Kefir

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie, I brew a lot of kombucha too! You aren't alone in brewing a lot!

(we also take care of my elderly mom and handicapped brother who drink it as

well-not as much as I would like for them to drink, though, so the bulk of our 6

1/2 gallons a week is really drank by my husband, myself, and our 18 year old

daughter! Hah!) In response to regular Lipton Tea, there is a woman who (for

legality sake I won't name-my brother would kill me-he's an attorney!) has

stated to someone else over the internet that Lipton teas does not use any

pesticides and that their trees are away from air pollution. Whether that is

true or not, I guess you would have to find out for yourself. As for using

white sugar, we personally (and I would venture to say that a good many people)

use organic evaporated cane sugar. The websites online say that the sugar is

used up to feed the scoby anyway, but as my husband says " organic sugar can only

make it more healthy for you. " I suppose if it came down to being able to

afford organic or just being able to afford white sugar, and not being able to

drink KT because of it, I would say go with white sugar rather than not being

able to drink it. As for kefir, most of the time for convenience sake, we use

freezer jams that I make homemade from organic frozen berries. (They are about

the only thing we get up here in Alaska that I would actually consider fresh

fruit, believe it or not, as they are picked at the peak of ripeness and then

quickly frozen, where all of our fruit here is picked green with no nutrients in

them and OLD by the time they arrive here. (try 10 day old " fresh " corn on the

cob! I finally tried buying some again this year for memorial day, (yuck, I

couldn't bring these gourmet tastebuds to eat more than 2 bites from one ear of

corn! Hah!) as I couldn't bring myself to buy them for many years-we lived in

Washington for a number of years, and we really got spoiled with same day picked

corn! Anyway, for the sake of quick mixing and WONDERFUL tasting kefir drinks,

we mix in the freezer jam (trust me, the organic jams in the store just don't do

it!) and if I am making a kefir drink with stawberry jam, sometimes I'll add a

mashed banana to it. I know there a good many recipes online for kefir, check

there, but we seem to always be in a hurry when it comes to kefir, so that is

what we have found to be delightful for the tastebuds, but very fast to make.

Jeani

kombucha tea@...: lauriemn@...: Thu, 19 Jun

2008 14:22:43 +0000Subject: Kefir

Hello, I just started making Kefir a couple weeks ago with Raw cow's milk, and I

use it in morning smoothies, but I would love other ideas from this group on how

to use Kefir or the Kefir Grains. I don't seem to " love " kefir, whereas I

absolutely adore and have become an addict of Kombucha Tea! I'd be ashamed to

tell you how many gallons I have fermenting right now! On the Kombucha, I've

been using loose organic black tea & organic sugar. Does anyone know if it's

better to use regular Lipton tea & conventional sugar -- if it truly doesn't

matter, I'll switch to the less expensive stuff. Also, someone told me not to

use tea bags with the metal staples in them. Does anyone know what brand of tea

bags do not have staples in them? A friend of mine makes coconut kefir out of

coconut water with grains, she got the recipe out of the Body Ecology Diet by

Donna Gates and ordered the grains from their website. Does anyone know if I can

use my kefir grains to make coconut kefir or do I need special grains for

that?Thanks for helping out a newbie!!!Laurie>> Hi, I have just bottled up my first batch of KT. Since I've never done

a 2nd ferment before, how long do you let it stay and do you refrigerate the KT

or leave it at room temperature. It's delicious right now but not very fizzy.

Somehow, I seem to think that when I made it years ago, it got fizzy. Maybe I

did something wrong.> > Also, does anyone have any leads to water kefir grains?

That's supposed to be fizzy. Can you flavor it? I've never made water kefir. I

used to make regular kefir and will again as soon as I can get some raw goat

milk.> > Thanks> > > Maureen \(^o^)/> Hobbs,Shana,Goody,Sweetie,Tommi> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sally, that's great. Will get ordering. x

>

> http://crystalcultures.co.uk/Shop.htm

>

> You need to buy grains like this rather than a starter culture. The

> grains go on for ever. The starter culture only does six batches.

