Opa & Our Chocolate Mint Nice Cream Recipe
Super simple directions for anyone who doesn’t want to keep on scrolling. :-)
Fun fact: this wordy raconteur started out with deficiencies in reading skills so profound that I was the kid who was always costing the class a Book-It pizza party because I couldn’t finish my books on time. It was my father, who stepped up to plate and began assigning me extracurricular book reports with the directive of absorbing, condensing, and relaying what I’d read.
It started out with whatever I could find at the local library that sparked an interest, but by middle school he was assigning me Don Quixote, the complete works of Shakespeare, and miscellaneous classics. He was always urging me to try things harder than my complacent-self would have attempted.
These exercises were originally met with vexing and grumbling; but they honed my reading/writing skills, opened my mind to new worlds and avenues of thought, and set me up with a system of approaching challenges with a can-do attitude.
That passion continued, and I eventually graduated from his Alma Mater (SUNY Oswego) with a Literary Studies degree and a focus on creative writing. Those skills continued to serve me well as I was writing grants for solar installations in the greater NYC area, drafting energy efficiency proposals throughout the boroughs, scribing Daily Service Reports and Individualized Service Plans for folks with developmental disabilities, and then launched me like a javelin onto this current world-saving/nutritional-illumination path.
How does a Pollyanna soul with a broken-howling heart —trained to face challenges— find positivity in a realm where I see people ruining this precious earth day-in-and-day-out? I thank my lucky stars that my father worked tirelessly to instill in me a love of words, a strong mind for research, a sturdy spine for advocacy, and a love of eating :-) because rolling all of those passions together has become my balm for approaching this crisis with a “WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE” attitude, and the ability to convey how to do so.
We can and we must grow forward together. Our environmental sustainability is hanging on a razor’s edge, and each of us have the power to heal this earth and the feast of preventable diseases we’ve fed ourselves: it starts with shifting toward plant-based whole-foods.
If you heard “plant-based” and find yourself with preconceived notions and/or throwing your hands up to dismiss me, this is not at all my simple-minded “opinion”. This came from years of research and walking away from foods I once LOVED. Here are a few important realms urging the same: American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Harvard School of Health, National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, the United Nations, our Leading Doctors, ETC.
Best part about shifting plant-based? There is a shocking array of delicious offerings, it’s the cheapest diet, it’s the healthiest diet, there are myriad examples of folks (<—including Olympians, Professional Athletes, Ultra-Marathon Runners, and every member of this immediate family) who have bettered their whole lives after moving plant-based, millions of species could be saved, and we’d move toward planetary healing.
It’s a win-win all-around positive path forward. You just gotta start taking some steps forward and admit that the foods our culture craves are often terrible for us and the earth. There are so many better alternatives though! Better in taste, better in health, lesser in impact, and vastly more compassionate.
Really like ice cream? Well Boy Howdy, wait till you see how easy/cheap/nutritious it is to make NICE CREAM.
Continue for: our super simple chocolate mint nice cream recipe; the environmental and nutritional reasons you want to steer clear of cow breastmilk (<— and this is coming from someone who only stopped those book reports because I started slinging scoops of frozen custard as my first job… <—and chose that profession so I could gorge myself at a discount); a whole family working on Dr Dean Ornish Lifestyle Medicine principles (including our 5 year old); plus three full days of examples of what we’re eating: the healthiest, cheapest, kindest diet there is.
Live Kindly, Feast Kindly, Grow Forward.
Ingredients needed for a batch of chocolate mint nice cream: oatmilk, frozen bananas, mint extract, cocoa powder, salt. (Optional: add in some vanilla extract too.)
Add to a blender, blend until creamy (with a nutribullet this can involve taking it off and shaking a few times), season per taste, and enjoy!
Best part? This is a zero-waste dish (especially because you can recycle the mint bottle and cocoa powder container.)
When you have bananas that are getting too ripe for eating (and you don’t need them for some brownies or berry bread), simply peel them, break them into chunks, and freeze them.
