Does Kefir Keep Colds At Bay
Yesterday I asked if regular readers would like to be a star feature on this blog, in the hope that – if you’re a new reader, or are struggling with kick-starting a healthier way of eating – it will help to encourage you to take your first steps with fermented food .. or even some of the non-fermented recipes I share here with you.
We all have to start somewhere and this is a community of lovely people, many of whom have been where you may be right now!
I know it’s not easy to make food changes. Simply seeing so much information in once place can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Please know that I’m here to help.
If you need to drop me a line and ask a question, please do feel very welcome.
If you just make ONE positive change and try ONE recipe this month, that’s a great move forward!
Today, JoyAnne shares how she hopped on board and how kefir milk has made an impact on her health.
Hi. My name is Joyanne Grayson, I live in the UK and am 52 years old.
I first “met” Sarah in a facebook group for ladies who want to embrace their silver hair. She is such an inspiration!
I saw a link to her blog and have become a fermented food disciple.
My earliest trials of producing kefir were not that successful, but I have persevered and now produce my own goat’s milk kefir, which I happily pour on my porridge and blueberries every morning. I also love making Sarah’s chickpea flatbreads with caramelised red onions, gorgeous eaten with homemade vegetable soup.
Since I have been eating kefir each day I have been almost cold free. I had a slight sniffle a couple of weeks ago but it only lasted 2 days. I love reading Sarah’s blog posts and hope to start making more of her recipes.
Thanks so much for sharing JoyAnn. (And thanks for your kind words!) It’s great to hear that kefir has been a success for you.
Key to your success was persevering when your first attempts didn’t go well. It can be confusing working out whether or not your kefir milk is ready to drink if you’ve never tasted it before. I was in that position when I first started, so I just waited until the taste became sour.
Never worry if your milk separates – it’s possible to recover it! – and remember that powder starters are best for non-dairy milk, whilst kefir grains are best for dairy milk.
It’s possible to use grains for ALL milk; you just need to keep in mind that they eat milk sugars for their own survival, so if you use them in non-dairy milk they’ll need refreshing in dairy milk every few days. For this reason, and because many people who make non-dairy milk have intolerances or allergies, it tends to be easier to use powders for soy, coconut, rice and nut milk.
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that, for me, Kefir is the King of ferments. It’s different for everyone, but kefir’s my favourite baby!
However, if I feel a little sniffle coming on, I make sure to drink a small glass of sauerkraut water and, to date, find it nips it in the bud within an afternoon. This may be worth trying yourself? We all find ways that work for us. This is one I discovered by accident. 🙂
Be aware that if you have any medical conditions, it’s always worth consulting with your own medical practitioner before trying new food/drink.
Where Can I Buy Kefir Grains?
Here are the European links again. If you live elsewhere, I suggest you search local suppliers. Be sure to check the ingredient list to ensure there is no dairy or sugar added to kefir powders.
I’ve spoken with the owners of both companies I’ve linked to below. I trust and approve both their products. They both also offer helpful customer service, should you need their advice after purchase.
Instructions will arrive with your product.
Remember that, when buying kefir grains, you’ll be sent just a teaspoon of grains and will start with a small quantity of milk. As you make regular batches, the number of grains will increase and, along with that, you can increase the volume of milk you make.
For powders, try this company. The powder is dairy free, contains some of the best probiotic strains and tastes great in kefir:
http://tinyurl.com/gowowc9
This company offer super kefir grains:
http://tinyurl.com/h2rmev4
What’s stopping you?!
See you tomorrow for the low-down on rice .. and which ones are safest!
Remember to consult your health practitioner if you have any doubts about trying any food mentioned in this blog.
