Guest Post - TakeThemAMeal

My son had just been born.  I had been up 4 times the night before and I had an awful headache.  It was dinner time, my 2 year old daughter was screaming because she was hungry, and my husband was still at work.  I was stressed and overwhelmed.  Then, my doorbell rang.  It was my friend Sarah bringing us dinner.  I knew it was going to be gluten free, I knew it was going to be good (simply because I didn’t have to make it!), and best of all, I knew more meals would be on the way in the coming days.

I knew all of this because of a wonderful service called www.TakeThemAMeal.com, a free website used to coordinate meals for those in need, often after an illness, hospitalization, loss of a loved one, birth of a new baby, etc.  I had used the site for years to both create meal schedules and receive meals before moving to the city where it is headquartered and meeting one of the owners.  I work for them now, and it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had because I and many of my friends have benefited from the site so much.

TakeThemAMeal.com is really easy to use. Once a meal schedule is created, you can enter in the address of the person receiving the meal, details about when to drop it off, dietary concerns, and even see what other people are bringing so that no one brings the same thing.  I used to have a calendar where I would pencil in who was bringing what on which days, spending lots of precious time trying to get all the details straight.  Now it’s done in minutes on a super easy to use website.  TakeThemAMeal.com even sends you a reminder email!  Here is a sample of what a schedule looks like- http://www.takethemameal.com/sample.php.  

TakeThemAMeal.com is also a useful tool within the body of Christ.  A few months ago, one of the members of our church had an unexpected extended hospital stay after the birth of her second child.  The meal coordinators quickly updated everyone on the families needs through their TakeThemAMeal schedule.  They even used the website to collect money for the family to buy food at the hospital.  I wanted to help out and TakeThemAMeal made it easy to serve; it listed all the foods their daughter at home enjoyed and gave instructions for the best times and the best way of delivering the meal.  As believers, we have the privilege to serve others in the church and TakeThemAMeal.com a great tool to simplify the “Meal Ministry” process.

To date, over 1.5 million meal schedules have been created to serve over 200,000 families.  So consider setting up a meal schedule at TakeThemAMeal.com the next time you hear of a friend, church member, neighbor, co-worker, or family member in need of a break.  It’s free, easy to use and a great way to show you care.  

By Maureen Witmer

“Like” us on Facebook- www.facebook.com/takethemameal
Follow us on Twitter- twitter.com/takethemameal
Also check out our sister site- www.PerfectPotluck.com

Easily Make Yogurt At Home In The Crock-Pot!

Today I want to share with you my crock-pot yogurt recipe.  When I first heard of making yogurt in the crock-pot about 1 1/2 years ago I was so amazed.  I have envisioned making yogurt as a hard time-consuming task, but it actually is extremely easy and fun to make, not to mention that it's actually not time consuming at all.  The biggest time consuming part of making yogurt is just making sure you'll be able to turn the crock-pot on and off at the right times.  I can't believe I didn't start making yogurt sooner, it's just absolutely so easy! : )

 What you need:

1/2 gallon of milk (preferable whole or as high of fat as you can get)
1/2 cup of active/live plain culture yogurt
Crock-Pot

Put the 1/2 gallon of milk in the crock-pot on low.  Cover and allow to warm for 2 1/2 hours. I have found that the timing on this recipe isn't strict at all.  I've allowed my milk to warm for 3 hours and the yogurt has turned out just fine.

After 2 1/2 hours turn your crock-pot off and just allow the milk to cool with the lid on.  You can unplug the crock-pot now as you will not be heating it anymore.  This would help keep your curious 2 year old from turning it back on...not that this has every happened. : )  Well, actually, it hasn't but other recipes of mine have almost been ruined this way... : )

After 3 hours of the milk cooling take out 2 cups of warm milk.  Mix 1/2 cup yogurt into the 2 cups warm milk.  Mix until there are no clumps and the milk is smooth.  Carefully add the mixed milk and yogurt to the crock-pot of warm milk.  Stir in well.

Place the lid back on the crock-pot and wrap well with a large towel.  I find that the big beach towels do well, though any large towel will work.  As long as the entire crock-pot is covered.