We throw them into this reusable baking soda bag. :-)
This has all the creamy mouth-feel and deep flavor of ice cream without any of the harm. You’d think it would taste like banana, but you don’t taste it at all: just dark chocolaty, minty deliciousness. :-)
Best part, you can follow these Nice Cream guidelines and make just about any flavor you can think of. The options are endless. Other favorites in this house are peanut butter, a blueberry one, and if you add orange/raspberry/blueberry it tastes like sherbet.
And also tastes good with our Cappello Brownies and Cashew Cream. Watch out because it melts fast, especially if it is next to a hot brownie. :-)
Who thinks you need the breastmilk of a cow to survive? I sure did; and I loved cheese and ice cream so much I ate my weight in them several times over.
It is true that cow breastmilk has a lot of calcium and protein in it (for that growing calf), but did you know that there are many (better/healthier) ways to get calcium that don’t come from the udder of a cow? Did you ever stop to think that the reason mammals breastfeed is to grow babies (not adults)? I never did, but Boy Howdy does it rattle my brain now.
Did you know the etymology of “dairy” means female servant? It also removes you from the mental image of just what it is you’re consuming, and I’m a proponent of direct words, so this is why you’re forever going to see me bring us right back to the truth that we are the only species drinking the breastmilk of another species into adulthood.
Why should we avoid the breastmilk of a cow (and all animal products)?
Humans are supposed to be weened around 2 years of age, yet we persist with drinking the breastmilk of another animal. The protein in cow’s breastmilk is meant to double the size of a calf in about 60 days. Humans babies are supposed to double their weight in about 5 months (and not end up the size of a cow), so by continuously feeding yourself an unneeded mammalian growth slurry you are setting yourself up for a feast of diseases.
Wait, why would it give us diseases?
First, you should know that all animal products (muscle, breastmilk, embryo) contain choline. “As bacteria in your gut feast on the choline, they produce a substance called trimethylamine (TMA). Your liver takes that TMA and converts it to TMAO. “
Why’s that an issue / What’s the matter with TMAO?
“The trouble with TMAO is that data show high levels contribute to a heightened risk for clot-related events such as heart attack and stroke—even after researchers take into account the presence of conventional risk factors and markers of inflammation that might skew the results. In their most recent analysis, scientists showed that high blood levels of TMAO were associated with higher rates of premature death in a group of 2235 patients with stable coronary artery disease. Those found to have higher blood levels of TMAO had a four-fold greater risk of dying from any cause over the subsequent five years.”
You can also take a look into mTOR research so you can understand that the enzyme within that breastmilk causes cancer cells to grow (because again, breastmilk is meant to GROW OUR BABIES, adults are not supposed to be drinking it through life, and especially not some other species’ breastmilk), and when you consume animal products (whose proteins are flush with mTOR) it begins to perpetuate the growth of cancer.
In the same vein, you should look into the research surrounding IGF-1 (insulin growth factor) and how it perpetuates cancer. How? Why?
“When we consume too much animal protein, the body increases its production of a hormone called IGF-1, (insulin-like growth factor 1). IGF-1 is one of the body’s important growth promoters during fetal and childhood growth, but later in life IGF-1 promotes the aging process. Reduced IGF-1 signaling in adulthood is associated with reduced oxidative stress, decreased inflammation, enhanced insulin sensitivity and longer lifespan.4 In contrast, IGF-1 has been shown to promote the growth, proliferation and spread of cancer cells, and elevated IGF-1 levels are linked to increased risk of several cancers. Several observational studies have suggested that high circulating IGF-1 may translate into promotion of tumor growth in colon, prostate and breast tissue.5-13”
Additionally, there’s metabolic acidosis. What’s that? It’s a negative chemical reaction that happens within your body when you try to consume another species’ protein. Why? Because those animal proteins are not meant for you, your body knows this and recognizes them as a harmful, it is trying to neutralize the threat, but by doing so the stress of this back-and-forth can cause osteoporosis. This process is called metabolic acidosis.
Here’s a video that explains it perfectly and how it is causing osteoporosis and cancer. Countries with the highest milk consumption have the highest levels of osteoporosis.
