Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Homemade Yogurt

I just made yogurt!  Greek Yogurt at that!  I'm patting myself on the back because up until last week I didn't even think you could make yogurt in your kitchen let alone the super indulgent and expensive Greek yogurt that is all the rage these days.  Just to let everyone know, those Greek Yogurt makers are totally ripping everyone off.  I'm super excited because we eat a 32oz tub or more of yogurt a week.  This skill will save me so much money.
While it took some time, it really took little effort.  Its one of those projects you have going on when you are home doing other projects, like laundry and catching up on your shows. Also, if you make it in the crock pot and time it right it really makes it's self while your are sleeping.  Something I will try next time.   

Lastly there are some great by-products produced from this process.
I've read that the left over whey is supposed to make your homemade bread super soft.  I cannot wait to test this out as I've been struggling with my bread.  Also, if you are looking for a great skin treatment, you can use the little bit of yogurt that clung to the paper towel during straining as a skin softening mask (something I'm doing right now:).   I've killed three birds with 1/2 gallon of milk today! 

Although, I read through several different regular and Greek recipes first(Thank You Google).  This is the recipe I used http://www.happysimpleliving.com/2011/03/06/make-your-own-homemade-greek-yogurt/.    I may re-post later showing the few tweaks I made after I make multiple successful batches, but for now I will give this blogger all the credit. 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

I think my brain just exploded a little bit.

After about 30 minutes after I laid Turner down for her nap I hear, "Mommy I TeeTee!  Mommy I TeeTee!"  We've been working on potty training for the last couple of weeks now but she has not been the best about telling me when she needs to go. She is really just going when I remind her to sit on the potty.  Frankly, I'm the one that is doing all the work, so it was possibly good news that she is telling me she needs to go.  I run into her room and the diaper is still dry so we jump out of bed and run to the potty only to sit there for 10 minutes before the smallest trickle comes out.  We still jump up and down and get a sticker and all that other positive reinforcement stuff even though this is an obvious ploy to get out of nap time.  As we are finishing up in the bathroom, but before I put Turner back in a diaper Mike calls me.  Knowing he probably needs something, I answer and let Turner run off still super excited she TeeTee'd in the potty.
 
Mike is needing me to email him a work form and is walking me through the process while T is running crazily through the house shrilly screaming at the top of her lungs dumping her toys. It is a state of delirium she reaches when she is tired and can be quite comical, but not so much today.  I'm doing my best to stay focused on helping Mike and tune the chaos out.  Bad Idea.  As I'm about to wrap up with Mike, Turner suddenly stops her manic frenzy on my kitchen rug and says "Poopoo mommy"  with a very serious look on her face; and I say, "RUN!!!, Run to the potty," but it is too late! Ooooh maaaan!(Think Dora The Explorer's Swiper) I have conditioned myself to say this when we have an accident instead of the flow of expletives I would like to say.  Some book said that was not a good idea ;)

Anyways, while still on the phone, I start to take T to the bathroom to get her cleaned up with the intent of cleaning up her other mess in a minute when I see Sunshine sniffing the deposit.  I yell at Sunshine, "NO!  GET BACK!"  Yet again, too late.  Turner's poop disappeared.  UGH!!!  Nastiness! The color drained from my face and had to fight to hold back the vomit.  I didn't need to add to the mess.

 My sweet husband hearing all of this on the other end of the phone said "Well at least you have less to clean up"
 
Oh dear....what a day!  I threw Sunshine with a big rawhide bone in the back yard, cleaned up Turner and put a diaper on her and put her back in bed to much protest while I calm down and brace myself for the next curve ball.   I guess I will go get Turner out of her bed since she never did fall asleep.  Pray for us.