Hopefully, you've already read my blog post on how to pastuerize your raw milk. Now, you're ready to make something out of it!
Yogurt
If you want to make yogurt, it really is super easy. I have a cooler and I put warm water in the bottom of it. Then, I pour the milk into a separate, plastic container, that will fit in the bottom of the cooler and not displace all of the water. Into the milk, I add a bit of mtinde, maybe a tablespoon or two, depending on how much milk you have in your container. If you aren't in Tanzania, you would put in a bit of a plain, active yogurt or a culture. You then put the lid on your container, then the lid on the cooler, and you walk away. Seriously, I leave it overnight.
In the morning, you have fresh yogurt! There are so many options now....
Add some vanilla, or honey, or some other sugar option
Add some fresh fruit and mix it up
Use it in a smoothie or any recipe that calls for yogurt
Eat it with granola
Ricotta
After I pastuerize the milk and skim off the cream, I drop in about 3 or 4 splashes of vinegar. This will curdle the milk. Let it sit for about 3 hours or so. Then, I use some cheesecloth and line a wire colander. I put the colander over a bowl to catch the whey. I pour the contents of the pot, into the colandar. The chunks of ricotta will stay in the cheesecloth and the whey will drain through to the bottom, in the bowl.
I then go for a 2nd batch. Put all the whey back in your pot and put a lid on it and leave it over night. In the morning, I then set up the cheesecloth and colander again, pour the contents of the pot back through and get a whole other round of ricotta. The whey at this point can be used for other things. I usually just pour it over my dog's food :), it's high in protein!
The ricotta can be salted, or left plain. You can store it in the fridge; but, if you aren't going to use it in the next few days, freeze it. It thaws very well and can be used in most any Italian dish you might like!
Paneer
This is very, very similar to the ricotta...except, that when you add the vinegar, you bring the milk back up to a boil. Not a rolling boil mind you, just to the point where you think it's going to boil. Then turn it off and let it cool for several hours. When it's room temperature again, set up your colander with cheesecloth, and the bowl beneath it to catch the whey. Pour out the contents of your pot into the colander. The cheese will be glossier and stick together more. I usually add some salt, garlic, basil, oregano, etc....then form it into a little cheese round and refrigerate. This is great for dinner parties, for a snack on a cracker, or to use in a recipe!
Hope you enjoyed these milk recipes....any other questions, ideas? Let me know!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
A Tea Basket
One of the hardest things I've had to deal with here, is making our house feel like a home.
We left so many of our personal belongings, like pictures, knick knacks, books, furniture, etc. in storage back in the US. What we brought with us, for 2 years in Africa, was 23 pieces of luggage and/or plastic bins. In this amount we fit most of my kitchen stuff, sheets, towels, clothes and shoes for 5 people, books and toys for the children, homeschool materials, gifts for birthdays and Christmas, vitamins, bathroom stuff, and the list goes on.
We have tried very hard while we've been here to buy simple, basic stuff that will last us for our tenure in Dar. We question everything we purchase, trying to be frugal and to also not buy so much that we can't sell it, or give it away when we leave.
There are often times that I miss my conveniences and my "pretty" stuff. I'm being totally honest here.
While in Dodoma, I think I have mentioned that we shared many a cup of tea and coffee. Here, in Dar, we hardly ever have tea and coffee, even though we very much enjoy it. I started wondering...why is that? It's not just the heat. I finally hit the nail on the head...the reason was, that it wasn't convenient. So many things here take so much longer than they should; but, I can control how long it takes me to make a cup of tea, and set it up so that it's easier for me. Enter, the tea basket!
Wendy had a similar basket, and so all you had to do was heat up your water, grab your cup and the basket, and everyone could make their own cup of tea, or coffee, or hot chocolate. So simple, and yet I had to see it in action to make it a reality in my home.
