Why I created organic flax milk…
When trying to start a family, I tried many different things… I eventually ended up at a functional medicine doctor who suggested I eliminate major allergens from my diet: diary, nuts, gluten, soy, & eggs. All things that could be leading to unwanted inflammation. “What milk do I drink,” I wondered?
I roamed the aisles at my local grocery stores looking for a clean option. I wanted everything I consumed to be organic, non-gmo and as clean as possible. All the products I came across were filled with allergens, and came from plants that were loaded with toxic pesticides like glyphosate. There had to be a better way. I didn’t want these inflammatory, carcinogenic products going into my body, especially while working on getting pregnant.
Then while driving in the car one day, the idea struck me. What if I make milk from flaxseeds? I’ve always loved flax. I’d add it to smoothies, oatmeal or cookies, constantly looking to up my superfood, fiber and protein intake. I went home that day and pulled out my blender and started playing with a few simple, clean ingredients: namely flaxseed, water, Himalayan salt, and organic cinnamon powder. I was getting an incredibly creamy, yummy milk like drink.
The wonderful thing about flaxseeds is that not only are they an ancient superfood known for their healing properties but they are also sustainable. Flax is linked to weight loss, improved digestion, lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol and more.
Then I became hyper curious. Were there other people like me, disenchanted with the options available. How could almond milk and oat milk be our best options? Almonds are depleting our natural resources (water and bees) and both almond trees and oat crops are covered in glyphosate – a toxic pesticide linked to cancer. I sent a survey out to everyone I know and I realized there were a ton of people looking for a better option. So, I took the dive and created Malibu Mylk in the summer of 2018.
It was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. Sure, I knew about food, but I knew nothing about consumer-packaged goods or manufacturing. I took money I had been saving up for years and poured it into my idea. I went to networking events. I asked questions. I listened. I asked for help. Sometimes I got it, sometimes I didn’t.
I took huge risks. I found a manufacturer and begged them for line time, begged them to give me a chance. They gave me a date then pushed it back, a week, two weeks, two months. I waited and waited and wondered if I would ever actually have a real product on the shelf.
Finally, the manufacturer called – they had room for me to run my product at 10pm on a weekend. I took it. I had no choice. I sat in the huge facility in the freezing cold for what felt like an eternity, watching as their equipment spun thousands of gallons of my milk. It was a moment of excitement and utter terror. How on earth was I going to sell all this freaking milk?!
January rolled around and Erewhon launched my milk at their stores around Los Angeles. Next, was Whole Foods. Product hit shelves on my birthday in February of 2019. It was a birthday gift I will never forget. But little did I know the work was just beginning.
Trying to spread the word about what I believe to be the world’s healthiest milk hasn’t been easy. Especially, when flax is something more niche that not everyone is familiar with. There are constant up and downs. But, I am so proud to be producing a product that not only great for our environment but also good for my family. It’s funny because I created Malibu Mylk when working on start my family and now my son’s favorite thing on earth is his Malibu Mylk smoothie. I know I am doing a tiny part in improving the health of others and the health of our planet with a more sustainable choice.
The wonderful thing about flaxseeds is that not only are they an ancient superfood known for their healing properties but they are also sustainable. Flax is linked to weight loss, improved digestion, lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol and more.
Then I became hyper curious. Were there other people like me, disenchanted with the options available. How could almond milk and oat milk be our best options? Almonds are depleting our natural resources (water and bees) and both almond trees and oat crops are covered in glyphosate – a toxic pesticide linked to cancer. I sent a survey out to everyone I know and I realized there were a ton of people looking for a better option. So, I took the dive and created Malibu Mylk in the summer of 2018.
It was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. Sure, I knew about food, but I knew nothing about consumer-packaged goods or manufacturing. I took money I had been saving up for years and poured it into my idea. I went to networking events. I asked questions. I listened. I asked for help. Sometimes I got it, sometimes I didn’t.
I took huge risks. I found a manufacturer and begged them for line time, begged them to give me a chance. They gave me a date then pushed it back, a week, two weeks, two months. I waited and waited and wondered if I would ever actually have a real product on the shelf.
Finally, the manufacturer called – they had room for me to run my product at 10pm on a weekend. I took it. I had no choice. I sat in the huge facility in the freezing cold for what felt like an eternity, watching as their equipment spun thousands of gallons of my milk. It was a moment of excitement and utter terror. How on earth was I going to sell all this freaking milk?!
January rolled around and Erewhon launched my milk at their stores around Los Angeles. Next, was Whole Foods. Product hit shelves on my birthday in February of 2019. It was a birthday gift I will never forget. But little did I know the work was just beginning.
Trying to spread the word about what I believe to be the world’s healthiest milk hasn’t been easy. Especially, when flax is something more niche that not everyone is familiar with. There are constant up and downs. But, I am so proud to be producing a product that not only great for our environment but also good for my family. It’s funny because I created Malibu Mylk when working on start my family and now my son’s favorite thing on earth is his Malibu Mylk smoothie. I know I am doing a tiny part in improving the health of others and the health of our planet with a more sustainable choice.