Member-only story
My Uncle Gave Me Almond Milk
What he taught me about being healthy and staying active
My mother’s younger brother lived in Montreal. I grew up in New York City. Once my parents got a car, in 1980, when I was in junior high, we’d road trip at least once a year to see my uncle.
We typically did this in the fall, when we could drive through New England when the foliage shimmered in vibrant shades from scarlet to gold.
Prior to our getting a car, my uncle would visit us in his red Ford Mustang which he drove substantially over the speed limit. Once he took us back with him to Montreal and then back home a few days later.
While we were with my uncle, he fed us things we’d never tried before, like almond milk.
My uncle made this himself. I vaguely remember helping him “skin” the almonds after they had soaked overnight. The skins were thrown away and the almonds were then blended with a few dates and then strained through a cloth.
I thought this was delicious and would drink as much as he let me.
He also made me omelets.
My parents were Indian vegetarians. They ate yogurt and cooked with ghee but did not eat eggs.
