My newest venture: Whey

Yogurt in cheese cloth draining whey over a measuring cup

I have been vegetarian for the last 12 plus years, with a chunk of that time being dedicated to vegan nutrition (not beliefs) added with allergies to milk and other grains, it's time for a change.  I am going to try experimenting with other whole foods besides vegetables and grains including meats and milk.  I will create an entire post on why the switch soon (hopefully - as the idea of eating meat is a little disgusting to me, but nutritionally, I'm gonna go for it - at least give it a whirl!), but for now, I want to gently step into this diet transition with a soft substance called whey.

Whey, according to the dictionary is, "a milk serum, separating as liquid from the curd after coagulation, as in cheese making".  So if you eat yogurt, it's that liquid that develops on top.  And like lacto-fermentation, whey is not new, it has been around for centuries used by European, Middle Eastern, and Asian Peoples (Nourish Magazine).

I have an interest in whey because it is a great food-tool for lacto-fermented (see my post on lacto-fermentation here) foods, used as a starter in the fermentation process.  Not all recipes require whey though because you can often use salt in its place.  The world of fermentation is only made grander by adding it to the "nutrient-packed" list.

Whey is full of minerals and necessary digestive bacteria.  It can be taken straight to stop vomiting and diarrhea or to just aid digestion and can be used for fermenting foods (as previously mentioned) like kimchi, sauerkraut, chutneys, fruit preserves, etc.

Considering the introduction of dairy into my diet is a big deal to me.  I am convinced that the gallons and gallons of milk lining the dairy isles of the grocery stores aren't full of quality by any means.  Most, if not all that is in that isle are full of chemicals, hormones, animal secretions which alone can make one sick, additives, and preservatives (A little disclaimer: I grew up on this milk and I am fine so this is not to offend anyone who loves this milk!  Ideally, I would personally prefer to consume foods as close to the way God made them as possible).  Saying that does not make me anti dairy, just very cautious of what I put into my body.  My goal will be to find a local organic dairy farmer (if one exists around here) so I can get the good stuff!  I will keep you updated on my search.

With that said, here goes... not nothing... but a great idea with lots of momentum behind it.

If you are interested in how to make whey or homemade cream cheese check out this link:

Kelly The Kitchen Kop

Or this link:

Kitchen Stewardship