Hi :wave: tell me about kefir

[Sheba]

Especially the starter grains which SUPPOSEDLY last forever, unlike the starter cultures which you can only use 6 times before they turn into something evil. Or die. Or something.

Is it like yocheese in taste? who's made it, eaten it, I need info plz :D

[Lizz]

/has no clue what you are talking about :D

[Alie]

Its not like yo-cheese at all. Its more like a drinkable yogurt. I've seen it in all sorts of flavors which would probably be good. But I got the plain once and it was a tad tart /understatement.

[Terri]

I bought this from the store one day, thinking it was yogurt smoothie:

http://www.lifeway.net/

Then I got home and saw that it was kefir. I like it....it's kind of like drinkable yogurt (like Alie said)...maybe a bit sourer. (is that a word? lol)..but in a good way.

[Lisa]

Was Sheba's post in English? :scratch:

[Terri]

Was Sheba's post in English? :scratch:


I'm not sure. But I understood "kefir". :rofl: :D

[Terri]

The one I got was strawberry-banana flavored. I haven't tried the others.

[Tiger]

I love kefir but have never made my own. I am lucky that there is a great natural foods store near me with eastern european proprietors who carry a fabulous brand. There was a good thread on another board on making it and a source for starter grains.

I like the taste and it is very healthy for you and I drink it often.

Let me find you a link ok. Do you really want to make your own?

Edited - I re read your post. It is a thinner more watery version of yogurt with a bit more Zing to it. If you are used to low fat yogurt you will know the consistancy I mean. You can serve it in a number of ways, sweeten it or have it savoury like sour cream as a topping or mixed in or as a drink. Imagine buttermilk mixed with thin yogurt. I would taste it a few times before you try making it.

[Tiger]

More than just beneficial bacteria! In addition to beneficial bacteria and yeast, kefir contains minerals and essential amino acids that help the body with healing and maintenance functions. The complete proteins in kefir are partially digested and therefore more easily utilized by the body. Tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids abundant in kefir, is well known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system. Because kefir also offers an abundance of calcium and magnesium, which are also important minerals for a healthy nervous system, kefir in the diet can have a particularly profound calming effect on the nerves. Kefir's ample supply of phosphorus, the second most abundant mineral in our bodies, helps utilize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for cell growth, maintenance and energy.
Kefir is rich in Vitamin B12, B1, and Vitamin K. It is an excellent source of biotin, a B Vitamin which aids the body's assimilation of other B Vitamins, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, and B12. The numerous benefits of maintaining adequate B vitamin intake range from regulation of the kidneys, liver and nervous system to helping relieve skin disorders, boost energy and promote longevity.

[Tiger]

Sources for good kefir grains:

http://66.46.11.99/clarkson/Show/Clarkson/kefir/default.asp

And info on how to consume it and recipes:

http://www.ech.ab.ca/programs/nutrition/Kefir%20(June).pdf

[Terri]

I drank it every day after Aoife's birth, because they had given me LOTS of antibiotics in the hospital for my tearing. I was so afraid I'd get a yeast infection. But I didn't. :D

[Tiger]

PS There is a story that Canadian actor and activist Shirley Douglas and US Actor Donald Sutherland named their son after this miracle food.

[Sheba]

More than just beneficial bacteria!In addition to beneficial bacteria and yeast, kefir contains minerals and essential amino acids that help the body with healing and maintenance functions. The complete proteins in kefir are partially digested and therefore more easily utilized by the body. Tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids abundant in kefir, is well known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system. Because kefir also offers an abundance of calcium and magnesium, which are also important minerals for a healthy nervous system, kefir in the diet can have a particularly profound calming effect on the nerves. Kefir's ample supply of phosphorus, the second most abundant mineral in our bodies, helps utilize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for cell growth, maintenance and energy.
Kefir is rich in Vitamin B12, B1, and Vitamin K. It is an excellent source of biotin, a B Vitamin which aids the body's assimilation of other B Vitamins, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, and B12. The numerous benefits of maintaining adequate B vitamin intake range from regulation of the kidneys, liver and nervous system to helping relieve skin disorders, boost energy and promote longevity.
:agree: I've been reading some gooooooooooooood stuff on it! I sent an e'mail earlier to a chicka here in Atlanta that supposedly has grains to share, found a whole list here (http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/kefir-list.php) of folks that sell or give starters away.

edit: but yes interested in making it. Heck of alot cheaper (cost of milk only) and *I* know how old it is, what's in it :blah: I like growing stuffz :hide: but I do wanna get a few bottles from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods or something tomorrow.