>

> Sally

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know how it affects the kefir, but I do know of people who do it. Also,

lots of people make smoothies with kefir in their blender.

>

> is it ok to smooth out kefir in the blender? what does this do to the

bacteria? will it continue to culture?

> elaine

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know how it affects the kefir, but I do know of people who do it. Also,

lots of people make smoothies with kefir in their blender.

>

> is it ok to smooth out kefir in the blender? what does this do to the

bacteria? will it continue to culture?

> elaine

>

[Guest guest]

Darla

although I order I never done it with kefir because I felt it was to expensive. You can buy the kefir on ebay for a few pounds and it lasts a long time, I brought mine long time ago and still is good you can buy the milk one and the water one. You really can make kefir cheaply by just devoting 10 minutes a day to it by changing the milk or the water and fruit every day.

To keep him you just have to buy one glass jar with lid, the one that you use in preservatives are really good, mostly the jar should be close but my experience is that you should let it open for a hour or so.

the therapeutic kefir is the 12 hour culture one but other are benefic as well.

I mean if you want I can more instructions, but there are a lot of information on the net inclusive videos on you tube just type kefir.

[Guest guest]

Dear Darla, buy the grains and make it. It is very easy. It doesn't need

to be refridgerated. They are being silly and don't know what they are

selling.

> http://crystalcultures.co.uk/live_cultures.htm

These are the people to buy from. You can use any sort of milk if you

are not CF or juice (I'm told, I haven't done it). Kefir is far easier

than yoghurt and all takes place at room temperature

Sally

Darla wrote:

>

> I want to order some Kefir from Goodness Direct but they say that

> since it is a refrigerated item, I have to order 6 jars minimum. I'm

> just wondering if anyone knows roughly how long these will last? Do

> they expire in a few weeks or is it months?

>

> Obviously, we won't eat 6 jars in a few weeks, I don't think.

>

> Or if anyone knows anywhere I can buy it in a shop? (I live in

> Southwest London).

>

> Thanks,

> Darla

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.422 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2444 - Release Date: 10/18/09

09:04:00

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ok, thanks, I just ordered the grains.  I hope they don't get caught up in the postal strike, I won't see them until Christmas.  Also, I just saw that Goodness Direct charge £10 extra for refrigerated shipping - it would have been an outrageous price for a bit of milk.

2009/10/19 Sally Eva <bobsallyeva@...>

 

Dear Darla, buy the grains and make it. It is very easy. It doesn't need to be refridgerated. They are being silly and don't know what they are selling.> http://crystalcultures.co.uk/live_cultures.htm

These are the people to buy from. You can use any sort of milk if you are not CF or juice (I'm told, I haven't done it). Kefir is far easier than yoghurt and all takes place at room temperature

Sally

Darla wrote:> > I want to order some Kefir from Goodness Direct but they say that > since it is a refrigerated item, I have to order 6 jars minimum. I'm > just wondering if anyone knows roughly how long these will last? Do

> they expire in a few weeks or is it months?> > Obviously, we won't eat 6 jars in a few weeks, I don't think.> > Or if anyone knows anywhere I can buy it in a shop? (I live in > Southwest London).

> > Thanks,> Darla> > ---------------------------------------------------------->>> No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.422 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2444 - Release Date: 10/18/09 09:04:00>>

[Guest guest]

To anyone that want to try water kefir there is some suggestions:

make sure that you have dehydrated grains send to you the normal ones unless are sent really quickly may die as they are really fragile.

Use mineral water and feed the grains with a calcium tablet once in while

add unrefined sugar or really sugary fruits like banana, figs (it can be dryed).

you can also make kefir from vegetable milk like soya ( I have good results with soya made with organic milk) there are people that do from rice milk but I had no luck so far.

