THE BENEFITS OF KEFIR

Kefir is a cultured product similar to Yogurt, but not as thick.  It is high in vitamins and minerals and is one of the most probiotic rich foods that you can find.  You can make kefir out of Cow's milk, goat's milk, or coconut milk with a kefir starter kit purchased at your local health food store or online.

The reason why kefir is such a great food to include in your diet is because of it's positive affect on the microbiome found in your gut.  Over 75% of our immune system is located in our gut.  When our microbiome is compromised, from antibiotics, antibacterial soaps and gels, environmental chemicals, or a diet high in processed food, our immune system can't function properly.  This can lead to conditions like leaky gut, candida overgrowth, irritable bowel syndrome and any number of auto immune diseases.  Adding healthy bacteria into our gut by consuming fermented and cultured food like kefir can improve our immune system, heal digestive issues, fight allergies, kill candida, and support detoxification.  The Journal of Dairy Science published a study that showed regular kefir consumption stopped breast cancer growth in mice.  Now that's what I call amazing!

Now everybody go make some kefir from the instructions on my previous post and get healthy!

Best to you,

Jennifer Mattinson

Holistic Health Coach

Pure and Simple Wellness

-For more in-depth information about kefir and it's amazing health benefits, check out this article by Dr. Josh Axe.  http://draxe.com/kefir-benefits/

MY NEW LOVE OF COCONUT MILK KEFIR

I want to share a very easy recipe.  I can't believe I haven't been doing this for years... Homemade Kefir made with coconut milk.  It is so incredibly easy and delicious.  You can use it to make overnight oats or stir in some chia seeds for a creamy coconut chia pudding.  Delish!  

Here's what you need...

• 1 Kefir starter kit.  I recommend the Body Ecology Kefir Starter Kit (purchase on www.bodyecology.com or www.amazon.com) Don't be discouraged by the price.  It costs around $36.  In the box you get 6 packets and each packet makes 7 batches of Kefir.  So awesome!  Or you can purchase one at your local health food store.
• 2 cans of full fat coconut milk
• 1 32 oz mason jar
• cheese cloth and rubber band
• wooden spoon

Here's how to do it...

• Warm the coconut milk in a saucepan to just warmer than room temperature.  I use a meat thermometer to watch for 92 degrees.  It just takes a couple of minutes.  If you accidentally warm it too much, just pour it in the jar and wait for it to cool to 92 degrees.
• Once the coconut milk is the correct temp, pour it in the jar and add the packet of kefir grains.  
• Stir gently with a wooden spoon (it's very important to use a wooden spoon as opposed to a metal spoon as the bacteria in the kefir grains don't like metal and it will spoil the batch)
• Cover the jar with cheesecloth and use a rubber band to secure it.
• Place on the counter undisturbed for 18-24 hours
• Once it's done, put the lid on the jar and put it in the fridge.  
• Voilà! You have coconut milk kefir! 

Here is my favorite recipe.  It's Paleo and Vegan and will keep you full until lunch time because of the beautiful healthy fat in the kefir, chia seeds, and almonds.  Woot!

Overnight Kefir Chia Breakfast Pudding

2/3 Cup coconut milk kefir

2 T. chia seeds

1 t. vanilla extract

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/3 C blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1/3 C sliced strawberries

1/8 C almonds

Place all ingredients except almonds in a bowl.  Stir and cover with lid or plastic wrap.  Let sit overnight in fridge.  In the morning add the almonds and stir.  Enjoy!