Kombucha: The Super Drink

By now, you have more than likely seen or heard of Kombucha. I haven't been in a "convenience" store in a long time so I don't know if they sell it, but you can go to any other grocery or drug store and find at least several flavors of Kombucha (Walmart and Target carry it). After discovering Kombucha online back in the spring of 2013 due to looking for a natural way to fix my severely messed up digestive system (which I had since at least college, maybe longer), I was pleasantly surprised the following summer when I saw several flavors of GT's Kombucha in our local Publix grocery store. They were on special, 2 for $5, so I bought Gingerberry and Lavender #3 (now known as Lavender Love and it is definitely LOVE). Should I mention how surprised I was at how delicious it was? And to know that it is a drink that enables the body to heal itself? I'm in!

"What is Kombucha?" you may be asking. In short, it is a fermented beverage consisting of black tea and sugar. This "Immortal Health Elixir" has been around for over 2,000 years, originating in the Far East by the Chinese (there are MANY sites you can check this on, but I am a huge HUGE fan of Dr. Josh Axe, so you will see me citing him a lot). It is great for your heart, your brain, and especially your gut (great news!). It is very high in probiotics, vinegar (how strong the vinegar taste is depends on the length of the first ferment; the longer it is left to ferment, the more vinegary it will be), B vitamins, enzymes, and a high concentration of acid (acetic, gluconic and lactic). Just like lemon, vinegar and other foods that are highly acidic, it has the effect of alkalizing when consumed. 

There are TONS of blogs and websites that share all the health information and how-to-make. If you haven't read any yet, here is a summary of why you should be drinking it every day:

1. It strengthens the immune system (naturally high in antioxidants).
2. Helps with weight loss (acetic acid and polyphenols).
3. Eases joint pain & helps prevent arthritis (contains glucosamines).
4. Detoxifying (gluconic acid and probiotics)
5. Boosts energy (enzymes and B vitamins)
6. Helps the digestive system (probiotics)
7. Cancer fighter (glucaric acid)

I just bottled my 4th batch which is now on its second ferment (F2) for 1-3 days to get a really nice fizz. I call this Blackberry Zinger. It is basically Jordan's Blueberry Ginger recipe from Fit Happy Free. Any berry would most certainly work. Next week, I plan on making Peach Kombucha, courtesy of Kombucha Home. As you can see, I am finally able to start a Kombucha "Hotel"! 

Cultures For Health is a GREAT place to start. I've been using a 3 quart jar so I've had to find the right ratio, but even that is easy enough for a 5th grader could do. Here is some of what I've made thus far:

L-R: Blackberry Ginger, Pineapple Ginger, Original (plain) with some left for SCOBY.

My first batch was half ginger and half was Blueberry Ginger (or, as GT's puts it, Gingerberry). My second batch was Mango Ginger. It was good, but thanks to adding too much water to the brew, it turned out tasting like mango flavored Perrier! The photo above was from last week and is almost gone. My middle sister has tasted the Kombucha that I have bought (GT's) and she was not a fan, but the homemade you can get just right so it's not such a strong vinegary taste and is absolutely perfect. Then she tried what I have made. It's. A. HIT! My least favorite, the Mango Ginger, was her favorite. Then again, she really likes sparkling water and drinks it regularly. She has liked all of them thus far, though! 

Once you start making your own, you'll wonder why you ever paid so much. I'll tell you why: first, they ARE good and great for you (unlike soda filled with cancer causing chemicals), second, you'll learn which ones you like best and want to copy at home, and third, BOTTLES! You can buy bottles from Amazon such as these clear flip cap bottles, these amber flip cap bottles, or these stainless steel cap bottles. But you can't beat having bottles from saving them after consuming one of the healthiest and most delicious beverages on the market!

So what are you waiting on? Get your Kombucha on! 

Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oatmeal

Mmmm! I don't know about you, but I LOVE Gingerbread Cookies! Well, I love pretty much anything that has ginger in it, but Gingerbread Cookies evoke emotions of holidays with family. They just SCREAM "warmth & coziness". I also love something delicious that makes my tastebuds get excited and my tummy happy. So I surf the internet, especially Pinterest. Pinterest has become my BFF. HAHA! Multiple food, drug and chemical allergies and sensitivities have that effect, just so you know. When you can't go out to eat without either getting sick, having an allergic reaction or both, you pretty much are on your own. I've noticed there is a fast growing community of people in the same boat. It is reassuring to know you aren't the only one out there who has become "allergic to life", but then you feel awful for being glad you're not the only one. 😢 

Just 10-15 years ago, if you had multiple food allergies and were looking for alternatives that wouldn't cause problems, your food was hard to get down because there was NO taste or it tasted disgusting. But now? Oh, man! So many people that are having problems or have a close friend or loved one decide to become nutritionists and/or food scientists and boy, are there some amazing food combinations and recipes that make you prefer to eat healthy! Besides, if you've become dependent on mostly convenient, fast, packaged processed "crap" (because no, if it is more than 3 ingredients and put together in a lab, it's NOT "food" and should not be eaten) then eaten healthy for even just several days, those 3 days make you feel so good and so light that soon as you start eating the crap "food" again, you don't feel near as well as you did. 

But this recipe here? It is delicious, nutritious and you'll be happy you tried it! As usual, I did modify it a bit. It is a recipe from Melissa and Marcus at My Whole Food Life. I love molasses for sweetening for it's nutrition, low GI and health benefits (which are many!).  

I make mine up 2 mason jars at a time (four 1/2 cup servings). 

Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oats

Ingredients (per jar):

1/2 C GF Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

2 Tblsp. Chia Seeds

3 Tblsp. Hemp Seeds

1 Tblsp Flax Seeds, ground (OPTIONAL)

1/2 tsp Cinnamon, ground

1/4 tsp Ginger, ground

1/4 C Organic Plain Whole Milk Greek Yogurt

1 Tblsp Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses

1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 C Milk (I tend to use a local fresh raw milk, but coconut milk, almond milk or hemp milk are good options)

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in bowl.

2.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

3. Divide into individual size containers (BPA-Free plastic would work great for kids; I tend to use small yogurt size glass jars).

4. You can add toppings if you like. I use Creative Snacks Co. Organic Coconut Bites that I stir in right before I dig in. Other options would be raisins, nuts, or cranberries.

That nutrition information is just the very basic info. The nutrition provided by the seeds is enough to fuel a body right through the morning up to lunch! A few stats are posted below, along with links to check out all the health benefits.

And these darlings here are wonderful! They make the tastiest addition. As a standalone snack, they are delicious. They have a taste and texture reminiscent of peanut brittle, only better. 

Since you can make these for up to 4 days ahead of time (if making these for multiple people, I would go with 5 days for the school/work week). So easy to just grab and go and SO nutritious! Way better for you than store bought cereals with all their added sugars, colors, flavors and preservatives! These don't take long to make either. 

Hemp Seeds Benefits:

1. Improves digestion.

2. Helps to balance hormones.

3. Improves metabolism.

4. Helps with arthritis and joint pain.

5. Helps with weight loss as it is a natural appetite suppressant, helps you feel full longer and reduces sugar cravings.

6. Great for digestive health; eases constipation and feeds the probiotics in your gut, helping secure a healthy immune system.

7. Helps with hair, skin and nail problems.

8. Helps to prevent and reverse cancer.

9. Improves cardiovascular health and helps to lower blood pressure.

Read more at Dr. Axe.

Chia Seeds Benefits:

1. Can prevent premature skin aging.

2. Great for digestive health.

3. Reverses inflammation, regulates cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.

4. Helps treat diabetes.

5. Energy and metabolism booster.

6. Stronger bones.

7. Helps you build muscle and lose weight.

8. Helps fight breast and cervical cancer.

9. Great for dental health.

10. Excellent for pregnant and lactating women! 

Read more at Dr. Axe

Oats Benefits:

1. Lowers cholesterol levels.

2. Oats antioxidants reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.

3. May enhance immune response to infection.

4. May stabilize blood sugar.

5. Substantially lower type 2 diabetes risk.

6. Protective against breast cancer both pre and post-menopausal.

7. Highly protective against childhood asthma.

8. Well-tolerated wheat alternative for children and adults with Celiac disease.

Read more at George Mateljan at The World's Healthiest Foods

If you give this a try, drop me a line and let me know of any toppings or add-ins you tried! 

