It’s not easy to introduce my kids to new foodstuff.
Looks and smell have something to do with it.
If it doesn’t look good — forget it; if it does not pass their olfactory (smell) standards, chuck it too.
So, when I was introduced to the health benefits of kefir, I wracked my brains as to how to get them to drink this. First of all, plain kefir is not exactly akin to the commercial yogurt or Yakult we are used to. It is sourish and has a smell that needs getting used to. The light greenish color of kefir does not help either (if only I could pour in yellow or red food coloring…but THAT would be UNHEALTHY, right?)
Then I came across an internet article that suggested blending in fruits with kefir. The only no-no about choice of fruits was that it should NOT BE CITRIC. So no oranges, lemons, calamansi, dalandan…(you get the point…)
I have tried banana, mango and honeydew melon (mango is THE popular choice hands down!). I fill the blender more than halfway with kefir juice, then put in slices of fruit, blend them all into a smoothie, add ice and voila! KEFIR SMOOTHIE READY TO GO!
Not only do the kids drink them willingly, some of them even ask for it when they come home! It is actually a very refreshing drink when drank after chilling in the ref.
As summer comes in and more fruits come into season, it would be interesting to try papaya, watermelon, avocado, maybe even durian!
I will be researching other recipes using not just the juice but also the kefir grains as ingredients. Till next kefir post!
Hi Jane!
Your smoothie sounds delicious.
By any chance do you know where I cane find kefir culture so I can start making it? I recently started buying it in the natural foods dept at $2.99 per 32oz…OUCH!! My Kids Love it but I can’t see paying $6-$9 daily for the whole Family.
My email is m.krecklau@gmail.com. I would greatly appreciate any info on where I can find it..Thanks
Jane:
Hello Melissa!
Firstly, my sources of kefir culture will be useless to you since you live on the opposite side of the world. But you can probably search the web for sources nearer you. Buy the fresh, wet culture, not the dried culture. That way, you can propagate it yourself at home rather than continue to buy the culture. In my case, I just got one fresh culture and propagated so much kefir from it that I still have the “children” of that culture and have given many more away.
Making kefir this way is inexpensive. Your future expenses will just be the liquid milk you mix into it for propagation as well as any fruits you add to it to make smoothies. Good luck!
Thanks for your reply. I didn’t realize we lived so far apart. Are there people that sell the kefir culture? I thought I had read somewhere it can only be given to someone.
My husband has suffered from acid reflux for years and just after a few quarts of kefir he has had no signs of the reflux.
Are you in the Philippines? I am just curious as to how much the Pilippinos really consume coconut & it’s oil. I have started using the oil & I feel better than I ever have. Most websites or coconut distributors advocate the wide use in the philippines. If you have any thoughts or opinions on the benefits of coconut oil, I would like to hear them. I gained 30 lbs after a surgery this Jan & since useing the oil 3 tbsp a day (for the last 8 weeks) I have lost 15 lbs & my skin & hair feels great.
Thanks again for writting
Jane: Hello again, Melissa.
Yes, I am in the Philippines. Kefir culture here is not sold but given away free. At least that is the practice I have seen. We believe that this is a blessing to give away to benefit other people. It propagates by itself so there is really no reason to make money out of it. But what I see there in the US is the dried kefir culture. Maybe it goes through a process which costs money. Which is probably why it is sold rather than given away. I am glad your husband’s acid reflux has been cured by the kefir. If you can acquire the wet type of kefir which propagates with milk, even if you have to pay for the initial batch, maybe you can make it grow and get a steady supply of kefir at no additional cost.
The Philippines is rich in coconuts and the price of virgin coconut oil is affordable, compared probably to its price over there. Coconut is known as the miracle crop. From the husk to the meat to the juice, many food, medicinal, beauty, decorative and home decor products can be produced from it. Sometimes we take it for granted as there is such an abundance of it here. But when I hear stories like yours, it makes me appreciate what we have even more. Thank you so much!
