March 3rd 2016. Thursday

Good morning fellow skinnies!  I'm still at 113 and my food choices match that number so things feel solid.

Looking forward to getting my Instant Pot to try making yogurt (with some hand holding from Michelle and Devon of course) and also considering alternatives to Quest Bars. I've been researching replacement recipes and they're out there, using a particular prebiotic for the fiber, which seems to be the only thing that works (in combo with Miralax) to keep me pooping. 

DH Rob actually stayed home from work today because he is in so much pain with his foot. He is going back to his doctor today and will see surgeon/specialist next week, so hoping to at least get a diagnosis soon. I feel so badly for him. 

Poor guy! Not fun at all! 

I gotta tell you this last batch I made is absolutely heaven sent. Best yogurt EVER! 

Just checked my Instant Pot tracking and it's out for delivery :-). What was your recipe this last time?

I use a gallon of milk, but you can certainly use 1/2 gallon and 1 TBS yogurt starter. 

1 gallon of 2% milk

Heaping soup spoon of greek yogurt (fat free, your choice).

Heat milk to 180 degrees F. stirring occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom of the pot. 

cool milk to 115 degrees F. (If you heat the milk in the INstant Pot, plunge the whole stainless steel insert into a cold water/ice bath. The cooling will take minutes, rather than an hour +) 

ladle out 1/2 cup of warm milk and whisk in the yogurt starter. Whisk the yogurt milk mixture into the milk. 

Set your IP to yogurt. If you like more tang set it for 9 or 10 hours. If you like a much more mild flavor use the 8 hour setting. I am actually appreciating the mildness of the 8 hour batch. When mixed with berries and topped with a few nuts it is utterly delicious. A little added sweetener brings it into the perfection range. 

After the yogurt has set, transfer the yogurt into the strainer. Put it in the fridge and let the yogurt strain for 8 hours to get a really THICK and creamy consistency. I like my yogurt really thick, so 8+ hours really does the trick for me. If you like a thinner yogurt strain for about 4-6 hours. 

Thank you Devon!  First batch is underway already.  Of course I was so excited I didn't think about the time component so will have to stay up until midnight to transfer it to the fridge lol. 

did you find the magic tang level?

INSTANT POT IS IN DA HOUSE!!  Shel I'd love to try your yogurt recipe too!!

9 hours is perfect! However, like a mentioned above, I'm finding the 8 hour tang very pleasant now, too. It is almost ricotta like in flavor, which I'm finding quite delicious as a dessert! 

Greetings skinny earthlings:

Sounds like no one is sleeping well. Phoooey on that. And take care of achy arms everyone.  Pain sucks.

A beautiful sunny and calm day here. Perfect for my raku firing. I have some newbies participating so I always have to chase them around and keep them from setting themselves on fire.

Gotta go stand in line at the bank. they are selling out and I am going to a different bank.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute. How can it be March? 

Well Madame Gala is definitely preggers so there should be a pup for me.  Unless they all have two heads.  Due around March 23 when I will be coming back from visit to the mothership.  much to do before that trip on the 16th.

take care all and step away from the brownies.    diane s

YAY to puppies! I'm glad we're expecting together. Will this be your first Chip baby (yours, not his! LOL)?????