From The Kitchen...

 This past week in my kitchen I was busy making whey. Whey is a glorious golden liquid that is beneficial to the body in so many ways. (read more about the benefits of whey here.) Making whey is so, so simple to do. To set everything up really only takes a couple of minutes once you have all of your supplies. Here's how I make whey.

 First, you'll want to start with a really good whole milk organic yogurt with live cultures. (unless you have made your own, or are using raw milk...this is what I had on hand.)

 Next you will want to get out your 100 percent cotton cheesecloth and open it up, leaving enough layers intact and spread it over a small non-metal bowl, pour in your yogurt and gather the end up of the cheesecloth securely wrap a rubber band around the top. Carefully slip in the handle of a wooden spoon through a couple of the rubber band loops (as seen in the picture). Gently lift the cheesecloth wrapped yogurt and place over a deeper container. (I put mine over a plastic pitcher, with the ends of the wooden spoons being the support.) Now you wait. Mine drained for about 6 hours. You could certainly strain for longer, but this amount of time gave me about 1 pint of whey.

 Just look and those little dropplets of goodness!

 After the whey has been strained completely from the yogurt, you'll want a nice clean mason jar to store it in.

 Mmm...

 There you have it! You've made whey! Now how easy was that?

 Also, one of the best parts about making whey is....the yummy cream cheese you have after the draining is done! Here I have taken the cream cheese and added some fresh rosemary, turmeric, raw garlic, salt & pepper for a yummy spread.

And with all that whey I just had to start a nice batch of lacto-fermented salsa! I can't wait to try it. What are you making in your kitchen?

Senses: Part 2

                               : : Taste : :

Senses: Part 1

                                : : Sight : :

A Walk In The Woods...

This past weekend, my family and I enjoyed a nice walk at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. Besides it being a bit windy outside, we had a lovely time. It was so nice to get out in nature. Hopefully there will be plenty more walks in the woods in the near future!

So much beauty to be found in this world if we just take the time to look.

Giveaway!

Very exciting news! The Indigo Forest is being featured on the blog Bellies and Babies!

The month of April on Bellies and Babies is being dedicated to "The Conscious Family". And We are offering two items for the giveaway. Please check out Nicole's blog Bellies and Babies to see how to enter for a chance to win and to also check out all of the other wonderful posts that will be featured during this month!

Monday Musings....

Sharing with you a little that is on my mind....

* Feeling excited that we actually started a garden this year dispite not having any acutal land to plant! (yay for containers!!)
* We are so excited about the warmer weather coming.
* The joy I'm feeling watching my boys grow and learn.
* Enjoying the fact that my business is taking off nicely! (never thought The Indigo Forest would be a reality!)
* Loving each and everyday, appriciating everyday the Lord has given my family and I.
* Wondering how I am going to do all that I want to in life...?

There is usually more on my mind then this....I just know there is! My mind is always racing a few steps ahead of what I am actually thinking. I'm here, and my mind is already gone, on to the next thing! It's hard to keep up with sometimes.

God Bless.

Taking It All In...

                                        Spring is fast approaching and I couldn't be happier. If fact, we've all been really happy! We have big plans for this spring & summer. We are busy deciding what to grow this year and getting many seeds started. We have also been outside playing and just embracing this warmer weather. I can just feel the many wonderful and exciting moments to come. I feel truly blessed in my life.

God Bless.

What's my age again?

               Gift certificate to Stick Boy. Thanks to my little sis.

                                       Mmmmm....

      My new beautiful sterling silver wedding band. (I'm not much for the flashy stuff. This is Perfect!!)

                               Beer from Natty Greene's

                      The best cheesecake EVER!

                                   I love her!

                                My chamomile brew.

                                  Enough said.

Well, another year older, another year wiser. It's strange. On every single one of my birthdays, I know...okay. I'm an entire year older. Today should feel different. I spend the whole day thinking it should feel different and I feel as though it doesn't, but because of that...it actually does feel different. (okay, that may not have made sense to you, but it does in my own mind...lol). It seems it takes me awhile to adjust to a new age. I'm embracing it. So yesterday I spend the whole day indulging. It felt good I must admit. The day started off with my absolute FAVORITE spot to grab a coffee and a muffin. Stick Boy Bread Company. Mmmmm....... Seriously. Then my sweetie pie husband took me out on a (kid-free) date to Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co. It was REALLY good. I had a lovely brew...made with chamomile! We then headed over to another one of our favorite local spots in town. Aviator Brewing Co. The place has such a good atmosphere. The weather was gorgeous for such a day. I had a truly wonderful 23rd birthday.

Simple Happiness...

One of my favorite things to do is to photograph the simple beauty in everyday life. I had been using my mothers older digital camera to capture moments from my day to day life, but my dear husband decided enough was enough. He so sweetly bought me a wonderful new camera for my birthday/anniversary present. I love it!! I have hardly put it down since I opened it. Needless to say I have been snapping photos left and right. It really was the most perfect gift.
Simple Happiness....

Our Little Space...

Our little space is made up of so much. Art, music, crafting tools, family heirlooms, much of these things I'm sure fill almost anyone's space. This is ours. Our unique space. A space that we hope to one day leave. We feel this is just our temporary home. We are still looking for that place where we can plant ourselves and spread our roots. It's going to happen. One day. Until then, we are trying our best to look at what we have and make it ours as much as possible. So here, ladies and gentlemen is the space we currently call home.

It may not be perfect, but its ours. Our space.