Having had a ton of tests recently due to a number of issues, I have had to completely rethink my diet! From cereals to vegetables, there is a lot I now can’t consume and I won’t lie it has been really hard to adapt to the changes! Especially when it came to milk! Thankfully, the amazing Califia Farms team were able to help me!

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Late last year, I was sent by my doctor to go and have a number of allergy tests. After suffering from terrible bloating, stomach aches and various other allergy type reactions, they did a skin prick test up and down both arms and found that I was allergic to a lot of foods that I did not know about. 

From nuts to milk, everything was affecting me in one way or another, which caused me to have to rethink my whole diet. Something that is not easy when suffering from an eating disorder. Yet, with the help of a lot of research and guidance from my mum, I have been able to adapt and embrace a number of new products into my life. 

One area that we really had to look into was milk. Upon getting the results from the test, they found that one of the reasons I was getting such bad stomach aches was because I was allergic to the lactose within dairy products. Instantly, I knew that I would have to switch up what I was drinking or having on my cereal, so I started seeking out brands and other formulas that could help prevent the issues, whilst also not flaring up my IBS. 

This led to me asking for help, which was where the wonderful team at Califia Farms stepped in. Making a number of amazing products, from Barista to Organic blends, the alternative milk producers are lining our supermarkets with wonderful items that the whole family can enjoy. Therefore, when they kindly offered to send me some samples, I couldn’t wait to give them a go. 

Sending out two of their best-selling products, I opened the parcel from them to find a carton of each of their Organic Oat and Organic Almond milks. As someone with a nut allergy, I knew that I would not be able to enjoy the almond blend, however, my mum was happy to test it, as she knew that it can go really frothy in coffee. 

Putting the almond one to the test right away, as she was in the kitchen brewing up when they arrived, she poured it into her milk frother to heat up, as the normal kettle boiled. In a matter of seconds, she had the right consistency to make up a latte. Pouring it into her mug, she gave it a quick stir before taking a sip. 

Made up of only water, sea salt and almonds, with no other additives, she was happy to report that the milk was perfect. Not too sweet like the other ones she had tried, she stated that the nuttiness really brought out the notes within the coffee, making it taste richer and more powerful on the tongue. She was happy to state how perfect it would be in a coffee and walnut cake, as an alternative to normal liquids within it, whilst also stating that it didn’t leave her feeling bloated either, which she sometimes gets with normal milk. 

Using it for the rest of the week in her normal coffees, she loved the richness it brought to every drink. She confidently told me day after day that she would buy it again. Something I was a little shocked at, as I don’t think she had ever really tried almond milk before, yet her happiness with it and the security she found from Califia Farms mixture spurred me on to try the oat milk. 

I have to admit that I haven’t really tried oat milk before. I have heard how nice and sweet it can be, especially when used in drinks and as an alternative to water and normal milk for cereals and porridge, however, I have never been brave enough to give it a go. After researching what people thought of the Califia Farms type though, I felt safe and reassured that I was going to get an amazing first taste though. 

Pouring a mug of it out, I popped it into the microwave to warm up, before having it alongside my new favourite breakfast of choice, Weetabix. A few minutes later, it was boiling hot and perfect for me to pour. Instantly I could see that it had a rich colour to it, compared to the normal white milk I had been having, which came from the three ingredients it is made out of. 

Again using only water, sea salt and oats, it has no nasty added elements to it, which I could tell right away after taking my first sip. It was like a delicious cup of all the best bits from a flapjack batch or porridge mixture. A part of me wanted to add a dash of honey to it, as I could tell that it would make for a deliciously rich and warming drink that even in the height of summer you would want to enjoy. 

Soaking into the Weetabix, the oat milk gave it an added taste that was light, sweet but perfect for the whole experience. As someone who has never been sure about oat milk, the Califia Farms one made me feel so much better about what I could now enjoy instead of the normal kind, without being left in pain. There was only things to gain from them, 

Overall, both myself and my mum were amazed at the beautiful, rich and sweet tastes of the natural blends that Califia Farms has made. They enriched not only our foods but also our drinks and led to real taste explosions within our mouths. 

As we continue on our journey to find things that are safe for me to eat, I am reassured that I can always turn to them for healthy, good quality, products that we can both enjoy. If you would like to find out more about Califia Farms lovelies, head to their website or look out for them in your local supermarkets now lovelies. They are simply too good to miss out on!

Joey X