I gotta tell you about kefir (key-fur). It is VERY easy to make...very inexpensive...very good for you. We've been making our own yogurt for years now and we love that too...but making kefir is so much easier and better for you. I learned that kefir has many more billions of beneficial bacteria and more varieties than yogurt does. There is also no lactose in it so it is palatable for those who are lactose intolerant. I also read that many people around the world feed it to their infants in place of formula or cow's milk. I documented, with photos, how to make it. All you need is: a spoonful of live kefir grains (these may be hard to come by...I bought mine through eBay), a clean glass jar with lid (or cover the jar with a paper towel with a rubber band to allow for air to escape), a PLASTIC slotted spoon to strain the grains (NEVER touch the grains with metal), and milk. Unlike yogurt, kefir is not temperature sensitive. This is what makes it incredibly easy to make.
Here's how to make it:
These first pictures are what the final product will look like. It kinda looks scary, but don't think too hard about it. After you blenderize it all, it will look and taste like a thin yogurt smoothie.
Then you strain the kefir grains out with the plastic spoon. Set them aside.
This is what the kefir grains look like. Some resemblance to popcorn or little cauliflowers.
Pour the kefir into the blender.
Add a tablespoon of honey or other sweetener. Vanilla is really good too. And for a real treat, add frozen berries or other fruit.
Blenderize.
Pour the kefir into a glass jar.
Store in the fridge. It lasts for a few weeks.
Taste.
Feel good about what you are putting in your body.
Put the kefir grains back into the kefir jar.
Pour fridge-temperature milk over the top, cover, place in a dark place. And start the process all over again anywhere from 12-24 hours later. I do mine every morning for breakfast. Riley loves it and so do we.