Making Cheese - Quark

Today I started my first attempt at making cheese at home. This recipe was too easy to pass by. I got this from: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2009/04/making-yoghurt-yogurt-and-quark.html. Seriously, if I can do this, anyone can. Basically, you take plain yogurt(make sure it doesn't have gelatin), put it in a strainer lined with cheesecloth, and put another container on the bottom to catch the whey. This will take 1-2 days and will make a soft cheese. I put a plate with jar of jam on top to gently press the whey out. Can you see there is already some there?

Supposedly, that's all there is to it. Just put the yogurt in the container and wait 2 days. Then you can flavor it sweet(with honey or jam) or savory (with chili pepper, garlic, onion, herb, etc.) I can't wait to see how it turns out. Eventually, I want to make the yogurt at home too, but I have to take things one step at a time. Now I will have whey to soak grains, nuts, or beans. I will keep you posted on how it turns out.

Dandelions and Other Garden Fun

I love Papi's hat! Forming a dandelion bouquet.

So precious!

Garden prep is done! I have planted: brocoli, cauliflower, cabbage, chard, cilantro, carrots, radishes, onions, bok choy, spinach, snap peas, and shelling peas.

A little taste of spring

Mami's little helper in the garden. This looks good...

Hey, you took my spoon!

I love spring!

I'm rich!

Not really. At least not in dollars by US standards. I am referring to the many other things that make life rich and full of joy. I read this a while back (from Melinda on One Green Generation) and really liked how she said it:

"The simple living movement has done an amazing job of redefining personal wealth. No longer is wealth about money or material possessions, it is about living a nurturing, filling, and happy life. Many people add more layers to the simple lifestyle, so that it is also about becoming debt-free, living an environmentally-sustainable lifestyle, and working toward social justice.

Wealth comes from a richness of relationships, flavors of fresh homemade and homegrown food, being within and a part of nature, contributing more good to the world, and deliberately paying attention to and fulfilling the needs of your self and those around you. It’s a beautiful, selfless, and self-fulfilling life."

In a culture that's all about making and spending money, we need to redefine wealth and our concept of what's enough. Especially as I think of the imprint my life leaves on my daughter. I want her to value things that can give her life meaning and make a positive impact on the world.

The Best Cookbook EVER!

A friend just recently recommended the cookbook How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman, so I got it. I LOVE IT! This is my kind of cookbook. Everything you need to know to make stuff from scratch at home. So many good recipes that I don't know where to start! I love what he says in the intro under the heading "What's Convenient?":
"Contemporary marketing has convinced many people the "convenience" food is not only quicker than home cooking but better and cheaper. In fact, it's worse, and more expensive, and only marginally faster. (Fully half the recipes in this book can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.)"
Woo-hoo! I am all for the less than 30 minutes part. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered "What's for dinner?"

Fresas

My garden is tilled!

Trying to keep things moving along with the garden, but still so much to do and so little spring left. At least it's tilled now!