September 2018 - You Make It Simple

Making Greek yogurt in the Instant Pot has just gotten easier. To get the thickness of Greek yogurt, you need to strain the processed yogurt. In my previous yogurt making tutorial, I showed you how to strain the yogurt using a nut milk bag. It works great and gets good results; however, it can be messy and is challenging to transfer the yogurt into the bag without it getting all over the place. Doing it that way is a two man job.

I have found a way to strain the yogurt without all that mess. Some of you may already be doing it this way, but for those of you, who haven’t tried this, give it a whirl.

If you haven’t yet tried making yogurt and you have an Instant Pot, GET ON IT! If you don’t have an Instant Pot, I highly recommend you get one and start making yogurt. (You will absolutely love making all kinds of things in this wonder machine)

*****By the way, the 7 in One Instant Pot (that is what I have) is on sale right now on Amazon. Best price I have seen $79.95.

Making yogurt can seem very intimidating; however, it seriously is very easy to do. Once you make it and taste how yummy it is, you will never go back to store bought. Homemade yogurt is so much better for you. There are only TWO ingredients, THREE if you choose to add a little vanilla flavoring.

Milk
A little starter yogurt
Vanilla (optional)

That’s it!

Here is a little video clip showing the new process of straining using your steam basket and a few coffee filters.

What you will need

Regular large bowl strainer
Steam basket
Large bowl
4 Large coffee filters
Cheese cloth can also be used instead of coffee filters

Straining yogurt

Set the steam basket inside the bowl strainer and set on top of large bowl. The only reason I am using two strainers, is the bowl strainer is not big enough to hold all the yogurt. If you have a strainer large enough you will NOT have to use the steam basket.

Place four coffee filters inside steam basket, at an angle and overlapping to fully cover the inside of the bowl. If you have a bigger strainer, you may need more filters.

I recommend only making a half batch (1/2 gallon of milk instead of a full gallon), if using a small strainer.

Pour the processed yogurt into the lined strainers and let it sit 1-2 hours. You can leave it on the counter top or place in the refrigerator.

Once the yogurt is at the consistency that you prefer, transfer the yogurt to another bowl. The longer you strain, the thicker it will be. AHHHHH, this is SO much easier than squeezing the yogurt from the nut milk bag.

Remove the coffee filters and throw them away.

***** update 2/27/23

I have found a new strainer that is my favorite so far. You can get it HERE.

Yogurt can be stored in single serving containers or one large dish with a lid. These are the once I prefer.

Pint jars with a lids work great.

Here are a few other yogurt related posts to check out.

Valentine Yogurt Parfait

Morning Breakfast Muesli

For the latest post on HOW TO MAKE YOGURT, go HERE.

Enjoy!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Greek Yogurt Instant Pot

Although plantain may be considered a weed by some, it really is quite a valuable herb and may be growing right under your feet.

There are two types of plantain. The plant with broad, oval leaves are called Plantago major and the narrow-leaved type P. lanceolata. You can identify this plant by the 5-9 parallel veins running the length of each leaf. (Most leaves have a central vein with smaller ones branching out from it.)

You can use either one for healing purposes, depending on what’s available, but most herbalists seem to prefer the broad-leaf plantain with larger, but softer, edible leaves. I have both growing in my yard.

I have included a picture of this plant so you will know what to look for.

If you don’t already have it growing in your yard somewhere, go out along the road or in the mountains and find some and replant them in your garden.

What are the benefits and uses of Plantain?

I use this herb all the time. During the summer while it is growing in my yard, I pick it, crush it and apply it to stings, and mosquito bites. I also dry it so I will have access to it during the winter months. It is one of the key ingredients in my healing salve, (which is very easy to make). You can find the tutorial here.

Externally

Antiseptic properties
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces pain caused by poison ivy and bite stings.
Extracts of the plant have antibacterial activity
Effective treatment to stop bleeding
Encourages the repair of damaged tissue, and promotes healing without scars

Because of its drawing properties, it will pull small foreign objects like stingers or slivers out of the skin. It is quite incredible.

