I have never liked dairy milk. The truth is, it grosses me out. Ever since I was a child I always viewed milk as something babies drank during the nursing process and something human adults drank because of some strange twist of fate when one day, someone was bored, looked at a cow’s teets and said to himself:

“Ya know what I’m gonna do?? I’m gonna go over there, bend down and start yanking at those hanging thingies- and whatever comes out- I’m gonna drink it!”

This simply seems to me to be proof that the triple-dog-dare was invented long before my time.

But other than that, I have been doing lots of research about dairy milk and have found some very interesting facts that are usually kept quiet probably due to the fact that the dairy industry is so huge and profitable.

“The majority of people—about three-quarters of the world’s human population—are lactose intolerant: that is, they genetically lack the enzymes needed to break lactose down into the simpler forms of glucose and galactose and thus absorb these sugars into the bloodstream. (1) As a result, drinking milk or consuming dairy products causes these individuals to experience gastrointestinal pains, indigestion, gas, diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms.”

“Forty years ago, it was widely believed that almost everyone possessed the enzymes needed to digest lactose, but research done in the mid-1960s and afterward confirmed that most humans lose them after being weaned (usually between the ages of two and five). Studies since then have shown that significant numbers of many racial and ethnic groups (approximately 90% of Asians, 70% of African Americans, 50-80% of Latinos, and so on) are lactose intolerant. (2-5) Those who retain the ability to digest lactose beyond early childhood (i.e., about 85% of Caucasians and much smaller fractions of other racial groups) are only able to do so because of an inherited genetic mutation. (6)

Even though about one-quarter of adults in the U.S. are lactose intolerant (1), the federal dietary guidelines used as the basis for all public nutritional programs (such as subsidized school lunch plans) recommend two to three 8-oz. servings of milk a day. Disclaimers about lactose intolerance notwithstanding, such recommendations give the false impression that milk is a necessary part of a healthy diet when in fact it is making people sick. Unfortunately, as a result of the shared economic interests of federal agencies and the dairy industry, government policy continues to reflect the cultural and racial prejudices of bygone eras rather than sound science.”

Coca-Cola anyone? That’s exactly what this reminds me of. You remember how there used to be cocaine in Coca-Cola? I feel like some truths will be revealed within the near future to bring some facts to the forefront.

I just stick to soy milk anyways, not just because of my aversion to dairy milk, but because as I have said before-

Farting ain’t sexy.

There are some words that draw instant meanings to my mind.

Like:

Beautiful

Love

Anger

Pretty

These things have a specific feeling that has been embedded within me.

I don’t know when I started doing this, but I go to Google Images, type in one of these words and look at the first result to see what one of the visually agreed upon definition is. I almost am in awe of how different it is from mine, but how much I still agree with the picture presented. Try it sometime… think of a strong word, Google an image, and discover something new.

Beautiful

Love

Anger

Pretty

Did you know:

Most appliances- VCRs, DVD players, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances- use power even when they are switched off? For the average home 75% of the electricity used to power home appliances is used while the products are not in use and turned off.

Easy solution:

Unplug appliances or use a power strip with a switch to shut off the flow of electricity.
Mother earth will thank you.

The 8th Continent to me is a place that is created through mind frames and decisions that can easily be made every day in your life.
Throughout all of my travels and the people I have met and the challenges I have faced; I have learned a few tips on how to get to your own 8th Continent.
These simple steps and tips seem obvious, but the major difference is when you take time out to concentrate on each of these goals.
Which ones are you doing?

8 Easy Steps to Getting to Your 8th Continent

1. No matter how grown-up you get, never lose your childish sense of wonder.

2. I have heard people say “Any decision is better than no decision.” I highly disagree. However I do believe the right decision is most commonly obvious, we are just clouding our judgments with “what if?”s Never make any decision based on fear and you will be able to see which path is best for you.

3. What’s better than someone buying you flowers? Buying yourself flowers… or even better, planting something that will bring you flowers for months or even years to come. You deserve it.
4. Don’t compare yourself with others.

5. Learn from the past, but live in the moment.

6. Don’t beat yourself up. There are way too many other people out there that will try to take it upon themselves to bring you down. Appreciate yourself and if you happen to misstep- know that will always happen when you are hiking through paths of life. Learn from it, heal after it, and move ahead of it.

7. Give away what you don’t need to someone who does.

8. Always keep learning. Better an apprentice at the age of 95, than a master at the age of 20. There is always more to know, more to learn. Always remain an apprentice.

These are my eight steps to getting to your own 8th Continent.

3 tbsp cooked white rice
1 cup 8th Continent soy milk
1.5 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp sugar
sprinkle cinnamon
1/8 tsp vanilla

Stir all ingredients in a blender until well blended and frothy. serve warm or over ice.

You can decorate with sprinkles of cinnamon and serve!

Horchata is a  creamy cinnamon-spiked beverage that is a perfect balance to any spicy Mexican meal and an awesome drink as a summer pick-me-up!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 12