Kefir and Antibiotics.

Thank you everyone who responded to my question re kefir to replace good gut bacteria when taking antibiotics.I got so many useful tips and plan on ordering kefir grains online and making my own. For now, just to get started, I went to Sprouts (US) and bought raw organic sauerkraut and several bottles of organic plain goat' s milk kefir. I was going to buy my old brand of (what I thought was kefir)-Siggi's from Iceland but , lo and behold, took a closer look at the bottle, and it was labelled 'liquid yogurt.' Thought I had been drinking kefir. Plus I am happy to find the goat's milk as cows and their milk are not treated well here. And there are no convenient small farms near me. Will stick with these for the next 7 days of antibiotics then look into making my own. I tried to make homemade sauerkraut once and it got moldy. I followed the directions but Atlanta weather is dicey. Even in winter one day can be cold and the next you need your AC. Hard to keep an even temp in the kitchen. Thanks again. irina1975

[CDreamer]

Irina - I make my own water kefir - you need different grains but it’s really simple. Water + a sugar if some kind - I use cane Demerara or Coconut sugar - 1-2 tablespoons dissolved in warm water - cool by adding cold water to make about 1.5-2L of sugar water. You must use spring water not tap water as additives will destroy the grains and no contact with anything metal. Place grains in clean jar, add sugar and voila! You will have Kefir in 3-5 days depending upon the size of the grains and temperature etc,

I do a second fermentation when I strain off the liquid - place in bottle with rubber stopper - add about 1inch of peeled ginger root and place in fridge, add a little pressed apple juice to drink and it tasted very refreshing, you can use other flavourings - lemon, raspberries etc,

Every other fermentation I use coconut water instead of sugar water to feed the grains.

I use it in smoothies, on breakfast homemade muesli or as a drink .

Just google ‘water kefir’ and you should find something. The grains come in a tiny plastic pouch and take a few fermentation’s to mature so patience is required but made a huge difference to my gut health.

The other things I found very helpful but not sure if you will find them available in US - A supplement called Triphala - it’s a Ayuverdic remedy - mix of 3 flowers - I couldn’t believe the difference this made within a few days. Pukka have a good online shop and loads of good info and they may ship out to you?

In the UK Pukka is the biggest/main organic supplier which most of the Ayurvedic practitioners in UK use.

If you PM me your email address I have a sheet with photo instructions of how to make water kefir.

Best wishes CD x