Cookin’ in the Crock: Homemade Greek Yogurt

I honestly never thought I’d try this.  I’m a little bit squirmish about warm milk, actually…I’m *really* squirmish about warm milk.  I have an aversion to the smell, and I honestly didn’t know if I could stomach a yogurt making process. 

But…I found this Crockpot Greek Yogurt recipe over at Save Money, Live Joyfully, and I decided to try it!  She really did a tremendous job helping me through the scary yogurt making process with easy to follow step by step directions!

A very simple recipe that tastes yummy and is made in a crock pot!  Can it get any better???

I poured 1/2 gallon whole milk (This made 32 oz of yogurt) into my crocpot and cooked it on low for 2 1/2 hr. 

After the 2 1/2 hr. was up, I unplugged the good ole’ crock and let the yucky warm milk sit in the crock, with the lid on, for another 3 hr.

After the 3 hr was up, I ladled out 2 cup of the stinky milk and whisked in 1/2 a cup of yogurt.  Since I didn’t have any homemade yogurt preserved (since I’ve never made it before), I used an individual serving size cup of Chobani Greek yogurt.  (As I continue to make yogurt, I’ll just use 1/2 cup of my own homemade yummy-ness!)  After I had the Chobani incorporated with the milk, I dumped the mixture back into the crockpot. 

I covered the trusty crock with a big ole bath towel and let it sit like that overnight.

In the morning, it was time to strain my new yogurt!  I layered several paper towels in the bottom of my strainer, plopped the strainer in a bowl, and dumped in the newly made yogurt.  Then, I covered the bowl/strainer/yogurt contraption with plastic wrap and refrigerated it for another day.  I believe it would have been ready after a few hours, but I actually forgot about it!  🙂

After another day in the fridge, it was very thick…just like Greek yogurt should be!

I lifted the strainer off the bowl to find that it had drained nicely overnight…

I scraped the yogurt into a big bowl and added honey…

Y-U-M-M-Y!!!!  I was skeptical, and hubby is very picky about his yogurt…but we both love this!  It’s great to eat with fresh fruit, granola, or in our smoothies!

As for cost comparison…If I find milk on sale, I can make the yogurt for around $1.20 for 32 oz.  I can also buy yogurt for that price with coupons (if not less); however, the homemade benefit sells me on this yogurt.

Let me know if you try it…I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy it!  🙂

Fall Art with Scrabble Tiles

Well, once again, I fell in love with ideas on Pinterest.  Since I had most of the supplies on hand already, I knew I was going to be crafting again! 

Here’s a breakdown of the supplies:
picture frames (from my stash)
burlap (I paid $3 for a couple yards at JoAnn using a 50% off coupon)
random patterned paper & brown cardstock (from my scrapbook supplies)
scrabble tiles (I bought these off ebay.  To pay for them, I sold some uneccesary scrapbooking items on ebay and used that moolah for the game!)
colorful buttons (I paid $5 for them; they would have been cheaper if I waited until I had a coupon…but I was too impatient.  😦 )
glue gun
scissors
paint & paintbrush (optional, if you feel the urge to paint your frame)

So…I paid $8 for both pieces of art, or $4 a piece…not too shabby.  I also have a *ton* of burlap and buttons left over to use in the future!  🙂

P-U-M-P-K-I-N-S art

I tore apart a picture frame, popped in a double layer of burlap, and replaced the back.  I found a pumpkin clipart image on my computer and ran the scrapbook paper through the printer so the image printed on the back.  Then, I cut out all the cute, teeny tiny pumpkins and arranged them in an order I liked.  I wanted a 3D effect, so I cut up foam board and used hot glue to attach everything together.  I picked out the p-u-m-p-k-i-n-s letters and hot glued them on!  All done…almost.

I used my free Valspar paint sample in black-something-or-another and a sponge brush and just slapped on some paint.  I just adore how it looks!

I propped up my new art on the top of the fridge.  (*psssst…How do you like that adorable yellow pitcher?  $0.25 at a thrift store!*)

 I think I might also be changing the paper shapes and scrapbook tiles for each season (I’m thinking snowflakes, flowers, and sunshines…what do you think?)

