Speaking of stinky Purina, in a town near me (Meadville, PA) there was a regional dogfood company called "Dad's Dogfood" (later sold to a big corporation) that had a smokestack which if you were within a few miles of could have knocked you out from the bad smell. I learned a long time ago from Adele Davis that companies that make food and give off smelly or black smoke should be avoided. In her book, she was referring to margarine factories. Dog kibble is no different. Gross.
- it is well known to help/ heal people with seasonal allergies
I have been drinking it daily for a year and a half and had the happy result of seeing my seasonal allergies almost completely disappear! I’ve been an allergy sufferer since childhood.
I’m in North Texas, and early fall and spring usually caused me to spend less time outside. One time I had to take a break from walking back to the house from the field just to catch my breath, as asthma was getting all stirred up.
This past fall, NO SYMPTOMS!! It was miraculous, and I thank God for those little healthy grains!
- I learned so much from Donna Schwenk’s Culturedfoodlife.com. I learned about making Kombucha too, which I attribute to curing my recurring UTI’s - after 10 YEARS of suffering from them at least once or twice a year, I’ve never had another one since the day I started drinking kombucha. Another fermentation miracle! Praise God!
Check out her testimonial page to hear other people’s amazing stories of health restored!!
- If you are a milk-free consumer, there is even water kefir!!
- Donna recommends saving your high-quality (and usually more expensive) raw milk for drinking, and using other milk for kefir, because the kefir culture will break down the milk anyway, and even remove some toxins, if they are present.
- I’m with the good Doc - give it a try! I got my grains from a neighbor through NextDoor. Who knew such a small change could transform health in such HUGE ways?
I cannot live without my daily kefir! I purchased grains 18 years ago and I am always trying to give away my extras to get people started on it. But most people think it is sour-tasting and I'm "weird". Which is fine. I love the taste of it. And the dogs happily eat my extras. An herbalist suggested I start drinking it all those years ago. I had no idea what it was at the time. I had tried nearly every expensive probiotic on the market and never noticed they did anything for me. But what God gives us is the real deal (and so inexpensive and easy to make it yourself)! After drinking it for a month or so, I suddenly realized my 20-year adult acne situation was gone! Though it took me a while to realize it was a result of kefir. I will drink it till the day I die! If it's that good for you on the outside, just imagine what it is doing on the inside.
Hear hear! But if anyone is saying “too sour,” they’re just letting it incubate too long. Easy fix. Here in the hot summer (even with my a/c going), I have to give each new mix several hours in the frig during the day, and take it out to room temp when I go to bed.
It comes out creamy and rich (full fat buffalo milk, but Jersey or Guernsey would do the same) and is never too sour. In the winter, much longer incubation typically, like 12 hours, as my room is cooler and the marble counters downright cold. My supplier, a bit of a kook by his literature, claims the grains are actually harmed when the milk “splits” into whey and the white part.
Had a conversation with my vet about rabies titter recently. She says she has an account with K St. But “it’s across state lines, sample has to be refrigerated, cost varies, yada yada”
Sounded like bs, going to try to find another vet in KS (I’m in MO).
She’s been pretty good on alternative treatments and I get titers for my other ‘required shots’ but I’ve been uneasy since seeing her reaction to Covid.
I hear you. BS is a clear sign to move on. People from all over N America send blood daily to KS… they even provide the shipping. But the BS? You know what that means…
The kefir information was interesting. As a non biologist, I saw a magnified picture of the grains and it put me off the drink. After your article, I’m going to start drinking it again. Oh, I love the details on monsoon rains. Your words put me right in the scene and I didn’t have to get a tourist visa. Thanks for the sharing.
I see they sell both “grains” the rubbery mass and a dried form. Stick with the real grains for the best results. My seller tosses in a pack of dry with every renewal of the grains (mostly after I’m away for months, I buy them). But he’s clear: it’s a temporary fix and will never grow into real grains.
Over the years (at least 9 yr) I’ve neglected thanking you for helping me raise 2 wonderful dogs. Always enjoy your postings as you’re always “right on the money” with your info. Every posting here has been wonderful. I hope you never stop writing!
EJ “Tiffany” McCullough
Kerrville Tx
(The town that was swept away on the 3am (that’s right 3am) monstrous floods)
Arggh, I wondered about friends and clients in the Hill Country! I’m so sorry to hear this, EJ. What a shock that was for you! Do you still have a house?
Yemoos.com! I've been using their kefir grains for years. Their website has info on all types of kefir, including water. The grains come with an adoption certificate 😆. My raw feed dog loves the grains when I share with him. Thanks for all your wonderful info Dr. Falconer.
Another winner. Thank you!! I was able to score kefir grains and had put them “to sleep” as went off dairy (among many other things) in an attempt to boost immune system to fight skin cancer(homeopathy has not helped). Maybe I’ll revitalize them. Love your articles.
I felt I had to EAT mine when I went away for 2 months. On rebuying, my source gave some complicated way to dehydrate them, roll in milk powder, and save? How’d you do it?
Speaking of stinky Purina, in a town near me (Meadville, PA) there was a regional dogfood company called "Dad's Dogfood" (later sold to a big corporation) that had a smokestack which if you were within a few miles of could have knocked you out from the bad smell. I learned a long time ago from Adele Davis that companies that make food and give off smelly or black smoke should be avoided. In her book, she was referring to margarine factories. Dog kibble is no different. Gross.
