Stevia Sweetener

I am not sure if I made the batch properly.  The sweetener has an apple juice color to it, and it smells funny.  I have to admit though, it is awfully sweet.  I am going to try to remake another batch to see if it turns out any different, since I am truly wanting to cut down my cane sugar intake. 

Here is my worm composting presentation

  

 The internet is a great source for information in doing just about anything. With the help of numerous sites and blogs, I was bale to create my own worm bin, harvest castings, and fertilize my gardens with worm compost tea.

Worms, Worms, Worms

On June 20th, I will be presenting a worm composting seminar at the New Braunfels Library. I am putting together my first ever powerpoint presentation. I cannot believe that I have never had to do one of these before. The funny thing is that my kids are teaching me how to use it. I will get it posted on here if I can figure out how to do it.

Homemade Sweetener

I am experimenting this year with the stevia plant. It is supposed to be 100 times stronger than sugar, without all of the negative side effects. I figured since we go through 4-5 25 pound bags of sugar a year, that we needed something different in our diet.

I started with 1 4 inch stevia plant that I bought at one of the big box stores. Luckily, it had 3 separate stems growing in it, and I was able to divide it into 3 plants. I now have 2 foot tall plants, and I have begun harvesting the leaves in an attempt to make my own sweetener.

If this works, I may try making stevia mojitos!!

Homemade Stevia Extract

Mix together 1 cup very hot distilled water with 1 cup bruised fresh Stevia leaves or 1/2 cup dried crushed Stevia leaves. Put in a jar with a cover. Let it stand for a day, then filter through a coffee filter. Refrigerate, covered, up to a month or freeze up to 6 months. You can dilute it with water if you want.

I am working on this recipe, so I will let you know how it turns out.

How to Make a Mojito

1 - 2 limes, cut into wedges
1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar or equivalent Stevia
1/2 cup mint leaves, packed
crushed ice
2 - 4 ounces of rum, depending on your taste
6 - 8 ounces club soda
Lime & mint for garnish

Place 2 lime wedges in a tall glass with sugar and mint leaves. Using a mudder or a wooden spoon, mash the ingredients together. Add 1-2 more lime wedges and ice. Pour club soda to fill class, stir. Add mint and lime for garnish and enjoy.


Well, it is taking alot longer than I expected to harvest the stevia leaves. I began to do so when I wrote the initial post above, but, the plants don't seem to like being harvested just yet. I almost have 1/4 of a cup of dried leaves, and just picked some more this evening. It may be Friday before I get to make the sweetener.

Garden Invaders

It seems that no matter how hard you try to keep pests out of the garden, they always manage to get the upper hand. I had moved my birdbath into the backyard, and the birds have been coming in droves and keeping down the bug population. They completely got rid of the aphids on my tomato, cucumber, and potato plants. However, in payment for their services, the mockingbirds have decided to help themselves to a couple of my bright red tomatoes.

All in all, it is a small price to pay to have naturally organic vegetables growing. I have 12 tomato plants which are already giving us tons of tomatoes, so I can spare a few for the mockingbirds.