 

F-A-L-L  L-E-A-V-E-S art

Once again for this project, I just popped burlap into a frame and replaced the back.  I cut out a tree stump shape and a few leaves from brown cardstock and hot glued them onto the burlap.  Then, I just layed out the scrabble tiles and used hot glue to attach them.  I played around with a few different button combinations till I got it “perfect”; then, you guessed it…I hot glued them on as well!  All done!

I perched this new piece on the top of a bookshelf beside an arrangement of pinecones and a blue glass vase.  Smiles all around!  🙂

Are you working on any oh-so-simple (or elaborate?!?) fall projects???

VLOG: My Stockpile

I thought I’d take a post to give you a peek at my grocery and personal care stockpile.  Instead of a normal post, I’m trying my hand at a VLOG!

If you’re not familiar with stockpiling, it’s simply the idea of buying things ahead on sale or when they’re free and storing them until you use them.  Instead of waiting until I run out of shampoo and paying $3-$5 for a bottle, I “buy” it free or under $1 when it’s on sale.

Since TLC began airing their “reality” show Extreme Couponing, many people have gotten a very unrealistic and crazy view of couponing and stockpiling.  (No offense if you enjoy the show…and I do admit to watching it…BUT, it’s a tv show folks, not reality 😉 )

My stockpile isn’t stacked miles high in my shower or stuffed under my bed, but we do have a closet full of items which I purchased free or at my rock bottom price.

I try to be reasonable about buying ahead and stockpiling.  I don’t buy things that we won’t use, or that will expire before we get to them.  Other things, are available to give away to others who may need them.

Here you go…

A couple quick tips on stockpiling:  #1  Only buy what you will use in a reasonable amount of time (or give away).  #2  Know your rock bottom prices and only stockpile at that price, or when the item is free. (ie:  Just because something is “on sale” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to stockpile.) 

I’d love to know your thoughts on stockpiling and hear what works for your family!

1,000 Gifts

31.  beautiful fall colors
32.  pumpkin buttercream candle
33.  2 more piano students
34.  good deals at a thrift store
35.  finishing “The Power of a Praying Wife”
36.  His mercy and His all sufficient grace
37.  free autumn subway art
38.  game and pizza night with new friends
39.  dinner and movie date with my hubs
40.  a projected week of learning and growing in a seminary block course

Do you ever get in that day to day rutt, where you’re just existing?  Me too.  How about counting your gifts and standing in awe of the multitude of blessings that you have been given…praise your Heavenly Father!

Menu Plan Monday

We’re eating a little differently this week due to the fact that Jared and I are both taking a week long block course at seminary all morning, every morning Mon-Fri.  We’ll be gone right up till lunch time (when Jared heads to work), so we’ll need to quickly eat in the car.  I tried to come up with a few things that I could pack in the morning before we leave. 

Main Meals:
Crispy Chicken Wraps (from freezer), raw veggies, fruit
Tuna Salad, Morning Glory Muffins
Out to Eat
Taco Salad, fruit
Cheesy Chicken Empanadas, raw veggies, fruit
Breakfast for Dinner
Pork Loin, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits

Freezer Cooking:
Cheesy Chicken Empanadas
Morning Glory Muffins
and…you never know what else  🙂

Menu Plan Monday

Homemade Pizza Dough

photo source

When I make pizza dough, I usually double or triple the recipe and freeze the extra batches.  I follow the recipe right up to the point where the dough would be shaped into a pizza crust and baked, then I throw the extra batches in gallon sized freezer bags.  When I’m ready to make a pizza, I just take the dough out of the freezer and thaw it on the counter or in the fridge.  Once it’s thawed, I assemble my pizza and bake as normal.  Easy-peasy! 

My Pizza Dough Recipe:

2 1/2 c flour
2 tsp yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 c warm water

Dissolve yeast in water.  Add sugar, oil, and salt.  Gradually add flour.  Knead 5 minutes in mixer with a dough hook.  Rise for 1/2 hour in covered and greased bowl.  Assemble pizzas; bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes.  Makes 1 pizza.

Another pizza dough recipe I tried recently is Honey Pizza Dough.  I like it just as well as my normal pizza dough recipe, if not better.  Both recipes freeze very well!