If videos or the research articles highlighted above aren’t your thing, let me explain:
When animal products enter your system, they cause an acid reaction (your body is trying to kill them, because it DOESN’T WANT THEM IN IT) and this reaction is metabolic acidosis. To neutralize the acid, your body utilizes its most readily available acid buffer (calcium) and pulls it from your bones which leads to osteoporosis. You flush this all out in your urine, which leads to a direct correlation between prostate cancer and casein (cow breastmilk protein) consumption.
These animal proteins also linked to other cancers, asthma, hormonal diseases, kidney failure, and diabetes.
Hormonal diseases? But I get the kind of milk that is RGH free, so I’m good…right?
This is a great interview with Dr. Neal Barnard explaining it all in depth, but in short: estrogen is a handy little hormone that we naturally produce, and it likes to signal cells to multiply and divide. When we add high-in-estrogen-cow-breastmilk into our systems it throws our body out of balance leading to: early menstruation, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and the prostate cancer mentioned above.
Wait! How do they cause diabetes? Your body can’t process those animal fats, so they build-up and create toxic fatty breakdown products and free radicals that block the insulin-signaling process, close the 'glucose gate,' and make blood sugar levels rise.
What do our kidneys have to do with this? Again (and again, and AGAIN), your body isn’t meant to process those animal fats, so your kidneys go into overdrive trying to filter out the contaminants. Just like your endothelial cells are affected moments after you consume animal products (harming your whole cardiovascular system and leading to heart disease and dementia), your kidneys are put in the same lurch. Animal products cause “an impairment of kidney blood flow, inflammation, subsequent leakage of protein in the urine, and a rapid decrease in kidney function.”
Did you know of the environmental impacts tied to cow-breastmilk consumption? It’s right up there with the affects of raising animals to consume their flesh:
Did you know that even Canada removed dairy from its food pyramid and we have doctors here in the United States trying to do the same thing, or to at least post warnings that it is linked to cancer? Did you know that 70% of humans are lactose intolerant and that the numbers are higher in those of Asian and African descent? Did you know there are doctors out there —like Dr. Milton Mills— sounding the alarm that the American Dietary guidelines pushing milk are institutionalized racism?
If you like the taste of cow breastmilk so much you don’t care about any of the above damage and could care less about how dairy production is harming the earth (and the animals suffering to give it to you), that is your selfish choice to make, and it is my empathetic choice to keep verbally shaking you awake to the realities; because (again): ignorance is bliss until you have been informed, and then it is just willful disregard.
If you’re like us and the above information slapped you right up side the head, here are a feast of plant-based calcium sources that are as kind as they are healthy (cashews are one of those sources); and here are the simple directions to make a cashew cream and cashew queso.
The ease, breeze, and tasty nutrition of a simple plant-based breakfast: sprouted/whole-grain bread with peanut butter, homemade strawberry blueberry sauce, and an apple.
Why not eat something like eggs? See these two posts for a longer explanation (if the reasons above weren’t enough). Why not bacon or sausage? Aside from all of the information you saw above, red meats and processed meats have been listed as a carcinogen by the world health organization (based off ***800*** studies) since 2015!!!!
Leftover Lunch that is as tasty as it is healthy.
j - Cappello Chili, whole grain cornbread, queso, easy avocado, green onions.
Q - Polenta, gazpacho from his grandma Tara, queso, easy avocado, green onions.
Dinner: roasted sweet potatoes, and salads with romaine, swiss chard, green beans, yellow bell pepper, quick-pickled cabbage, quick-pickled beets (made the same way as the cabbage), and peanut sauce.
For those new to this page: Ian’s dinners often look GIGANTIC because he does intermittent fasting through his weekend days and then has a kingly dinner.
Homemade/zero-waste popcorn and “Cabins in the Wild” as the family Sunday show for the night. We love reality shows that focus on human crafting. Not only are they helpful for showing Q a feast of different things humans can do when they use their powers for good, but they can also be a sociological delight and lesson.
