Hooray I’m back on the kefir. I managed to track down some grains so its cheers to good health again. I promise not to let these grains die but I did have a lot going on in my life before and they got put on the back burner of my life I’m afraid.
Anyway, once they arrived I gave them a little while in milk, just to get accustomed to their new home. I then rinsed them in water and left them for twenty four hours in plain water. I rinsed them again and set them off to their new life in organic milk.
The first few days always seem very slow as the grains acclimatise but after that they get on with the job of inoculating the milk for my breakfast.
The taste is very creamy, but with a sparkling edge to it. As I said before, its not my favourite drink but the taste isn’t so bad when you compare the benefits you can get from it. Kefir has far many more different strains of good bacteria in it than standard probiotic drinks. Plus it comes with the benefit of being free!
I cant stress enough how much these little grains seem to clear out the colon. They always seem to make me go to the toilet and they leave me with a ‘drained out’ feeling…. as though I’m completely empty. I feel lighter if you understand what I mean. Constipation has never been a problem for me but if it was, I would see kefir as a completely natural way to relieve it.
I also use kefir milk on my face as a face mask and in the bath as its very softening. Also it can be used in places where you would normally use yoghurt, such as in baking. I love kefir milk in my bread as it seems to help the yeast do its job and I get lovely high fluffy loaves.
Kefir milk ready for straining, you can just see the kefir grains bobbing about on top.
Once you have your grains, you have a life times supply of kefir. Just look after it and store one of the baby grains in the freezer in case of emergency. As your kefir continues to grow and separate, give the babies to friends and before you know it everyone has a healthy gut! If all goes well with my new grains, then I shall have spare baby grains in a week or two. If anyone is interested in giving it a go then just send me a stamped addressed envelope (SAE) and I’ll pop some out for you… just leave a comment on here and I’ll get back to you.
47 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 2, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Erica
Hi Shirley
I am definitely interested in trying this please – I’ve only been using probiotics for a few weeks but I felt so much less bloated within days. Can’t believe how much flatter my stomach is!!!
Erica
(AKA Ruby Soho)
PS Loving your blog!
February 2, 2008 at 9:46 pm
shirleyuk
Hi Erica 🙂
Right I have a couple of babies that are growing well so I’m going to email you now… they may as well mature in your glass of milk! I’ve got them in organic milk and they are doing well. I’ll email you on the address that you left your comment with. I hope you enjoy the kefir adventure 🙂
February 4, 2008 at 4:19 am
Nicola
Hi Shirley
How are you? So I’m not fully understanding what Kefir actually are, how they work, and where they come from, do you have more info on them?
So how is your TV career going? Any more appearances?
Nicola xxxxxxxxxx
PS you’ve inspired me to look at my food more closely, I’ve changed to organic eggs and milk all the time now (instead of only when they are on sale), my husband nearly threw up when I swapped to organic milk, he actually thought it was going to taste ‘weird’……..men!!!!!! A woman who was standing next to us chuckled when he said it……I just looked at him like he was insane lol.
February 4, 2008 at 10:43 am
Suzette
Hi Shirley
I have some kefir grains which I dried out and put in a glass pot. Please can you tell me the best way to revive them?
Thank you
Suzette
February 4, 2008 at 11:32 am
shirleyuk
Hi Nicola, lovely to hear from you again 🙂
I’ve got the film crew coming again on the 15th Feb. Very exciting!
I’ll write a bit more about kefir because its brilliant stuff. There is a site called doms (do a search for kefir) and he’ll send you some anywhere in the US for just a few dollars. Then report back how you get on!!
PS so glad to hear you are changing to organic milk and eggs. I think the milk is so much creamier.. plus I feel its from happier cows 🙂
Keep in touch.. .you should start your own blog!
====================
Suzette I have concerns about dried grains. I’ve read a few times that it can cause the grains to lose some of their original ‘powers’ and often they fail to grow anymore once they are used again.
The best way to keep the spares is by freezing them. However as they are already dried you could just try mixing them in a small amount of milk. Changing the milk everyday for another small amount and check wether there are any changes in the thickness of the milk or size of the grains. If no change in approx three to four days then maybe the grains are too damaged. Of course they may pull through and you can get back on the kefir wagon. Freeze some spare grains next time as you have far more chance of success…. good luck with it!
February 4, 2008 at 11:52 am
Jacqueline
Just read on MSE about Kefir and your uses for it. I would like to give it a go…hoping it may help with my IBS. Would love some when you have spare to try. Sounds amazing stuff…well done you! :0)
February 4, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Fiona
I managed to kill off my kefir, but am missing it now! I used to make morning smoothies with it, and tzatziki. I’d love some when you have babies to spare, thanks.
February 4, 2008 at 12:41 pm
shirleyuk
Hi Jacqueline and Fiona. My kefir grains seem very fertile at the moment.. I think they enjoy the organic milk! I am going to email you both now and arrange something with you. Will you report back any good benefits you find? PS pass my blog onto your friends and maybe we can get a kefir circle going?
February 3, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Andrew
Hi
Could you put me in the right direction for some grains please?
Regards Andrew
February 4, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Beth
Good afternoon,
I am also very keen to try kefir – can you please put me on your ‘waiting list’?
Thanks, Beth
February 4, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Suzette
Hi Shirley
Thank you for your help, I will try to revive them over the next few days.
Suzette
February 4, 2008 at 2:10 pm
shirleyuk
Suzette are you in the UK? If so and have no luck with your grains then give me a shout and I’ll send you some of mine.
