Let’s first talk about this Paleo stuff happening around here. You may have noticed I have been cooking more Paleo and Primal dishes lately.
A couple of months ago I read Wheat Belly and it really impacted me. Finding out that the modern-day wheat, EVEN Organic, is essentially a GMO food source was pretty disturbing. I am all for everything in moderation but this was something I considered a “health food”.
So, for the last couple of months we have been eating 60 to 70% of our meals Grain Free. After some serious conversations around the house, we decided to embark on the Whole30.
The #Whole30 is basically a 30-day nutritional reset where you completely eliminate all processed foods, sugars, grains, beans, dairy, alcohol and excessive caffeine consumption.
Sounds pretty restrictive but if you think about it, it’s really like a cleanse. I like to do a Spring cleanse every year anyway so this is just a more advanced version if you will.
Since we already eat pretty clean, I don’t think this is going to be as difficult of a jump (except for maybe the wine – gasp!) but I am really interested to see what, if any, impact the elimination of certain foods I’ve always considered “health foods” will have on allergies, dry skin, congestion, etc. I’ll keep you guys posted!
In the meantime, I started playing with a version of Paleo Coffee Creamer in early March right after I saw Brandon from Kitchen Konfidence post his.
I really enjoyed his but the whole raw egg in there left me with a funky aftertaste. Plus, I really wanted something a bit more mild in taste and calories than the coconut milk.
I am really happy with this version. Not only is it easy to make but Vegan, Sugar-Free and ONLY 1 Weight Watchers Point Plus Per 3-Tablespoon Serving.
At this point, we will continue with this as our coffee creamer even after the Whole30 is over. I am pretty excited about it since that means we will save money on store-bought coffee creamer and eliminate the additives and sugar that are found in them!
MORE PALEO COFFEE RECIPES
NOTES:
- If you do not have a high-speed blender (like a Blendtec or Vitamix), you can make this using a food processor. After processing dates and water, strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any large date pieces. Continue to follow the instructions below.
- Note that Medjool dates can range in size.
- The sweetness of the creamer can also vary depending on the size of the dates.
- If your dates are on the drier side, let them soak longer than 15 minutes.
- This lasts for up to a week in a covered container in the refrigerator.
- I have found that this creamer can slightly separate if you pour it into very hot beverages. Slightly cooled is best but clearly not always possible!
Inspired By: Date Creamer from Kitchen Konfidence
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Paleo Coffee Creamer Recipe. Vegan, Sugar-Free.
- 6 to 8 large Medjool dates (1/2 cup total pitted and chopped) + 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 1/2 cups plain unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil melted
- 2 teaspoons tapioca flour + 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
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Remove the pits from the dates and coarsely chop into smaller pieces.
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Fill a measuring cup with 1/2 cup of boiling water and place the chopped dates in there to soak. Allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes (more if they are on the hard side).
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Place dates and soaking water in high speed blender (if you don't have a high-speed blender see NOTES for alternate instructions) and process until liquefied. I used the "Whole Juice" button on the Blendtec.
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Add almond milk, vanilla and salt. Pulse a couple of times until well mixed.
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Next, add in coconut oil and pulse until well mixed.Mix tapioca flour and cold water in a small dish.
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Pour into blender and pulse a couple of times.
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Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Note that the creamer thickens as it cools.
Individual Serving Size is 3 Tablespoons -- Makes 40 Tablespoons or 13 Servings (2 1/2 Cups)
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
Mr. & Mrs. P says
This is interesting!! Will share this with my friends on paleo
EverydayMaven says
Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl says
I am on the verge of going Paleo… Need to follow through. My question is what is the shelf life of this creamer? I definately would like to make it, but I only have creamer in my coffee after dinner kind of like a dessert drink for me.
EverydayMaven says
Hi Cheryl,
It lasts about a week but you could easily halve the recipe and start out with a half batch!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
Wow I had no idea! No I really want to buy a copy of that book. The creamer sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing Alyssa!
EverydayMaven says
Absolutely Nancy! It was pretty eye-opening for me!
Pam says
I am so happy you read Wheat Belly. I have been gluten free for about 5 years and feel so much better. Thanks for new ways to cook for us non-gluten folks.
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Pam 🙂
Chris says
I have not read Wheat Belly, but I do know that there is no GMO wheat – period. There are wheat farmers in my family that confirm this – they couldn’t buy GMO wheat seed if they wanted to. Please see http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/22.genetically_modified_wheat.html. This is a site that tracks GMO foods of all types.
EverydayMaven says
Hi Chris!
That is a great link.
While you are right that modern wheat is not technically a GMO food – it is (in my opinion) essentially the same. http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/02/wheat-is-not-genetically-modified/ Continued hybridization has caused modern wheat to evolve into something very different than not only it’s ancestors but any foods we have ever had in our food system before.
The closer I look at MODERN WHEAT, the more I am inclined to pick foods that are not made from it. Does that mean I will never eat it again? Not likely. We are not celiac and can eat whatever we want in moderation. But, with more information, we can make better choices.
Thanks for your comment!
Michele West says
Do you make your own almond milk? I’ve yet to try that and I cannot find anything on the shelves that is Whole 30 compliant. I’m about to jump in to round two on Sunday. I made it day 20 last time;)
EverydayMaven says
I have been buying Organic 365 Brand (Unsweetened, Plain) since it is Carrageenan free. I have tried making my own and it’s not very hard at all but we go through A LOT of it (with my son) so I like to have both options.
Paula @CeliacCorner says
I am so glad you mentioned Organic 365 Brand of Almond milk being Carrageenan free … I’ve been looking for a C-free option! Love this recipe for DIY creamer! p.s. Thank you again for being our featured food blogger for the month of April!
EverydayMaven says
I know right? I used to used Almond Breeze until I discovered the Carrageenan issue. so many of them have it in there – even the organic 🙁
Amy says
This is pure genius!! And the solution to my biggest dilemma! Tapioca flour can be found at Whole Foods? All grains & beans are GMO?!?! I can’t take it anymore! Beans are a huge staple for me and the kids!
Amy says
Oh good! I was worried about the beans! The ancient grains I have heard about. I’ll have to try them. Can’t wait to try this creamer! xo
Joanne says
I’ve definitely been including more gluten-free meals in our diet which is probably as close as I’m going to get to paleo (I know they’re not the same but it would be a bit too stressful for me to be a paleo vegetarian!). I love the sound of this creamer…DIY definitely sounds better to me than storebought!
EverydayMaven says
I have often wondered how Paleo Vegetarians do it Joanne – it does seem so limiting!
LeAna says
Have really loved your paleo recipes and appreciate the low ww points options you provide. We have been slowly making the transition to paleo but Dairy has been difficult to remove – my boys including hubby love their greek yogurt.
EverydayMaven says
Dairy is really hard to give up LeAna. I am not a big yogurt eater but I love cheese!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
This is brilliant!!!! I need to read that book.
EverydayMaven says
It’s a really great book!