Friday, April 8, 2011

Dairy Free Friday

Greetings, readers. My this has been a long week. I owe you a recap of my trip to DC, but this week has sort of kicked my butt, so maybe I will get around to that next week? In the mean time, hop over to Becky's blog and check out the video of photos that she put together!! I watch it when I need a little pick-me-up.

I have spent all week in a prep class for the series 7 test, which I take on Wednesday. Please God, let me pass this test on my first attempt. I will lose my mind if I have to study for this for another month. I added up the # of pages read/quizzes I have taken? Oh, it's somewhere in the range of 950 pages. Add in the # of pages I am reading for my CFA and that = overwhelmed/cranky/not-so-fun-to-be-around-Lisa. I am basically the human equivalent of Eeyore.

Anyways. Enough about that. This week I thought I would talk about some of the dairy replacements I've been using since going dairy free last month.

Do you see what I see? Yep, I found dairy free sour cream! Oh vey that was exciting. Note to self: You know your life is a bit lame when you get excited over finding dairy free products... I tried this on a baked potato (total comfort food for me) and it was GREAT!! I swear you could do a blind taste test with earth balance and the average person would NOT be able to tell that it wasn't butter/margarine. It comes in a tub, as pictured above, or in stick form, which is great for recipes as it's tricky to scrape out a tablespoon from a tub, you know? I love this stuff!! Definitely my favorite dairy free alternative out of all the products I am talking about today! This is the dairy free cheese that I used when I made that quinoa lasagna last month. I was really impressed with how it melted and tasted. No, it does not melt as well as regular cheese - it more so melts like reduced fat cheese I would say? But still, it's a great alternative. I had in on salads and that was great, too. Would I eat this stuff from the bag? No, it's not THAT good. And it's not something I really crave like I would crave cheese... But - it's a good alternative!
Last but not least, a milk alternative. I am not a milk person and I never drank milk when I was eating dairy, so I don't drink it now. However, I do use milk in the occasional recipe. Out of soy, rice, and almond milk, I prefer almond milk.
So there you have it!! Lots of great alternatives available for you if you are trying to cut back on dairy! What are you up to this weekend? I have my last series 7 class tomorrow and then will spend the rest of the weekend doing practice exams. I have about 8 to do between now and Wednesday. Thrilling, right?

18 comments:

Unprofessional said...

Ooooooh Lisa! Good luck on your test! Sounds like you've been studying your little butt off-you'll do great! AND THE CFA TOO!! ARE YOU NUTS! My boyfriend did both of those...when he talks about those weeks and months of studying, he gets this depressed look on his face like he lost a big chunk of his life! Granted, he's happy he did it (I think it's done GREAT things for him) but it sounds like a miserable time. Uuugh, I bet you'll be THRILLED to have those done!

Unknown said...

Very interesting. I have never even seen several of those items! Hang in there! I am proud of your work ethic!

J said...

I hope you pass the test! Good luck with studying this weekend! I have a long run and then Mother of the bride dress shopping with my mom. Otherwise its going to be a nice low key weekend!

Amber said...

Yay! I'm so glad you've found so many dairy free options out there that you love.

I'm not dairy free as you know but I do like to eat as few animal products as possible and I'm currently eating my cheerios with almond milk RIGHT NOW - it's GREAT! Love almond milk :)

Hopefully this weekend goes by quick and you're able to fit in that 1-2 hours of YOU time that we talked about!

Love you! XO

Nora said...

Hey, you know what? It's totally ok to get excited about finding dairy free sour cream. I see nothing wrong with that at all :) I had to laugh at the "would I eat it out of the bag? No, it's not THAT good," cause last night when I got home from work? I totally had a bit of shredded cheese from the bag. It was *that* kind of day :)

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I really like Earth Balance too! It is super good!

Best of luck with your studying and your exam - I too hope you pass it first try!

Abby said...

I am mad impressed with all these dairy-free options! And it's totally worth it, since you're finally feeling so good about your complexion! I couldn't be happier for you!!

Yay!!!

I am currently "on call" for work (I had signed up for 4 shifts this week, and they apparently didn't want to pay me overtime..) So I'm walking around until 2 pm with my phone glued to me in case I get called in. After that, I guess it's a free evening! Tomorrow I do work. And Sunday, if it's not snowing (seriously....we're forecasted for SNOW) -- we're heading up to the mountains for a day of hiking most likely!

crystal said...

I keep hearing great things about that Earth Balance butter substitute. Someday when I have money I will be a better vegetarian and eliminate dairy too!

Your weekend sounds *fun*...sorry, but will all of that going on it will at least fly by quickly! (silver lining right?)

Raquelita said...

It really does sound like you have been hitting the books hard in preparation for this exam. I wish you the best of luck in kicking it's butt!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

your weekend sounds as exciting as mine. i have a 2.5 page cleaning list that needs to be mostly completed this weekend. we hre having my baby shower next weekend and having company over and the typical spring cleaning crap.. like all the windows and screens.. since we are finally going to hit 60s/70s we can open those suckers up.. ughh.. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!! I know you will rock it!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

You are totally going to pass this test on the first time around- you have studied your butt off!!!

I love earth balance too- I use it in a lot of recipes :)

Jeanie said...

ah, this weekend, catching up from the sick bay, seeing a musical and making a birthday cake! Works for me. Oh, and catching up on blogs!

Sending you good wishes for your test!

Mandy said...

I am so glad that you've found so many dairy free alternatives. I think thats great. I am sending good thoughts your way and sending up prayers that your test goes well on Wednesday. You are in my thoughts, friend!

Erin said...

How are those Series 7 practice tests going???? Ugh---I don't envy you--but just think--the test will be over SOON :)
I always think about getting Almond Milk when we're at the grocery store---but then I'm afraid I won't like it. I always trust your opinion on things (you haven't lead me astray yet)---so maybe I'll give Almond Milk a try :) GOOD LUCK if I don't talk to you before the test!

Marlys said...

Your weekend sounds a bit difficult and dull! I know you are going to rock the test, so keep your chin up - only 3 days to go! Love you!

Becky said...

You're going to rock that test! And almond milk is delicious!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Wow it looks like you found a lot of great stuff!!! I tried to go vegan once and what I hated the MOST was the fake cheese. But maybe I didn't know all that you know.

Jenni Austria Germany said...

i prefer almond milk too. i just found your blog btw and i'm loving your love for all things paris. :)