Kefir for Health: A Fermented Alternative to Yogurt

I am not lactose intolerant, but kefir give diarrhea, but I can eat butter, youghurt, cheese, milk. I love kefir.

It's been great to see all this talk about kefir for this past week or so. I don't remember who posted first but, it was a great reminder of my kefir grains. I had been wanting to go back to kefir making since I've returned to making fermented veggies. Well, yesterday, I dug them out of my fridge where they have been residing in milk for well over a year and a half. I know kefir grains are extremely hearty because of Dom's kefir site but wasn't sure how they'd fair after such a long time in a jar of milk and neglected... Well, this evening, I am happy to say, they are alive and well and ready to make their amazing kefir once again. Good luck everyone in kefir making! Lisa

http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/kefir-list.php

Real Live Kefir Grains shared by worldwide members

Hello Cat from Tauranga, New Zealand, Try these sites for milk kefir grains in NZ...

http://wudhi.com/recipes/kefir.htm
http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/kefir-list.php
http://thehealthyeatingsite.com/kefir-grains-now-available/
http://waterkefir.co.nz/#ecwid:category=3235633&mode=product&product=13813042
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/group/sharingstartercultures/forum/topics/new-zealand-milk-kefir-grains?xg_source=activity

Good luck, Tina

Search on Ebay, plenty of people sell milk kefir grain on Ebay. You may be lucky enough to find a person in your country.

Do any fellow NZers know of someone who can supply milk kefir grains? I'm happy to pay for them but hey, even better if someone's got enough to give away! I'd be happy to pass some on when I have too many also - pay it forward I say :) I'm in the Tauranga area and can be contacted at lovetolive65(at)hotmail(dot)com = just put kefir grains in the subject. Thanks in advance, Cat.

I have good healthy Milk Kefir grains, which I can post anywhere in Oz, for $10. A lifetime investment in your health!

Hello Guys. I have found a wonderful use for kefir. I followed the "Dr. Budwig Protocol" diet for 5 months and this mixture of kefir and "highest lignan" cold pressed organic flax seed oil seems to have had a positive effect on my husband's cancer treatments. I sincerely request that you review this diet protocol.

SHARING KEFIR GRAINS: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew how to find kefir grains in Cape Town, South Africa? More than willing to pay for them. Many thanks, Georgie

I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome a few years ago and I was taking medication for it and they said I was going to have to be on the medication for the rest of my life but when I started drinking the kefir I dont have any side effects from it and I have been drinking it for months. In fact, it totally lowered my blood pressure and it is even getting rid of my pcos and my cysts.

I have been using kefir for a few years but in the food matters one of the Dr. said milk kefir reacts with the fat and is not good, has anyone else heard of this? Lardiver

Demi, .. Sorry, but there is a 'Republic of Macedonia' a separate country. Small matter though, finding kefir is the important thing.. Luv

Just a small correction here. Macedonia is in Greece and does not produce any kefir. Do you mean FYROM or Vardaska? For sure you cannot be from Macedonia though, since Macedonia is not a country, it is an area on the north of of Greece

There is a big community at http://heal-thyself.ning.com/ that is helpful at sharing kefir grains. Most ask for postage price.

You can also try your local Craigslist, but you may not know the quality of the grains until you pay for it and try make kefir and find out that it does not work.

Try http://culturedfoodlife.com/
(Donna is always very helpful and willing to share)

Culturesforhealth.com is reliable in their kefir grains (I would stay away from kefir starter) and only work with grains.

Hope this is helpful :)

I live in Rochester, NY and I am looking for someone local who can provide fresh kefir grains. In reading everyone's comments and in my research I am convinced that my family and I will benefit greatly by using it. I welcome any feedback.

Is it okay to give Kefir to my dog?

Can you add kefir yogurt (not the grains) to milk and produce kefir yogurt? Thanks! Daniel

Hi Alley Cat, I'd love to receive some milk kefir grains. I'm at Wagstaffe NSW. Would you be willing to help me out? thank you, SR

Deirdre, The brain fog you experienced from kefir is what Donna Gates, author of the Body Ecology Diet, states comes from an over growth of yeast (candidiasis). Check out her website at www.bodyecology.com - her diet has changed my quality of life by giving me good health back & now I drink kefir without the brain fog symptoms.