[Lizz]

PS There is a story that Canadian actor and activist Shirley Douglas and US Actor Donald Sutherland named their son after this miracle food.

Get out.

That's not really why they named him that is it?

[Sheba]

Sources for good kefir grains:

http://66.46.11.99/clarkson/Show/Clarkson/kefir/default.asp
AH! :doofi: same list *high 5*

[Sheba]

It's because they refused to let them name the kid "Yoghurt Smoothie" because it was already trademarked :nono:

[Tiger]

It's because they refused to let them name the kid "Yoghurt Smoothie" because it was already trademarked :nono:

Yoghurt smoothie is his younger sister. She is not well known. She is a sahm in saskatoon. She changed her name to banana bread when she turned 18.

[Lizz]

Banana bread? : perk:


*crave*

[Sheba]

Hey, speaking of sweet things and things that eat things....it seems logical to me that you could soak something (like a hunk o banana bread) in some yoghurt and the yoghurt would eat all the sugar leaving you sugarless banana bread. Right?

<---wonders why nobody has invented yoghurt covered boston cremes :D

[Sheba]

I found plain kefir at Kroger :confetti: as well as a trunkload of groceries. Perdue chicken boobs buy one pack get one free, :blah:

Pretty good with frozen strawberries, blue berries & cinnamon blended in :eat:

<---all about me & my yoghurt stuff

Now I'm stuffed & still haven't had lunch :nono:

[Tiger]

Hey, speaking of sweet things and things that eat things....it seems logical to me that you could soak something (like a hunk o banana bread) in some yoghurt and the yoghurt would eat all the sugar leaving you sugarless banana bread. Right?

<---wonders why nobody has invented yoghurt covered boston cremes :D

I think it only works in your tummy so you have to wash the banana bread down with the yoghurt :D

[purple]

I might try to find some of this stuff. I have to start an rx of antibiotics tonight and I don't want any side effects :nono: and this seems easy.

[Sheba]

I love this stuff, WHowhwhooo! Supposedly a quick fire cure for hangovers too :right:

[Tiger]

I had to go to the overpriced healthy foods place and stock up on it and yoghurt after this thread last week :boobies: I have a bumper crop of fat juicy raspberries on my bushes this year so I have been living on kefir smoothies with berries warm from the vines. (burp)

If I werent so lazy I would make my own I guess. Let us know if you do get grains and cultivate your own.

I wonder if I could visit Atlanta and smuggle Kefir grains across the border :D

[Sheba]

:dance: I bought some kefir grains from some local folks Tuesday. Yesterday I finally got some milk (pasturized, unfortunately) & made up 2 jars to brewing. It's starting to separate which supposedly means it's 'done' so I'll drain it & get it chilled (warm milk stuff :sick:) and report back on if it worked.

They told me raw milk was best. Yeah I know, I don't have a cow :cry:

[Sheba]

PS after the first few times of grinding up boo berries & cinnamon I've just been drinking it plain :eat: I like it! and no, I DON'T like buttermilk :sick: totally different taste.

Some of my snifflies have been coming back (milk always does this to me, but I DID have a chocolate malt earlier in the week so that might be it) so I may age my kefir a little longer (after this first test run) to give it time to eat more milk sugars and see if that makes a difference.

/all about my spoiled milk stuff

[Tiger]

PS after the first few times of grinding up boo berries & cinnamon I've just been drinking it plain :eat: I like it! and no, I DON'T like buttermilk :sick: totally different taste.

Some of my snifflies have been coming back (milk always does this to me, but I DID have a chocolate malt earlier in the week so that might be it) so I may age my kefir a little longer (after this first test run) to give it time to eat more milk sugars and see if that makes a difference.

/all about my spoiled milk stuff

Can you not buy unpasturized milk anywhere?

I find that organic yoghurt and kefir don't affect my allergies like other dairy does so maybe it just needs to ferment longer.

