What's kefir?

Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins.

* Kefir is simple and inexpensive to make at home.
* Kefir is used to restore the inner eco-system after antibiotic therapy.
* Kefir can be made into a delicious smoothie that kids love.
* Kefir is excellent nourishment for pregnant and nursing women, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity.

How to introduce kefir into your diet?

Some people thrive on kefir right from the start and others may need to proceed more slowly. Remember that people with candidiasis lack milk-digesting bacteria, so you may have to build up your "tolerance" of kefir. Start with about four ounces in the morning on an empty stomach. Every second day increase the amount until you are able to drink a full eight ounce glass.

Kefir is a cultured, creamy product with amazing health attributes.

Kefir's tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly 'probiotic' bacteria found in yogurt. The naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly. It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins.

For the lactose intolerant, kefir's abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process.

How is Kefir Made?

Kefir can be made from any type of milk, cow, goat or sheep, coconut, rice or soy.

Kefir is made from gelatinous white or yellow particles called "grains." This makes kefir unique, as no other milk culture forms grains. These grains contain the bacteria/yeast mixture clumped together with casein (milk proteins) and complex sugars. They look like pieces of coral or small clumps of cauliflower and range from the size of a grain of wheat to that of a hazelnut. Some of the grains have been known to grow in large flat sheets that can be big enough to cover your hand! The grains ferment the milk, incorporating their friendly organisms to create the cultured product. The grains are then removed with a strainer before consumption of the kefir and added to a new batch of milk.

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Kefir recipes

(1)
Great ice cream alternative ( by Ellen )

Pour frozen blueberries into a bowl. Pour kefir (or kefir with taste) over berries to cover. Stir slightly. Wait a few minutes before eating! As blueberries melt, kefir freezes.

(2)
Very Berry Smoothie ( by Ellen )

Ingredients:
1 cup kefir
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1 cup ice cubes

Preparation: Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. If it gets too thick add a tablespoon of water. Pour into a tall glass once blended.

(3)
The Butterfly ( link to recipe )

The Butterfly is a reply to the junk cola-beverage, The Spider (Cola & Cream). Any type of fruit juice may be used.

Ingredients (for 1 cup):
2/3 cup dark or light grape juice
1/3 cup fresh kefir
Slice of lemon or orange
Sprinkle cinnamon powder

Preparation: Pour the grape juice in a tall glass. Pour the kefir over the grape juice. The kefir will float over of the grape juice. With a straw, chopstick or a spoon, gently stir the kefir to form a swirl or a marble-like pattern; as an effect to satisfy the hunger of the eye.

Try preparing The Butterfly with other fresh fruit juices or a mixture including Melon, Black current, Cranberry, Black berry, Blue berry or mixed berry, Black Cherry, Mango, Pineapple and young Coconut water or Coconut cream etc.

(4)
The Kefir Charmer (Smoothie) ( link to recipe )

VANILLA KEFIR CHARMER

Ingredients:
1 large or 2 small ripe bananas
1 cup kefir
1 cup of coconut milk, coconut cream or young coconut water
1 to 2-Tbs of fresh kefir grains (when surplus grains are available)
½ tsp each ginger and cinnamon powder
1 tbs wheat germ
½ tsp of natural vanilla essence
2 fresh mint leaves

CAROB OR CHOCOLATE KEFIR CHARMER

In the above ingredients include 1 Tbs of either carob bean flour, or 1 to 2 tsp of cocoa powder.

TROPICAL PANDAN KEFIR CHARMER

In the above ingredients include 1/4 tsp of Pandan leaf extract (obtained from most Asian stores).

TROPICAL DURIAN KEFIR CHARMER

In the above ingredients replace banana for ½ cup of Durian fruit meat (obtained frozen from most Asian stores).

Preparation: Chop fresh kefir grains with a sharp knife on a chopping board. Except for the cinnamon, blend all ingredients in an electric blender or food processor for 1 minute. Pour in tall glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon powder. During hot weather, try blending the addition of a few ice cubes.

(5)
Slimmers lunch in a glass ( link to recipe )

1 1/4 cups carrot juice (fresh or canned)
1 1/4 cups Kefir
1 1/4 cups tomato juice
Lemon slices, salt and garlic to taste

Blend the juices and Kefir. Chill and serve in glasses with lemon slices and salt.

(6)
Pesto Sauce ( link to recipe )

Adding some kefir to your pesto sauce - red pesto or basil - makes a deliciously creamy pasta dish, finished off with freshly grated parmesan.

(7)
Kefir Salad Dressing ( link to recipe )

4 tbs kefir
2 tsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
1 tbs fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients into small bowl and stir until thoroughly blended. This dressing is great with smoked salmon and prawns on a bed of rocket salad.

(8)
You can also add kefir to home baked bread and buns. Or make your own recipes.

Include KEFIR in your daily meals, enjoy fresh taste and feel good and healthy.