[Guest guest]

> >

> > I want to order some Kefir from Goodness Direct but they say that

> > since it is a refrigerated item, I have to order 6 jars minimum. I'm

> > just wondering if anyone knows roughly how long these will last? Do

> > they expire in a few weeks or is it months?

> >

> > Obviously, we won't eat 6 jars in a few weeks, I don't think.

> >

> > Or if anyone knows anywhere I can buy it in a shop? (I live in

> > Southwest London).

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Darla

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > Version: 8.5.422 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2444 - Release Date: 10/18/09

09:04:00

> >

> >

>

hello sally

this kefir looks to good to be true is it better to get the milk variety as

opposed to the water?I loved the videos at crystal cultures

isobel

[Guest guest]

I have bought the milk kefir grains from them and they worked for me --

they took a bit of time to start growing happily. I think they might

have been used to pasteurised cows milk and I fed them raw goats milk

and I think they took a bit of time to adjust.

I don't know anything about water kefir. I think it is trickier than

milk kefir because the grains come from the Caucasus where they were

used in milk. So if you are not CF I would suggest starting with milk

grains -- and from my experience the site is as good as it looks

Best Wishes

Sally

isobelwizza wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > >

> > > I want to order some Kefir from Goodness Direct but they say that

> > > since it is a refrigerated item, I have to order 6 jars minimum. I'm

> > > just wondering if anyone knows roughly how long these will last? Do

> > > they expire in a few weeks or is it months?

> > >

> > > Obviously, we won't eat 6 jars in a few weeks, I don't think.

> > >

> > > Or if anyone knows anywhere I can buy it in a shop? (I live in

> > > Southwest London).

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Darla

> > >

> > > ----------------------------------------------------------

> > >

> > >

> > > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > > Version: 8.5.422 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2444 - Release Date:

> 10/18/09 09:04:00

> > >

> > >

> >

> hello sally

> this kefir looks to good to be true is it better to get the milk

> variety as opposed to the water?I loved the videos at crystal cultures

> isobel

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.422 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2444 - Release Date: 10/18/09

09:04:00

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sally ,

Where do you buy your raw goat milk from please?

TIA Nina

>

>

> have been used to pasteurised cows milk and I fed them raw goats milk

> and I think they took a bit of time to adjust.

>

[Guest guest]

From Hollypark Organics who are in North Lane, Guestling, East Sussex

01424 812229 or 01424 812025. They deliver to me in South London and I

pay the cost (£10). The goats are organic and bio-dynamic and they are

grumpy, eccentric people who love goats

Sally

malcolm4237 wrote:

>

>

> Hi Sally ,

> Where do you buy your raw goat milk from please?

> TIA Nina

>

>

> >

> >

> > have been used to pasteurised cows milk and I fed them raw goats milk

> > and I think they took a bit of time to adjust.

> >

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.422 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2444 - Release Date: 10/18/09

09:04:00

>

>

[Guest guest]

From wisegeeks.com

Kefir is a cultured milk beverage which is popular in the Middle East,

Eastern Europe, and parts of the Mediterranean and Russia. It is made by

inoculating a milk with kefir grains, a mixture of yeasts and bacteria which

will sour the milk slightly, creating a drink which is almost like liquid

yogurt Traditional kefir has a tangy, rich flavor which may be altered with

the addition of ingredients like pureed fruits and sweeteners, or consumed

plain. Some markets and natural food stores stock kefir, but you can make it

at home

Wikipedia has more info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefir

it restores the digestive system and which in turn restores the body.

WE started making it last week and I was thinking this stuff has got to be

great for the outside of the skin .

Lucinda /President

America's Favorite Herb Shop!

Glenbrook Farms Herbs and Such Inc.

Bulk Herbs, Spices, Teas, Essential oils

www.glenbrookfarm.com/herbs

_____

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Sherry Barker

Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 10:11 AM

Subject: Kefir

Tell us all about keir, Lucinda.

