I thought of a super witty title earlier today but I lost it. I can’t for the life of me remember it at all. As usual, I’ll blame it on the sleeplessness.
He took a three hour nap this morning and then a two hour nap this afternoon. That’s more sleep today then I’ve had in a night for ages.
Last night I made yogurt and it is freaking fabulous.
As you may recall I’ve been making yogurt for quite a few months now but unfortunately I botched my last batch because I forgot to turn the crock pot off and so to avoid that this time I just poured it into quart jars and left it out overnight. So much easier. Here’s my current process.
Plain Yogurt
- 1/2 gallon milk
- 1/4 cup yogurt
Heat milk to anywhere between 155-180 degrees in a sauce pan. Once the milk has reached the right temp, take it off the heat and allow to cool to 115 degrees. At this point whisk in your yogurt. Then pour into quart jars, wrap in towels and let it set for at least six hours.
Then, if you want, you can put it in a cheese cloth and strain it to make a thick Greek style yogurt.
Avery and I had yogurt bowls for breakfast.
Yogurt, raisins, almonds and chia seeds.
Eli ate baked sweet potato sticks.
Because they are his favorite food in the world. I just cut up sweet potatoes, put them in a casserole pan, cover it and bake until these babies are so sweet everyone will be trying to steel them.
They’re really easy for him to pick up and extremely nutritious too. I try to keep Avery and myself away because we’d down a pan in seconds flat.
Wanna know something cute? Each morning Avery tells me where to put Eli, where to sit myself and then climbs up on his chair…he’s basically forces a sit down breakfast every day. I think it is special. And good for me.
Then again, he also spills his cheerios on the floor for Eli….which is less cool.
I wasn’t feeling super duper today and so I spent a lot of time sitting down and decided to be productive by crocheting a washcloth/hotpad.
I’ve already used it and totally love it for counters. It scrubs better than a wash cloth and has more surface area than a sponge.
So now I’m off to spend time with my family and pray for sleep tonight.
That is amazing that Avery demands a sit-down breakfast! Sounds like he’ll be into good routines and traditions. Also, I love that photo of the scattered cheerios, like he’s feeding birds!
I’m trying to make us have sit down meals! So hard right now! Also, my friend has a fabulous yogurt recipe I’ve been making for quite sometime: http://kamisniche.blogspot.com/2011/04/homemade-yogurt-crockpot-style.html?m=0
I am so glad you posted this. I was just looking through your “Homemaker” tab today on my phone to find the basic bread recipe, and wondered if you’d ever divulge any other treats.
It looks like I’ll be making yogurt tonight.
Question, though: can you use Greek yogurt initially? Also, when you set out the jars, I assume this is unrefrigerated, correct?
Yes!! Homemade yogurt for the win! I do always use greek yogurt for my starter whether it’s from my last batch or brand new.
And yeah, room temp, not refridgerated. My mom once told me that Indians (from India) cultered theirs on the counter.
Hooray for sit-down meals. Way to go Avery! I’m a believer. That top photo of Eli is amazing. If I didn’t know him i would wonder if he could be real.
oh my goodness, friend, i just want to hug you. i’m so sad that you are still struggling with such rampant sleeplessness in your home. i can’t imagine how difficult that makes your days. you are wise to care for yourself (and your family) with whole foods and laughter. they are powerful tools. those little lads are growing up SO FAST!
now that ellie stays up a bit later we do try to have family dinner (even though she *rarely* eats anything) and i enjoy it so much. breakfast is much harder for me since it’s usually early afternoon before i can get a meal together for myself. i’m pretty much just surviving on coffee until 1 or 2 each day. hey, don’t judge.
ok, i’ve followed and trusted your advice on so many good things…i guess i’m onto the homemade yogurt adventure! i’m scared!! my daughter is a yogurtaholic (i go thru phases of need it or could live without) and i’m always searching labels for organic, low sugar and high in protein. i think you’ve just resolved my issues. Diana to the rescue once again!!
HUGS!