Homemade Greek-style Yogurt

We eat a lot of yogurt in my house. I imagine that our consumption will only increase as Sweet Pea gets older. We've always preferred Chobani Greek yogurt because it has a higher  amount of protein (at 16g) than other yogurts. When I came across a recipe for homemade Greek yogurt I decided that I must try it... if it worked we could save a lot of money (and know exactly what we were eating)!

It took two attempts to make delicious, perfectly creamy Greek-style yogurt. (I say Greek-style because obviously I'm not making this in Greece, but it is thick and creamy!) I followed this recipe from Happy Simple Living, a website/blog full of ideas on leading a fulfilled, yet simple life. (I really like how the author spelled out her top goals and priorities here. I may have to make my own list!)

On my first try I made two mistakes: 1. I bought ultra-pasteurized organic milk. 2. I somehow missed the part about preheating the oven to 150F before turning on the oven light. This batch of yogurt turned out very liquidy, almost like thick milk. It smelled and tasted like yogurt though so I used it up making smoothies. (These turned out delish but I learned that my blender is not the great smoothie-making machine I had hoped!)

Afterward, I did some reading on making yogurt on Chowhound.com (particularly this thread) and learned a lot more about making yogurt. One of the more fascinating bits I learned is that some people make their yogurt in the microwave - but this means you have to be in your house for about 12 hours to "man the microwave." I decided that I did not want to add powdered milk to my yogurt as suggested in the Chowhound thread and that instead, I would revisit the Happy Simple Living recipe. Off to the store I went to get my new supplies.

On my second try I decided to use Stoneyfield yogurt - I read that it contained the most live cultures (5) - as my starter instead of Chobani. I also bought regular 2% milk and read the instructions carefully (this is when I realized my previous mistake)! Instead of using some old cheesecloth that my husband found in the garage (I know, gross) I bought some new stuff. This time, my yogurt turned out perfect - but having used a half-gallon of milk I thought I would get more than 4 cups of yogurt! The basic process is this:

After warming up your milk to 180 degrees, transfer it to a glass container and let it cool to 105-110 degrees

Warm your oven up to 150 degrees, cover and then wrap your container, and turn on your oven light. Wait for the magic to happen while you sleep.

This was about 12 hours later - yogurt! Now, put it in the fridge to cool for a few hours.

After it's cooled in the fridge, strain it through 4-layers of cheesecloth and put in the fridge again. Strain the whey and you are left with beautiful Greek yogurt!

What to do with all of this leftover whey?

 Another comment on Chowhound  recommended using the leftover whey as your "water" in making steel cut oatmeal. I LOVE steel cut oatmeal, especially this apple pie oatmeal recipe from Cooking with Jax, so I gave it a shot:

It turned out disgusting. I would not recommend using your whey this way (haha) and instead would use it to make bread or even better, feed it to your dog and chickens. (This batch of oatmeal went out to the coop where it was devoured by our hens!)

Will I make homemade Greek yogurt again? It took a chunk of time to warm the milk, watch the milk, and strain the milk and the end result was only 4 (wonderfully delicious) cups of yogurt. I suppose I could double the recipe or use the whey to make bread so that I feel like I got more product out of the process. I don't know... maybe I'll make it when we are having a special breakfast or as a fun science experiment with Sweet Pea, but I can't see making it every week to keep up with our consumption.

To work or not to work...

Snuggles a few days after coming home from the NICU

 My dream growing up was to be a Mom. I thought I'd go to college and earn a degree in something fun, work for a few years while looking for the perfect husband, get married, have babies, and stay home to raise them. My plan has almost come true.

I did earn a fun degree in advertising and public relations and I worked in the field for about two years before deciding it was not so fun after all. I was doing school marketing and working with teachers and thought - Hey, teaching sounds like fun! I went back to school and got a master's degree in social science education. I taught middle school for ten years and during that time met the perfect guy, got married, and got pregnant. So far so good, right?