[Guest guest]

          I Have 2 Dairy goats and I use the milk to drink..make soap..make

cheeze..make butter..make kefir..give it to my chickens and sell it all to help

pay for my feed bill..lol

 

Montana                                                 

 

 

 

 

   

 

[Guest guest]

Hey there,

i lost my kefir grains.

does anybody has some extra ones they could pass along or sell to me?

i really would love to have some again because i used to make kefir the last 15

years.

thanks

sonja

Kefir

Sounds interesting Lucinda, and if I were to add it to a lotion or a cream, I

think I would make a non oil lotion and use ingredients like aloe vera,

vegetable glycerin, some soy lecthin, herbal water like calendula, and the Kefir

liquid and of course a thickener and a good preservative like Germall Plus at

top strength, and not heat this at more than 120 degrees while making it. Are

you thinking of making some Lucinda ???

I would think it would be used in soap the same way one would use goat's milk,

oh, and BTW, Lucinda, your powdered goat's milk makes great soap!!!! And so

easy to use, I just add some at trace and mix it in well.....nice and easy

!!!!!!!!!

I would think one could make a yogurt from it as well.

Sherry

http://sherrys-creations.tripod.com

.

[Guest guest]

Of course you can eat the grains..And yes,there are tiny grains in there when you tranfer to

storage jar and into the frig..And another thing I learned,it's pretty much impossible to

kill the grains,unless you cook them with high heat..I had some grains I thought were dead,

because before I got my water grains,I tried to make kefirade by turning milk grains into

water grains,it worked,but didn't taste as good as using real WKG..So,I tried a few times to

process raw milk with these turned grains,then my raw milk wasn't coming because the baby

goats were drinking it all up,so this jar sat on the counter for a few months...Last month I decided to give it another try,and it worked..Soon I'll mix those grains with the rest of mine..

But now they are still in training..LJPS

Kefir

I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste isn't for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lolAfter buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was shipped in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was wondering what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested online. I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango (all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !Okay.. So I was wondering.. ****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for something when I have too many?~

[Guest guest]

Of course you can eat the grains..And yes,there are tiny grains in there when you tranfer to

storage jar and into the frig..And another thing I learned,it's pretty much impossible to

kill the grains,unless you cook them with high heat..I had some grains I thought were dead,

because before I got my water grains,I tried to make kefirade by turning milk grains into

water grains,it worked,but didn't taste as good as using real WKG..So,I tried a few times to

process raw milk with these turned grains,then my raw milk wasn't coming because the baby

goats were drinking it all up,so this jar sat on the counter for a few months...Last month I decided to give it another try,and it worked..Soon I'll mix those grains with the rest of mine..

But now they are still in training..LJPS

Kefir

I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste isn't for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lolAfter buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was shipped in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was wondering what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested online. I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango (all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !Okay.. So I was wondering.. ****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for something when I have too many?~

[Guest guest]

Of course you can eat the grains..And yes,there are tiny grains in there when you tranfer to

storage jar and into the frig..And another thing I learned,it's pretty much impossible to

kill the grains,unless you cook them with high heat..I had some grains I thought were dead,

because before I got my water grains,I tried to make kefirade by turning milk grains into

water grains,it worked,but didn't taste as good as using real WKG..So,I tried a few times to

process raw milk with these turned grains,then my raw milk wasn't coming because the baby

goats were drinking it all up,so this jar sat on the counter for a few months...Last month I decided to give it another try,and it worked..Soon I'll mix those grains with the rest of mine..

But now they are still in training..LJPS

Kefir

I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste isn't for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lolAfter buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was shipped in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was wondering what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested online. I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango (all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !Okay.. So I was wondering.. ****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for something when I have too many?~

[Guest guest]

The grains (and the strands of kefiran " goo " that go with them when they get

really happy on the raw milk after a while) are actually good for you--when I

have too many kefir grains (trust me, you'll get to that point sooner than you

think) then I put a few in my smoothie and blend them right up. If there are

too many, it can make the smoothie sort of gooey and I don't like the texture,

so I just put a little bit at a time in.

