kefir Archives - Wannabe Balanced Mom

January 27, 2017 · in cultured foods· Health· healthy drinks· healthy weight loss drinks· kefir· Life of a Wannabe

4 Easy Ways to Improve Your Gut Health with Probiotics

People struggling with digestive issues has become quite common these days. There are several reasons that cause the discomfort, bloating, indigestion, and constipation. The number one cause is antibiotics, the amazing scientific formulation that saves lives. Unfortunately like most medications they all come with side effects. The antibiotics kill all the harmful bacteria which is incredible, but it also kills all the good bacteria. Thankfully we don’t need to say NO to antibiotics, we just need to be proactive and do our part to replenish the good bacteria that was lost during the cycle to improve gut health. Most doctors will recommend eating yogurt as a way to repopulate the gut with probiotics. But store bought yogurt usually has a lot of sugar, PLUS they are pasteurized, which means that most of the enzymes and helpful bacteria have been killed off.

I’ve been researching this topic for years and over time have included all sorts of probiotic packed foods, supplements and drinks to my daily diet.

Reasons you should be consuming probiotics!

•Boosts immune system.

•Prevents and treats urinary tract infections.

•Improves digestive function.

•Heals inflammatory bowel conditions like IBS

•Helps manage and prevent eczema in children.

•Fights against food-borne illnesses.

Top 4 ways to include probiotics in your diet!

#1 Capsule Form ~ Easy Living Nutra Probiotic

As many of you know I’m kind of obsessed with Kombucha. I make my own, but I know most people don’t want to bother with making it and when you buy it at the store you can spend up to $4 a bottle. It gets pretty expensive to drink Kombucha daily if you don’t make it yourself. So my number one recommendation for anyone, would be to buy a probiotic in capsule form. It’s the easiest and quickest way to deliver those probiotics and improve gut health. But beware, not all probiotics are created equal. Most pill forms don’t have the proper protective layer to make it past the stomach acid without killing off the bacteria. Easy Living Nutra capsules actually has a unique protective outer layer making it possible for the probiotic to travel more safely to the small intestine where it can continue the process of breaking down and releasing the probiotics.

More about Easy Living Nutra Probiotic

• Patent pending MAKTrek 3D 2 step acid protection – Loaded with 40 Billion or Probiotic 20 Billion CFU’s.

• LAB TESTED – More effective than traditional probiotic supplements. Developed by a Doctor who specializes in gut health.

• THE BEST PROBIOTIC FOR MEN, PROBIOTIC FOR WOMEN, and KIDS – Allergen free and made in a GMP and FDA registered facility.

• IMPROVE IMMUNE SYSTEM – 80% of our immune system is out gut. Take care of your gut and feel the difference in your body’s health.

• COMFORT AND ENERGY LEVELS – Freedom from stomach discomfort. Digestion Support, Chrons, IBS, acne, weight loss

For 20% off use coupon code: 20OFFELN

You can find it on Amazon .

#2 Kefir

Kefir is my second choice because it’s the easiest thing to make and most people like the taste of it. You can also buy this at the store but be sure to check the sugar content. Flavored kefir just tastes like a drinkable yogurt. Kefir has 30-56 strains of good bacteria, and store bought yogurt has less than 10. This stuff is pretty incredible. I like to make my own because then I have control over what goes into it, and it’s super simple to make. Usually I flavor mine with fresh fruit and stevia. Read my step by step instructions on How to Make Kefir from Home, plus one of my favorite ways to eat it is by making it into a sweet or savory Kefir Cheese spread. Watch my TV segment on ABC4 where I demonstrate how easy it is to make.

#3 Kombucha

Kombucha, ooooooh Kombucha. We kinda have a love affair. I’ve been teaching people How to Make Kombucha for the past 2 years now and I tell ya, it’s my most favorite! It’s number 3 on the list though because it takes a little more time to make AND not everyone likes the taste of it. For me though, I crave the stuff. I don’t go a day without it and I’ve gotten myself into a pretty seamless Kombucha making routine. I got to demonstrate how to make Kombucha on TV a couple times. Check it out on ABC4 and Fox13.

#4 Sauerkraut

Making your own sauerkraut is also very easy to do, but again, not everyone likes to eat sauerkraut. I like to eat mine plain or simply add it to my salads or sandwiches. I love the crispy tart and sour taste.

Some of you may be thinking, wow, she’s kinda over doing it with the probiotics. But guess what, each of these sources offer a completely different range of good bacteria, so it’s always recommended that you consume as many different types as you can.

I can definitely attest to the fact that probiotics make a HUGE difference. One thing I’ve noticed the most is my immune health. I’m literally immune, knock on wood. I’ve only been sick ONCE in two years and it was just a cold that lasted a couple days. My kids have all had the flu multiple times, I’ve been covered in puke and sharing drinks with snotty nosed kids and I NEVER get sick. The Nutra probiotics are safe for kids too so I’m excited I found this because not all my kids like Kombucha and Kefir. For kids all you do is open up the capsule and pour the probiotic powder into a smoothie for them.

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February 17, 2016 · in Health weight loss· kefir· recipes

Kefir Cheese

Kefir has so many possibilities. For instructions on how to make your own Kefir then read THIS POST. One of my favorite things to make with Kefir, is Kefir cheese. Basically all you do is drain out the liquid whey in order to create a more dense consistency. Perfect for sweet or savory spreads. Before we go into all the different recipes for spreads, let me show you how simple it is to make your Kefir cheese.