Yummies for Happy Tummies!

Well, I have another blog that I've had for several years over on Wordpress, but after losing my last laptop when it finally gave up the ghost after 6 years (it was a gaming and media ASUS computer and a very nice size laptop, even though it was heavy), it took some time before I got a new laptop (a gift, actually). It isn't a fancy schmancy piece of tech like the last one. It does, however, get the job done. At a slower pace. Much slower. To the point that my blog on Wordpress won't let me blog. I can get to the page to blog, but it just sits there, gears going, as it says "Loading...." but never loads. Not sure if it is the website or my laptop. I have tried a number of times over the last several weeks. So here I am. Back to Blogger. I did have a Blogger nearly 10 years ago. Loaded some song lyrics I wrote onto it. Ahhh, that was definitely another time. Time I'd much prefer to not remember. But I digress...

Those who have been following me at all (whether you comment or just visit, I don't know and really, I only want you to enjoy my site and either glean information or learn a delicious new recipe while learning a new homesteading skill! It's actually enjoyable! If you want to see my posts from Wordpress with what I have there, please visit here. Too bad I can't post there. Hopefully, though, you will enjoy this one!

I've posted my Overnight Chia Oatmeal recipes on more than one occasion, and I'm sharing a new one; one that I haven't seen anywhere online. I embarked on a healthy lifestyle several years ago as many of you know which, sadly, was partly due to increasing food intolerances and full blown allergies (goodbye nightshade foods, soy, gluten, tree nuts, pork, and now beef!) and partly I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired all the time! Now THIS baby that I put together? Let's just say I have read Chris Beat Cancer and the delicious looking power oat breakfast so many times! It has a lot more superfood seeds than my tummy can handle, but a little goes a long way in helping my digestive system happy. Check Chris' site out. For those who are very active and into clean, healthy eating, you will be very pleased!

For anyone who loves tropical foods, drinks and smoothies, particularly Pina Colada, have I got a recipe for you! I had some fresh pineapple already cut up and frozen, so that made things a bit easier! If you have never been a big oatmeal fan, there's a great chance you'll change your mind after trying this!

Piña Colada Overnight Oatmeal
(serves 2 per jar)

INGREDIENTS:

*1/2 C old fashioned rolled oats (gluten free for those who are on gluten free diets)
*1 Tblsp. Chia Seeds
*1 1/2 Tblsps. Hemp Seeds
*1 Tblsp. Ground Flax Seeds (optional, for those who can tolerate)
*1/4 C Greek Yogurt (organic grass fed; Stonyfield is a good brand)
*1/2 C Milk (fresh raw cow, goat, coconut, almond, or whatever healthy milk you use...steer clear of CAFO stuff)
*1 Tblsp. Unsulphured Molasses (double the potassium and magnesium than sulphered...organic/non-GMO)
*1/4 C Pineapple
*2 Tblsp. Coconut (shredded or coconut chips; look for one that is strictly coconut, no fillers or preservatives)

DIRECTIONS:

1. With a 10 or 12 ounce glass jar or 2 (Mason jars work fantastic), add oats, chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds (if using). Give a quick shake to combine.

2. Add yogurt, milk and molasses, seal the jars and shake vigorously. You'll have to scrape and stir a little more to combine the molasses since it likes to stick to the bottom.

3. Add the pineapple and coconut, give a little stir, scraping from the bottom, then seal and shake vigorously once more to make sure it is well combined. Place in refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

*Yes, take a taste before you put them in the fridge...you'll be pleasantly surprised! I have some blackberries I am going to use with coconut later in the weekend. Who'da thunk that this girl who used to detest coconut would grow up to love it so much? It is so good and extremely healthy!

Enjoy!