kefir

[Guest guest]

I've read about it in an article

<http://www.oprah.com/presents/2005/young/life/life_yogurtkefir_d.jhtml>

on oprah.com. Dr. Perricone says that kefir has a long history of

medicinal use:

Hospitals in the former Soviet Union use kefir—especially when no

modern medical treatment is available—to treat conditions ranging

from atherosclerosis, allergic disease, metabolic and digestive

disorders and tuberculosis to cancer and gastrointestinal disorders.

Hope this helps,

filterfeeder

Natural Cures Blog <http://salubria.blogspot.com/>

Garth & Kim wrote:

>The book I have on kefir, makes references to research being done in Germany

on the benefits of kefir and lacto fermented food in the

> treatment of cancer. I have been unable to find any other references to this.

Has this topic ever been covered?

> Kefir Rediscovered: The Nutritional Benefits of an Ancient Healing

Food Klaus Kaufmann, forewarded by Zoltan Rona MD, MSc

>

[Guest guest]

what starter are people using to make kefir while going dairy free? the body

ecology starter?

thanks

sam

> maureen-what starter do you use to make your kefir? are you using regular

kefir grains?

> water grains? powder? i only ask because your child has the same allergies as

mine and i

> didn't know how to make kefir that was dairy free. and do you always kefir

coconut milk or

> have you tried other milks? (like goat or nut)

> thanks

> sam

>

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry I got busy and forgot to answer, Sam.  I use my regular kefir grains.  You can clean them out by giving them several days & changes of water, then keeping them separate from any you might use for dairy.  Of course, you may find it necessary to buy a starter if you still find this not acceptable.  I have some soaking now to use for , but haven't done it specifically for him for awhile now.  He can not handle even fermented goat dairy right now, so I can only do non-dairy ferments for him.  I have never kefired nut milk, but maybe I'll give it a try.MaureenOn Feb 26, 2008, at 8:39 PM, samadamfamily wrote:what starter are people using to make kefir while going dairy free? the body ecology starter? thankssam > maureen-what starter do you use to make your kefir? are you using regular kefir grains? > water grains? powder? i only ask because your child has the same allergies as mine and i > didn't know how to make kefir that was dairy free. and do you always kefir coconut milk or > have you tried other milks? (like goat or nut)> thanks> sam>

[Guest guest]

I should say, correct me if I am wrong.  I have never made "water kefir", but have used my regular kefir grains, cleansed, to kefir juices.  People who have told me about making water kefir made it sound as if it was the same grains as the regular dairy ones, but put through several days and changes of water.  But I always wondered what would be feeding the grains to make water "ferment", so enlighten me, please, if anyone can.MaureenYes, kefir is fine when you have candida, as it eats up any sugar in fermentation.  Water kefir grains are the same as any other kefir grains, they have just been cleaned  of casein residue through several changes of water.MaureenOn Mar 11, 2008, at 7:41 AM, jo wrote:

[Guest guest]

Maureen,

My understanding is that the microbial profile is the same, but that

the grains are different, and they look different. Milk kefir grains

are opaque kind of whitish. Water kefir grains are clear, translucent

grains. Water kefir you add lemon, sweetener (sugar, honey etc) and

some dried fruit to feed the grains and make the kefir.

Maureen wrote:

I should say, correct me if I am wrong. I have never made "water

kefir", but have used my regular kefir grains, cleansed, to kefir

juices. People who have told me about making water kefir made it sound

as if it was the same grains as the regular dairy ones, but put through

several days and changes of water. But I always wondered what would be

feeding the grains to make water "ferment", so enlighten me, please, if

anyone can.

Maureen

Yes, kefir is fine when you have candida, as it eats up any

sugar in fermentation. Water kefir grains are the same as any other

kefir grains, they have just been cleaned of casein residue through

several changes of water.

Maureen

On Mar 11, 2008, at 7:41 AM, jo wrote:

[Guest guest]

Thank you for enlightening me, I appreciate it very much.  And I think I will try some water kefir for my son, although he is also allergic to citrus, so I must leave that out.  My grains are soaking in milk right now, so it will have to wait for a week or so.I would suspect, however, that the grains are still the same.  I think it is the milk that makes the grains turn whitish.  When I have cleansed mine, they have lost the white color.  And of course when I ferment juice with them, they take on the beautiful color of the juice.  It seems reasonable that when people are needing to be extra cautious about casein, they would want to find grains that had been thoroughly cleared or perhaps never even used in milk.MaureenOn Mar 11, 2008, at 12:00 PM, Milner wrote:Maureen,My understanding is that the microbial profile is the same, but that the grains are different, and they look different.  Milk kefir grains are opaque kind of whitish.  Water kefir grains are clear, translucent grains.  Water kefir you add lemon, sweetener (sugar, honey etc) and some dried fruit to feed the grains and make the kefir.