My husband is also a teacher and as the world knows teachers are not highly paid. So as we made plans during my pregnancy we thought that it would be best if I took the three months maternity leave and went back to work, shipping our baby off to daycare somewhere. I was not thrilled with this since I firmly believe that the best person to raise a child is their mother, but I also realize that raising a child with no clothes or food is not a wise option either. (And as a side note, I have taught in three different states, meaning that I basically have no retirement at this point! Yikes!) So off we went during what turned out to be the final month of pregnancy to explore our child care options. And it was scary.

Where we live there are not day care centers, instead there are women who watch 6-10 children in their homes. We printed the list of the home day care options from the internet and started making calls. Many places were already full - especially since they can only take two babies under the age of two at a time. We met with several scary people in their scary homes until we settled on someone that we didn't think was perfect, but could do the job (and it helped that our friends sent their babies here too). As fate would have it, our daughter came two months early and spent three months in various NICU's.

My maternity leave came and went quickly and we were still in the hospital. We learned of my daughter's life-long health issues that require hormone replacement therapy and careful monitoring. We decided that our best move would be for me to take a leave of absence for the remainder of the school year to stay home with Sweet Pea.

Being home with her has been a dream come true. Literally. I love waking up with her in the morning, playing with her during the day, being able to handle her medical care (paperwork, insurance, appointments) in peace, taking an afternoon nap with her. I like that I can keep the house somewhat clean and bake to my hearts desire. I am tired at the end of each day, don't get me wrong, but I do not have any papers to grade once I put her down for the night - and that is utterly delightful.

My husband and I have debated finding new jobs and moving closer to a major hospital for the sake of our child; we talk about it daily and have explored many different options. This would be incredibly difficult however because we live in a relatively affordable (very rural) part of the state, and the two areas with major hospitals seem to have housing markets that require you to have millions in the bank. We would both have to get lucky in finding teaching jobs. I've applied for one so far and although I was perfectly qualified I didn't even get an interview. We've been told that the superintendent is asking schools not to hire anyone with more than five years experience. No other jobs have posted that either I nor my husband are qualified for.

We've also toyed with the idea of me staying home one more year until Sweet Pea can at least talk. Then she could tell someone when she wasn't feeling well or if she needed a drink of water... and she could tell us if someone isn't treating her well. We could make this work if my husband works this summer and if I could work part-time somewhere - but where would I work? What would I be doing? Could I work from home? We would still have to be very frugal and would not be able to build our savings back up, but it could be done.

And last, I could go back to work. I've already resigned from my current position because even if I went back to teaching I would not want to work in that same position - the drive is just too far. I've recently learned of an available position at what was just last year my dream school because it is right down the road from our house. I could ride my bike if I wanted.  There is no reason why they shouldn't hire me. But do I really want to go back to the classroom? We've decided we would have to hire a nanny - if we can find one - for Sweet Pea and that would cost half of my take home pay. It would be worth it to know that she is cared for and safe. Taking this job would mean that I'd have a teaching job until I retired, but it also means that if we did decide we HAD to move at some point in the future I'd have even more teaching experience (and would thus be more expensive to a school) and administrators might wonder why I've taught in so many different buildings.

There are so many things for us to consider that it is quite overwhelming. I would most love to stay home with Sweet Pea while getting paid to write and taking her with me on new adventures. I'm not sure how to make that happen though and I'm running out of time to figure it out!

Did you struggle with the decision to go back to work? How did you make your decision? I'm starting to think my t-charts need an upgrade!

Why choose cloth diapers?

FuzziBunz One-Size and One-Size Elite Diapers

I have to admit that when my husband first mentioned the idea of diapering our daughter in cloth I was shocked. Why would I want to do that? I had visions of trying to hold down the baby while accidentally jabbing her with safety pins... and I had nightmares of poopy laundry. But, after hours days of research I decided that cloth diapering would actually work well for our family.

First, I found that cloth diapers are cheaper than disposables. Way cheaper. You can find all kinds of information online about how much money you can save using cloth. FuzziBunz has a chart here showing the cost comparison using their pocket diapers while over at Diaper Decisions you can find another chart showing that prefolds, covers, and laundry expenses through potty training will cost you less than $500; disposables will cost around $2,500. If you use your diapers for multiple children you can really see a huge difference in savings. Fitted diapers, all-in-ones and pockets will cost you more but you can still save significant money over time. Even better, you can put cloth dipes on your baby registry and pay only the cost of laundry! (You can even make them yourself - here is a tutorial!)