Hi Lynn,

What is the name of the natural supplement that cure your daughter MRSA with no scarring or reaccuring bouts and was scabbed over in a week to the doctors amazement. My husband was suffering from it for a long time.

I just started making and drinking kefir for my sudden onset of skin outbreaks on my face. I'm really hoping this will help along with a clean diet. Can anyone offer me some reassurance or personal experiences? It would be greatly appreciated!

You can find great kefir grains from Dom in Australia - just google Dom's kefir. Mine came from him, through a friend who carried them from AU to London to here! He has great info on his site, too.

Grashka, will you still share your kefir? I've always bought Amish kefir from Pathmark, but would like to try to grow the grains myself. I can pick it up from you as you say you're in NYC. thanks.

Hi. I would love to get my hands on some 'Water Kefir Starter grain'. Does anyone out there still have some to share or know of how I can get some here in Australia? Thanks so much!

I have an abundance of kefir grains. I'd be happy to share. I live in Missouri. I think I can ship to anywhere in the U.S. in 2 to 3 days for $5. I can ship to Canada in 6 to 10 days for $12, or in 3 to 5 days for $27.

If anybody wants some grains, I'll share them for the cost of shipping. Email me at myemaildt(at)gmail.com.

Try ebay. That's where I got mine from.

I'm keen to start a yoghurt culture for medicinal reasons, and would really appreciate anyone with grains available getting in touch with me. Happy to trade or reimburse costs.

Kathy: I will be glad to send you grains. Shipping about $4.50 or so. email me at: frst2601 at hotmail do com if you still need the grains.

I have kefir both water and milk grains as well as kombucha. They are free however a postage cost of $10 will incur for each.

Hi Lynn, My 14 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes mid April. We have had some sucess in controling his sugars with green smoothies and raw foods and exercise, having his insulin requirements decreased a few times. I have started making kefir and drink it myself but have been unable to get him to take any. How do you get you daughter to drink it, do you add anything to the kefir? I am reluctant to add sugar or honey to sweeten it. I do add fruit to mine but he hasn't liked any he has tried. How long has your daughter had Diabetes and what else have you tried. Also how do you count the carbs for the kefir?

I am an avid fan of kefir and have been drinking it for almost a year now. I grow so many grains that I have been able to start over 20 people on it. They are starting to call me the kefir lady. We have gotten great results on it in our family. My 11 year old twin daughter has Type 1 Diabetes and getting great results with blood sugars. It is as though her body is trying to work, We also have celiac disease in our family and it soothes the gut and helped heal the gut. We havent gotten sick on this except for mild detoxifying My twenty year old daughter had mrsa and had great results on a natural supplement with no scarring or reaccuring bouts it was scabbed over in a week to the doctors amazement. She did not take kefir but I wanted that info for the mrsa patients.

All I can say is that kefir is part of our daily healthy living along with supplements and all natural antibiotics. Lynn

After reading all of the wonderful health benefits of home-cultured kefir I'm really anxious to try it myself. I suffer from a chronic illness and am on social security disabilty and money is very tight. I'm wondering if there is anyone who has extra kefir grains that they would be willing to share. I live in Colorado and would be willing to pay for shipping. Thanks, Kathy

Dear Lardiver, I don't yet have grains to swap with you, unfortunately. But I do live in Vancouver and would be interested to get your mixed Kefir -- that makes sense. I hear there's a real difference with grains that have come from Eastern Europe and am hoping to start with a good batch. Would it be possible to get some from you?

