What to do with the Whey after you make Greek Yogurt

So I recently made a post about How to Make Greek Yogurt and outlined all the benefits of making it at home.  Today I want to focus on what to do with the Whey at the bottom of the bowl when you are draining the yogurt through cheese cloth.  It is super healthy, and packed with protein.  Definitely do not throw it out.  Whey protein is supposed to be healthier than Soy protein and it costs quite a lot to purchase it in powdered form at the store.  For instance.  I got this bag at Costco for $45

1. Put it in your smoothies.  Protein keeps you feeling fuller longer since it takes longer to digest, therefore adding a protein boost to any smoothie (whether it is dessert or a green smoothie) is a great way to use up your whey.

2.  When a recipe calls for chicken broth, use your liquid whey instead.

3.  Use it to cook Quinoa instead of water, give your Quinoa an extra protein punch!  You can also use it to cook potatoes, rice, pasta, and other grains!

4. Substitute it for other liquids (like butter milk) in biscuits, breads and pancakes.  This gives it a sour dough zing.  It also works great when making pizza dough, use the whey instead of water and you will have a unique flavor for your pizza!

5. Use it to thin out home made hummus or pesto

6. Add it into your oatmeal, or better yet, boil your oatmeal in the whey instead of water!  Then top with fruit, cinnamon, chia seeds, etc. and enjoy!  (for other ideas on what to do with oatmeal, see this post HERE

7.  Use it to soak your grains in instead of water.  Depending on your recipe you can add several tablespoons to make them more digestible.

8.  Add a few tbsp to your soups and stews to give it a protein boost.

9. Mix it into your dog's food and give it to them as a healthy treat!

10.  Make a Whey Marinade!  Add your favorite spices to it: garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, etc and marinade your chicken, steaks, fish, or pork.  The enzymes in the Whey help break down the meat and add flavor.

11. I have heard you can use whey to make ricotta cheese, and Gjetost cheese, but I haven't delved into cheese making yet so I can't give any instructions other than these two cheeses are made from whey.  But HERE is a site that tells you how to make ricotta cheese.

12.  Make Whey Lemonade.  A great recipe for healthy lemonade can be found HERE

13.  Use it as a starter culture when fermenting vegetables.

14. Use it to make lacto-fermented drinks such as ginger ale and limeaid.  A great tutorial on how to make your own ginger ale can be found HERE.

15. Use it on your skin and hair.  Some people use it instead of shampoo, and claim it has excellent toning qualities for skin and hair.  Add a few cups to bathwater or put some on a cotton ball and apply to your face for toning.  (beats purchasing expensive anti-aging products!)

16. If all else fails dump it in your compost bin.  Better than throwing it in the garbage!  There are so many uses for your Whey!

Make a whey marinade. Add your favorite spices and seasonings (garlic, salt, pepper, maybe some rosemary…Yum!) to the whey and allow it to marinate your steaks, chicken, fish, or pork chops. The enzymes in the whey help to break down the meat and add flavor. - See more at: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2011/06/16-ways-to-use-your-whey.html#sthash.8fnTCdzr.dpuf

Make a whey marinade. Add your favorite spices and seasonings (garlic, salt, pepper, maybe some rosemary…Yum!) to the whey and allow it to marinate your steaks, chicken, fish, or pork chops. The enzymes in the whey help to break down the meat and add flavor. - See more at: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2011/06/16-ways-to-use-your-whey.html#sthash.8fnTCdzr.dpuf

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