After looking around online I discovered that cloth diapers are really cute. Although we ended up going with solid colors you can find them in all types of patterns. Women in various cloth diaper groups online go so far as to post pics of their adorable babes in cloth or of their enormous "stash" of diapers. We're not that obsessed, but my Sweet Pea sure does look cute with her fluffy bottom!

The proclaimed environmental benefits of cloth do not hold water (haha, get it?) with me. Although we are not filing up landfills with dirty diapers we are using a lot of water to wash those suckers. In the winter, our water is heated with wood so at least we don't feel guilty about using a non-renewable resource at that time. Once we get the oil cranking though we won't be so smug. Washing a diaper involves pre-washing, a hot cycle, and a cold cycle. If you live in an area with a diaper service you can reduce your environmental impact in terms of water use but then you are paying someone to drive to your house to pick up the dipes.  We can line dry our diapers in the summer but we do throw them in the dryer in winter. I suppose we are minding our poop though, as all diapers (yes, even disposables) are supposed to have the poop flushed down the toilet before tossing into the wash bin. I'm sure that most people aren't knocking out the poop before tossing their disposables in the trash can though - and all that waste ends up in the landfill.

Disposables are made out of all sorts of crazy things like polymers and dioxine, but if you choose cloth you can buy natural, organic materials for your babe.  Of course, these diapers cost more. After much thought and discussions with friends, we opted for the FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diaper. This diaper is not organic - it's made of polyester microfleece - but it is very soft, absorbent, and will grow with our daughter so that we only have to have one stash of diapers (unless baby #2 decides to make arrive while #1 is still in dipes!). The new FB Elite pocket diaper - which came out right after we came home from the NICU - is trimmer and has a minky insert which is just as absorbent but less bulky and more stain resistant.

Taking care of a babe in cloth is pretty easy. The diaper goes on just like a disposable, and since we have adjustable dipes they will grow with her. Since Sweet Pea is still eating just breastmilk her diapers can go straight into the washing machine. Once she starts eating food we'll have to knock the solids into the toilet. Now, we just shake out the insert and toss it and the cover into the wet bag. Once a day we dump the dipes into the washer along with the bag and wash. (We have 36 diapers and could definitely go longer without washing, but our daughter has diabetes insipidus which means she pees A LOT during the day and we'd rather not look at a bag full of dirty diapers.) To show you how simple it is, here is a video explaining disposable liners with Fuzzibunz.

If you are unsure about cloth diapers you can do a cloth trial through a business like Jillian's Drawers. Basically you pay $160 up front to try all different types of diapers for 21 days. At the end of the trial you may return all of the diapers and get a refund of $140.99! By going with a trial you can test different diapers and get an idea of what kind works for you and your child.  As much as I LOVE my FB, if I had known about this while pregnant we would have gone with this option first, especially since baby girl was so dang small when she first came home!

Look for future posts re: FB One-Size vs. Elite One-Size, cloth-safe diaper creams, and laundering cloth.

Thinking about Spring

It's 22-degrees outside but especially sunny, which has me daydreaming about spring and planting our garden. Last year we were pretty ambitious in our planting, but then I was put on bedrest. Right when our crops were at their peak I went into labor and stayed in the hospital with the baby through the fall. My favorite seed company, High Mowing Seeds, published a link on Facebook last year and again today to "The Lazy Gardener's Seed Starting Chart" at You Grow Girl. It's fantastic and easy! I found it especially useful for knowing when to start our seeds indoor. This year we plan to direct sow everything since the house will be for sale and we have to be ready to show it at a moments notice (i.e. no tables full of plants scattered throughout the living room!). Check out the chart and enjoy!

