Kefir Fermenters Unite!

[iamfaithful]

Originally Posted by terez

Thanks, I thought about switching to cow's milk, but when I did the last time, the results were a disaster. The milk curdled and I had to throw it out. All of it.

I gave half of my grains to a friend last month and I don't have any spare. I don't anticipate the shortage lasting more than 6 weeks. When the goats give birth, their milk isn't fit for human consumption for 6 weeks anyway.

The store bought kefir is relatively cheap; $2.99 and I drink about 6 ounces a day, so a bottle will last three or four days.

By the time the cow's milk works on the grains, I figure the goat milk will be back. I'll be checking in at a few more stores in the area who might have stocked up for times like this. It's only Trader Joe's that's out that I know of.

Faithful, I think I went on that site once, but no, I'm on Kombucha Kamp. I just made pink grapefruit kombucha.

[metqa]

I just made pink grapefruit kombucha.

Wow, what an idea!

[terez]

Originally Posted by metqa

Wow, what an idea!

Thanks! If you make it, strain it before you put it in the bottles; the fruit tends to rise to the top. When/if I make it again, I'll juice them before I put them in. I'm also looking at orange kombucha. Or orange/clove.

[metqa]

Now you tell me. I've got a matte of blueberry solids sitting in the lid of my blueberry Kombucha! LOL

[iamfaithful]

I always brew, juice the fruit, & bottle...
Keeps the plugs from forming...

[terez]

I have to say, the grapefruit KT is wonderful! One day soon I'll mix it with ginger, or cliantro (juiced) or cloves, too. It's very refreshing.

[LowcarbFan]

I am interested in the health benefits of Kombucha and Kefir, but I don't know what "Kombucha Kamp" and "Kombucha Nation" are. Can someone please explain the difference?

[terez]

Originally Posted by LowcarbFan

I am interested in the health benefits of Kombucha and Kefir, but I don't know what "Kombucha Kamp" and "Kombucha Nation" are. Can someone please explain the difference?

They're both groups on Facebook and they're both dedicated to helping people brew Kombucha.

[gingerfurball]

Hi guys - it's a really big thread so I figured rather than work my way through I thought I could just ask you a question...I hope you don't mind.

My DH and I have been brewing up keifer recently when we were told the health benefits...personally I couldn't drink it straight (hubby can but me..no!) so we've been making it into smoothies (with fresh or frozen raspberries and some truvia) and I find it very pleasant to drink. But I'm wondering if this would stall me weight loss wise as I'm not losing weight...it may be something completely different in my diet but I want to rule this out first.

I'd really like to hear your thoughts on keeping keifer in your weight loss plan...any answers gratefully received

[terez]

Originally Posted by gingerfurball

Hi guys - it's a really big thread so I figured rather than work my way through I thought I could just ask you a question...I hope you don't mind.

My DH and I have been brewing up keifer recently when we were told the health benefits...personally I couldn't drink it straight (hubby can but me..no!) so we've been making it into smoothies (with fresh or frozen raspberries and some truvia) and I find it very pleasant to drink. But I'm wondering if this would stall me weight loss wise as I'm not losing weight...it may be something completely different in my diet but I want to rule this out first.

I'd really like to hear your thoughts on keeping keifer in your weight loss plan...any answers gratefully received

I don't know if it's stalling me or not, I have to drink it for digestive problems. But I make it from goat milk and it tastes like buttermilk to me. I only drink maybe a cup a day, no more. My weight loss has been depressingly slow, but I don't have a choice.

[iamfaithful]

If you are talking MK it should not stall you if you are normally drinking milk and eating what you put in the smoothies. I will tell you that MK will take care of any digestive issues you may have & will help keep you well and healthy. I personally feel after 3 years MK has contributed to my keeping my weight down and my health has improved dramatically... I have not had so much as a head cold in 3 years, am a senior taking helping to care for my grankids.

I just recently saw an article.... Maybe this will post... I cant put the page up but lets hope .... this talks about milk probiotics and brain function...

Probiotics Change Brain Activity, Emotional Response
Posted on: Friday, March 22nd 2013 at 5:00 am
Written By: Case Adams, Naturopath
Probiotics Change Brain Activity, Emotional Response

Researchers from UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine have determined that consuming a milk fermented with probiotics changes the brain activity of women.

The UCLA medical researchers divided 36 healthy women into three groups. One group was given a milk fermented with probiotics twice a day. Another group was given a milk without the probiotics. The other group was given no milk product.

Before the study began the women underwent extensive brain MRI studies and brain activity tasking response analyses. Then the women consumed the probiotic or placebo milk for four weeks, followed by repeated testing.

Along with the MRI testing, the researchers tested brain responses to emotional faces, as well as during rest. They utilized analyses that tests emotional response.

After the four weeks, those women who drank the probiotic milk had significantly different brain activity changes. Their task-related responses increased, and their activity within the sensory cortex regions changed, which was dramatically illustrated during rest periods. Their midbrain connectivity increased, which the researchers concluded probably explained their task-related response increases.

Their altered brain activity also illustrated changes in the brain signaling pathways for emotional responses among the women.

The probiotics in the fermented milk included Bifidobacterium animalis, Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactococcus lactis. Each of these species has been shown in other clinical studies to improve health among other organs and tissue regions of the body.

Learn more about probiotics.

Research has also connected the gut's probiotics to the brain via a conduit between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is located in the abdominal region around the digestive tract. Many of our neurotransmitters are produced in this region and the neurons relay mind-body responses between the gut and the brain stem.

The researchers concluded: "Four weeks intake of a fermented milk with probiotics by healthy women affected activity of brain regions that control central processing of emotion and sensation."

The research was led by Dr. Emeran Mayer, a UCLA professor of medicine and a specialist in gastroenterology. He is the Director of the Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress. Dr. Mayer is well-known for his research in identifying the gut and its probiotic content as "the second brain."

[metqa]

I need some emotional control. Off to drink some kefir!

[iamfaithful]

Metqa, that will do it! Always has a very calming effect on me!

[metqa]

It makes me feel good. BF thinks I'm trippin' but then I remind him of how he felt when he first drank kombucha and then he remembers how good it feels. Hahaha. It does make you feel good.

The only time it didn't make me feel good was when I spilled a quart of it all over my pajamas, shoes, counter and floor. Then it just made me feel cold and slippery.

[iamfaithful]

metqa you rock!

[metqa]

The thing about wet kefir all down your 'jammies is it DOES give you emotional control. Cause if you get upset and move around too much, it will ooze down into your undies and socks and give you the heebie jeebies. So you must remain calm and move slowly but deliberately toward the washing machine...

My smoothie was extra delicious that morning!

[iamfaithful]