Agreed. Most is unfit to feed a friend you care about.
An excellent way to think about it!
Over the years (at least 9 yr) I’ve neglected thanking you for
More thoughts on kefir:
- it is well known to help/ heal people with seasonal allergies
I have been drinking it daily for a year and a half and had the happy result of seeing my seasonal allergies almost completely disappear! I’ve been an allergy sufferer since childhood.
I’m in North Texas, and early fall and spring usually caused me to spend less time outside. One time I had to take a break from walking back to the house from the field just to catch my breath, as asthma was getting all stirred up.
This past fall, NO SYMPTOMS!! It was miraculous, and I thank God for those little healthy grains!
- I learned so much from Donna Schwenk’s Culturedfoodlife.com. I learned about making Kombucha too, which I attribute to curing my recurring UTI’s - after 10 YEARS of suffering from them at least once or twice a year, I’ve never had another one since the day I started drinking kombucha. Another fermentation miracle! Praise God!
Check out her testimonial page to hear other people’s amazing stories of health restored!!
- If you are a milk-free consumer, there is even water kefir!!
- Donna recommends saving your high-quality (and usually more expensive) raw milk for drinking, and using other milk for kefir, because the kefir culture will break down the milk anyway, and even remove some toxins, if they are present.
- I’m with the good Doc - give it a try! I got my grains from a neighbor through NextDoor. Who knew such a small change could transform health in such HUGE ways?
Amazing, Rosie! Way to go! And thanks for sharing that link.
I cannot live without my daily kefir! I purchased grains 18 years ago and I am always trying to give away my extras to get people started on it. But most people think it is sour-tasting and I'm "weird". Which is fine. I love the taste of it. And the dogs happily eat my extras. An herbalist suggested I start drinking it all those years ago. I had no idea what it was at the time. I had tried nearly every expensive probiotic on the market and never noticed they did anything for me. But what God gives us is the real deal (and so inexpensive and easy to make it yourself)! After drinking it for a month or so, I suddenly realized my 20-year adult acne situation was gone! Though it took me a while to realize it was a result of kefir. I will drink it till the day I die! If it's that good for you on the outside, just imagine what it is doing on the inside.
Hear hear! But if anyone is saying “too sour,” they’re just letting it incubate too long. Easy fix. Here in the hot summer (even with my a/c going), I have to give each new mix several hours in the frig during the day, and take it out to room temp when I go to bed.
It comes out creamy and rich (full fat buffalo milk, but Jersey or Guernsey would do the same) and is never too sour. In the winter, much longer incubation typically, like 12 hours, as my room is cooler and the marble counters downright cold. My supplier, a bit of a kook by his literature, claims the grains are actually harmed when the milk “splits” into whey and the white part.
Had a conversation with my vet about rabies titter recently. She says she has an account with K St. But “it’s across state lines, sample has to be refrigerated, cost varies, yada yada”
Sounded like bs, going to try to find another vet in KS (I’m in MO).
She’s been pretty good on alternative treatments and I get titers for my other ‘required shots’ but I’ve been uneasy since seeing her reaction to Covid.
I hear you. BS is a clear sign to move on. People from all over N America send blood daily to KS… they even provide the shipping. But the BS? You know what that means…
So much useful information in this article. Thank you!
The kefir information was interesting. As a non biologist, I saw a magnified picture of the grains and it put me off the drink. After your article, I’m going to start drinking it again. Oh, I love the details on monsoon rains. Your words put me right in the scene and I didn’t have to get a tourist visa. Thanks for the sharing.
I'm so glad to know the difference between kefir and yogurt!
Yemoos has that info. I think you can freeze them.
I see they sell both “grains” the rubbery mass and a dried form. Stick with the real grains for the best results. My seller tosses in a pack of dry with every renewal of the grains (mostly after I’m away for months, I buy them). But he’s clear: it’s a temporary fix and will never grow into real grains.
Over the years (at least 9 yr) I’ve neglected thanking you for helping me raise 2 wonderful dogs. Always enjoy your postings as you’re always “right on the money” with your info. Every posting here has been wonderful. I hope you never stop writing!
EJ “Tiffany” McCullough
Kerrville Tx
(The town that was swept away on the 3am (that’s right 3am) monstrous floods)
Arggh, I wondered about friends and clients in the Hill Country! I’m so sorry to hear this, EJ. What a shock that was for you! Do you still have a house?
Yemoos.com! I've been using their kefir grains for years. Their website has info on all types of kefir, including water. The grains come with an adoption certificate 😆. My raw feed dog loves the grains when I share with him. Thanks for all your wonderful info Dr. Falconer.
Another winner. Thank you!! I was able to score kefir grains and had put them “to sleep” as went off dairy (among many other things) in an attempt to boost immune system to fight skin cancer(homeopathy has not helped). Maybe I’ll revitalize them. Love your articles.
I felt I had to EAT mine when I went away for 2 months. On rebuying, my source gave some complicated way to dehydrate them, roll in milk powder, and save? How’d you do it?
Kerrville Floods happened 7/04
I think all the mosquitoes came to Alabama.