Thank you, Rebekka

To Carolyn from Hollywood. I have loved ones with MRSA and I see them going through so much, it's truly awful. I use water kefir daily, and I love it! I have a couple of questions for the group... And a specific question just for you. First for the group: I'm reading all of these health benefits of milk kefir, and I'm wondering "is my water kefir giving me all of the same benefits? If Carolyn is using milk kefir and it's helping her MRSA, will the water kefir help my loved ones? For Carolyn: How long were you using it before you started seeing a decrease in the MRSA, have the boils completely stopped? The boils are painful and I they'd be willing to try anything. I guess I just don't want to get their hopes up if the water kefir benefits are very different than the milk kefir results. I don't use the milk kefir because I'm really allergic to dairy.

Thanks in advance, Tina from NorCal

I wonder if anyone knows a source for water kefir grains in Jordan? I live in Amman.

Hi Bev, Yes, you now have kefir if you bought kefir starter. It just won't be as full of probiotics as the kefir that the grains make but it's still good and better than commercial. I make kefir cheese from my kefir. Just use either cheese cloth or a nut milk bag which really works great. It makes yummy cheese. Also, don't just throw out the whey. It's loaded w/ nutrients. I save it and will soak my beans in it. Animals love it too! Hope this helps.

Hi Lisa, Well, you answered a question that I was wondering about. I went to my local health food store and they only sold Kefir starter by Yogourmet. I bought it not knowing it is not as good as cultured grains. I followed the directions and added a quart of milk, covered it tightly and let it set overnight. I wanted to make homemade cheese. What do you think I'm going to end up with? Smells like buttermilk or yogurt. Thanks for all of your posts.

Deirdre from Atlanta, Georgia, you might try water kefir. I doubt if the water kefir microbes make tryptophan.

Lardiver from Abbotsford, Bc Canada please contact him regarding kefir grain, because I live close to person.

Hi I am in BC Canada, I have milk kefir and would like to trade some with others to be sure I can get the most pro biodics from several strains of kefir. If anyone else would like to mix with me, give me a shout.

For anyone looking to buy kefir grains you can order them from culturesforhealth.com. I ordered mine a few years ago and from those few grains I continue to give many away as they continue to reproduce. FYI, since making my own kefir I never buy buttermilk anymore, I replace it with kefir and it works great. I also drink at least one glass a day, I love it and love how it makes me feel. No more tummy aches for me!!

Hello Sue,

I have recently started making kefir, and it takes time for the grains to grow.

But, if you are really interested in purchasing kefir grains, just google, Kefir grains sharing in Singapore, and you will find a blog. This person share his kefir grains with many people. You may contact him, and he will surely help you.

Hi Butterfly from Singapore, I am Sue from Singapore and am interested to purchase some kefir grains from you. How can I contact you?

Please do your research, it is not difficult or time consuming, however it does involve some time.

To Jamie in Lake Worth, FL: I would love to start making my own kefir, and I see that you are practically my neighbor --- I actually live next to Lake Worth Christian School. If/when you have kefir grains available, I would love to buy some from you and would be more than happy to pick them up at your convenience. Thanks! Hope to hear from you. :-)

Hello Lisa,
I am drinking kefir for curing the melasma. How much kefir should ideally be consumed since presently I am taking a cup of kefir in the afternoon. Should I take it in the morning or this is okay?

I want to know if I can also drink Apple cider vinegar along with kefir. Will it accelerate the process or kefir is enough to help me remove melasma?

I have also read about grapefruit seed extract for melasma. Have you used it? Please share your views.

Please also let me know if you have seen the fading of brown patches or permanent disappearance of the spots with kefir.

Hi PossibleCandidaSufferer, No, WF does not carry kefir grains. They carry a starter but it is not the same at all. It will work for a few rounds and then it's done. With kefir grains, they are living beings and they actually self-propagate. When they multiply, you can give them as gifts to family and friends. Hence why you see so many kefir enthusiasts offering them.

You can google kefir groups. There are a couple of groups on yahoo of which I belong to one. People offer kefir grains there. health.groups. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Real_Kefir_Making/

Hope this info helps.

