I always love Martha Rose Schulman's simple recipes combining a few great ingredients for a healthy meal. This smoothie recipe is a perfect example–and great motivation to do what I've been meaning to do for awhile now: Make my own almond milk. Schulman prefers the homemade for taste, but there's a health benefit. Most every type of store-bought almond milk I encounter contains carageenan, an ingredient derived from seaweed that has been shown to cause inflammation. Additionally, the site of Andrew Weil, MD, DrWeil.com, mentions a study that linked the ingredient to pre-diabetic conditions. And the use of dates further sweetens the deal (pun intended), which I also want to use more often since they are high in fiber but a lower-calorie and carb alternative to honey, which I usually put in my smoothies. The only addition I might make is adding some raw cacao nibs. Have you made your own almond milk? Any tips or tricks? Tell us in the comments below.

Date Smoothie With Brown Rice and Almond Milk
September 14, 2016