Hello 2013! and homemade yogurt?

It’s really hard to believe that another year has come and gone. As I say hello to 2013 I think about all the things I have done and learned throughout this year and am amazed at how much I’ve grown. I became a pig farmer and learned the value of life and sacrifice, something that I went into thinking I could never do. I became acutely aware of the food that I eat and where it comes from and how it’s processed. I found I have a passion for healthy eating and sharing that passion with others, that I am eager to lean more. I started running 5k races with friends, and encouraged my husband to as well. And I started this blog, one of my favorite endeavors, where I can share all of these passions and maybe pass on a little information, too. What will 2013 bring? The most I can hope for is to continue on this journey. To make everyday a learning experience. To try new things, to find new passions, make new friends and continue with the valuable ones I have already been so blessed to discover. In 2013 I will run my first obstacle race…and it’s a dousie! The Tough Mudder in May which consists of 10-12 miles and 29 obstacles ranging from a 15 foot jump into water, an ice bath and electroshock??!! I am thankful I have a team of first-time mudders to push me, if needed! I will keep experimenting with food: low or no sugar recipes, new fruits and vegetables, whole grains, organic and non GMO. I will continue to farm, raise pigs, chickens and ducks….and hopefully a cow or two! I will have a successful vegetable garden, (this is always a running joke in our family. Somehow the garden always takes a backseat to everything else we do and is a disaster by July! Call this my resolution!) and start learning how to can my harvest. Yes, I have a lot I’d like to do…so why not start now! Yesterday I decided I would make my own yogurt. Kind of an oddball thing to decide to do, but hey, I had some local raw milk, a couple of tablespoons of local yogurt, a mason jar and a great teacher. It came out pretty good! I like the flavor, which is just plain. You can add maple syrup as a sweetener after it has incubated.  Homemade yogurt is thinner by nature than store-bought, if you like yours thicker try adding 1/3 cup of instant nonfat dry milk when you add the yogurt starter.

Homemade Yogurt

1 Quart raw whole milk (or conventional whole milk)

2-4 Tbsp  plain yogurt (starter)

1/3 Cup non fat dry milk (optional as a thickener)

1 Quart Mason jar

Sterilize the mason jar and lid by running through a dishwasher or boil for 1 minute.

Heat the milk to 100 degrees over low heat.

Pour warmed milk into mason jar, add yogurt starter and dry milk.  Cover and shake well.

Let yogurt rest in a warm, undisturbed area for at least 6 hours. (I put mine in a high cupboard and shut the door)

After 6 hours, taste the yogurt for consistency and taste. If you like more tang and thickness, let it incubate for a few more hours.

Refrigerate and enjoy!

Don’t forget to save some to use as a starter when you make a new batch!