Jamie... I am in Georgia and have been searching for kefir grains from someone close. If you still have some available, would you be willing to ship them to me? I will gladly cover your costs. My email is: sktx94 (at) hotmail (dot)com

Hi Everyone, after reading Lisa's post on kefir I have been researching it and would like to give it a try. I live in Chicago and noticed most post say to ask someone for some for a small symbolic monetary fee. I figured this is a big city so why not ask somebody here. So if anybody would like to give me some please contact EC for my email. Does Whole Foods sell grains suitable for making kefir??? Either way can someone please help me.Thanks in advance!

Hello Sunny,

You may find the kefir grains in India in limited cities only.

Just google, Water kefir grains to make Probiotic drink at home-Jaipur. Here, you will get the info regarding kefir grains.

I want to know where live kefir grains are available in India. Can anyone please help me?

Hello Lisa,

Thanks for the prompt reply and quick info. Yes, I have checked the sites regarding kefir. My kefir is coming out fine, and I do like it's taste too. I like to refrigerate it before drinking since here it is quite warm. Hoping to get the benefits of kefir soon.

Hi Butterfly, I'm glad you ordered kefir grains! Did you check out the sites I recommended?

Now to answer your questions. Yes, you can use cold milk right out of the refrigerator to add to your grains. It's no problem at all. I leave my kefir on my counter to ripen as well after it's done. It builds the beneficial bacteria and reduces all traces of lactose. Any kind of milk can be used as well so, pasteurized is fine. You can also experiment to see how you like your kefir. If you like it a bit fizzy then close the lid to your jar. If you'd prefer flat just set the lid on top w/ out tightening. The longer it ripens the stronger it gets too. So if you'd rather it not be too strong, you can refrigerate it after it becomes kefir. Some people actually use powdered milk and it works too!

And as for my melasma, it has been greatly reduced since drinking kefir. Almost to non-existent.

Anyway, hope this info helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! Lisa

Hello Lisa,

Afte reading your post about kefir, I ordered it to make my own home made kefir drink. I am having melasma for last 7 years, and nothing till date has helped me. However, your post has encouraged me to drink kefir. I want to ask if we can add cold freshmilk straight from the freeze to kefir grains. Also, let me know if kefir is effective when prepared with pasteurized milk and not with raw milk. Since here it is not easy to get the raw milk.

Please update your progress with kefir for melasma. I am keeping my fingers crossed, and hoping to get positve results soon.

Hi Annette, I have not checked this thread for a while so I only just got your message. I have kefir that has only been used in organic raw cows milk if you still want some. I get into Canberra weekly but am happy to post them.

My email is egrace(at)aussiemail(dot)com.au

I have kefir grains, I would be willing to share them. Even though we are in the same state you are a couple hundred miles north of me. I would have to mail them. Let me know how I can contact you.

I would recomend finding out how to care for the grains, they are living things. You will have to do a couple of batches to get the adjusted to the kind of milk you use.

From CZ:

Hi Everyone... I have Free Kefir Grains Available...

curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1684429#i

Where can I get starter grains? I am very interested in trying this.

Hi, I have read that drinking kefir with candida should be done cautiously, and having candida, I wanted to know if kefir has the same digestive enzymes as a candida remedy I'm considering purchasing. Does anyone know?

Grashka,
I live in New York City and need some help with my Kefir grains! Maybe I need new ones or maybe I'm not doing something right. Might it be possible in any way to get your help with this? Thank you in advance!

Hi,
I have fantastic Water Kefir grains, which I'm willing to share for postage costs. Email me- gamgo ~(AT)~ optusnet (DOT)com (DOT)au

Hi I am interested in making kefir and would love to take you up on your offer of kefir grains

Hi Lisa, thank you for your reply. I had read a few posts regarding the milk kefir grains not lasting in water because of the lack of lactose. Some people seem to have success with it and others none. I can buy water kefir grains here in Australia so I shouldn't have a problem. I have ordered some more milk kefir grains already because I didn't change the milk in my last batch before it went off. Thank you for all your posts, we all appreciate your amazing input. Lily.