I already had the basket, it was in the pantry with odds and ends in it...like ziplocs of nuts and chips and crackers, half eaten. I cleaned it out, put those snacks in re-purposed, plastic cookie containers, and I had a tea basket. Then I grabbed a plastic leftover container to put the tea in and old glass jars from sauces that I had kept, to put in the sugar and Nido (powdered milk). I found salt and pepper shakers at Game (it's like a super small Walmart, we have the only one in the country here in Dar) for the cinnamon and cocoa, they are hiding behind the purple spoon cup. Finally, I decided to take the plunge and buy an electric kettle. I actually have a tea pot at home, in storage, so we've been using a cooking pot here to boil water. The tea kettle was such an answer to prayer. I hesitated, went back and forth, not wanting to spend the money; but, finally Indy said, "We're still here another year. Do you think we'll use it? Then it's worth it." So, we bought one and it's been great. NOW, we have tea (and coffee or hot chocolate) everyday. You can see Indy's French Press, that he bought last fall on his HOPAC trip to South Africa, behind the kettle.
Have you ever re-purposed anything? Like baskets or plastic bins? I have a few more examples to share...but, that will be for another day!
We left so many of our personal belongings, like pictures, knick knacks, books, furniture, etc. in storage back in the US. What we brought with us, for 2 years in Africa, was 23 pieces of luggage and/or plastic bins. In this amount we fit most of my kitchen stuff, sheets, towels, clothes and shoes for 5 people, books and toys for the children, homeschool materials, gifts for birthdays and Christmas, vitamins, bathroom stuff, and the list goes on.
We have tried very hard while we've been here to buy simple, basic stuff that will last us for our tenure in Dar. We question everything we purchase, trying to be frugal and to also not buy so much that we can't sell it, or give it away when we leave.
There are often times that I miss my conveniences and my "pretty" stuff. I'm being totally honest here.
While in Dodoma, I think I have mentioned that we shared many a cup of tea and coffee. Here, in Dar, we hardly ever have tea and coffee, even though we very much enjoy it. I started wondering...why is that? It's not just the heat. I finally hit the nail on the head...the reason was, that it wasn't convenient. So many things here take so much longer than they should; but, I can control how long it takes me to make a cup of tea, and set it up so that it's easier for me. Enter, the tea basket!
Wendy had a similar basket, and so all you had to do was heat up your water, grab your cup and the basket, and everyone could make their own cup of tea, or coffee, or hot chocolate. So simple, and yet I had to see it in action to make it a reality in my home.
I already had the basket, it was in the pantry with odds and ends in it...like ziplocs of nuts and chips and crackers, half eaten. I cleaned it out, put those snacks in re-purposed, plastic cookie containers, and I had a tea basket. Then I grabbed a plastic leftover container to put the tea in and old glass jars from sauces that I had kept, to put in the sugar and Nido (powdered milk). I found salt and pepper shakers at Game (it's like a super small Walmart, we have the only one in the country here in Dar) for the cinnamon and cocoa, they are hiding behind the purple spoon cup. Finally, I decided to take the plunge and buy an electric kettle. I actually have a tea pot at home, in storage, so we've been using a cooking pot here to boil water. The tea kettle was such an answer to prayer. I hesitated, went back and forth, not wanting to spend the money; but, finally Indy said, "We're still here another year. Do you think we'll use it? Then it's worth it." So, we bought one and it's been great. NOW, we have tea (and coffee or hot chocolate) everyday. You can see Indy's French Press, that he bought last fall on his HOPAC trip to South Africa, behind the kettle.
Have you ever re-purposed anything? Like baskets or plastic bins? I have a few more examples to share...but, that will be for another day!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Review - What's in the Bible
While we were in Dodoma, we got to learn more about, and watch, some of the videos in the new series "What's in the Bible."
We specifically got to watch Episodes 5 and 6 which covered Israel's first Kings (Saul, David, and Solomon) and then dealt with "A Nation Divided" into Israel and Judah.
Seriously, these videos were so creative, so upbeat, and so educational. We all laughed and gave each other that "knowing look" several times. Even, and especially, the adults.
The shows are mainly made up of puppets and drawings, with voices done by Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales. The premise is that Buck Denver, a reporter (also a puppet), is trying to do a show about what's in the Bible. He and Phil Vischer (the real person), play off of each other, a pirate puppet, a couple of British Safari brothers, the "Sunday School Lady", and several other minor characters. They show maps, timelines, give background history, do felt boards, and in every way teach the chronological story of Israel and their relationship to God. One of our favorite parts was the "Bentley Brothers," two very Elvis like singers, complete in their blue lounge suits and big hair, singing very silly and creative songs about Saul, Elijah, and the order of the Kings. It was such a neat way to do it, not just snippets of Bible stories with no context, which is the way we usually do things in Sunday School and when reading to young ones. It really reminded me of our Tapestry of Grace curriculum. I really, really enjoyed it. Our kids did too, as they've mentioned it every day since we've left Dodoma. Guess what's going on our Amazon Wish List for Christmas? :)
Pick one up, I think you'll really enjoy it! If you already have them, tell me what you think.
