Make your own almond milk!

No, almonds aren't made of milk, not the kind that comes from cows, anyway. But they can still be milked!
Maybe you've never heard of almond milk. Similar to the color and creaminess of cow's milk, it's a dairy-free drink made from ground almonds, then sweetened and/or flavored with vanilla or chocolate, even maple or cinnamon. The almonds are first soaked to extract their flavor and make them easier to grind. It's a tasty addition to smoothies, coffee or cereal, and drinking it plain is just as good!
Almond milk provides the same nutrients almonds do, including magnesium, potassium and iron. It does not, however, provide the same nutrients as cow's milk, so don't think you're getting those if you replace cow's milk with almond milk.
Homemade almond milk is a bit more expensive to make than store-bought. This recipe rings in at about $2.69 to make one quart. Store-bought usually ranges from about $2.50 to $3 for a half gallon. Of course, you do have leftover almond bits that you can eat when you make the homemade kind, so the drink itself doesn't cost the entire $2.69. Another plus is that homemade has much fewer preservatives in it than store-bought. The ingredients going into this drink are simple - almonds, honey and vanilla, which have little to no preservatives in them already. The fewer, the better for you body!
Vanilla almond milk is the most common type and probably the most versatile. You could replace the vanilla with maple flavoring or even one tablespoon of coffee creamer. You could try adding cocoa powder or cinnamon for a twist.

VANILLA ALMOND MILK

1 c. whole, raw almonds
4 c. water
1/4 c. honey
1 tsp. vanilla

Place almonds in water for two to four hours, up to eight hours. After soaking, put both in a blender, adding the honey and vanilla. Blend for 60 seconds.
Place a piece of cheesecloth over the top of a glass or bowl to strain the mixture. Pour the mixture into it so the cloth catches the bits of almonds. Reserve these bits - they're perfect for adding to oatmeal, cereal, cookies or granola. Keep the liquid for your delightful drink!

Total cost: $2.69
Cost per serving (including almond bits): $0.67

Nutrition facts: N/A

Peanut butter, bananas and chocolate: A powerful combo

As good as they are for you, drinks made with protein powder often taste kind of funky. The other ingredients in this protein shake cover up the off taste of the powder. This shake is great to have at the end of a workout. It's packed with protein - 40 grams, if you use milk - for muscle recovery, as well as a multitude of vitamins and minerals to keep your body functioning at its highest level. And the best part? It tastes exactly like a chocolate milkshake.
Recipe courtesy of Jane Funk.

PROTEIN SHAKE

1 serving protein powder - vanilla or chocolate
1 T. sugar-free chocolate pudding powder
2 T. PB2 (peanut butter in powdered form)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. milk or water
1 banana
Ice

Blend all ingredients together.

Attention strawberry-lovers!

Many smoothies include bananas to add flavor and thickness. But sometimes the banana flavor is just too much! This one uses yogurt to make it creamy instead, and without bananas, it keeps all of its fruity strawberry flavor. Coffee creamer gives it an extra flavor kick, and honey adds a warm zing to the concoction. Strawberry-lovers, this is your drink.

STRAWBERRIES 'N' CREAM DREAM 

2/3 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. milk
1 6-oz. container vanilla yogurt
1 T. strawberry syrup
1 T. honey
2 tsp vanilla coffee creamer
3 ice cubes
Whipped cream, Cool Whip or Reddi-Whip

Combine the first seven ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Top with cream.