Hi Lily,
Yes, I know of this. You can cross mediums w/ the milk kefir grains in water but they will eventually die. It will only work for a period of time. It's best to order water kefir grains for that purpose and retain your milk kefir grains for milk. If you need a source for water kefir grains, I can give it to you or you can go to the Yahoo Group I also cited and ask members if they have any they can send to you. It should only cost about $7 which is for shipping and handling. Hope this helps. Also, if you check out the website that I posted at the top of this thread you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about kefir! Hope this helps, Lisa

Merryanne, you lost your grains? Geez, this is a hard luck kefir story. Tell you what, since we live in the same state, I can send you grains free. I will even pick up the postage. I have just split up my grains and I imagine that it may take a couple of weeks to get them growing again. My e mail address is on this post so e mail me with your information. I will then be able to keep you up to date as to how well my grains are growing. Then you will know when to start looking for them in the mail. I was surprised as to how little grains it took to make the kefir. I think I started with about a table spoon. The directions were to divide into 3 separate 2c. Containers. I put them all into one. I think they may shrink in the mail, since they are not being fed with large amounts of milk. When I got mine it was still very hot out.

Hi Lisa from Thousand Oaks, I know you can buy milk kefir grains and water kefir grains, but on a website called yourkefirsource they say you can use the milk kefir grains in water but you have to wait nearly a week for fermentation due to the change of medium. I was wondering if you have heard of this. Lily.

Thank you for the information, at least now I know the name to the different parts on the stuff in the jug. ha, ah.. But I still can't find the little yellow dots that I paid $4 for. I hope she has sense enough to be ashamed of herself, but I was stupid enough to keep them and not make a scene on eBay. But, I have to say, her grains(dots) made a nice smooth tasting curd, um, I do love growing it, I am learning to grow yogurt, then I may cross some of both my kefir grains and see how they taste, um.. Have a um-my weekend everyone, and be Blessed EC

Hi Merryanne, what did you do with the original grains? How you described the way your grains arrived in the mail was about how mine got here to. It sounds to me like you got kefir on your first attempts. What I do is let it ferment for about 24 hours. What you described is what I usually get. I use a 48 oz. Pickle jar, add about 32 oz. of milk maybe a little more. I do not add sugar of molasses. Although I have read you can even use coconut milk, but your grains wont grow. I would use my extra grains for experimenting. If I didnt have time or I didn't use my last batch of kefir I just put the jar in the refrigerator, with the grains in it. I have noticed this seems to make a creamier kefir. When ready I put a mesh strainer over a 1/2 gal pitcher. I take a wooden spoon and gently push the globs of kefir around.

Then all I have left is the grains, they as of late seem to have a slime on them. From what I have read this is normal. It takes about 3 or 4 dumps of the pickle jar to empty it. I think that is where you may be falling short. Putting it through a strainer emulsifies the kefir, so it is like drinkable yogurt. I have heard of people who put the kefir in the blender after they get the grains out. You can do it the way you are doing it but it is much more enjoyable as a beverage to me. I add stevia for sweetener, a drop or two of vanilla. I sometimes put grated coconut in it and stir. I have a coffee sock, that is a cone shaped piece of like cheese cloth that is on a round plastic piece. I use that to pour my unstrained kefir in. I get a whipped cream type consistency ball of kefir. I put that on fruit, or baked sweet potato. Oh you have to fish the grains out before putting it into the coffee sock. I got that in the Spanish store, they use it to out coffee in and pour boiling water through. I also want to mention they say not to use metal when making kefir, utensils or vessels. Also chlorine like in the public water supply will kill the grains. About the only thing that will. I put water in my tea kettle, fill it up. When I am done straining my kefir, for the next day. Like you would let tap water set before adding it to a fish tank. My grains have grown tremendously in a couple of months. I got about 1 tablespoon and have already gave some away, still I have over 1/2 a cup. The amount of grains and milk directly relates to how long it will take to make the kefir.

Hi Merryanne,
I have been making kefir for about 3 months now quite successfully and have been enjoying the benefits even more! I will try to answer your questions.

First, the grains start off small and they are yellowish in color and yes, as they grow, they look like tiny cauliflowers. Those living grains will grow over time and you can then give them to others so they can enjoy the benefits of kefir for themselves or you can eat some of them for even more benefits. You will usually see them start growing after about a couple of weeks.

