Saturday, January 28, 2012

Kefir for Ruby and I


                                           
Kefir with tundra blueberries.
 I recieved a box of Kefir powder recently from Susan.  Susan did you know that I absolutely love Kefir, even though it seems to make people disgusted.  Whenever, I leave Bethel I usually get a bunch from the grocery store (cost approx. 4-5 dollars a bottle).  So I asked the local yogurt maker about the kefir powder.  She told me about someone who was using and growing the Kefir grains, and I went and got some of his extras.  Thus- the kefir craze has started.  Here is the Wikipedia explanation of Kefir.

(Kefir  (From Wikipedia)
Kefir grains, which are a Probiotic that contain Yeast and live bacteria, are used to make kefir
Kefir (pronounced /kəˈfɪər/ kə-feer [2]) (alternately kefīrs, keefir, kephir, kewra, talai, mudu kekiya, milkkefir, búlgaros) is a Probiotic fermented milk drink made with Kefir Grains that originated with shepherds of the North Caucasus region, who discovered that fresh milk carried in leather pouches would occasionally ferment into an effervescent beverage. It is prepared by inoculating cow, goat, or sheep's milk with kefir grains. Traditional kefir was made in skin bags that were hung near a doorway; the bag would be knocked by anyone passing through the doorway to help keep the milk and kefir grains well mixed.[3]

Marco Polo mentions kefir in recounting his travels.)
                                                Kefir Grains. Rubbery, they multiply.

Kefir with milk.

 I put milk on top of the grains and let it sit for a night or a couple days. The longer it sits the fizzier it gets (slightly carbonated, milk does not go bad).  In the left hand photo, the drink is ready, the milk whey is on the bottom. 

Ruby helps me strain the kefir.  She loves it!  Moxy literally spit it out on the floor.
straining the grains, we will put strained grains into clean jar and restart the process.



drink it up yum!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Hot Diggity Dog-Making History

Go Jen Peeks! This is from this morning, but she left last night.  She is the first woman to win the Bogus 150.  This is a 150 mile dog race up river and back.

We found Elenor and Sean above.   We went to eat at Main Street Restaurant before the dog race.  They put us in some  private room.  Maybe to keep us from the other customers.  Eddy exposed. 

Eddy wrapped up in my coat.  He was snug and seemed to like being out.



The left is Lance Macky and his team.  He is a 4 time Iditarod champion.  This year our K-300 interests are more sparked than ever, as there is a lot of dog mushers from the area who are competitors. 




Cars on the river facing the fireworks, we think the site is pretty.

Eddy looking cute.  Susan sent me a down snow suit and warm sweater.  Perfect timing Susan.  Eddy stayed super warm.  Still smiling after sub-zero degree temps.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Collards and Logs

 Andrew and Kristy were on our minds today.  Not only can you bake kale but collard greens bake into chips also.  I ate a whole head of collard greens today, and two weeks ago I ate a whole head of kale.  Recipe is as followed and given to me by Kristy.  Olive oil, tumeric, garlic salt, nutritional yeast and pepper.  I also add a little cumin because I am coo coo for cumin. I am more coo coo for the Nutritional yeast.  I bake them at 290 degrees and begin taking them out after 15 minutes.  Yum Yum Yum.  I am a little addicted and find myself very disappointed when kale does not come in our vegetable box. 
 Andrew, Greg wanted you to see that it takes three whole birch logs to warm our house right now.  Nice and toasty.  You guys should come back now...okay?

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

There You Go Dad -37.

 Moxy seems to really like Eddy.
Mom was not exaggerating about our cold weather.  Our vehicle will not start. All over Bethel building pipes are freezing.  Even I got the day off due to frozen pipes.  :) Weather report shows about another week of this kind of cold.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year 2012...Where Did 2011 Go?


Happy New Year.  This is the temperature in the new year.  This is the real deal, no wind included.  It has not been cold like this in a while. Just in case you cannot see the thermometer it says -32.

Eddy looking cute.   What a special gift for Christmas.  


Ruby spent Christmas on the couch, feeling nauseated all day.  She did not even want to play with her toys.  That's sick.  She kind of has a green tint. 
 "I am optimus prime!"  The toy that gives me goosebumps. 

 Moxy got his gun, little dart gun.  He's been good with it.  We had concerns for what seems like obvious reasons.  But, we decided to let him be a full out boy from Alaska.  


Christmas holiday weekend spent in one big slumber party.  We were sick and tired for about three days straight. 




Lots of fun though. We are like hibernating bears




Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.