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Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:00 am  |
I've just got a kombucha culture and a kefir culture, and I'm very excited about this new project.
I wanted to ask you for any tips, tricks or experiences in making / using fermented foods, as I am a novice.
I made my first kefir, with almond milk, and had a glass of it this morning. It was delicious and made me feel very good in my digestive system - soothing and calming. It tasted MUCH nicer than straight almond milk, to me, much creamier and less sweet.
I know kombucha is used in skincare, and I plan to make a toner with the tea, which takes 6 - 8 days to brew.
Has anyone else here tried these things?! |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:42 am |
Did you buy these in the UK Catski? If so, where  |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:52 am |
I did, and quite incredibly, I got them on ebay, both from the same woman, who was great, very helpful, and they were absurdly cheap, and arrived very fast -you want to be there to take receipt of them and get them in liquid,not have them hanging about.But she sends them in sealed bags, with the liquid, and they smelled and looked wonderfully healthy.
So I am optimistic about them. The two cultures and postage cost £6.20... |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:41 am |
I have some Kefir starter packets on the way fromwww.wildernessfamilynaturals.com
I've orderd quite a few items from them over the last few years -- top quality products and excellent customer service; I highly recommend them.  |
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Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:04 am |
catski--have you checked out skin interactive boards? they have tons of info on kefir. i am waiting for my kefir grains to arrive also, i am very excited to try!
Kristen |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:01 am |
Forgive me for being so dumb, but what are these cultures for? Skin care? Or do you eat them? Please advise! TIA!  |
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Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:52 pm |
Wow, Kristen! Thanks for the info! I will have to learn more about cultures - thanks for pointing me in the right direction! |
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Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:18 pm |
Kristen, I have begun to read over there, yes. SO MUCH to read though, very time consuming.
My kefir is turning into a household treasure. I love it. Within 24 hours,a fresh probiotic drink, always different according to what you make it with.
I'm really getting a taste for it, and I mixed a dairy kefir with mango juice and cinnamon and even my 12 year old son is hooked.
I guess we're going to have to get bored drinking it before I get round to using it in the bath and on my skin! |
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Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:36 am |
hi catski,
I just wanted to say, I am finally growing my own cultures now! Specifically the kefir grains. I got some grains from a very generous lady over at SI forum a few days ago and I am well into kefiring now. At first I was scared of the kefir grains and dumped out the first batch of kefir milk since it smelled bad, but i drank the second batch after refrigerating and it tastes great, like a yogurt drink but more mild. I was surprised drinking that much kefir milk didn't make me a little sick since i am slightly lactose intolerant, but apparently the kefir grains consume most of the lactose. I can't wait to start making fancy drinks, your mango drink sounds great, and even kefiring with grape juice to create a wine....
the link below also has recipes like sour dough bread made with kefir and pumpkin kefir cheesecake. I wish i wasn't so busy, i would totally be trying all that!
catski, you ever eat the grains? at first i was holding them like they were little beings since they are alive and I was a bit scared. I popped it into my mouth and i have to say, they taste great! kinda a firm jello-y feel.
They multiply so quickly too!
I am planning on trying the kombucha cultures also. I know nothing about kombucha right now, care to share a little about your experience?
for anyone who's interested in kefir, this link is a detailed, but more simple start than Dom's page (which is great, but overwhelming for the newbie):
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=203282
the benefits of kefir summed up nicely from the page:
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Just what is Kefir?
Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food (usually dairy milk) filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins. While yogurt provides your digestive system with friendly bacterium as long as you eat it, Kefir helps to repopulate it for good! |
Kristen |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:47 pm |
| The SI forum has given me insight into kefir. I hadn't known much about it before then, but I wish I had! The coconut kefir recipe is fantastic either taken internally (tastes like champagne) and it is fabulous used topically due to all the growth factors etc. |
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18 years old, well mentally I am, brown eyes, balding with grey bits, surgically enhanced, full o' fillers n' botox, strikingly gorgeous, and I love the color beige, no, you can't take me home! |
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Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:45 pm |
hi belleoftheball,
That is where i first heard of kefiring too. the SI ladies and gents are awesome!
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:35 am |
hi Kristen! this is fun! I'm so glad you're enjoying your kefir. It's amazing stuff, isnt it?
I felt it was a little spirit entering my house, kind of like when I had a bonsai tree. It has so much energy.