As for the kefir, it can be different consistencies and that is contingent on time, weather conditions, the amount of milk to grains. I live here in CA so it's pretty warm most of the time. In the 24 hours that I let my grains do their work, my kefir often separates. That's when you see the curd separate from the whey. The whey is the yellow liquid, the white is the curd. I just shake my jar up so it all comes back together and then I strain it into a bowl before putting it in a glass bottle. I drink my kefir straight but people often add fruit, juice, etc for flavor.

As for growing the grains, you want to add a sugar in your milk as well because the grains feed on it. You have to use a real sugar, no substitutes. I like to use blackstrap molasses in mine because my grains really thrive on it and I'm also getting the benefits of BSM as well. If you want to make a useable spread, you can strain the kefir through a nut milk bag or cheese cloth and then you'll have kefir cheese which can be spreadable.

The health benefits are countless. So as not to repeat myself, I have a few posts here on earth clinic in the kefir section and give a couple of website links you can go to to learn all the health benefits. Hope this info helps, Lisa

Well, I am a newbie with kefir, a lady gave me some grains, clump like a piece of cauliflower and I used powdered reconstituted milk. Well I got a bunch of white clobber floating on top of some yellow water. OK, so I went back to my trusted computer and went to you tube and looked at there stuff. OK, so I mushed threw the white stuff and found my firm grains, put them into fresh made milk and put into the fridge, put the yellow stuff into a jar into the fridge, put the white stuff into a covered container into the fridge. OK, Now after drinking yellow stuff and eating white stuff on bread, I made this 4 or 5 times and found more firm pea size balls- new grains?

Then I order some from eBay from a person in California said a couple of dollars for 1 Tablespoon of grains. OK, Then they get here and I see a spoon of milk in a baggie and a few yellow dots. I read the paper and it is 1/4 teaspoon of grains. OK, I fix the milk and it WORKS, but where is my GRAINS??? OK, I do the milk again and it works(I used all the white stuff)

OK, question: What is What?? How do I grow grains? How do I use this for my health? How do I make a usable spread with the white stuff? What is the proper names to the parts of this?

Hi Deidre - That is really interesting. I was just cruising the internet looking at the Kefir thing and Lisa's posting on it last night. I know a few people who would pay money for those side effects on a Saturday night. Lol (just kidding I think). ;-) I am really wondering what it tastes like. Is it like drinking liquid yoghurt ? Do you think it may have been the infamous "herxheimer" effect? Everything Lisa and the web says about it just sounds so darned good. I am still considering it.
Thanks for the feedback and your experience with it! Carly :)

I started making homemade kefir early September after hearing such great results from our Thousand Oaks, California Lisa. I purchased the grains online and used organic milk to make the kefir. I agree with Lisa that it makes your skin look great and your nails grow like crazy! Unfortunately, however, I am one of the few people who react badly to the enormous amounts of what we figured must be tryptophan in the kefir. It makes me unbelievably sleepy and happy-goofy with brain fog. I put up with the side effects for 2 weeks before giving up. I even tried putting the grains in goat milk to see what would happen. Same reaction, though not quite so potent. I had a similar reaction to hyaluronic acid containing inositol that Alfred from Bangkok, Thailand had recommended! Incidentally, the kefir does not have the same effect on my husband, who feels nothing, good or bad, after drinking kefir for the last few weeks. The uniqueness of each person's brain chemistry truly amazes me. I would love my siblings to try the homemade kefir to see if they react the same way as I do. I suspect they would!

On the subject of brain chemistry -- I accidentally discovered that my brain craves B vitamins when I bought a gluten and dairy free chocolate bar with (surprise, surprise) added B vitamins. 2 hours after eating a bar, I feel a calm and somewhat euphoric state set in that lasts for hours. I am also discovering some concoctions of fresh vegetable juice having the same effect; namely parsley greens, celery, apple, lemon and ginger.

Good luck, everyone! Thanks for all your wonderful sharing.

