lots of good bacteria

Before getting our milk cow I had started making sourdough starter.  This particular starter has been going since December of 2019.  It's taken on many forms over the past few years.  I've experimented with different types of flours to feed it with, and I always go back to our fresh ground wheat flour.  I used to keep a lot of starter but now I only keep enough starter to make a recipe with.  This starter has so many bubbles and this particular starter I put in the refrigerator to use in my next recipe.  Putting it in the refrigerator will slow down the fermentation.

I've been wanting to make homemade mayonnaise and finally did.  Unlike most recipes this mayonnaise is fermented and will sit on the counter for 6-10 hours after which I will put in the fridge where it will last for 2+ months.  If you click on the italic pink colored words that is a link for the recipe and will be in all my posts, just an FYI.

Also, since having a milk cow we make yogurt and with the whey that we drain out of the yogurt I used a bit in the mayo I made.  We also make our own culture and haven't bought any to make our yogurt.  You can use plain yogurt or buy the cultures from folks who sell it.  It took us a few tries to get it right and we have been off to the races with making our own culture and yogurt.

From our apples we also make Apple Cider Vinegar, and there is nothing like homemade ACV.

With all the culture growing in our home we have a lot of good live cultures that are helping with our gut health.  Sourdough also helps with gut health and digestion.

Since we are getting closer to retirement and are fairly in good health so far, no medications taken by either of us, I am working hard to keep it that way.  But raising and making our own food has really saved money for us.  I hardly go to the grocery store; I do buy from the Amish store near us where I get my spices and buy my flour in bulk.  I don't use much sugar in recipes and have changed up old reliable recipes where I either cut down on sugar amounts or eliminated it all together and believe it or not apple pie is actually very sweet when no sugar is added.

I am amazed at how good food really is especially when you cut out sugar like in this apple pie above.  The apple flavor came through and these are apples we have stored from our purchase at the apple orchard late this past fall, they were second apples and half price.  The crust was made from the Leaf Lard that I had rendered down.  Jim actually said it was the best pie crust he has ever eaten.

This is what's been happening on our farm and in our life, trying to enjoy the life we have and trying to stay somewhat healthy as we go.

Life is just so good when you keep it simple.