How to Enjoy Kefir: My favorite breakfast shake

As evidence by my blog posting dates, learning about health has fallen off my radar.  However, eating and living healthy have not!!!  One of my favorite health secrets right now is kefir.  It's a yummy way to get fermented food and probiotics into your diet. Here's what you do:

1) Get kefir "grains" from a friend (they look like the tops of cauliflower).  Anyone who makes kefir has multiplying grains, so there's always plenty to share.  There are also places to buy them online. I've always just asked on a local e-mail loop.

2) Get good quality milk (raw, from a farm) and put at a least a couple teaspoons of grain in a quart of milk (or how ever much kefir you want to make.)  Let it sit out about half a day on the counter.  You are looking for it to thicken up around the grains at the top. OR do an internet a recipe for refrigerator kefir and make it slowly in refrigerator.

3) Use a strainer to separate the grains from the kefir.  Store grains in a little milk in the refrigerator till you are ready to make another batch.

4) Store kefir in fridge.  In my rather picky opinion, the kefir isn't good to eat plain.

5) Make a kefir shake.  Here's my recipe that I often enjoy for breakfast.

 Put in to blender:

•  1 cup kefir (I use the marks on the blender itself.)
• about 1/2 a frozen banana (stored cut into small chunks)
• berries or other fruit (such as 3-4 strawberries)
• one scoop of stevia (using the scoop that comes in my stevia...it is very small..the sweetness counters the sour kefir taste.)
• a squirt of honey (stevia sweetens, but this just adds a bit of flavor) 
• Cinnamon (helps blood sugar) and Nutmeg (good for adrenals)...I like the taste, but added these originally for health benefits...I have also use the above too with clove when I was worried about a possible ulcer.
• Sometimes I add a green powder or a few fresh green leaves.  I like to keep it small so  I don't affect the taste.

I love the taste and I feel great when I have this for breakfast. When you try it, let me know what you think!

Organics are worthy the price...sometimes!

There was study released recently showing organic foods does prove healthier. The organic good had more minerals and significantly more antioxidants. (You can read more on Dr. Mercola's site or in a British newspaper.) I had always wondered about organic food being "no different" b/c they TASTE so much better. But I'm thinking specifically about organics from the produce section.

I should point out that if food is processed and labeled organic, it is questionable whether it's worth your money (especially on a tight budget). Milk for example in it's natural state is "raw", not just "organic", so organic milk avoids some chemicals, but doesn't get you the benefits you expect when you pay extra for organic food. With animal products, organic does not mean that an animal is allowed to eat and live naturally, so it's all questionable if you are really getting your food "the way God intended." Buying from a local farmer is ideal. And food manufacturers may process the organic cereals so much, that your body can't even absorb the extra nutrients that you are paying for!

Did you know that buying process foods costs approximately the same amount as buying organic whole foods? Processed organic food may break the bank and gain little benefit, but whole, organic foods will cost about the same. It does take more time, but think of how much time you'll save when your not sick! Believe me, I know!

Drink to your health

Let's talk about what we drink. I don't think there are any doctors or scientists who would recommend drinking sodas. Or any of them disagree we need more water. But the first step is to do what we know is healthy.

Colas are one of the worst foods for us. Just learn a little about high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners, not to mention carbonation, artificial flavors, etc.

But let's talk about what we do drink...First, we need pure water. You want a good water filter, preferably something better than just a carbon filter. But remember, it's not helping if you don't change the filter. I have one from RBC Life Sciences, b/c we are members there. It attaches on the faucet. One day I'd like the reverse osmosis under the counter.

But do you know there are lots of other drinks that are like taking supplements. As I said early, I drink a couple oz. of Ningxia Red from Young Living every day. It really helps me have an energy boost that isn't followed by a low. I've also been hearing about a couple of other super juices on the market. But don't expect anything great from the grocery store. Apple juice is over filtered and is too high in sugars. Orange juice often contains mold (get one moldy orange in the machine and it affects the whole batch.

At our house we drink only raw milk. It's a big debate about whether milk is healthy, but few ever consider if the way we process it could be the problem. One doctor use to have a "raw milk cure", where raw milk was the main food you ate to find healing from various disease. Want to know more about raw milk (safety, where to get it, why, etc.) See: http://www.realmilk.com/

I also drink Kombucha. It's this great fermented tea. You can make it yourself, but right now I'm just buying it from the health food store. Don't drink too much at once though--it's pretty powerful, so they say you should ease into it.

Or you can make an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink (see my post "First Steps"). I also like to make Lemonade or Limeade with: 2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed organic juice (about 1/2 a lemon or lime) and 2 Tbsp. Organic Grade B Maple Syrup.

And of course if you want hot drinks, I suggest Red Tea sweetened with honey. Or herbal teas can benefit you in different ways.

As my daughter was learning in science, 2/3 of your body is water. So, pay attention to what's in your glass.