What to Pack for the Hospital

 Packing for the hospital is one of those things that is both exciting and intimidating for the first-time mother. I searched the internet for every "suggested list" I could find and then created my own tailored to my needs. I started the list at the end of May even though I wasn't due until the end of September. Unfortunately I went into labor at 28 weeks (July) and did not have my bags packed! However, I did have my list and was able to at least tell my husband where it was on the computer so that he could come home and gather my things.

Although my husband did a wonderful job, he didn't get it completely right the first time. Luckily, Baby Girl stayed put for another month while I kept her baking on bed rest. During that time I had the chance to modify my list and watch as my husband packed my bags. When my water broke at 32 weeks I was more or less ready for the hospital (but definitely not prepared for what the next few months would bring... more on that another time).

Every hospital varies so you should really take a tour of the hospital where you plan to deliver (I'd highly recommend taking your childbirth class there as well as it's a great way to meet some of the staff before delivery). I ended up needing to deliver at a hospital two hours away so I didn't know much about what the hospital provided vs. what I needed to bring. (Since I did spend a week on bed rest there I was at least acquainted with important things like the cafeteria menu and the pros and cons of the various beds available!)

Here is my list of essential items broken down in three categories: what I needed, what the husband needed, and what baby needed. In my case I sadly did not get to bring baby home after two days so we traded some of the originally packed items for other things that she needed in the NICU (that, too, will be another post).

For Mama

• Paperwork: drivers license, insurance card, birth plan (multiple copies), baby folder*, thank you cards, stamps, pens
• Headband and hair ties: I forgot these the first time but a girlfriend bought me some when she came to visit. These are very important when you can't take a shower and feel gross.
• Socks and slippers: my hospital gave me socks with rubber on the bottom so I wore these while in labor, but I definitely wanted my own socks and slippers after delivery, especially since our daughter was in the NICU down the hall.
• Old underwear: I was under the impression that these would be for me to wear while in labor (not while actually pushing but leading up to that), boy I was so wrong! If your water has already broken I would advise you to take advantage of the disposable undies from the hospital. They are one-size-fits-all stretchy pieces of fabric (more like mesh?) that you can wear with a giant pad to pretend you have some amount of modesty. After delivery you'll want a stash of disposables to change into until that first shower, after which you can don your own undies.
• Nursing bra, breast pads, nipple cream: even if you don't have big boobs you'll want a nursing bra to hold the pads so that you don't leak all over yourself. Buy bras without underwire well into your third trimester; you'll be amazed at how much bigger you'll get right after baby is born. Many people use Lansinoh lanolin to prevent nipple issues but my hospital recommended Motherlove. I'm on my 4th container of it now!
• Change of clothes and comfy shoes to wear home: I didn't go home, but I did enjoy wearing three different maternity dresses in rotation for weeks after baby was born and until my husband could get home and pick up some more clothes. You'll be smaller after delivery but not by much and wearing a maternity dress of stretchy fabric (along with some flip-flops!) is ultra comfortable.
• Toiletries: every woman is different as far as what they need to feel good about themselves. I needed my own shampoo and conditioner (the hospital stuff is crap), toothpaste, toothbrush, body lotion, face lotions for night and day, make-up (I just put on some lip gloss and mascara), and my blow dryer (although the hospital did provide a junky one).
• Chapstick: separate from your other toiletries because you will want this next to you at all times.
• Maxi Pads: although I used the ones from the hospital (along with the disposable undies) for the first few days, I was able to wean down from those jumbo things quickly. It was nice to have my own already packed.
• Mints, gum, snacks: You wont necessarily be able to get up to brush your teeth whenever you want so these are great to keep with the chapstick next to the bed. The snacks are great for after delivering, although my hospital had other food available too. Some hospitals have terrible food so if yours falls in that category you might be better off bringing your own.
• Relaxation materials: I was on my laptop a lot and tried reading a book on newborns, but found magazines to be a much better distraction. Some people listen to music during this time but I found it to be annoying.
• Your own pretty pillow(s): hospital pillows are not known for being all that comfortable or pretty, and let's face it, you'll want a pretty backdrop for all those pictures your husband should be taking! After I delivered though, the doctor told me that she has always had bad luck with patients who bring their own pillows! So while I certainly enjoyed it I'm not sure it'll come along next time.
• Cell phone w/charger and important #s programmed: I kept a list of important numbers (pediatrician, insurance, work, etc.) in my "Baby Folder" instead of putting them all in my cell phone.

