Kefir!!!!

Well, we get fresh raw milk from a dairy.  The only thing about getting raw milk is that it goes bad a lot faster than pastuerized milk.  So, when we have too much milk that's going sour (the boys tend to be a bit picky, saying milk tastes bad when it is about a week, sometimes less, old).  We made two gallons of kefir out of the souring milk last week.  The only problem was, we usually put it in smoothies, and that's how we use it, but we don't happen to have any frozen bananas, so Mom wasn't sure how we could use it.  I assured her I would think of something!!!  :)
So, this morning for breakfast I boiled some water and then poured it into a pot with oats.  I let it sit for about ten minutes (maybe not quite that long) and then added a bunch of kefir (about 1/2 gallon), sweetener (I like the flavor of honey with kefir, it seems to even out the sourness), cinnamon, dried, unsweetened coconut, and fruit.  I LOVE apples boiled in oatmeal, so maybe I'll do that next time.  Everyone seemed to like it (except Andrew, but that is not a surprise... he even says that he doesn't like apples...... we're not sure why he's picky, since we haven't allowed it, and still don't.  At times there isn't any option other than apples, and so he eats them.).  Andrew did eat a bowl though, so it even he didn't think it was that bad.
Then this afternoon, Mommy decided to make pancakes.  Yes, we used our wonderful Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes recipe.  But instead of milk, we used.....KEFIR!!!! :)  Mom said that she liked it even better than milk!!  She said the flavor it gave was wonderful!!!!  I am so glad!!!  We now have a new way to use older milk, and SUPER healthy kefir!!!!!!!

Kefir is SO easy.  If  you have a starter, you just plop it in some milk, cover with a cloth (we use a rubber band to secure it) and let it set out on the counter for a couple days.  Yes, a few days, not hours! :)  The consistency is in my experience, thicker than milk, but thinner than yogurt.  It kind of looks like yogurt, though.  I think it kind of has a yeasty taste.  It is a bit sour, but mixed with honey, stevia, or pure maple syrup makes it yummy, I think!!!

You can read more online about the health benefits, and I think I'll post sometimes about them.

Unfailing Homemade 100% Wheat Bread

Recipe for Whole Wheat Bread.  It is simple and very yummy!  This is the best recipe I have had that is 100% wheat.  I find that the recipes for wheat bread have at least 1 cup white flour.  This one does not.
It yields 3 loaves, but while my first batch is rising, I start on my second.  It is a very quick recipe, I think.  The easiest and it makes the least mess of any other recipe I have tried!  I find that recipes where you weigh the wheat it turns out better than measuring it.

Wheat Bread Recipe

300 ml warm water
3 Tbsp. yeast
1 Tbsp. honey (you can add more if you have made it and want it sweeter)

1500 g whole wheat flour (we use fresh ground Hard White Wheat)
700 ml warm water
4-5 tsp. salt
1/4 cup oil (I use coconut oil)

Dissolve yeast and honey in 300 ml warm water and stir well.  Let yeast activate for 5-10 minutes.  Mix with rest of the ingredients and knead by hand or with electric mixer for 10 minutes.  Put in 3 buttered/greased (We use coconut oil for this, too) bread pans, spray with water and let bread rise (covered) for 10-15 minutes.

Bake bread at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
Enjoy!!! :)

Rock of Ages

This is one of my all time favorite hymns.  I love it!
Oh, God, let me hide myself in Thee!

 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
 let me hide myself in thee; 
 let the water and the blood, 
 from thy wounded side which flowed, 
 be of sin the double cure; 
 save from wrath and make me pure. 
 

        Not the labors of my hands 
 can fulfill thy law's commands; 
 could my zeal no respite know, 
 could my tears forever flow, 
 all for sin could not atone; 
 thou must save, and thou alone. 

 Nothing in my hand I bring, 
 simply to the cross I cling; 
 naked, come to thee for dress; 
 helpless, look to thee for grace; 
 foul, I to the fountain fly; 
 wash me, Savior, or I die. 

 While I draw this fleeting breath, 
 when mine eyes shall close in death, 
 when I soar to worlds unknown, 
 see thee on thy judgment throne, 
 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
 let me hide myself in thee.