In addition to smoothies, I love to make kefir cheese, which also has that odd

kefir aftertaste, but you can make all kinds of things with them and as long as

you are adding another fairly strong flavor it will mask it and it'll taste like

anything you'd use cream cheese in. My favorite is kefir ranch dressing--I use

part kefir and part kefir cheese when I want it to be thicker than using just

kefir:

http://meateatinghippie.blogspot.com/2010/06/kefir-ranch-dressing.html

Tastes just like buttermilk ranch!

Barrie

>

> Of course you can eat the grains..And yes,there are tiny grains in there when

you tranfer to

> storage jar and into the frig..And another thing I learned,it's pretty much

impossible to

> kill the grains,unless you cook them with high heat..I had some grains I

thought were dead,

> because before I got my water grains,I tried to make kefirade by turning milk

grains into

> water grains,it worked,but didn't taste as good as using real WKG..So,I tried

a few times to

> process raw milk with these turned grains,then my raw milk wasn't coming

because the baby

> goats were drinking it all up,so this jar sat on the counter for a few

months...Last month I decided to give it another try,and it worked..Soon I'll

mix those grains with the rest of mine..

> But now they are still in training..LJPS

> Kefir

>

>

>

> I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste isn't

for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lol

>

> After buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was shipped

in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was wondering

what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested online.

>

> I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango

(all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the

raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend

all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend

for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things

faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the

rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !

>

> Okay.. So I was wondering..

>

> ****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to

start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the

finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the

grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for

something when I have too many?

>

> ~

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Thank you !!! My husband loves dressings... I'm not too crazy about store

bought... even in natural food stores because I found that a lot of them have

soybean oil in it !

~

> >

> > Of course you can eat the grains..And yes,there are tiny grains in there

when you tranfer to

> > storage jar and into the frig..And another thing I learned,it's pretty much

impossible to

> > kill the grains,unless you cook them with high heat..I had some grains I

thought were dead,

> > because before I got my water grains,I tried to make kefirade by turning

milk grains into

> > water grains,it worked,but didn't taste as good as using real WKG..So,I

tried a few times to

> > process raw milk with these turned grains,then my raw milk wasn't coming

because the baby

> > goats were drinking it all up,so this jar sat on the counter for a few

months...Last month I decided to give it another try,and it worked..Soon I'll

mix those grains with the rest of mine..

> > But now they are still in training..LJPS

> > Kefir

> >

> >

> >

> > I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste

isn't for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lol

> >

> > After buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was

shipped in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was

wondering what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested

online.

> >

> > I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango

(all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the

raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend

all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend

for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things

faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the

rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !

> >

> > Okay.. So I was wondering..

> >

> > ****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to

start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the

finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the

grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for

something when I have too many?

> >

> > ~

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Thank you !!! My husband loves dressings... I'm not too crazy about store

bought... even in natural food stores because I found that a lot of them have

soybean oil in it !

~

> >

> > Of course you can eat the grains..And yes,there are tiny grains in there

when you tranfer to

> > storage jar and into the frig..And another thing I learned,it's pretty much

impossible to

> > kill the grains,unless you cook them with high heat..I had some grains I

thought were dead,

> > because before I got my water grains,I tried to make kefirade by turning

milk grains into

> > water grains,it worked,but didn't taste as good as using real WKG..So,I

tried a few times to

> > process raw milk with these turned grains,then my raw milk wasn't coming

because the baby

> > goats were drinking it all up,so this jar sat on the counter for a few

months...Last month I decided to give it another try,and it worked..Soon I'll

mix those grains with the rest of mine..

> > But now they are still in training..LJPS

> > Kefir

> >

> >

> >

> > I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste

isn't for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lol

> >

> > After buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was

shipped in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was

wondering what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested

online.

> >

> > I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango

(all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the

raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend

all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend

for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things

faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the

rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !

> >

> > Okay.. So I was wondering..

