This week I got some water and milk kefir grains. My 1st batch of milk I had to toss (because I didn't use enough grains), but the 2nd went well. Beautiful texture. I had it this morning for breakfast w/a banana on the side.
I wasn't crazy about the taste, so I added some vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and agave. I would like to make smoothies from it, too, but read that the blender might kill the probiotics. Is that true?
My water kefir I am having trouble with. The 1st batch I got anxious and I think I removed it too soon. I did put it aside in a mug just to see what would happen and the next day I made a wonderful discovery. It tasted like kombucha, without all the work of kombucha! It was still too sweet.
So, I am leaving the grains in longer this time. I forgot to rinse them, I hope that isn't a problem. Milk grains you don't rinse, water grains you do. I knew I would mess up. LOL
It's been a few days now and is still tasting too sweet. If I keep tasting it I won't have any left. Somebody told me that it can take the grains time to acclimate, so I am hoping that is the case.
It's funny, I was more interested in the milk kefir, but ordered the water grains in case I wanted to try them later, just to save postage. I am glad I did, I really like the taste.
Later, when the grains grow more I am going to make gingerale with them.
Do I have to continue my powdered probiotics? The brand I get from my LLMD ran out of the capsules, so it is loose powder. It is a good probiotic, it has 18 strains, but do I need it if I am drinking kefir?
liz
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
I noticed that you mentioned kombucha. My LLND says that Lymies actually shouldn't drink kombucha. She says that the probiotics are strong enough to cancel out the antibiotics, or something like that.
I guess if you aren't on antibiotics, that you would probably be fine. Just mentioning it for whatever its worth. Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
In Dr. B's guidelines he mentions drinking kefir 3x's.
I can't wrap my head around probiotics cancelling out abx. Probiotics are necessary, esp on abx and my LLMD (and most, if not all) prescribe probiotics as a necessity while doing abx.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
You need to take any probiotics at least two hours away from your abx.
I would recommend that you still continue to take your probiotics even though you are getting the kefir.
And just a side not...I LOVE the water kefir! We have made all kinds of it!
Posted by sickntired19 (Member # 21949) on :
I'm sorry, I don't think I was clear with what I was trying to say. (Thank you stupid lyme!)
Probiotics are very important especially with abx. But there is something with kombucha that is so much stronger and will effect your abx. I will ask my Dr. again what exactly it is.
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
I stopped my abx 6 wks. ago and have been on Nystatin almost the whole time I was on abx. I am still on the Nystatin. Also, I am not drinking kombucha, that was too much work for me. The kefir is too, but the results are much quicker and somehow it's easier.
sick., I totally understand Lyme messing up what you were trying to say. That is why my response said I couldn't wrap my head around it. haha
liz
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by kidsgotlyme: You need to take any probiotics at least two hours away from your abx.
I would recommend that you still continue to take your probiotics even though you are getting the kefir.
And just a side not...I LOVE the water kefir! We have made all kinds of it!
- Wow . . I never have heard of water kefir. That might be good for me. I try to avoid as much sugar as possible (milk included). And speaking of sugar.. better stop the agave.
Got a link to water kefir???
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
You can find videos on youtube.
I like it plain, because it tastes like kombucha, but I plan on making the ginger ale and maybe some other flavors, too once my grains multiply enough.
Hey Lymetoo. The easiest and cheapest way that I found to make water kefir is to just rinse my regular milk kefir off with distilled or RO water, put them in RO water along with about 1/4 cup sugar, any kind of fruit you want, and let sit for a couple of days.
It makes a fizzy drink. Everybody that I have talked with have said that the sugar gets eaten up by the grains. So even if you avoid sugar it should be ok.
That really doesn't make much sense to me, but it's what I've been told. You might want to do a little research on it.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
I forget to add: I use a quart jar per 1/4 cup sugar.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I don't know. It doesn't appeal to me. (after reading about it) I have very plain taste buds!! The sugar thing is pretty weird too.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
It tastes like a carbonated juice. That's the best way I know to explain it. Very tasty!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'm so used to no sugar that it would probably knock me over.
--Now if you lived next door, I would definitely come over to try it!
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
I'm thinking you would be a pretty good neighbor Tutu!! Come on over.. Posted by raw vegan runner (Member # 30432) on :
I can't remember why, but you are not supposed to make water kefir out of mik kefir grains. They are two very different grains and their 'reaction' and creating the probiotics happens differently and needs certian things. Milk kefir grains specifically need lactose to make the probiotics, water grains (obviously) do not.
I make both but find that milk kefir works better for me, as the fermenting in the water kefir is too much for my gut right now. It dies make the BEST kefir spritzer if you use 1/2 juice, 1/2 water....YUM!
Posted by raw vegan runner (Member # 30432) on :
oh, and the water kefir makes me feel drunk Gives new meaning to the term 'lightweight'!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Somebody told me that it can take the grains time to acclimate, so I am hoping that is the case.![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
I am glad I did, I really like the taste. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[bonk]](graemlins/bonk.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)