For the husband

• Camera with batteries and charger
• Watch with second hand for timing contractions: we didn't end up needing this but if you have a long labor you might want it
• Toiletries
• Change of clothes
• Snacks
• Relaxation materials: a book, magazine, music, laptop
• Cash: dollar bills are especially useful for vending machines
• Cell phone w/ charger and list of important numbers
• Gifts/cards for Mama and Baby: I don't think you need to go crazy here but Mama should be properly thanked for pushing that baby! Even something small like chocolate or her favorite treat will be appreciated after all that work.
• Pillows or sleeping bag: the hospital pull-out bed or chair is going to suck. You can attempt to make it better with your own pillow or sleeping bag.

For the baby

• Packed diaper bag (see other post)
• Newborn diapers: the hospital should send you home with some disposables but just in case bring a few of your own. If you are using cloth diapers bring those with you. Many hospitals will let you use them immediately after birth; you just need to make sure you have enough with you!
• Receiving blanket or two: especially if it's cold outside.
• Going-home outfits: bring these in a couple of sizes (Newborn and 0-3 just to be safe!). Also, consider skipping the ridiculous "outfit" and bring home baby in something comfortable like PJs.
• Baby socks and hat: babies can't maintain their own body heat until 6-months-old which is why they come home in hats. 
• Car seat: this should already be installed and ready to go. The hospital staff should help you adjust it if necessary.
• Swaddle: These are great for newborns. We used the Halo Sleepsack and Swaddle in the NICU and once we got home.
• Baby book: this is great to have so that you can get your first hand/foot prints and so that you can write things down while it's fresh in your mind. You won't have much time once you get home!

Completely unnecessary items:

• Old Pajamas: this showed up on list after list of "required" items but in the end I was most comfortable wearing the Johnny provided by the hospital. The best part - there were plenty so as one got dirty a new one would be brought in for me! 
• Bathrobe: this just takes up way too much space and it's another item that the hospital will have for you. it won't be pretty, but it will cover up your bare ass.
• Your own towel: I read over and over again that your first shower after delivery will be the best of your life and you should not ruin it with a crappy towel. This is crap. It will be the best shower regardless of the towel you use to dry off! Plus, if you bring your own you risk losing it and you have to pack up a wet towel to bring home. No thank you. 
• Any jewelry: you will take it off anyway once you get there.
• Medications: this one surprised me as I thought I would need my own vitamins at least, but the hospital will provide you with every medication you need during your stay.
• Massage oils/lotions: you will not want anyone touching you with anything oily or smelly. You may not want anyone even near you at all!
• Baby mittens: while you don't want baby to scratch her face, you do want her to be able to find her mouth and suck on her thumb or fingers if she needs to soothe herself (most babes do this in the womb). If you put those mittens on your baby then they can't sooth themselves!

For your viewing pleasure you can download my list here, and then alter it to fit your needs.

Did I miss anything super important? What did you absolutely need for delivering your baby?

Why Mama's Recess?

There are thousands of blogs out there and almost all of the ones I come across are "Mommy Blogs," so why am I starting yet another one? Well, because I feel like it. And also because I need it. I've been blogging for my family and friends since I left the south and fled north across the Mason-Dixon Line several years ago, but I find that I can't say everything I want for fear of offending grandparents or boring everyone else who just wants to hear about the baby.  Plus, I live in the middle of nowhere and am currently a stay-at-home Mom to my little Muffin. I LOVE that I have the opportunity to be at home with her; I am doing what I always dreamed of doing. However, I have a lot going on in my head during the day and absolutely no outlet. I talk to the Muffin but she just smiles and nods her head...

I am a teacher by training and maybe that is part of my problem. I am home everyday without pupils to teach! You, Reader, are my new student. I hope you enjoy the show...