Internally

diuretic
expectorant, and decongestant
gastritis
peptic ulcers
diarrhea
dysentery
irritable bowel syndrome
respiratory congestion
loss of voice and urinary tract bleeding

You can purchase plantain for internal use in fluid extract, tincture, decoction, infusion, and dried powder form and the fresh and dried leaves can be consumed as tea.

*Although plantain leaf is generally considered safe, it is always best to consult with your healthcare practitioner before starting any new herbal product.

How to use plantain externally

Poultice

You can make a poultice by bruising the plant, chopping finely, or heating it to make a thick paste.

You can make a poultice and apply it to wounds, skin inflammations, cuts, stings, and swellings. It is the juice from the leaf that speeds up the healing process.

Pick a few leaves, crush them, or chew them well and put them on the bite or wound. “Like magic” the pain, heat, and swelling — even allergic reactions — disappear, fast!

You can dry plantain leaves and carry them in your first aid kit. Chew like you would fresh leaves and apply it.

I was with a youth group up in the mountains hiking when one of the boys went down into a ravine and came upon a bunch of bees, he was stung multiple times. Luckily, I knew what plantain looked like and had been taught what to do with it. Well, I looked down and there growing alongside the trail was PLANTAIN, all over the place.

My husband and I grabbed some plantain and we started mashing it between two rocks to make a poultice.

The boy took his shirt off and we dabbed it all over him. He did not swell and did great.

This was a teaching moment for the youth there. The plants that God created do have a purpose.

I don’t think it was a coincidence that day for us to be right there where plantain was growing, and for someone there to know what to do with it.

Fomentation

A fomentation is similar to a poultice, however, you use a concentrated tea of the herb instead of the plant itself. To apply a fomentation you soak a clean cotton cloth in the concentrated tea and apply it to the wound and wrap it with cellophane.

How to use plantain internally as a

tea

You can make an herbal tea by placing one teaspoon of dried herb to one cup water. Pour boiling water over the herb, cover tightly and steep for 20 minutes and strain. I love this single serve tea maker! We use it all the time, in fact, we each have our own.

This is a good resource for dried plantain. This is what I use for tea and to make a salve.

Tincture

Tinctures are herbal concentrate most often prepared in an alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar base. You can make them, but it is much easier just to buy them.

I absolutely love, love, love this reference book on herbs. This author explains all the basics of herbs, herbal preparations, and uses in a clear, easy-to-follow way.

If you would like more details of ALL the benefits of this plant, I will refer you to Dr. Christopher’s website which is chock full of herbal information.

Are there any potential Side Effects of Plantain?

Plantain is considered a very safe herb to use, therefore you can use it both externally and internally.

***Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid using plantain until research confirms that the herb is not harmful in any way.

So there you have it, an herbal remedy that is probably growing right under your feet. Go take a look around your yard or at the park and see if you can find any.

Alternative Remedy Handbook

For a quick, go-to reference of other tried and tested herbal remedies, I have compiled a booklet with lots of great resources and information. It’s kinda nice to know that you can alleviate everyday complaints without always turning to your medicine chest, or to your doctor. I have it for sale here on my site.

An Ebook of the booklet will soon be available!!!! So stay tuned.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jan Howell

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Jan Howell

Instant Pot Greek Yogurt – Straining & Storing Tips

What you will need

Straining yogurt

Jan Howell

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Jan Howell

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Plantain – Healing Herb Growing Right Under Your Feet

What are the benefits and uses of Plantain?

Externally

Internally

How to use plantain externally

Poultice

Fomentation

How to use plantain internally as a

tea

Tincture

Are there any potential Side Effects of Plantain?

Alternative Remedy Handbook

An Ebook of the booklet will soon be available!!!! So stay tuned.

Jan Howell

Connect:

Jan Howell

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