Please help me in looking for organically grown kefir grains. I’m leaving here in San Pedro, Laguna.
Thanks,
Carol
Please help me also. Would like to have some kefir.
hello jane,
Good day to you and your loved once. Truly you have been blessed to have kefir grains.
I am really desperate for Kefir, I have been drinking it for 3 months and my gastritis was really relieved. My mom drinks it too and she noticed that her osteo arthritis causes less pain already and her constipation was relieved. We have been buying Kefir milk from our supplier at P180.00 per liter. But unfortunately, she has stopped supplying us and my friends because the demand for Kefir grains has escalated and she sells them at a much higher price.
Business has been good to her but not to us. I hope really that you could share us your Kefir grains for our own personal consumption. Having Kefir grain is a blessing and I hope you share your blessing to us.
I really hope to hear from you soon.
clinitte
Hi everyone!
I am living in Iloilo City and I am really looking kefir grains to make kefir drink to my family.. Hope you can help how to get it.. just email me for further details.. winflower_y@yahoo.com
thanks, Yanie
hi! where do you get your kefir grains? kindly email me. thanks.
hi! would like to inquire where I could get Kefir Grains… used to have for my dad but lost it… Would need it to help my moms health. Thanks Im from manila…
Jane: Ana, I responded to you via your email address.
Hi! Where can I get kefir grains here in Manila? My family have been drinking it and have noticed the fast incredible healing effect it provided. I understand clinette’s sentiments about the price of kefir drinks. Honestly, why should kefir be for sale? Why not simply share kefir grains for everybody to enjoy its benefits? I always thought suppliers should give kefir grains to orphanages, homes for the aged, government hospitals, poor barangays and teach how to culture them.
I would like to culture my own kefir grains but can not possibly think of selling them to another person (especially someone who is ill); give freely.
Look forward to your reply.
Many thanks.
Hello! I am from QC. I am looking for Kefir grains. My family has just started taking it. But we can’t afford 380 a bottle every 2 or 3 days. I wish to have a steady supply of kefir, especially for my daughter who has hormonal imbalance. I don’t know if kefir would help her ,but still, I want my family to enjoy the health benefits of this superfood. Thank you very much.
hi jane… i am from QC and i would like to try kefir for my high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides… please email me where i can get kefir grains here in manila… i will try to make some for me and give some to two persons i know, one suffering from gas pains and irritable bowel syndrome, and another from lupus- both of which have not been helped much by conventional medication (lots of it, actually) prescribed by doctors and taken religiously… if i make more than i need, then, i will give them away too to keep it, this random kindness you started, going… thank you so much…
@Sue-I will email you this week as there are 2 others who wanted to meet up to get grains. I have been under the weather but will try this weekend to meet you all. I would be very happy if it helps you & your friends. Let’s pay it forward. God bless you.
hello! i had kefir before, but my grains got infected with mold. i was wondering if anyone is willing to share a little bit so i can start again. thanks!
@Sherwin – I am willing to give you a batch if you are willing to get it from me. Please use the “Contact Me” tab on this blog to send me an email.
Hi Jane!
I just recently found out about the benefits of Kefir and I am interested in acquiring kefir grains. Can you e-mail me the details about it? I found i supplier but she sells it for 380 php T.T hehe looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Diana
@jane, there is a site for free sharing of kefir http://kefir2share.multiply.com
@EDD – Many thanks for the heads-up!
Hi Jane!
Your smoothie recipe sounds great! Where do your get your kefir? I’d like to try this, given its numerous benefits.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Hi,
For those of you who are interested to get grains, please sms me at 09185661145.
Thanks
@Tet - I hope that you are giving your grains away for free as that is my advocacy as well with friends. The good news of kefir grains is something we can spread so more people become healthy. Someone shared this free kefir-sharing site with me as well http://kefir2share.multiply.com/.