my non-dairy, coconut milk soyshake brings all the boys to the yard

it's been 53 days since i've consumed dairy and i've felt every one of them.  i've known that i am lactose intolerant for years but have always taken lactaid pills and avoided crazy amounts of dairy.  well, that stopped working and the tummy aches became unbearable, so after a bit of research i discovered that if i allow my body time to rebuild the enzymes necessary to break down lactose that i may be able to enjoy it again in moderation.  so i have committed to 1 year with no dairy to see if it works.  so far i've been feeling great, no stomach pain and actually a lot more energy (haha! although i don't think i lack any of it to begin with).

that was always my problem with dairy: moderation. i love milk and cheese! i used to drink a gallon of milk in 2 days by myself (maybe that's why i'm 8' 4"?), and don't even get me started on ice cream!!! this dietary modification means i had to end things with my boyfriends, ben and jerry and now find myself daydreaming of a soft serve vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles on a regular basis.  it's gotten pretty bad.  i don't know if i can make you dairy-eaters out there understand.  let me put it to you this way, if i had to choose between ryan reynolds showing up at my door without a shirt on ,or someone holding a grilled cheese sandwich and thick, chocolate milkshake, i'd have to think for a second. now, ryan reynolds showing up at my door WITH a grilled cheese and chocolate milkshake? um, that's fodder for another blog post all together.

i will be the first to admit that i am shocked at how disciplined i've been since making this decision.  i am also shocked by how dairy seems to be in everything!  i have switched to soy milk and coconut milk and even made myself a pretty slammin' pseudo-milkshake using chocolate soy milk and chocolate coconut milk "frozen dessert."  on the other hand, i tried soy cheese pizza and dry-heaved a bit it was so gross.   it was the same with soy yogurt (*puke*).  it's been a bunch of (albeit, very expensive) trial and error and although i can find alternatives, there really isn't a substitute for the real thing.  i'm not giving up though.  i will continue to live in the absence of dairy for another 312 days in hopes that it will make a difference.  

can anyone recommend any acceptable alternatives to lactaid-laden products out there?

that's right kelis, rub it in! i know how the boys feel.