Nightly Reading
Plant-Based Breakfast: another sprouted/whole-grain peanut butter sandwich and this time with roasted red potatoes.
After-breakfast drawing: “It’s Beetlejuice and he’s so shocked by the sandworm that his hat flew right off!”
We did a trek to the farm up the road to buy some local corn and spotted one of our favorite farm dogs.
Friendly reminder that the cognitive dissonance between caring for a dog and not caring for that animal on your plate is absurd.
News Flash: pigs are categorically smarter than dogs, they sing to their young, they are a matriarchal species, and the way we treat them is unforgivable. Worse yet: while we are treating this species with utter contempt: we are also ruining the environment for ourselves.
Grow forward, folks! Please! (And this is coming from someone who once LOVED bacon, pulled pork, and ribs, but I WOKE UP.)
Plant-Based Lunch: polenta, romaine, swiss chard, quick-pickled cabbage, easy avocado, green onions, and peanut sauce.
Dessert: cashew cream, protein bars made out of the same ingredients as the cashew cream cake crust (just doubled the ingredients and added a little peanut butter), banana, and some homemade berry sauce.
Nature fun.
We have a larger compost receptacle in our backyard, but this blue bin is where we collect stuff until we want to bring it to the bigger pile. Q came running in to tell me that he couldn’t put the banana peel inside because there was a fuzzy caterpillar, “And I know those are the ones I should ask before touching!” We sorted out that it was a safe one, but it was so pretty he wanted to share the experience with Ian. <3
Like my father had me do schoolwork through the summer, I do the same with Q. He continues to chug through his reading/writing book.
“This is the face I was trying to convey on the man. Like he was really REALLY excited. It was tricky getting the lines on the face right, though.” <3
That same elated face is what I was rolling through (along with squealing) when I saw that one of my heroes (Dr Dean Ornish) shared my Sunday Song Day post.
Who are the people that are inspiring you and lighting you forward? For me it is our leading health professionals and environmentalists. People who are waking us up to the imperatives of living as healthfully and kindly as we can in the brief time we have on this earth. (And for what it’s worth, he’s one of the souls that inspired Beyonce to go plant-based, and she’s one of the voices hailing him on the back on his amazing book “Undo It”.)
What are you doing with this short, precious spell? Are you making the word better? Are you trying to protect the environment for the species and souls in your wake? Are you spreading light or destruction?
Summer-Time Plant-Based Family Feasting: fresh corn on the cob, roasted red potatoes, ruby kraut, and cucumber/tomato salads.
Nightly Reading
Plant-Based Breakfast: another sprouted/whole-grain peanut butter sandwich (he’s been requesting them daily) and this time with a kiwi and some cashew cream.
This goes on all day, every day and I forget to photograph it because I’m usually dancing too.
How do we fit in the all-important cardio breaks into our busy days? We dance to songs Q’s jamming on (currently it is the Little Shop of Horrors soundtrack ALL THE TIME :-D) and throw in weights for added resistance. We follow Lifestyle Medicine Guidelines over here, so our days are focused on eating well, physical activity, loving the heck out of eachother, avoiding stress (AS WELL AS I CAN), and getting a good night’s sleep.
Taco / Tostada Tuesday!
Refried black beans, queso, corn shaved off a cob, chopped romaine, ruby kraut, and hot sauce.
Another day of Q’s delayed gratification amazing me: he always chooses one taco to be “extra special” by requesting that it have queso, and to leave the other one, “a little less exciting, so that it is all the better when I get to the one with the queso.”
I don’t have his dicipline. Both mine are slathered in cashew queso, but I love the heck out of his serious soul.
Mine: I like open-faced hard-shell tacos covered in toppings, like a big messy plate of tostada. So filling, so fibrous, SO DANG TASTY.
Dessert: cashew cream, protein bars made out of the same ingredients as the cashew cream cake crust (just doubled the ingredients and added a little peanut butter), banana, some homemade berry sauce, and kiwi.