[Guest guest]

You have to add sugar to the water.

On Mar 11, 2008, at 8:46 AM, Maureen wrote:

> I should say, correct me if I am wrong. I have never made " water

> kefir " , but have used my regular kefir grains, cleansed, to kefir

> juices. People who have told me about making water kefir made it

> sound as if it was the same grains as the regular dairy ones, but

> put through several days and changes of water. But I always

> wondered what would be feeding the grains to make water " ferment " ,

> so enlighten me, please, if anyone can.

>

> Maureen

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would like directions on how to do this too... ( that is make coconut kefir)

I have some grains that were in dairy that could be ready to go.. please explain what to do next. How much sugar do you add to the water? Do you put them in water then transfer to coconut water? where do you get coconut water? Not sure if my grocery store has coconuts... (small town)

thanks

Re: [ ] Kefir

You have to add sugar to the water.On Mar 11, 2008, at 8:46 AM, Maureen wrote:> I should say, correct me if I am wrong. I have never made "water > kefir", but have used my regular kefir grains, cleansed, to kefir > juices. People who have told me about making water kefir made it > sound as if it was the same grains as the regular dairy ones, but > put through several days and changes of water. But I always > wondered what would be feeding the grains to make water "ferment", > so enlighten me, please, if anyone can.>> Maureen>>

[Guest guest]

This was already posted, you may want to

look at old posts… but you can find step by step instructions for young

coconut kefir using a powder starter here (just substitute your grains,

although I don’t know the ratio) : http://bodyecology.com/mcoconutkefir.php

If your grocery store can’t order them for you, you may want to go with

the tetra packs sold by the Grain and Salt Society online.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Dave and

Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:02

PM

Subject: Re: [ ]

Kefir

I would like directions on how to do this too... ( that is

make coconut kefir)

I have some grains that were in dairy that could be ready to

go.. please explain what to do next. How much sugar do you add to the

water? Do you put them in water then transfer to coconut water? where do you

get coconut water? Not sure if my grocery store has coconuts... (small town)

thanks

Re:

[ ] Kefir

You have

to add sugar to the water.

On Mar 11, 2008, at 8:46 AM, Maureen wrote:

> I should say, correct me if I am wrong. I have never made " water

> kefir " , but have used my regular kefir grains, cleansed, to kefir

> juices. People who have told me about making water kefir made it

> sound as if it was the same grains as the regular dairy ones, but

> put through several days and changes of water. But I always

> wondered what would be feeding the grains to make water

" ferment " ,

> so enlighten me, please, if anyone can.

>

> Maureen

>

>

[Guest guest]

Water kefir grains and milk kefir grains aren't the same. Milk grains

can be used to kefir water or juice, but there's a separate grain

that's a 'water kefir' grain. Milk grains look kinda like cauliflower

while water grains are more like small chunks of rock candy.

I've heard that when you use a milk grain to kefir juice, it'll only

last 6 months or so before it 'dies' and you need to replace it.

Water grains just keep on multiplying.

On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 8:01 AM, Maureen <motherhenof9@...> wrote:

>

> Thank you for enlightening me, I appreciate it very much. And I think I

> will try some water kefir for my son, although he is also allergic to

> citrus, so I must leave that out. My grains are soaking in milk right now,

> so it will have to wait for a week or so.

>

> I would suspect, however, that the grains are still the same. I think it is

> the milk that makes the grains turn whitish. When I have cleansed mine,

> they have lost the white color. And of course when I ferment juice with

> them, they take on the beautiful color of the juice. It seems reasonable

> that when people are needing to be extra cautious about casein, they would

> want to find grains that had been thoroughly cleared or perhaps never even

> used in milk.

>

> Maureen

>

>

> On Mar 11, 2008, at 12:00 PM, Milner wrote:

>

>

>

>

> Maureen,

>

> My understanding is that the microbial profile is the same, but that the

> grains are different, and they look different. Milk kefir grains are opaque

> kind of whitish. Water kefir grains are clear, translucent grains. Water

> kefir you add lemon, sweetener (sugar, honey etc) and some dried fruit to

> feed the grains and make the kefir.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that info. where can I get water grains? and is this what I would want to add to coconut juice/water instead of milk grains? Where do you get coconut juice?

