The Food Issue Family

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Kombucha DAY 6...

This is my first time delving into anything that has to do with cultured foods. 
We are anxiously awaiting the completion of our first round of Kombucha.  
This is DAY 6. 

I.Am.Afraid…to touch it, smell it, move it…ruin it. 

But that's ok. Sometimes you have to just fail forward.
Get up and try something new.

In 3 more days I will take the next step in this process.

I'm not completely clear on them. So many questions!

The directions say "pour off a couple of ounces for a taste test…when the tea is brewed to your taste, pour the tea into glass bottles and cap. Place in refrigerator."

Here is some learning I need to do: 
What do I do with the old scoby?
Can I reuse them and make two batches at once?
Is the scoby forming properly?
Can a larger scoby be cut into multiple scoby?

HELP!!!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Do You Elf?

I don't Elf. If you don't know what I'm referring to, brace yourself. It gets creepy.
Awesome, but creepy.
FUN, but creepy.
Creative, but creepy.
Creepy, but STILL kind of cool.
I'm just kidding (maybe not, I could be totally serious about it being creepy).

When I was first introduced to The Elf On TheShelf, it was a gift sent to us by my husband's family in Massachusetts. I remember his Step-Mother's voice on the phone asking me if I had heard of it, and she was so excited. I hadn't heard of it even once before then. She's too sweet and always finds awesome gifts for our kids. Anyway, back to the I don't Elf...

It came in the mail and I was like "Um, what is this creepy thing"?

But I humored her.
Took the book out and ready it and read the instructions.
Then I put it all back and packed it up. My son was only 1 year old. The box said they had to be three and my husband and I didn't see the point in doing all of those shenanigans for a baby. He would touch it when he wasn't supposed to. Possibly damage it, or put it in his mouth. He would have no idea what we were even doing. But, the big reason we didn't use it was, because the child was supposed to name it and he could barely speak. SO…The Elf, he stayed on the shelf.

By the time our son was three, we had our little baby girl. I was NOT trying to go to all of the lengths I saw everyone going to on Facebook.  I had an infant to care for, and a house to pack to move 3,000 miles away. The Elf, he stayed on the shelf.

Three years go buy. Guess where that bad boy is?

You got it! He's on the shelf. Nice and crisp and perfect in his box. With his creepy glaring eyes saying "WHY must I stay in here"?
I don't know little creepy Elf who is looking at me, I think keeping you ON the shelf is our tradition.
So, the Elf, he stayed on the shelf.