Yeah! We were able to drink our first batch of kefir from these particular grains. So yummy! Dom is the biggest kefir guru out there. Check the below link to see how to make your own kefir. It is very, very easy! The health benefits are so amazing, why not?
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/Makekefir.html
On to the kefir smoothie. We ended up making a very yummy kefir smoothie today. You can find the recipe below. Before I get to that, here are some health benefits of making your own (and drinking) kefir.
"The benefits of consuming kefir regularly in the diet
Easily digested, it cleanses the intestines, provides beneficial bacteria and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins. Because kefir is such a balanced and nourishing food, it contributes to a healthy immune system and has been used to help patients suffering from AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, and cancer. Its tranquilizing effect on the nervous system has benefited many who suffer from sleep disorders, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
The regular use of kefir can help relieve all intestinal disorders, promote bowel movement, reduce flatulence and create a healthier digestive system. In addition, its cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish a balanced inner ecosystem for optimum health and longevity.
Kefir can also help eliminate unhealthy food cravings by making the body more nourished and balanced. Its excellent nutritional content offers healing and health-maintenance benefits to people in every type of condition."
The above article was taken from here.
And yet some more health benefits.
"The Healing Benefits of Kefir
Kefir is full of beneficial bacteria and thus can be labelled as a probiotic, which is to say that it contributes, enhances, and stabilizes the micro-organisms of the intestines. Since kefir is cultured mainly using live, active grains in a medium that is thick and coating, and because of the variety of ‘friendly bacteria’ found within, kefir seems to be a much better probiotic than many of the commercially available dried capsule products. These microbes are part of an essential team of around 400 types of bacteria found in the intestines that assist digestion, extracting various elements that are necessary to maintain human life.
It has also been found that kefir is an effective immune stimulant and antimicrobial against a wide variety of harmful gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Kefir has been used to treat metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, allergic disease, tuberculosis, cancer and other gastrointestinal disorders. It has also been associated with longevity in the peoples of Caucasus where it is thought to have originated.
Kefir also has an abundance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Some of the more prominent of these are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B2, and B12, vitamin K, A and D. An essential amino acid found in kefir called tryptophan has been found to have a relaxing effect on the nervous system.
Kefir for the Future
This nourishing, disease-fighting substance has a long following in peoples across the world. This drink provides the same probiotic benefits of many commercially available products, but costs much less and has the added satisfaction of creating something in your own kitchen. As new batches of kefir are produced, the grains grow and can be passed on to others so that they too may share in the benefits of this exciting tonic."
You can find the above article here.
Finally, here is the recipe we made up today that we just loved! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Strawberry, Banana Kefir Smoothie
Ingredients.
1 1/2 cups chilled kefir
5-6 halved strawberries
1/2 banana
1/16th teaspoon stevia extract
Directions:
1. Blend all together and enjoy!
Comments