Homeschooling a sci-fi enthusiast. :-)
The sweet side of my spooktacular cub: a letter he sent to his dear friend Aria (whose grandma’s dog had just passed away.)
Plant-Based Family Feasting: roasted red potatoes, corn on the cob, lentil loaf, and side salads.
Romaine, swiss chard, beet greens, green beans, yellow bell pepper, quick-pickled beets (made the same way as the cabbage), shiitake mushrooms, and Q’s Sesame Dressing.
Here’s how every evening ends with these two. Sometimes I wonder if it appears I’m removed from all this joy, but my documentation flare has always centered around a deep appreciation for the preciousness of this short life. With these two I feel downright saturated in it. I document it, because that’s always been passion of mine. Not only do we enjoy looking back on many of these memories, but my aim is to keep them for my forever-imaging-something-else son so he can look back on them and remember how much love was crammed into his childhood.
They do this running-jumping-catching thing, it ends with hugs and kisses from all, and then I get to snuggle up next to Q and read to him. Love abounds in this house and I wish you all the same.
Nightly Reading
What’s the most impactful thing you can do as an individual to help your kin, community, millions of species, and planet? Transition as plant-based as possible.🌎♥️
Why? Plant-Based foods are environmentally imperative 🌎. They also promote ideal health💪 (which takes stress off our overburdened health care system), are inexpensive🙌, delicious🤤, & compassionate. 💕
Why imperative, though? 🤔We’re approaching (& have crossed) climate tipping points that will doom our kin & millions of other species. 😱📣Reducing/eliminating animal products is the *most impactful thing an individual can do* to prevent worse. 🌎🔥
Why? Animal Agriculture creates more emissions than the entire transportation sector combined, it’s tied to water waste/loss/pollution (<-- freshwater is our most precious resource💧), land loss/deforestation (<-- exacerbates climate change by reducing our ability to sequester carbon🔥🌎), ocean acidification (<-- FYI 50-85% of earth’s oxygen originates from oceanic plankton🌊) & vast species loss/extinction/suffering💔📣🌎
Plus, consuming animal products is tied to increased risk of cardiovascular disease❤️🩹, diabetes👎, cancer👎, and chronic disease👎; whereas Plant-Based feasting is linked to preventing/reversing some of our most common diseases (<— like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer); plus it promotes ideal health & robust strength (ie Olympians, Weightlifters, Endurance Athletes are thriving via PBWFs too). 🎉🙌♥️
What organizations are promoting plant-based diets for best health and environmental stability? National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, Yale, the United Nations, Harvard School of Health, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, National Kidney Foundation, even the Parkinson’s Foundation.
We’re all overwhelmed in one way or another, but for the sake of our kin (and the millions of species we share this planet with) we need to start pivoting forward. As someone who once rarely ate green things & used to eat animal products at every meal, I can assure you that is possible, affordable, enjoyable, & purposeful to pivot Plant-Based. In fact, our whole family is now healthier/stronger than ever. 🙌♥️
Anecdotally, our son had failure-to-thrive, was also plagued with perpetual ear-infections/sinus-infections, and had an omnipresent runny nose. What was he eating? Grass-fed milk, organic/antibiotic-free/grass-fed/local meats, eggs from organic-fed/well-loved chickens from a neighbor, every meal came with vegetables, and we limited junkfood. He was healed via a plant-based diet: he’s launched out of that diagnosis and the last time he had a sinus-infection (or was sick at all) was in 2019 when he had some cheese at a school Christmas party. Before shifting to PBWF’s he was sick every month, and how he’s a robust, vital, thriving kiddo. 🙌🎉♥️
If you think any of the above sounds over-reached/absurd/impossible, please go read the links above. I understand the inclination to hackle-raise (<—because I was once totally there) but the science is clear: any step we make forward is imperative (<—and again “STEPS” is the focus. Don’t leap, just start making steps!). It’s as simple as starting with one meal a week and growing from there.💕
We have the ability (deliciously, healthfully, kindly, inexpensively) to *preserve/protect* the planet we share with millions of species & our kin. How are we going to use that power today?✌️🤟🖖