Ingredients:

Milk kefir
Coffee filter

Instructions:

Place a coffee filter into a strainer, then set the strainer in a large bowl. Pour the Kefir into the coffee filter.

2. Drain overnight in the refrigerator or until the desired thickness is achieved. Save the whey in a closed container in the refrigerator (there are lots of ways to use the whey, one of them being, a starter for cultured veggies).

3. Remove finished cheese from filter. Use in recipes in place of cream cheese–will have a more sour and stronger taste than regular cream cheese.

One of my favorite ways to season kefir cheese is with a pinch of garlic, salt and pepper. So simple, yet so yummy. Perfect on tacos and veggie patties.

We even like to add a little salsa or avocados to create a probiotic packed chip dip.

Another fun idea is to add fresh squeezed lemon juice, some lemon zest and stevia. I love to dip strawberries in this.

Print Recipe

Kefir Cheese

by Crystal Escobar February-17-2016

Learn how easy it is to make kefir cheese

Ingredients

2 cups Milk Kefir
1 Coffee filter

Instructions

1. Place a coffee filter into a strainer, then set the strainer in a large bowl. Pour the Kefir into the coffee filter. 2. Drain overnight in the refrigerator or until the desired thickness is achieved. Save the whey in a closed container in the refrigerator (there are lots of ways to use the whey, one of them being, a starter for cultured veggies). 3. Remove finished cheese from filter. Use in recipes in place of cream cheese–will have a more sour and stronger taste than regular cream cheese. 4. One of my favorite ways to season kefir cheese is with a pinch of garlic, salt and pepper. So simple, yet so yummy. Perfect on tacos and veggie patties.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 23 hour Total time: Yield: 4 servings

February 3, 2016 · in drinks· fermented foods· Health· healthy drinks· kefir· recipes· Weight Loss

Make Your Own Kefir

How To Make Milk Kefir

Printable recipe

You all know about my new found fermented food craze because I’m always talking about my love for KOMBUCHA. Of all the cultured food and drink I have been experimenting with, Kefir is by far the easiest one to create. Basically all you need is some Kefir grains, you can buy them on Amazon, and milk. I know many people experience discomfort when consuming dairy, myself included. So although I do drink Kefir, other than that, my diet is basically dairy free. I never have any problems when I drink Kefir, the reason is because it’s lactose free because the bacteria has eaten most of it.

Kefir has much stronger probiotic benefits than your typical store bought yogurt, PLUS it is practically sugar free. Usually yogurt from the store is packed full of sugar, and most yogurts are pasteurized, which means that most of the enzymes and helpful bacteria have been killed off. I read that Kefir has 30-56 strains of bacteria, and store bought yogurt has less than 10.

Health Benefits of Kefir:

Enhances digestion
Treats yeast infections
Promotes well-being
Helps lactose intolerance
Supports immune health
Reduces asthma symptoms
Reduces allergy symptoms
Eliminates constipation
Promotes deep sleep
Acts as a natural antibiotic

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

1 cup milk, preferably whole fat

1 teaspoon active kefir grains

Equipment

1 pint-sized glass jar

Cheesecloth, paper towel, or clean napkin

Rubberband

Small strainer (preferably plastic, but metal is ok)

Storage container with lid

Instructions

Note: Avoid contact between the kefir and metal both during and after brewing. This can affect the flavor of your kefir and weaken the grains over time.

1. Combine the milk and the grains in a jar: Pour the milk into a glass jar or cup (not metal) and stir in the kefir grains.

2. Cover the jar: Cover the jar with a plastic lid, cheesecloth, or a paper towel, and use a rubber band to hold it in place.

3. Ferment for 12 to 48 hours: Leave the jar out on your kitchen counter or pantry for a day or two. When the milk has thickened (looks like drinkable yogurt) and tastes tangy, it’s ready. This will usually take about 24 hours at average room temperatures (between 68-72 degrees F); the milk will ferment faster at warmer temperatures and slower at cool temperatures.

4. Remove the kefir grains: If you’d like to use the Kefir right away then place a small strainer over the container you’ll use to store the kefir. Strain the kefir into the container, catching the grains in the strainer.

5. Transfer the grains to fresh milk: To make your next batch of Kefir just stir the grains into a fresh batch of milk and allow to ferment again. This way, you can make a fresh batch of kefir every day. To take a break from making kefir, place the grains in fresh milk, cover tightly, and refrigerate.

6. Drink or refrigerate the milk kefir: The prepared milk kefir can be stored in the fridge for many months but it’s best to consume it within a week for optimal probiotic benefits.

Second Fermentation

Like Kombucha, Kefir can also undergo a second fermentation that improves the nutritional value as well as the taste. This process can be done with any fruit or spice. Basically all you do is add a flavor of choice then allow to sit at room temp once again for just a few hours then place in the fridge until ready to use. I like to add some fresh or frozen strawberries with a bit of cinnamon.

There are endless ways to be creative with Kefir. My kids and I love making Kefir smoothies, and I have lots more fun ideas I will share with you here on the blog. Stay tuned…

4 Easy Ways to Improve Your Gut Health with Probiotics

Kefir Cheese

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Make Your Own Kefir

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