Health

Lessons Learned From My First Batch of Kefir

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I made my first batch of cashew kefir and learned a few things.

1. When it’s finished, fermented kefir will look different.  I left my jar out to ferment for at least 24 hours. It smelled yeasty, but didn’t really taste any different. Maybe a little watery. I thought I ruined it. However, a few days later, I let it sit out on my counter again see what would happen.

Low and behold, I started seeing bubbles. I don’t remember how long I let it sit out. It had to be 24 hours or less. This time it tasted like a carbonated drink. THIS is how cashew kefir is supposed to taste. I’m not fond of carbonated drinks, but I can tolerate the kefir knowing that it has healing properties with lots of probiotics.

2. Don’t let too much time go by before starting the next batch.  I didn’t know when to start my next batch. The directions said a week, but when does a week start? Considering that I had the kefir sitting on my counter twice, I was doubly confused. Did the week start the first time it sat out or the second?

I think I waited too long. When I made my second batch, it didn’t have as much carbonation in it. Much weaker. It was bubbly like it should be, but just tasted weak.

3. I don’t like the mason jars I purchased for this. My jars are too tall for what I am making, which makes it harder to hold and pour. It would also be nice to have a screw top lid. I don’t like the usual canning type lid. There might be separate lids available for purchase, but I haven’t looked yet.

Healing Leaky Gut with Homemade Kefir

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I have found many articles on the Internet talking about the benefits of drinking Kefir to help heal one’s body. There are special probiotic strains in it that will help repopulate the gut. This is especially helpful if you have leaky gut. I’m desperate to heal my body. I’m sick of being sick. I do see a naturopath, who has been helpful. But, I feel like I’m stuck in a rut right now. I can’t get over the hump to experience more healing. I’ve plateaued. I know I have some gut issues. Drinking Kefir makes sense.

I found this site http://www.culturedfoodlife.com/ that talks all about the benefits of fermented food & drinks. There are 3 types of feremented things to try – kefir, kumbucha, and fermented foods. All help heal the gut. I’m going to try kefir first.

I ordered some starter granules in the form of kefir packets. I bought some glass jars. Frankly, I only wanted 1 jar because I only need 1, but my local Walmart didn’t sell just 1 jar. I had heard that I can buy a cheap jar of pickles and use that jar, but I was afraid the smell of pickles would somehow stay in the jar or lid and make my kefir smell like pickles. So… I bought a 6 pack of 1/2 gallon jars, which happen to be a tad too big. Oh well…

I am making Cashew Kefir. Recipe here. I thought I would use Silk Cashew milk from the store, but only realized after the fact that the recipe suggested I make my own cashew milk from raw cashews. I wonder how my store bought milk will affect the recipe.

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I added the milk, then the kefir granules, plus sugar. The end result is below.

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Finished mixture

Now, I have to let it sit on my counter for 8-16 hours. I can’t wait to start trying it out!

 

That Sugar Film Review – Amazing!

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On the advice of a friend, I watched “That Sugar Film“. The movie is about an Australian guy, Damon Gameau, who has been sugar free for 3 years. He decides to consume 40 teaspoons of sugar a day for 60 days to see what effects sugar would have on his body. He kept up with his usual exercise routine during this time.

Damon doesn’t just choose your typical sugary foods, he chooses the ones with hidden sugar, the ones we think are good for us like yogurt, smoothies, fruit juices, health bars, etc. I was amazed at how many foods that I think are healthy and are advertised as healthy, are loaded with sugar. Even if there is just a minimal amount of sugar, the sugar we consume throughout the day really adds up.

Damon reported the effects on his body. He started having liver damage, he gained weight (even though he was still exercising), he gained inches around his stomach, he started to feel less stable emotionally and felt tired alot. Food did not satisfy him as he rarely felt full. I was really surprised to see how much fat he gained in his stomach area while “eating healthy”.

