Hello!

[lnm03]

I have been lurking for quite some time...I think this is my third post. My DH and I have been flying by the seat of our pants as far as our finances go and were trying to fix that. So, we put a budget in place (just started this month). We are working on becoming more self sufficient. We have chickens, for eggs and meat, goats for milk, not too sure about the meat part. We have been raising chickens for almost 3 years now and goats for a few months. We got into goats because my three year old is highly allergic to cows milk. Her airways swell shut. I want to learn how to make soaps and cheese from our goats milk. We are also working on our food storage supply...right now we have just enough food to last to our next pay check...not a fun feeling! I make almost everything from scratch because of my daughters dairy allergy its just easier! So, the point to my post is I just wanted to say I love this site and all the information you guys have to share.it makes getting there a little easier! Thank you!

 

[Dace]

Hi Leslie

 

[Javamama]

Hi! Welcome to SS

 

[freemotion]

Welcome, Leslie. Making cheese is really quite simple, just time consuming....but not really too bad, many of the steps involve adding something and stirring for a minute, then setting the timer for an hour until it is time for the next step, often adding something else and stirring for a minute and then setting the timer again!

The more interesting and flavorful and long-keeping cheeses generally involve a long, gentle stirring step that can take 30-60 minutes of constant attention. I read or watch tv during this step. Or take care of phone calls that involve conversation but not too much attention.

You can make an amazing number of cheeses with the same few ingredients: Mesophillic culture, rennet (I recommend veal over veg), salt, and milk. Carefully stored in the fridge, your culture powder and liquid rennet will keep quite well. I seem to be using about one packet of culture (from The Dairy Connection) and less than 2 oz of rennet per year with one productive goat. I also make kefir, yogurt, the occasional batch of ice cream, and we drink a pint or two a day of fresh milk between four adults.

Add a packet of thermophillic culture and maybe some mold powder if you like stinky cheese and you can make an amazing array of cheeses.

I use muslin as my cheesecloth and made my own molds and cheese press for almost nothing, so it doesn't have to be expensive!

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Welcome aboard!! And you said it, the folks on this site are awesome, I've learned a LOT

As far as being paycheck to paycheck on the food, been there, done that. Start trying to add a single extra item for long term storage to your budget. Just making a budget (& sticking to it) makes the money stretch a little further.

This month, add a bag or two of dried beans (cheap!!!), next month, make it a bag of rice, then a bag of flour or sugar or salt. Get a few extra cans of green beans. See where this is going? Don't delve into them unless you flat out have to. Save and ask others to save for you containers you can store things in, such as those popcorn tins and cookie tins with the tight fitting lids. I get all my friends' glass jars & lids to store dried goods or for drinks.

 

[SKR8PN]

Welcome aboard the board!!

Don't be afraid to ask any questions. There is a wealth of info lurking around this place!
For storage options, see if you can get some of the 5 gallon buckets with the lids, from your local grocery store or deli. The best ones(easiest to clean) are the ones that had icing in them. Later on down the road you can pick up some of the Gamma seal lids for the buckets. They allow you longer term storage and the lids are easier to remove and install.


http://www.freckleface.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/gammaseals.html

 

[Blackbird]

What breed of goats do you have? Pictures?

 

[lnm03]

1 pygmy, 1 Lamancha/nigerian dwarf mix and 3 nigerian dwarves

Bob - buck

Olive

unnamed buck

Barbi

14 - Wether (loves his ears played with)

All these guys were named when we got them except the little black buck. When we looked into goats I said NO horns but my DH said but I want 1 with horns.....big no no......he is a rotten *$$. We are going to either sell him or try goat meat for the first time....not sure which! All of the others are super sweet and very well behaved...they LOVE attention. We have so much fun with them and they all but bob will let my three year old lead them around the yard....its too cute!

 

[lorihadams]

I love the pic of the little one leading the goat around by his ears!!!

As for the food thing...I totally agree, if you can buy some meat in bulk on sale and then freeze it in portions that will help. I look out for meat sales on things like pork tenderloins and can usually get 4-5 meals out of 1 tenderloin.

I agree on the dried beans as well. You can google bean recipes and you should be able to find some pretty interesting ones.