The kefir is so quick to get results from that I tried it with almond milk and rice dream and coconut milk, and od'd slightly on it..
I'd like to try to make kefir cheese, ned to get some muslin bags to do that. I havent managed to find any coconut water where I live, unfortunately, because I'm eager to kefir with that!
The kombucha was slower to get going, the first culture took a week, but was SO delicious we were hooked, and bought a heat pad for it, so now we can make a batch in four or five days. It is definitely a bit addictive, it feels so good. I've made it with black tea, green tea, and a mixture of both. A very delicious batch was mainly black tea, with two green tea with aloe vera bags added.
I feel slimmer since I started drinking it. I love watching the cultures grow - they grow in each jar, as it sits on the shelf!
I just found a recipe yesterday which I'll make next, which is described as champagne like - sencha/chamomile/lemongrass.
Imagine sipping that on a hot day! |
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Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:31 pm |
| catski wrote: |
hi Kristen! this is fun! I'm so glad you're enjoying your kefir. It's amazing stuff, isnt it?
I felt it was a little spirit entering my house, kind of like when I had a bonsai tree. It has so much energy.
The kefir is so quick to get results from that I tried it with almond milk and rice dream and coconut milk, and od'd slightly on it..
I'd like to try to make kefir cheese, ned to get some muslin bags to do that. I havent managed to find any coconut water where I live, unfortunately, because I'm eager to kefir with that!
The kombucha was slower to get going, the first culture took a week, but was SO delicious we were hooked, and bought a heat pad for it, so now we can make a batch in four or five days. It is definitely a bit addictive, it feels so good. I've made it with black tea, green tea, and a mixture of both. A very delicious batch was mainly black tea, with two green tea with aloe vera bags added.
I feel slimmer since I started drinking it. I love watching the cultures grow - they grow in each jar, as it sits on the shelf!
I just found a recipe yesterday which I'll make next, which is described as champagne like - sencha/chamomile/lemongrass.
Imagine sipping that on a hot day! |
Hi catski!
Sounds wonderful, i definitely agree the kefir grains are like an entity. it's wonderful.
i am also so addicted to peeking at the cultures.
I can't wait to get started on the kombucha culture. where did you get yours?
also, do you have any asian markets nearby? they always have fresh coconuts for decent prices.
Kristen |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:55 pm |
| Damn, I thought someone had started a thread on Art or something... |
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my new jewellery website:www.gentle-medusa.com |
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Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:42 am |
Hi Kristen... and anyone else interested in this stuff!
How are you getting on?
Wanted to tell you - yesterday I made a great dessert for everyone from kefir blended with strawberries, agave nectar, and a wonderful substance called Lucuma powder
http://tinyurl.com/2kbqdx
Which gave it a thicker texture and a pleasing heaviness... and all very healthy and good for us.
This powder really is great for making desserts. I only just found about it, I think it's quite new to the UK.
AND - today I juiced some ginger and added it to ready to drink kombucha.. excellent!
I made a pu - erh kombucha also, which was very refined and smoky tasting. I can hardly get to drink any of that one actually, my kids have annexed it.. |
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Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:37 am |
Hi catski,
My kefirs are doing awesome. I definitely feel a lot healthier and can actually consume milk without feeling all gas-y (lol, sorry!). The more I read about kefir, the more benefits I see. I have also gotten my mom to drink the milk and she says her stomach problems are non-existent now.
The Lucuma powder looks very promising, you are so innovative! I will check it out and try my hand at some kefir recipes when I have more free time.
What is a "pu - erh kombucha"? my knowledge about komnucha is very limited. Also, is there any place you recommend for purchasing kombucha cultures?
Thanks! Kristen |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:52 pm |
http://www.jcm.co.uk/catalogue.php?catID=276&opener=0-197-267-276
Sorry for not explaining! here is a link about Pu- Erh tea, which has a repuation for being very health giving and also good for slimming...
I got my kombucha on ebay... and I live in the UK. I guess there is a Yahoo or Tribe.net Kombucha group for wherever you live?!!
It is fun trying new things to eat and drink isnt it, and to be able to improve the health of people in one's family is a major bonus! Well done on helping your Mother, that's a lovely gift to give someone. |
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Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:40 am |
thanks catski, and don't apologize, i myself am always forgetting to reply and sometimes forgetting i started a thread!
Kristen |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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