Kaake Family Blog

I have made milk kefir in the past but always ended up killing my grains.  The raw milk was too pricey to have on hand to make kefir all the time.  Then I found out about water kefir through some lovely ladies online.  One of them sent me some water kefir grains for me to get started.  Here's what happened. First batch - i used a pinch of baking soda and 1/4 cup organic cane sugar along with almost a quart of spring water and 1/3 cup kefir grains.  The water still seemed really sweet to me and i wasn't sure if it was working. Second batch - pretty much same as the first. Third batch - I used some unsulfured raisins, 1/4 cup sugar (heaping) and 1/3 cup kefir grains.  This time I saw major changes.  It was a slightly sweet, fermented taste.  The liquid was cloudy in a different way than it was before....can't really explain it.  I added 1 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and it tasted kind of like a flat cream soda. Fourth batch -...

I tweaked things a bit (are you surprised) and made these muffins.  Next time I'd definitely add in probably a tablespoon of lemon zest.  These are not super sweet muffins.  They are nice and hearty as well as tasty.  I think I will also do cranberry, orange peel and nut muffins next time. Ingredients: 2 cups oat flour (I make my own) 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons honey 2/3 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons melted butter 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup frozen blueberries 1 tablespoon finely chopped pecans Directions: 1. Mix together oat flour and buttermilk and let sit for 10 minutes or so. 2. Mix in eggs, butter and honey. 3. Add in dry ingredients and mix just till combined. 4. Fold in blueberries and nuts and put into 12 muffin liners.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

My son made a bracelet for me out of huge, red beads and a green pipe cleaner.  He crafted it with love...love for his mama.   He gave it to me and I put it on for a bit, it was so big and cumbersome.  I took it off and put it on the coffee table to admire the rest of the evening. Days passed and I looked at the bracelet that is not at all my kind of fashion, but thinking of how my son made it special, out of love for his mama. It was Sunday, time for church!  Everyone dresses nice on this day in our household.  I got all ready and was about to put my coat on when my eye caught glimpse of that gift of love.   I put it on, then my coat as we got ready to rush outdoors.  I noticed Jon smile big as it went onto my wrist, and then he came up to hold my hand.  He felt special...I showed him love in the way he needs to feel it. We got to church and I wanted to keep my coat on, what would the ladies think.  Most of them ar...

This is something my family knows all too well.  Over the past 2 years things have really been hard in some aspects.  In others, it's been better.  I've recently talked to 3 different women who are also at times bed ridden with children at home.  It's a very difficult road to walk.  While this may not help everyone since we're all different, I know it would be very helpful for me and some of my friends.  Read on if you know someone who has on-going health issues and you want to help them.  It can be very lonely and isolating. 1. Don't forget us.  When testing is being done or we're getting on a new regimen, people pray for us and we get calls and/or letters to see how we're doing.  Once the testing is done, we're forgotten about again (or that's how it seems).  Let us know you're still praying for us, pop on over for a short amount of time (because we usually can't do that long), and just sit with us and talk.  We miss getting...

Here goes.  Here is a list of some of my favorite things of 2011.  If I had the money, I'd totally buy 1 of each for all of you ;)  The list is short but these items rock!  Def. not a necessity but they've been nice to have. Contigo Mugs - these are amazing!  They hold hot beverages for hours.   Heavenly Organics Chocolates - My favorite is the mint flavored.  This is just dark chocolate, honey and mint flavoring.  Now I can indulge from time to time. Avalon Organics Biotin B Shampoo (Thickening) - I love, love, love this shampoo.  I get it at a discount on vitacost.com IngenuiTEA - This has to be the best tea invention to date!  I use lots of bulk, loose, organic herbs for my tea.  This is the perfect way to brew it.  Super simple and easy clean-up. Zevia Soda - My current favorite flavor is Ginger.  Mmmm!  It's nice to have a soda from time to time that does not con...

It's amazing how trouble in our family can shake our world make us feel like everything is upside down and inside out. It heightens some senses while it numbs others. Odd isn't it? I had one of these moments not long ago. I felt like my heart was living outside of my body being trampled and beaten. I had a hard time catching my breath and each minute it was quiet,  I had time to think... to ponder on "what if". That wasn't a pleasant road. When seeking the counsel of friends many offered a choice; a choice to turn aside from my convictions and find another path. The confusion was overwhelming and caused me to question. By God's grace alone, I was able to stand firm to hold on to those convictions  and see peace renewed relationships restored Love Came Down! Peace Joy  Restoration

(Above - Chocolate testing I had with hubby 2 years ago) It's just over 1 month away and I'm excitedly making plans for this year.  Now if you're one of those "Valentine's Day is one of those stupid Hallmark holidays we don't celebrate", or "I can pick any day of the year to love and celebrate my family", move on please.  I always have and always will love  Valentine's Day.   Growing up my mom always did something very special for us on Valentine's Day.  It was always fun seeing what she had planned.  It was especially fun when it fell on a school day and I'd anticipate all day long what she was doing.  She'd always make a fantastic meal and incorporate hearts into it any way she could.  We would also always get a special card from her and special treats.   Now that I have my own family, I try to follow the same theme as my mother.  It's always been a special time for our family too.  No matter what our budget, we've al...