In my search for health and healing, I have found 3 things that are a powerhouse of goodness. They have been so beneficial that I refuse to travel without them!
Kombucha (or 'Bucha for short):
is one of my favorite drinks. It is a fermented tea drink made from a combination of tea, sugar, a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts) and time. During the process of fermentation, the SCOBY feeds off the sugar and tea and produces this lovely beneficial drink. Even my skeptical hubby loves this drink and how good it makes him feel.
Kefir (also known as milk kefir or MK):
(Pronounced Kĕ-fîŕ) this is similar to yogurt, but much easier to make and five times the probiotics. The 'grains' (a misnomer) do all the work. This is a different combination of beneficial yeasts and bacterias from the kombucha SCOBY. It looks like cauliflower. Kefir 'grains' put in milk for about 24 hours thickens it up and eats all the lactose, producing some great probiotics, about 5 times that of yogurt.
Lacto-Fermented veggies:
done the way pickles were in the old days with just a salt water brine and spices, left for 1-6 weeks to sour and produce slightly salty, slightly sour goodness. My favorite vegetables to lacto-ferment are cabbage (sauerkraut), Brussels Sprouts, caulilflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers. To which I add various spices and onions. Many people love garlic added to their ferments. I usually skip it.
Favorite websites for more information;
Culturedfoodlife.com ~ lots of good information, a membership site, but there is much you can access without the membership. Her books are also great with lots of recipes. This is an article about whether kombucha is good for you or not. Go here.
Culturesforhealth.com ~ a source of cultures: SCOBYs, kefir grains, etc.
http://fermentationrecipes.com/indian-spiced-cauliflower-sauerkraut/586 lots of great recipes for fermented things
A members group on Facebook that is a great source of info:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WlidFermentation/?fref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/groups/181445115312844/ this Facebook page is one where people share their grains or SCOBYs, as well as info.
Favorite Books:
"Kombucha; Healthy Beverage and Natural Remedy from the Far East, Its Correct Preparation and Use" by Gunther Frank (find it here)
"Wild Fermentation" by Sandor Katz (find it here)
"Real Food Fermentation" by Alex Lewin (find it here)
(Please see "Class Notes" page for more books and links)
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