Here's the link to order the videos, or to find out more.
http://www.whatsinthebible.com/refer/?coupon_code=PKLCMR%20&tellapal.id=dd441fe6-faca-48ab-8164-cfb22489c468&e=stampclan%40msn.com&f=Alisha&l=Stamp&dist_src=facebook_js
We specifically got to watch Episodes 5 and 6 which covered Israel's first Kings (Saul, David, and Solomon) and then dealt with "A Nation Divided" into Israel and Judah.
Seriously, these videos were so creative, so upbeat, and so educational. We all laughed and gave each other that "knowing look" several times. Even, and especially, the adults.
The shows are mainly made up of puppets and drawings, with voices done by Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales. The premise is that Buck Denver, a reporter (also a puppet), is trying to do a show about what's in the Bible. He and Phil Vischer (the real person), play off of each other, a pirate puppet, a couple of British Safari brothers, the "Sunday School Lady", and several other minor characters. They show maps, timelines, give background history, do felt boards, and in every way teach the chronological story of Israel and their relationship to God. One of our favorite parts was the "Bentley Brothers," two very Elvis like singers, complete in their blue lounge suits and big hair, singing very silly and creative songs about Saul, Elijah, and the order of the Kings. It was such a neat way to do it, not just snippets of Bible stories with no context, which is the way we usually do things in Sunday School and when reading to young ones. It really reminded me of our Tapestry of Grace curriculum. I really, really enjoyed it. Our kids did too, as they've mentioned it every day since we've left Dodoma. Guess what's going on our Amazon Wish List for Christmas? :)
Pick one up, I think you'll really enjoy it! If you already have them, tell me what you think.
Here's the link to order the videos, or to find out more.
http://www.whatsinthebible.com/refer/?coupon_code=PKLCMR%20&tellapal.id=dd441fe6-faca-48ab-8164-cfb22489c468&e=stampclan%40msn.com&f=Alisha&l=Stamp&dist_src=facebook_js
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Review - Explode the Code
Another program that I found while doing pre-school with my second child, was "Get Ready for the Code" and "Explode the Code." They are an absolutely excellent introduction to phonics and basic letter writing, and reading!
My oldest, Krypto, started with book 3 of the "Explode the Code" series. He was already reading when I found the series and just needed to shore up his phonics rules. I had him complete the series, up through Book 8. We just did 2 pages a day, super easy.
For my second child, we started with the "Get Ready for the Code" series, Books A-C. They start off by teaching you each letter, the sound it makes, and how to write it. Gwangi is now in Book 4 of the "Explode the Code" series and should finish up all the books this coming school year, which will be the 2nd grade for him.
A page from the beginning of "Explode the Code" Book 4.
Another page from Book 4.
Sissi began the "Get Ready for the Code" series this year, around the holidays. She is about half way through Book B and will be in Kindergarten this next school year.
I have bought these books from Rainbow Resource, for the most part. Though, I'm sure you could find them through other homeschool resources. I also know that there is an online version of the workbooks that keeps track of your child's progress and reviews something more if they are struggling, or continues more quickly if they get a concept right away. I like this idea; but, really prefer the handwriting practice and mobility that we get with a workbook. I hope that one of the choices works for you and your family.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Milk - A How to Guide...
Here, in Tanzania, we are blessed to have a great source of farm fresh milk....and, most importantly, it's at a super reasonable price. We pay less than a $1 per liter! The Amish milk that I purchased in the US was much more expensive.
We get our milk on Mondays, from one of the gentleman at the school, that also has a farm in his free time.
We get 4 liters each week, delivered to us in 2 liter Coca-Cola bottles.