Thanks

Re: [ ] Kefir

Water kefir grains and milk kefir grains aren't the same. Milk grainscan be used to kefir water or juice, but there's a separate grainthat's a 'water kefir' grain. Milk grains look kinda like cauliflowerwhile water grains are more like small chunks of rock candy.I've heard that when you use a milk grain to kefir juice, it'll onlylast 6 months or so before it 'dies' and you need to replace it.Water grains just keep on multiplying.On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 8:01 AM, Maureen <motherhenof9comcast (DOT) net> wrote:>> Thank you for enlightening me, I appreciate it very much. And I think I> will try some water kefir for my son, although he is also allergic to> citrus, so I must leave that out. My grains are soaking in milk right now,> so it will have to wait for a week or so.>> I would suspect, however, that the grains are still the same. I think it is> the milk that makes the grains turn whitish. When I have cleansed mine,> they have lost the white color. And of course when I ferment juice with> them, they take on the beautiful color of the juice. It seems reasonable> that when people are needing to be extra cautious about casein, they would> want to find grains that had been thoroughly cleared or perhaps never even> used in milk.>> Maureen>>> On Mar 11, 2008, at 12:00 PM, Milner wrote:>>>>> Maureen,>> My understanding is that the microbial profile is the same, but that the> grains are different, and they look different. Milk kefir grains are opaque> kind of whitish. Water kefir grains are clear, translucent grains. Water> kefir you add lemon, sweetener (sugar, honey etc) and some dried fruit to> feed the grains and make the kefir.>> >>>>

[Guest guest]

I got my water grains from the local WAPF group.

I haven't done the coconut water kefir myself, but I did find

(non-organic) frozen coconut milk in a couple of asian stores.

On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM, Dave and <bax3@...> wrote:

>

> Thanks for that info. where can I get water grains? and is this what I would

> want to add to coconut juice/water instead of milk grains? Where do you get

> coconut juice?

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is Millie and I am new to this group. I am recovering a high

functioning autistic boy, 11 yo. I have been doing BED for about one

year and it is going very well. I have also been making dairy kefir

for almost two years since I learned about dairy grains before I

learned about SCD and BED. I have been on several fermenting groups

for a while now learning a lot about all these cultures. is

right that the two grains are different and their bacterial/yeast

profiles are different. From all I have read and discussed, the dairy

grains seem to be the most excellent with over 35 different strains

of yeast and bacteria. I ferment all sorts of things now including

water, milk, YCK, ginger beer plant, kombucha and vegetables, but for

my son, I still use mainly the dairy kefir. Dom's websites are a

wealth of knowledge:

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/Makekefir.html This one discusses

dairy and water grains. Also the kefir group

Kefir_making/ shares both kinds of

grains and Basirah the moderator sells Dom's grains in the US. I

share almost every week, so if you are interested in obtaining either

type of grain, you can post on that group or they are also for sale

at gemculture.com (where I first bought mine) and happyherbalist.com

and assorted other places as someone else mentioned.

Hope this helps and looking forward to learning from all of you,

Millie

[Guest guest]

You just add a Tsbp. of kefir grains to a quart of coconut water, either derived from young green coconuts as per the Body Ecology website (someone posted earlier today), or from the tetra packs available from a variety of sources (natural foods stores, Wilderness Family Naturals ( www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com ), or Asian markets.  I have used both, and certainly prefer the fresh juice.  You don't add any sugar to the coconut water, only to water kefir.  Make sure that you have first cleansed your milk grains in several days & changes of water first to clean out the milk residue.Coconut water kefir is delightful!MaureenOn Mar 11, 2008, at 1:02 PM, Dave and wrote:  I would like directions on how to do this too... ( that is make coconut kefir) I have some grains that were in dairy that could be ready to go..  please explain what to do next. How much sugar do you add to the water? Do you put them in water then transfer to coconut water? where do you get coconut water? Not sure if my grocery store has coconuts... (small town) thanks

[Guest guest]

Water kefir garins and milk kefir are definitely DIFFERENT! (I have

both)

you can buy dehydrated water kefir grains from Marilyn at http://

www.kefirlady.com/waterkefirgrains.htm

She mailed them to me in a small envelope and it worked fine.

Milk kefir grains are easier to get locally.

[Guest guest]

>>Thanks for that info. where can I get water grains? <<

I got mine from ebay. They make a great fizzy drink!

Suze

[Guest guest]

Welcome Millie!!!

I believe we used to be on BEDROK together. I, too, am new to this

group the past few weeks. Good to " see " you again.

Can you tell us what benefit you have found from the real kefir-grain

kefir? Especially how it has benefitted your son. As you may

remember, I have a 10 1/2 year old autistic boy. He is the

inspiration for this journey. We just started the raw-milk kefir-

grain kefir the past two weeks. The science behind the grain itself

intrigues me.

