk products in our dairy lovin’ society. One of my most successful attempts so far has been the non-dairy strawberry-banana smoothie pictured above. Not only is it pretty, but it also tastes as good as it looks! Here’s the recipe.
Non-Dairy Strawberry-Banana Fruit Smoothie
3/4 cup coconut milk*
8 large ice cubes
1 cup hulled, washed strawberries
1 banana, cut in chunks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon honey
Process coconut milk and ice cubes in blender for thirty seconds to a minute. Add strawberries and blend until they are liquified. Blend in banana and vanilla until mixture is smooth and no chunks remain. Add honey and blend for about 15 seconds. Pour into glass and enjoy!
*Almond milk can also be used, but the coconut milk adds a delicious hint of tropical flavor.