Thanks for those web-sites Lisa. I have visited them briefly and will definitely check them out further when I have a little more time. I'm going to try to get some grains and give it a try. I guess my only concern is that hubby and I won't be able to use it up fast enough and I'll have the stuff growing out of my ears! ... Hmm they say the grains look like cauliflower. That would give me cauliflower ears! ..

I buy raw milk & make kefir & yogurt from it. Though the directions say to boil the milk, I thought WHY destroy the milk?! ? Therefore I only heat to about 80 degrees & cool a bit before innoculting. It sits on my counter for 24 to 48 hours til thick, them refrigerate. You will never go back to commercial products again.

Hi Elsaeasterly,

Actually, I did a lot of research on raw milk because I started hearing controversy on pasteurized milk and since I always like to research anyway, I thought I should understand this subject. The first person to bring my awareness to this subject was Dr. Joseph Mercola and he had a lot to say on it! You can find information on on the Weston Price Foundation as well which is an amazing source of information on the importance of whole, real foods.

Also, I noticed that you are here in CA one of the states where raw milk is legal. Organic Pastures is a raw dairy farm here in CA and I get their raw milk at our farmer's market and also at a local health food store. If it interests you, go on their site and you will learn so much! The farm is very humane in the treatment of their cows and the strict laws and guidelines that raw dairies are held to are a world above the pasteurized milk dairies. You will actually learn some scary and disturbing things about pasteurized milk dairies. I hope you take the time to read about the differences- they are quite eye-opening!

Oh, one other interesting thing is that my husband and daughter cannot tolerate milk but after studying about raw milk, I introduced it to them because they both love the taste of milk. Well, neither of them had any adverse reactions as is the common reaction for those who are "lactose intolerant". Because the milk has not been heated to destroy all the enzymes and nutrients the milk is handled differently by the body. As a result, we have continued to use it regularly in addition to my kefir making!

Lisa,
No, I haven't tried making it yet. I have bought it, and I thought the plain would be hard to drink, but I don't mind it at all. I'm sure that raw milk is superior, but I do have reservations. Do they sterilize the udders? There is a reason for pasteurization, so how is the safety of raw milk ensured? It kind of grosses me out a little, like I might as well go up to the cow and take a drink. I'm not saying I will never use it, clearly it hasn't made you sick, I'm just hesitant.

Hi Janice, Thanks for the welcome! In regards to kefir, I have found one website in particular of great interest. It is quite a comprehensive site on this subject in its many forms.

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html#intro

I'm sure you will find all of it fascinating and informative. As for buying kefir, I purchased it from culturesforhealth.com but people acquire it all sorts of ways. There's a yahoo group I belong to which people offer their grains for free- if you live close by you can pick them up or you can pay just shipping and they send them to you. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Real_Kefir_Making/The price seems to be $10 that most ask for.

There are other kefir making groups that you can google and find as well which offer the same thing. I recall one that I found listed people all over the world and they make their own kefir and offer their grains for free as well.

If you have questions I would be happy to answer them although I think the site I gave you covers all of it!

Hi Lisa, it's good to see your posts again. You have gotten me interested in Kefir. I'd like to try to make it and wondered where you got your grains? I have been on youtube watching videos but have a gazillion questions. Do you know of any good web-sites to get more information? Thanks.

Hi Elsaeasterly! Thanks for the welcome back! I use raw milk to make my kefir but it's available here in CA and legal. That sounds so weird- real milk, legal. Still, in my research you can use pasteurized milk to make it as well. Either will work, I just think the health benefits of raw milk are superior to the pasteurized. Do you make it?

Hi, Lisa,
Good to see you back! I'm glad you're having such good results with kefir. Do you use raw or pasteurized milk for your kefir?

Hi everyone, I haven't written for quite awhile but I wanted to say that my most recent journey has been with kefir. Those of you who know me know that I have been through many of the remedies here on earth clinic and each has been wonderful and beneficial. Still, I am always in search of alternative remedies/ protocols for ultimate health. I continue with my hyaluronic acid, once to twice a week I take apple cider vinegar and baking soda in water in the morning and zeolite once to twice a week as well to remove heavy metals/toxins.