Connie

>

> Hi,

>

> My name is Millie and I am new to this group. I am recovering a

high

> functioning autistic boy, 11 yo. I have been doing BED for about

one

> year and it is going very well. I have also been making dairy kefir

> for almost two years since I learned about dairy grains before I

> learned about SCD and BED. I have been on several fermenting groups

> for a while now learning a lot about all these cultures. is

> right that the two grains are different and their bacterial/yeast

> profiles are different. From all I have read and discussed, the

dairy

> grains seem to be the most excellent with over 35 different strains

> of yeast and bacteria. I ferment all sorts of things now including

> water, milk, YCK, ginger beer plant, kombucha and vegetables, but

for

> my son, I still use mainly the dairy kefir. Dom's websites are a

> wealth of knowledge:

> http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/Makekefir.html This one

discusses

> dairy and water grains. Also the kefir group

> Kefir_making/ shares both kinds of

> grains and Basirah the moderator sells Dom's grains in the US. I

> share almost every week, so if you are interested in obtaining

either

> type of grain, you can post on that group or they are also for sale

> at gemculture.com (where I first bought mine) and

happyherbalist.com

> and assorted other places as someone else mentioned.

>

> Hope this helps and looking forward to learning from all of you,

> Millie

>

[Guest guest]

<<Welcome Millie!!!

I believe we used to be on BEDROK together. I, too, am new to this

group the past few weeks. Good to " see " you again.>>

Hi Connie!

Thanks for the welcome, and also , how is your little

granddaughter? I think there are others that I recognize here as

well, it's good to be among such dedicated friends.

As far as the kefir grain raw milk kefir, I love it. Our first doctor

had me buy grains and raw milk. I remember being so afraid to leave

raw milk on the counter 24 hrs, LOL. But it has been very good for

all of us. I think that the greatest progress that we have had lately

with has been with some help from Dom that I cam across

recently. From what I have read or seen he knows more about kefir

than anyone alive today and a friend forwarded a post on the

Real_Kefir group where he outlined his kefir/grains protocol to

the mother of an autistic child. I started using it and have seen

progress, although I can' t say for sure it was that, but we feel it

has helped. I would be glad to forward if you want to email me directly.

I am enjoying all the informative posts and learning a lot already,

thanks everybody,

Millie

[Guest guest]

Hi Millie!

Great to *see* some friends here. My dgd is just 6, I'm interested in the coconut kefir but can't wrap my head around how to make it. I don't think she would eat the raw milk kefir. Really so clueless I can't even figure out an intelligent ? to ask.

[ ] Re: Kefir

<<Welcome Millie!!!I believe we used to be on BEDROK together. I, too, am new to thisgroup the past few weeks. Good to "see" you again.>>Hi Connie!Thanks for the welcome, and also , how is your little granddaughter? I think there are others that I recognize here as well, it's good to be among such dedicated friends.As far as the kefir grain raw milk kefir, I love it. Our first doctor had me buy grains and raw milk. I remember being so afraid to leave raw milk on the counter 24 hrs, LOL. But it has been very good for all of us. I think that the greatest progress that we have had lately with has been with some help from Dom that I cam across recently. From what I have read or seen he knows more about kefir than anyone alive today and a friend forwarded a post on the Real_Kefir group where he outlined his kefir/grains protocol to the mother of an autistic child. I started using it and have seen progress, although I can' t say for sure it was that, but we feel it has helped. I would be glad to forward if you want to email me directly.I am enjoying all the informative posts and learning a lot already, thanks everybody,Millie

[Guest guest]

,

The raw milk kefir is not that hard to give if you turn it into fruit

smoothie in the blender. Mine don't even know it's in their shakes!

As far as the coco kefir, the BED website has a very nice picture

guide to making it, http://bodyecology.com/mcoconutkefir.php. It

seems overwhelming at first, but like anything, it gets easy after

you get the hang of it. Look over the instructions and if you need

more help, let me know. Remember that if you don't want to crack

coconuts, you can buy the coco water in the packages and just ferment

that. You have helped me so much on the other lists, I'm here to be

your kefir buddy ; )

I'm finding that if I ask for very detailed help from my lists, I

get the courage and info I need to venture into my next food/drink

project that I want to tackle. On the discussingNT list, I asked for

help with the bone broths. I know, it's easy, but it seemed

insurmountable to me, LOL. I got so much step by step help and

support, that I now have a big bowl of bone broth in my fridge!!! I

am so excited. I think my next project is going to be liver, so I

will be posting for help here soon, stay tuned.

I would be happy to help others with the stuff that I have already

mastered a bit,

Millie

[Guest guest]

Yes, indeed it can.

>

> Would kefir cause die off ? We just started it this week and I've

noticed diahrrea and stuff that we haven't seen since we first started

the probiotics a month ago. I first thought it might have been a

coincidence because we ate out at a restaurant with out of town family

and ended up feeling awful after the meal, but not I'm thinking it's

the kefir and not the meal we had on Sunday.

>

> Kandee

> Mom to Hannah, Grace and

>

[Guest guest]

How long does kefir last in the fridge after you make it. I've had some in the fridge for over 2 weeks and it smells yeasty....is this still okay to use? I was going to make a fresh batch today, but wanted to use up the little bit I have left.

Kandee