Now let it sit on the counter wrapped for 8 hours or overnight.

I like to start my yogurt at 3 in the afternoon, then I turn it off at 5:30, add the yogurt at 8:30 and then allow to stand overnight.

In the morning or after 8 hours the milk will have thickened and become yogurt.  It won't be as thick as store-bought yogurt.  You can either pour the finished yogurt into a cheesecloth lined bowl and allow the whey to drain off or use as it is.

I prefer to use the yogurt without draining off the whey.  I mainly use yogurt for smoothies or with granola so a thinner yogurt is just fine with me.

This recipes makes 2 quarts and 1 pint worth of yogurt (without draining the whey). I store in the refrigerator in glass canning cars.  This fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days (I've had it last longer too, just check it and make sure there isn't anything off with it before using.).  You can save 1/2 cup to use as a starter for your next batch of homemade yogurt.

It is recommended not to use your homemade yogurt as a starter after 3 times.  They say the cultures are to weak by then.  I've always just trusted that and haven't tried making it again after 3 times, I just go buy a new canister of yogurt. : )

Be sure to leave a comment if you have any questions, I'm happy to try to help. : )

Have you ever made yogurt before?  Do you make it on the stove or in the crock-pot?  Which method do you prefer?

Linked at:

Advertise with A Restful Place!

We have decided to open up advertising with A Restful Place!

If you have a company, blog, eBook, Etsy shop, or service that you think will fit with my blog and the readers, I would be happy to consider you for advertising!

We have made several affordable options for you to choose from to see pricing and details click here.

{Shutterfly Holiday Photo Cards}

Shutterfly is my #1 online place to go for anything picture related!  

I love them for printing pictures - the colors and quality is so superior. 

I've ordered many sets of photo Holiday Cards from them and have always been pleased with the quality, besides the excellent customer service. :)

Below are just a few of my favorite photo cards that Shutterfly offers.  Click on any of the pictures to link directly to the card page.

 I love the blue and the snowflake as the O in Joy in this one.

 I find this simple beautiful.  I love simple things.

 Brown and snowflakes - nothing says winter much better.

 Brown again - I used this card last year and was every bit pleased with it.

 Can't decide on one picture?  Make a collage - this card is so pretty.

I love the black and white flourish on this card.

 What a neat way to welcome in the new year!

 ~ Peace on Earth ~

Shutterfly Photo Cards range in price from $0.40 to $1.27 depending on style, which is a really great price.  They also often have great sales and free shipping on orders over $30 (though right now they are running free shipping over $50, which is still a really great deal combined with the other sales they are running now.)

If you are new to Shutterfly sign up here for 50 FREE prints, FREE lifetime photo storage, among many other fantastic features.

To stay up to date on Shutterfly's sales and deals be sure to follow them one, some or all of the following ways: 

Special Offers Page - http://www.shutterfly.com/special-offers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/shutterfly

Google +: https://plus.google.com/+shutterfly

Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com/

*Disclosure - This post is sponsored, I have been compensated for my time to share this with you.  Although saying that, I would only share things with you that I use and recommend. - I am not an affiliate with Shutterfly, I will not make a compensation off any link clicked on and ordered through this post.

Lamplighter 1 Day Sale up to 90% off!

There's a Huge Lamplighter Sale today!  Many products are marked on sale ~ several up to 90%.

Lamplighter Publishers is a Christian company publishing story books for children of all ages.  I still enjoy their books to this day, I would trust and have no problem having my children read these books when they became old enough for them.  Like all reading material discretion needs to be used before allowing young children to read any book. : )

Lamplighter has recently added new audio dramas of their books.

This sale only lasts 1 day so if you want to get any of their products now's the time!  This is the biggest savings in Lamplighter's history! Go browse their site!

*Disclaimer - The links in this post are my affiliate links. I will make a small amount of commission on each order placed through the links.

Lilla Rose December Flexi Clip

Here's the new Lilla Rose monthly Flexi Clip for December.

"The arrival of winter is upon us and what better way to welcome it with the gift of icy beads, silver and bows."

 

ORDER HERE

 * Links in this post go directly to my independent consultant website.