> >

> > ****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to

start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the

finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the

grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for

something when I have too many?

> >

> > ~

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I use the same jar that I make my raw milk Kefir with for one week. Than I

change off to a new clean jar. They stay strong, and healthy.

Art Longo

>

> >I couldn't get from the Kefir websites whether you have to

> >keep changing the milk and straining it everyday, or whether

> >you should leave it longer than that

>

> Try asking at

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Real_Kefir_Making/

>

> It's pretty hearty and forgiving. When I got mine all I had was cheap

> powdered non-fat milk, which worked, although the results were tight,

> grainy little curds. You don't change the milk by time, but by when the

> milk is all curdled, which will depend on the kefir grain to milk ratio,

> the temperature, and even the type of milk (higher fat seems to buffer it

> and slow it down a bit). A day for it all to curdle and start to separate

> into curds and whey is average, but that average can vary quite a bit...

>

> I still haven't gotten around to locating a source of raw milk here yet, so

> I am still using pasteurized whole milk, which is doing fine...

>

> Tom

>

[Guest guest]

I use the same jar that I make my raw milk Kefir with for one week. Than I

change off to a new clean jar. They stay strong, and healthy.

Art Longo

>

> >I couldn't get from the Kefir websites whether you have to

> >keep changing the milk and straining it everyday, or whether

> >you should leave it longer than that

>

> Try asking at

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Real_Kefir_Making/

>

> It's pretty hearty and forgiving. When I got mine all I had was cheap

> powdered non-fat milk, which worked, although the results were tight,

> grainy little curds. You don't change the milk by time, but by when the

> milk is all curdled, which will depend on the kefir grain to milk ratio,

> the temperature, and even the type of milk (higher fat seems to buffer it

> and slow it down a bit). A day for it all to curdle and start to separate

> into curds and whey is average, but that average can vary quite a bit...

>

> I still haven't gotten around to locating a source of raw milk here yet, so

> I am still using pasteurized whole milk, which is doing fine...

>

> Tom

>

[Guest guest]

I blend some of the grains with my smoothies (if I have too many). Once the blender didn't get to one and I ended up biting into it (unvoluntarily) and have to say, it tastes yummy - with a bit fantasy like gummy bears (sweet because they live off of the milk sugar). I have been told, they are very beneficial for you.Subject: KefirTo: RawDairy Date: Sunday, July 18, 2010, 2:08 PM

I LOVE it !! I don't drink it as is.. the cheesy smell and sour taste isn't for me.. but omg !! I still can't believe I made some !!! lol

After buying, and acclimating Kefir Grains (1 tsp. on Ebay which was shipped in a ziploc back with a little bit of raw milk to preserve it.)I was wondering what to do with it.. then I decided to make smoothies as suggested online.

I used half a frozen banana.. 3-4 strawberries, and 1/8 cup (frozen) mango (all chopped up into little cubes to blend faster, reducing the damage to the raw milk just added ).. I used a little bit of raw milk.. just enough to blend all of the fruits without burning out the cheap blender I have (lol).. I blend for less than 20 seconds (chopping up the fruits really does make things faster).. then I pour it into a glass.. and add enough Kefir to almost reach the rim. I stir with a long spoon and it's ready !

Okay.. So I was wondering..

****** When I scoop out the grains and place them in another glass jar to start again.. I wonder if there are some tiny ones I missed when I transfer the finished plain Kefir to the fridge... Is it okay to consume Kefir with the grains still in there? Can I eat the grains by themselves or use them for something when I have too many?

~

[Guest guest]

That's a great description ! mmmmmm Gummy Bears !! I haven't had one in so

many years ! lol If I add more milk than usual.. do you think they will grow

faster.. or will I have to keep putting the same largeer amount and wait for the

gradual changes (days/weeks)...?

~

>

>>>>>>>> it tastes yummy - with a bit fantasy like gummy bears (sweet because

they live off of the milk sugar). I have been told, they are very beneficial for

you.

>

>