While catching up on some of the blogs that I read this morning, I was inspired by Chris' post and determination at Johnson Family Farm. He is really putting himself to the test and making a public declaration to be held accountable. Hopefully he will keep us all informed about how he is doing while breaking his 1 1/2 pack cigarette and 20 can diet coke per day addictions.
I don't smoke or drink diet coke but think of the money that I could save if I quit eating so much!! I could actually kill three birds with one stone, lose weight, be healthier and save money.
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Starting Kefir
Kefir is pronounced keh-fear, I'm not sure that I have enough knowledge to explain what it is any further than that. I have been reading and studying it and it's effects for the last few days. I have read many incredible testimonies about it's benefits and stories about it's rich history. At one time being valued more than jewels or gold, the property of Kings and a family's wealth determined by it's ownership.
It arrived in my mailbox yesterday in a little envelope, the kefir jewels or grains as they are properly called were dehydrated and looked like small pale yellow nuggets. There was a paper included with instructions on how to begin my new venture. I had paid for the postage and the grains themselves were free because it is very bad to sell kefir grains, they are a gift from God.
Kefir is a milk beverage and was used as a milk preservative before the time of refrigeration. Kefir grains are a living Probiotic as opposed to an Antibiotic, BIOTIC means "life", PRO means "for" and ANTI means "against". So, probiotic means "for life" and I'm all for that! When hydrated and active, Kefir grains resemble cauliflower and are pure white.
Since I don't have a goat that has come fresh yet and milk is so expensive right now, I asked for dehydrated grains instead of the moist and ready to go variety. My plan was to hydrate my grains as soon as I had fresh goat's milk. However, after reading so much good information and hearing all of the wonderful things that kefir can do for you, I just couldn't wait and started half of my grains.
The instructions said to put the grains in 1 to 2 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of sugar. I did this and after a few hours my grains were no longer yellow, they were white, fluffy and rubbery. I strained them out of the water and rinsed them in a plastic strainer because I have been told not to let them come in contact with metal. Then I placed them in a glass cup of milk to sit on my kitchen counter for 24 to 48 hours for fermentation.
My 24 hours were up at 9:00 this evening and the milk smells very yeasty, I will let them set for another 24 hours, then pour the milk off and give it to my dog, then put the grains back in fresh milk for 24 more hours. The next milk that the grains are strained out of will be the kefir that I will be drinking. It is suppose to be the consistency of buttermilk but has a different taste. The grains themselves will grow and multiply as long as you keep them in fresh milk on a continual basis, straining it every 48 hours. You can also eat the grains when you get enough or give them to friends.
There are many recipes online using kefir and I will be trying some of these. I will probably be keeping you posted on my kefir adventure.
It arrived in my mailbox yesterday in a little envelope, the kefir jewels or grains as they are properly called were dehydrated and looked like small pale yellow nuggets. There was a paper included with instructions on how to begin my new venture. I had paid for the postage and the grains themselves were free because it is very bad to sell kefir grains, they are a gift from God.
Kefir is a milk beverage and was used as a milk preservative before the time of refrigeration. Kefir grains are a living Probiotic as opposed to an Antibiotic, BIOTIC means "life", PRO means "for" and ANTI means "against". So, probiotic means "for life" and I'm all for that! When hydrated and active, Kefir grains resemble cauliflower and are pure white.
Since I don't have a goat that has come fresh yet and milk is so expensive right now, I asked for dehydrated grains instead of the moist and ready to go variety. My plan was to hydrate my grains as soon as I had fresh goat's milk. However, after reading so much good information and hearing all of the wonderful things that kefir can do for you, I just couldn't wait and started half of my grains.
The instructions said to put the grains in 1 to 2 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of sugar. I did this and after a few hours my grains were no longer yellow, they were white, fluffy and rubbery. I strained them out of the water and rinsed them in a plastic strainer because I have been told not to let them come in contact with metal. Then I placed them in a glass cup of milk to sit on my kitchen counter for 24 to 48 hours for fermentation.
My 24 hours were up at 9:00 this evening and the milk smells very yeasty, I will let them set for another 24 hours, then pour the milk off and give it to my dog, then put the grains back in fresh milk for 24 more hours. The next milk that the grains are strained out of will be the kefir that I will be drinking. It is suppose to be the consistency of buttermilk but has a different taste. The grains themselves will grow and multiply as long as you keep them in fresh milk on a continual basis, straining it every 48 hours. You can also eat the grains when you get enough or give them to friends.
There are many recipes online using kefir and I will be trying some of these. I will probably be keeping you posted on my kefir adventure.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Goat Milk Facial Cleanser
I got this recipe and it was suppose to be a goat milk skin cleanser but I found it to be great for other things too.
It is simple to make and is very affective. It can be used as a facial cleanser, a facial tightening mask or as a milk bath.
This was taken from Home Beauty book. It says " For clean healthy skin, goat's milk is an instant beautifier both inside and out. It is rich in protein, natural fat, and acids, all of which help clean and detoxify your complexion, thus leaving it soft and smooth."
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup of goat's milk
2 tablespoons of baking soda
1 egg white
Yields 6 oz.
Directions:
Mix all ingredients until well blended. Pour into a clean container.
To use:
Stir before each use. Pour small amount of cleansing milk onto a clean wet washcloth and gently massage into your face and neck. Rinse well with warn water and pat dry. Refrigerate any left over cleanser.
This is the way that I use it: It has to be kept refrigerated, so that means that it is cold when you use it unless you want to let the small portion that you will be using set out until it comes to room temperature. Don't attempt to warm it in the microwave because the egg white will cook very quickly.
I shake the container thoroughly before pouring out a small amount and let it set for awhile before use. When I am ready to use it, I stir it again and then dip a cotton ball in it to apply it to my face and throat, then I rinse it off with warm water.
I have oily skin and so my favorite way to use it is the mask method. I wash my face with another cleanser, then apply it with a cotton ball and leave it on until it is dry and my skin is tight, then I rinse it off with warm water.
My face is always very soft after using this mixture. So I also use it as a milk bath, after stirring the mixture, I just pour the full container in my bath water.
It is simple to make and is very affective. It can be used as a facial cleanser, a facial tightening mask or as a milk bath.
This was taken from Home Beauty book. It says " For clean healthy skin, goat's milk is an instant beautifier both inside and out. It is rich in protein, natural fat, and acids, all of which help clean and detoxify your complexion, thus leaving it soft and smooth."
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup of goat's milk
2 tablespoons of baking soda
1 egg white
Yields 6 oz.
Directions:
Mix all ingredients until well blended. Pour into a clean container.
To use:
Stir before each use. Pour small amount of cleansing milk onto a clean wet washcloth and gently massage into your face and neck. Rinse well with warn water and pat dry. Refrigerate any left over cleanser.
This is the way that I use it: It has to be kept refrigerated, so that means that it is cold when you use it unless you want to let the small portion that you will be using set out until it comes to room temperature. Don't attempt to warm it in the microwave because the egg white will cook very quickly.
I shake the container thoroughly before pouring out a small amount and let it set for awhile before use. When I am ready to use it, I stir it again and then dip a cotton ball in it to apply it to my face and throat, then I rinse it off with warm water.
I have oily skin and so my favorite way to use it is the mask method. I wash my face with another cleanser, then apply it with a cotton ball and leave it on until it is dry and my skin is tight, then I rinse it off with warm water.
My face is always very soft after using this mixture. So I also use it as a milk bath, after stirring the mixture, I just pour the full container in my bath water.
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