The first thing that I do is pour the milk into two large pots, ones that I would usually use for a soup or a roast. I put them to heat on the oven. I do have a thermometer; but, I'll be honest, I usually just eyeball it each week, as to when it's done. I am a low-vat pastuerizer. What that means is, I try to only heat the milk to about 120-150 F instead of up to over 200 F, or higher, as is the case with ultra-pastuerization. The difference is, that the lower temperatures will kill the bacteria; but, will not kill all of the natural pro-biotics found in the milk. I can tell when the milk is about this hot by seeing the top of it start to get a glossy film, or layer on it. This is the cream rising to the top of the milk.
Once I have it at this temperature, I turn the heat off and leave it to set for about an hour or more, covered on the stove. It will come back to room temperature naturally that way. I then skim off the top layer of cream to make butter, Laura Ingalls style. I put it in an old jar and shake, shake, shake it, until it's butter. You have to then "wash" your butter. Pour in some clean water and rinse the butter, drain off the water. You'll do this several time until the water comes away mostly clear. You can then salt it, or use it as it is.
If I don't have to time to make butter right away, I will put it in the fridge for later. You can always shake up your cream at a later time.
Now, what to do with all that milk! We usually drink about half of it, or use it in recipes, or on cereal. The rest, I make into other things....yogurt, ricotta, paneer.... But, that will be a post for next week. Enjoy your fresh milk!
We get our milk on Mondays, from one of the gentleman at the school, that also has a farm in his free time.
We get 4 liters each week, delivered to us in 2 liter Coca-Cola bottles.
These bottle aren't totally full. That's because I had already pastuerized them, skimmed the cream, and used a bit in a recipe when I took the picture.
The first thing that I do is pour the milk into two large pots, ones that I would usually use for a soup or a roast. I put them to heat on the oven. I do have a thermometer; but, I'll be honest, I usually just eyeball it each week, as to when it's done. I am a low-vat pastuerizer. What that means is, I try to only heat the milk to about 120-150 F instead of up to over 200 F, or higher, as is the case with ultra-pastuerization. The difference is, that the lower temperatures will kill the bacteria; but, will not kill all of the natural pro-biotics found in the milk. I can tell when the milk is about this hot by seeing the top of it start to get a glossy film, or layer on it. This is the cream rising to the top of the milk.
Once I have it at this temperature, I turn the heat off and leave it to set for about an hour or more, covered on the stove. It will come back to room temperature naturally that way. I then skim off the top layer of cream to make butter, Laura Ingalls style. I put it in an old jar and shake, shake, shake it, until it's butter. You have to then "wash" your butter. Pour in some clean water and rinse the butter, drain off the water. You'll do this several time until the water comes away mostly clear. You can then salt it, or use it as it is.
If I don't have to time to make butter right away, I will put it in the fridge for later. You can always shake up your cream at a later time.
Now, what to do with all that milk! We usually drink about half of it, or use it in recipes, or on cereal. The rest, I make into other things....yogurt, ricotta, paneer.... But, that will be a post for next week. Enjoy your fresh milk!
Friday, July 20, 2012
1 Year Anniversary
It's been a year. Seriously... Can you believe it!?!
We arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on July 20th of 2011. My first thoughts were "Man, it's hot and sweaty in this airport" and "What's that smell?"... come to find out, it WAS a bit warm and sweaty as I've talked to others about that day, and the smell, well, it was burning trash!
It's been a long year, to be sure. Lots of growing and changing for all of us! Thanks so much to the Ness family for hosting us and helping us to acclimate a bit to life in Tanzania. Also, lots of thanks to the Devaisher family for running us all over town in those early days, to Jane and Amy for all the emails and advice, and so many others that welcomed us into the HOPAC and AG family with open arms.
On the US side of the ocean, thanks to the Boyd and Eiland family for getting us, and all those pieces of luggage, to the airport on the 18th. Thanks to all the friends and family that hosted us as we traveled around saying goodbye and hugging on everyone before we left. It started with the Bartons in Colorado Springs putting us up for 2 weeks while Indy retired from the Air Force, all the way to the Pryslaks, Eilands, and Boyds that took care of us in DC. I can't thank my parents and Indy's family enough for all they've done for us either during those in between weeks.
What have I learned in this year....hmmmm...how can I sum it all up into just a short thing, a simple catch phrase. Here's one, go listen to Twila Paris' "God is in Control" on YouTube...
We arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on July 20th of 2011. My first thoughts were "Man, it's hot and sweaty in this airport" and "What's that smell?"... come to find out, it WAS a bit warm and sweaty as I've talked to others about that day, and the smell, well, it was burning trash!
It's been a long year, to be sure. Lots of growing and changing for all of us! Thanks so much to the Ness family for hosting us and helping us to acclimate a bit to life in Tanzania. Also, lots of thanks to the Devaisher family for running us all over town in those early days, to Jane and Amy for all the emails and advice, and so many others that welcomed us into the HOPAC and AG family with open arms.
On the US side of the ocean, thanks to the Boyd and Eiland family for getting us, and all those pieces of luggage, to the airport on the 18th. Thanks to all the friends and family that hosted us as we traveled around saying goodbye and hugging on everyone before we left. It started with the Bartons in Colorado Springs putting us up for 2 weeks while Indy retired from the Air Force, all the way to the Pryslaks, Eilands, and Boyds that took care of us in DC. I can't thank my parents and Indy's family enough for all they've done for us either during those in between weeks.
What have I learned in this year....hmmmm...how can I sum it all up into just a short thing, a simple catch phrase. Here's one, go listen to Twila Paris' "God is in Control" on YouTube...
1 - Family shot at the Boyd's house, just a couple of days before we got on the airplane to head to Tanzania!
Did you listen to it? I hope so! Was it the older version, the one that I knew back in the 90's? I just love this song. It speaks to me on such a personal and deep level. The message is simple, it's true, and I need to hear it on a regular basis. Whether I'm concerned because of illness, bad tempers, the heat, no water, no electricity, financial concerns, HE has always come through and I have not been forsaken. I have grown in my character, I have grown more dependent on HIS will, HIS plan for me, HIS truth. I will not be deceived into worrying that He doesn't care for me or my family's needs. I hope that you find that truth in your own life. That you will NOT be shaken in your faith or in this truth. Because it IS true, God is in Control!
Just in case you couldn't find it :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Review - Rod and Staff Workbooks
Another very basic and easy (read no prep work for Mom) to use pre-school and Kindergarten resource are the Rod and Staff series of workbooks. They can be purchased as a set, for about $20, through Rainbow Resource or many other homeschool websites.
I didn't discover the Rod and Staff series until my second child was doing pre-school. We started with the "A" book and I bought an additional coloring book for the "B" Bible book that we could do together with his older brother. We would read the story, they would color the picture in their coloring book, and we would work on the memory verse and review all of the previous ones that we had learned. By the end of the year, they both knew almost every memory verse in the book. They were about 4 and 6 at the time.
Gwangi completed the series through the "E" book, and at that time, he began 1st grade.
I now know that they've extended the series, and from what I've seen of them at the NC Homeschool Convention last year, they look great! I had already purchased another A-E set for Sissi to begin when we moved to Tanzania, and so didn't pick up the extra books. At times, I wish that I had.
This past year, Sissi completed A, C and almost completed D. WOW, she's not even 5 yet. We'll do "B" again this year, all together. I have 3 coloring books this time around, and we'll all memorize the verses again.
I didn't discover the Rod and Staff series until my second child was doing pre-school. We started with the "A" book and I bought an additional coloring book for the "B" Bible book that we could do together with his older brother. We would read the story, they would color the picture in their coloring book, and we would work on the memory verse and review all of the previous ones that we had learned. By the end of the year, they both knew almost every memory verse in the book. They were about 4 and 6 at the time.
Gwangi completed the series through the "E" book, and at that time, he began 1st grade.
I now know that they've extended the series, and from what I've seen of them at the NC Homeschool Convention last year, they look great! I had already purchased another A-E set for Sissi to begin when we moved to Tanzania, and so didn't pick up the extra books. At times, I wish that I had.
This past year, Sissi completed A, C and almost completed D. WOW, she's not even 5 yet. We'll do "B" again this year, all together. I have 3 coloring books this time around, and we'll all memorize the verses again.
1 - The inside of the "D" workbook..."Do it Carefully"
You can see the previous page (on the left, below the cut out from the stop light craft) has some matching of words, there is cutting and pasting, matching colors, writing names and numbers...it covers it all!
2 - The "B" coloring book corresponds to the "Bible Stories to Read" book.
You can also see the cover of the "Do it Carefully" workbook.
Enjoy!
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