Making Yogurt

There are many things that I would like to be able to make from scratch that I never get around to trying. Sometimes it's fear that I'll mess it up and then waste a bunch of stuff, sometimes it's the time factor. I make most of our meals from scratch but rely on some bought items to make them that I COULD make on my own, but choose not to.


One of those things is yogurt. I really love yogurt, the full-fat kind, not the low fat stuff that I think tastes like nothing. My favorite store-bought brand is Brown Cow because it comes with the cream on the top that you mix in. I normally buy flavored kinds but my kids actually love plain yogurt. That grosses me out somewhat, but it's better since it's not sweetened. They like vanilla too but will go for just plain.


So, since we eat a lot of yogurt, I was calculating how much I spend on yogurt a week. It's anywhere from 10-15 dollars, depending how much we buy. That probably sounds like a lot to you, but organic yogurt is more expensive, we eat a lot of it, and we often use it for smoothies in the morning.


So then I calculated how much it would cost to make my own. If I make it from the raw milk we buy, and I use a half gallon of milk, it would cost me less than 4 dollars. That's a big difference!! So I decided to give it a try!


I have to admit, I was a little nervous but I've heard from a lot of people that it is so easy. I sat down and read a few different ways that you can make it and combined them and picked the way that sounded easiest for me. Here's what to do!


1. Heat 4 cups of milk (or 8) if you want more in a large pot on the stove to 180 degrees. This is just before the boiling point when little bubbles form around the edges. If you have a thermometer, it's best to stick it in the milk to check the temperature.


2. Remove from heat and cool milk down to 110 degrees. Mix 1/4-1/3 store-bought plain yogurt with a cup of warm milk OR mix one pack yogurt starter with a little warm milk (for 8 cups, double the starter or yogurt). Add the mixed yogurt to the entire batch and stir together.


3. Pour into a GLASS container and loosely put the lid on. I used an old jar that used to be filled with coconut oil.


4. Fill a cooler part-way with warm water, but not over the top of the jar.


5. Close the lid of the cooler and let it sit for 4-7 hours. Check on it occasionally to see if the yogurt has formed and to make sure the water is warm.


THAT'S IT!! Amazingly simple. The prep part took 10-15 minutes. For me, it was about 7 hours until the yogurt formed. The result is slightly more runny than store bought yogurt and even though it's plain, it's just a touch sweeter than store bought plain. And maybe that was just the milk I used. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup, fruit, or granola. Delicious! And really, it was very easy!


Anybody up for it?

Does Your Spouse Rock?

I don't know about you, but my husband rocks!

He really does.

Yes, I wish that he could go to the grocery store and get everything on the list exactly right. And yes, sometimes the clothing on the bedroom floor becomes a small mountain.

But those are such small things. My husband loves the Lord, and our family and does all kinds of amazing things for us. He's such a blessing to us and I'm thankful for him in my life.

If you feel the same about your spouse, let him/her know it. AND, tell the rest of the world!

Check out frommetees.com for all kinds of stylish tees that promote marriage. In this world, anything that promotes marriage in a good light is a fantastic thing. We both have one and get some interesting comments and looks when we wear them (not at the same time, of course. That would be way too cheesy).

So celebrate your spouse in style! Maybe even in time to show them how much you love them this weekend!

For the Love of Chocolate

Who doesn't love chocolate, right?

I certainly do and don't usually deny myself when I'm really wanting some. Sometimes it seems like there's nothing like chocolate when you want something sweet or are trying to beat the blues.

While we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way around here, it does make me start thinking about chocolate. Mmmmmm... And I'm a believer in "the right kind of chocolate is A-OK in moderation!"

Chocolate gets a bad rap most of the time. And yes, most chocolate is very processed, full of added sugar and other bad stuff so that most of the chocolate you buy is not very close to the original form. Dark chocolate, my absolute fave, is full of antioxidants, that help fight disease and aging. Chocolate can calm stress (ah...thank goodness) and help with blood flow. If you buy organic chocolate bars, which you could probably find in the organic section of your grocery store, get ready for a treat. Ooohhh, it's so good! And would probably have you saying good-bye to Hershey kisses.

When I buy actual chocolate bars, which is pretty rare, I'm rather fond of fair trade chocolate. Fair trade (on any product) means the farmer receives a fair share of wages which in turn, helps his community and helps to decrease poverty. I won't go on and on (at least in this post) about how poor farmers wages are, particulary in other nations, but buying fair trade can help at least a little. Here's a link if you'd like to learn more about fair trade.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a few chocolate recipes, in case you're thinking of trying something new for someone special. The first is one I just tried tonight! It's not the healthiest recipe, mostly due to the sugar and I didn't try a substitute, but it's a good breakfast treat for a special day!

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Mix the following in a large bowl:
1-1/2 cups flour (I use freshly ground whole wheat)
1 cup organic sugar
¼ cup baking cocoa (I use a fair trade organic cocoa)
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. baking powder

In a small bowl, combine:
1-1/3 cups mashed ripe banana (2-3 medium)
1/3 cup oil (I use coconut)
1 egg
Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened.

Fold in 1 cup (6 oz.) chocolate chips (I use grain-sweetened)

Bake 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Next would be a triple chocolate bonus for breakfast, if you make the muffins too...homemade hot cocoa! I've tried a few different ones but this is my favorite. My picky hot-chocolate drinking husband actually likes this much better than the powdered stuff...shocking!

Hot Cocoa

In a medium saucepan, boil 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup rapadura (evaporated cane juice, but you could use the regular white stuff if you're not into healthy sugars yet) and a dash of salt on med/high heat. Boil a few minutes, stirring constantly.

Turn on low and add 5 cups milk (raw is best if you can) and then add 1 tsp. vanilla

We love to make homemade whipped cream to add to the top. Mmmm...maybe I'll go make some right now!

And finally, chocolate cake!! Who doesn't love chocolate cake! And this one is pretty healthy with an added secret ingredient! Don't worry, you don't have to tell.

Secret Chocolate Cake

2 cups beets (cooked, peeled and chopped)
1/2 cup applesauce

Puree in blender until smooth. Set aside.

1 1/2 cups organic sugar (OK, not so healthy, but c'mon, it has beets too!)
1/2 cup oil (try coconut oil)
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 eggs

Combine in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.

1/2 cup cocoa, sifted
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add along with pureed beets. Beat another 90 seconds.

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup whole wheat flour (I've made it with all whole wheat and with wheat and unbleached white to cut down on denseness. Either way is good)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon (optional, but I think it adds a little something)

Gradually sift into the batter, mixing it in with a spoon but stirring only until blended.

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Stir in. Pour into greased 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes.

Pour yourself a tall glass of milk!!

What's your favorite chocolate indulgence?