At one point during his experiment, he went to the United States to talk to some experts. He had a hard time staying under 40 teaspoons of sugar a day. Sugar was everywhere. In the US, ads are everywhere pushing candy bars, smoothies, sodas. We can’t get away from the sugar! He noticed that while driving around, it was hard to find “real” food to eat. Everything was fast food. I can’t even fathom any other type of place to eat at. I only know fast food when traveling.

As the movie ended, I felt sick to my stomach over the adverse effects of sugar on our diets. And I felt a little hopeless. I don’t eat a very sugary diet in the “traditional” sense with lots of candy, ice cream, desserts, etc. I do eat alot of the “healthy” sugary foods  – like crackers, chips, granola bars, yogurt, etc. This is all I know. I don’t know what it’s like to not eat these things. That doesn’t mean I can’t change, but I have no vision for what this looks like. How does one eat “healthy” in our society of processed & convenient foods? You think you’re doing good feeding your family a not-sweet item like spaghetti sauce from the store, but come to find out it has sugar in it! Sugar is everywhere

Our nation is addicted to sugar and we are a very sick culture. We live in a developed country, yet we’re still sick – our diets help us become sick. We have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc. We are sick, but we don’t care because we are addicted to it. We need the “high” of sugar.”

I like sugar, so this is very hard to hear. I don’t really want to give up sugar. I can’t image a world without it. It’s easier to give my kids sugary snack when their hungry – like granola bars. BUT, I want to be healthy. I want my kids to be healthy. I wonder about the effects of sugar on their brains. Would they be more calmer and focused if they ate less sugar? Probably. I like that idea.

Reading “Stop the Thyroid Madness” book by Janie Bowthorpe

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I just started reading “Stop the Thyroid Madness” book by Janie Bowthorpe. I’ve only read a few chapters, but so far I can identify with her. In her intro chapter, three things stick out at me. She describes how:

  • she had low stamina
  • had extreme reactions to exercise or the sun
  • could not stand on her feet for more than 30 minutes without extreme tiredness setting in
  • had brain fog

That’s me. I’ve come a ways in my thryroid journey, but these symptoms are so familiar and I do still feel them, although not necessarily in the extreme I once did.

I remember how alot of things made me feel tired. Walking up and down one flight of stairs in my home would tire me out. Carrying a laundry basket would tire me out. Standing to do dishes would tire me out. When it was time to set the table for a meal, I had to work quickly because I would soon tire of standing/walking.

When I exercised I would be so fatigued, all I could do was lie on the couch afterward. My whole body felt limp. I felt sick and sometimes nauseous. Telling people this is embarrassing because most would think I was just out of shape. I wasn’t necessarily, it was just that exercise made me extremely tired. I the early days (before it got worse) I remember exercising on an elliptical machine at the gym and wanting to fall asleep. That’s not normal.

I would feel so fatigued that even driving was hard. I wanted to fall asleep some days. It was tough.

Add in brain fog. In addition to my body feeling extreme tiredness, when you add in brain fog, it makes everything worse. It took alot of effort to focus to take care of the kids. It was hard to focus enough to figure out what to make them for lunch or dinner. It was hard to focus on setting the table. The kids used kid plates and kid utensils. I would sometimes stare at the utensil drawer because I couldn’t figure out which ones to pick up. If everyone used the same exact plate and utensil, it would have been easier on my brain, but it wasn’t. At this point, I think my husband felt left out. I didn’t always get his plate because I couldn’t focus enough. It was hard enough to get the kids settled with food that by that point I couldn’t think anymore. It took every ounce of energy and brain power I had just to do little things.

My fatigue was even worse when pregnant. I remember forcing myself to sit down on the couch to rest, but felt scrutinized by visiting family in my home who may have thought I was lazy. I felt bad resting. I felt like no one understood. My husband didn’t, family didn’t. I hated to complain because I didn’t want to be labeled a complainer. I should be able to have life all under control – being a mom and housewife. It was hard.

Fast forward to now after seeing a naturopath to help me. I do have less fatigue. I can stand for long periods of time. I still have to be careful about exercising because it can make me tired for days after. I’m not where I’d like to be yet, but I’m getting there. I can’t wait to read more of the book and glean some new information that might be helpful for me.