[Sheba]

Yeah I think that's the ticket, I'ma let mine contemplate the error of it's ways for a full 24 hours. 1st batch :eat: a little more tart than the storebought but I like it like that.

I went to Michael's yesterday & got a 8x11 piece of plastic ??? the stuff you can cross stitch on & cut out two round pieces to fit over my big mason jars so now I have built in strainers :D

/pats self on head

I dunno, I'll have to check at the health food store but isn't it illegal now to sell raw milk? pretty sure :nono: dernit.

PS this stuff with a squirt of molassas & apple pie spices mixed in :swoon: tooooo good.

[Tiger]

Probably is not allowed. Since the early 90's in Canada it is not allowed to be sold but it can be consumed or used in cheese by the farmer or dairy (primary producer). I used to get raw milk from a farm in the valley near where I live and just take a sterilized bottle and a cooler with ice to chill it and buy a litre or two at a time. Do you know anyone who has goats or cows?

[Sheba]

I live in Atlanta :indiff:

I could find a lactating cat perhaps?

/Focker

[Tiger]

Are there no cows in georgia? I mean you may have to drive for a bit but there must be an organic farm somewhere?

Do I need to make a road trip?

[Sheba]

:dance:

*sings* "Roadtrip to find some heifffffffffffffffffffffers! Roadtrip to find some moooooooooooooooooo" :right:

[[[after googling]]]WHAT.THE.HELL! So if I owned a milk cow, theoretically I could make $8400 a year off said cow (minus expenses). Shoot TWELVE cows would bring in over $100k!!!!!! :smacks forehead: Well I found one, a cow share is $30 a year. BUT care and maintanence of your precious moo is (currently, and apt to go up) $20 a month. According to this the average jersey milk cow produces 35 gallons a month. So that's 20x12x35=$8400 a year per cow. PS this doesn't include your $30 buy in or $20 for 4 1/2 gallon jars that you have to keep cleaned & returned. Please keep in mind that your cow will be dry for at least 65 days a year while being prepped to being impregnated again. And high milk production isn't consistant, especially as she nears the "drying off time" and hot weather also has an effect.

*boggle* I wonder now what it REALLY costs to maintain a cow yearly. $1000 bucks? maybe? I vote less, WAY less.

I'm in the wrong business. (http://www.minijersey.net/cowshare.htm)

<---rethinks yet again this whole city living bit

[Tiger]

Plus here if you have any kind of agricultural use of your land you get a whopping tax break.

I am still considering getting a goat to keep the weeds down in the back 40 and provide milk for something. Probably a trade for some already made kefi and cheese.

PS If you have a big chunk of land you can wander it naked when it is hot :whistle:

[Rebecca]

Unless I'm mistaken, I think my mom used to mix plain kefir into scrambled eggs...and it was doooog. It made them creamy rich goodness.

[Sheba]

Just wanted to update!

My keifer makes in well under 12 hours in a 76 degree kitchen. I make it in a big mason jar tho, not dark glass or in a dark area as recommended, not sure if it really has anything to do with it.

It was making too fast so I was drinking a couple of short glasses a day - which I am finally convinced is way too much moo for me :nono: Sinuses were staying forked up ALL the time, it started gradually then progressed to intolerability once I started getting "puffy" in neck & arms & ankles :nono: This was even after letting it cook itself for 24 hours, which supposedly eats up more of the milk sugars.

I'm pretty sure at this point (but, who knows) my problem with milk is the casein. But good things were my twitchy leg cramps came to a dead stop within a few days :dance: and yes it is hella good for a hangover :rofl: I stopped taking my 600 MG calcium at night while drinking, I was probably getting too much calcium tho (leg cramps can be caused by defiency OR too much calcium)

I've started keeping it in the fridge to cook itself slower, takes days instead of under 12 hours now. When I do want some I pull the jar out & let it sit & warm up til it looks ready (starts separating into layers) then strain & top off with new milk & stick back in the fridge. I'm gonna try just a couple of glasses a week & see if that's tolerable (still waiting for head to clear up 100%). For the folic acid, magnesium, calcium & overload of other stuff I'm still wanting to be able to drink this, damnit!

I've used some in a pan full of cooked beef & veggies, kinda like a mock stroganoff cream, it's pretty good tho a little sour wang unlike true cream.