For 3 months we were about 90% raw and had green juices everyday for 10 months. I had been dealing with excruciating pain in my body for 5 years and the juicing and raw really brought that to an end and all within about a week. I continue to not eat pasta or mainstream bread and no dairy. With that, I began to learn about kefir and had been making my own young coconut kefir for about 4 months drinking it daily. Then, I began to learn a lot about milk kefir. I was concerned about it because I had pinpointed the culprit of my pain was dairy so I was hesitant about milk kefir. I did a lot of research and what I learned was that those who are dairy intolerant rarely have a reaction to real kefir. I say "real kefir" because I'm not talking about commercial kefir but rather making it yourself at home with living kefir grains. It has been a little over 2 months now that I have been drinking it daily and have fallen in love with it. The benefits are amazing. Although I saw my skin change with green juices and going raw, I saw it change yet again with milk kefir. I have had melasma for the last 10 years or so and with the kefir have seen it disappear. Also, I notice my lungs feel very strong and when I'm teaching my voice is very strong and I can speak all the way to the other side of the room. I feel steady and calm when I drink it too. My nails grow unbelievably fast now and my digestion is really good too.

When I first started researching this, my thought was, this sounds miraculous but could it be true? The history of kefir is also fascinating. So far, it is proving to be a miraculous food. It contains over 30 strains of bacterias and yeasts that the body needs to stay healthy and strong. It can combat candida and prevent candidiasis. Anyway, if kefir is something that interests you due to its benefits you can google it and find lots of info. There are sites you can order living kefir grains from which I believe is the way to go to truly get the benefits that are claimed about kefir. Don't just get the commercial kind in the store. Also, if you buy the grains, they live forever because they are self-propagating so you never have to buy them again!

Here's to our health! Lisa

I have kefir grains that I would like to share with anyone in Australia, for the cost of postage.

Hi Kefir fans, Am really keen to get some Kefir grains to start producing my own Raw milk Kefir drink; is there anyone in London who may have some grains to share. I live near Tooting, south of the river.

If anyone is battling candida or any digestive problems for that matter, research KEFIR. I drink it daily and it has helped me tremendeously. It is good for lots of ailments and there is a ton of information on the internet. Just google Kefir Benefits. Oh yes, you can buy kefir grains to make your own kefir on ebay. Get the Caucasus grains. I like them better. Carolyn

Kefir is a life changing gift. Please search the Internet carefully and look for someone who will give it to you for only the cost of shipping. Search the Yahoo groups and google it before you "buy" it from someone. I paid a small fee for my first batch, and do not resent it. But it grows so fast and there are sure to be people close enough to most of you that will share. Now that I have been making my own for several years I have shared often. And I wouldn't buy it again. There are many sources for information on the Web. . . Just search it out. My experience is that Kefir assists with numerous ailments from digestion to anxiety. But I believe it needs to be homemade to see the best results.

Hello Emilia.

Can you suggest where I can find Kefir base to make it at home?

Thanks and ciao,
Enrico

At the end of 2006, I contracted MRSA. I still have scars from that early time before I learned about kefir. I only bought one batch of kefir grains in early 2007, and I am still fermenting using grains created from that first batch. I never took any antibiotics. After I started sipping homemade kefir all day and night, I have never had any more outbreaks, except one time in 2008, I stupidly cut back on the amount of kefir I was drinking and got paid back with an outbreak on my chest. I am sipping my kefir as I write this. My primary said my MRSA looks "dormant". Yes, it is "sleeping" but if I stopped kefir, it would rage up again.

I sprinkle some turmeric in a couple times a day. Mike will teach you all about how to make your own fresh kefir at home. Or write to me. BTW, I do not eat any kind of meat or fish, because they contain HEME iron which causes MRSA bacteria to rage up. I am 66, I garden, shop, do my web work, and live normally just as I did before I contracted this hideous MRSA. If I can do this, so can you! Anyone can email me anytime. I care about people with MRSA.

i will gladly share my kefire grains with anybody who live in new york city and it's willing to pick them up.