Beth I’ve emailed you 🙂
February 4, 2008 at 2:48 pm
pauline
Hi
I’m purpleivy from the OS message board. I’d love to have some kefir grains please. Tell me what I have to do!
February 4, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Suzette
Hi
Yes I am, I’ll report back in a couple of days and let you know.
Thank you
Suzette
February 4, 2008 at 11:00 pm
shirleyuk
Hi Pauline, I know you… the lady with the lovely kitchen! 🙂
I’ll email you and ask you to send me a SAE (if you want to!) Then I’ll put the envelopes in order of arriving and give grains as soon as they are big enough… hopefully it wont take long as they are growing well in the organic milk.
Suzette
Ok please keep me up to date with what is happening with your grains 🙂
February 5, 2008 at 12:06 am
Heather
Hello Shirley! What a wonderful blog! I would love some kefir grains when you have some to spare, might help with my cfs. I’m catznine from OS board by the way.
many thanks
Heather
February 5, 2008 at 10:29 am
shirleyuk
Morning all. Heather I’ve emailed you. Im pleased to be getting so many visitors from MSE! Thank you for your lovely comments.
I shall be sending the first lot of kefir out today so if I’ve already got your envelope, watch out for the post tomorrow. Enjoy!
February 5, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Julia
Another one from MSE here love the blog and the bread looks fab. Could I be put on the list for some grains please too. Many thanks Julia
February 6, 2008 at 12:15 pm
David
Hi, can you add me to your kefir list as well please?
February 7, 2008 at 11:06 am
shirleyuk
Hi all. Ok I think I’ve replied to everyone asking for the grains. What I’m doing is sending them out in the order that the envelopes arrive as that seems the easiest way. Its nice to see so many people interested 🙂
February 14, 2008 at 2:51 am
Gerald (Jerry) Landis
Am learning about kefir.
Trying ready made from the health food store. Found
the same brand at Albertsons.
February 14, 2008 at 9:00 am
shirleyuk
Hi Gerald (Jerry)
Take a look at Dom’s page that I mentioned, its got everything you need to get started!
Try and get hold of real grains because the ready made stuff isnt quite the same. Its still kefir but its been processed and the bacteria wont continue breeding for long. Apparently you can use some of it as a starter but this will only work for a couple of days before the kefir is exhausted.
PS I’m up to date with everybody who has sent me an envelope now. If anyone else is interested, it wont be long before I have some more!
February 16, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Laura
Hi
I’d really like to try some kefir if you still have some spare. I’m lactose intolerant so i don’t get to drink milk as much as i’d like, so this sounds really good.
Thanks, Laura
February 16, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Anne
Hi Shirley,
I’ve just been reading the kefir thread on MSE OS board,I’m anniewoo on there.I am really interested in trying this now so I would love some grains when you have any spare.
Love your blog,by the way and the picture of your dogs,they are gorgeous.
Anne
February 16, 2008 at 7:10 pm
shirleyuk
Awww thanks, I think the dogs are gorgeous too. So loyal and loving… and I’m getting really fit with all the walking. Forget going to the gym, get a couple of dogs for your excercise!
Ok I shall email you and Laura now and give you my details. If you send me a SAE I can get the kefir off to you as soon as its big enough.
Thanks again all
Shirley
February 28, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Sandra
Hello Shirley,
I have found your blog via MSE OS – and I love it! Lots of do-able things and tips.
You have had quite a few requests for Kefir, if/when you have some to spare I would love to give this a try. Have you heard of Kombucha? I would like to give that a go as well but it sounds a bit scary!!
Keep up the good work!
February 29, 2008 at 9:32 am
Swan
hi Shirley,
another visitor from the MSE site
I’d love to try making Kefir, can you add me to your list too?
thanks 🙂
February 29, 2008 at 10:18 am
shirleyuk
Hi Sandra and Swan. I’ll email you when my grains start separating again. I’ve exhausted them recently but it shouldnt be long before I have more spare ones.
Kombucha? Yes I’ve heard of it but it scares me even more than kefir! It looks vile and the thought of drinking it as a tea is just a step too far for me. If you have a go, let me know how you get on and then I may try it… but probably not because Im a wuss!
There’s a uk based group that deals with kombucha where you may get a sample. Do a search for fermented foods uk, I’m sure thats what its called.
February 29, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Sandra
Hi Shirley I will look forward to that! You have been so generous with your grains no wonder they are exhausted.
I showed my hubby photos of kombucha and he said no way would he touch it!
March 4, 2008 at 11:36 am
David
Thanks for the grains. So far we have not been brave enough to drink the milk by itself and have been adding strawberry milkshake powder to it. It is great to see it getting bigger as well
March 4, 2008 at 10:08 pm
shirleyuk
Many thanks for taking the time to update me David.
I won’t ever be brave enough to drink the milk by itself, but strawberry milkshake powder does make them taste ok. And as for eating spare grains, well I have an excuse for not doing this, I give mine away 😉
March 12, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Jammygal
Hello Shirley,
I often read your posts on mse and here and am very interested in Kefir. I was wondering if you could send me a few grains to try. My two yr old is suffering with bad constipation atm and I am wondering if it might help him!!! Thanks Jammy x
March 13, 2008 at 10:10 am
shirleyuk
Hi Jammygal. I’ve added you to my list but it may be a little while as I’ve exhausted my little grains. Hopefully I shall have more before too long.
March 16, 2008 at 9:59 am
Jammygal
Thanks Shirley….I am happy to wait as long as it takes.
Ty, Best wishes Jammy x
March 29, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Ecoamoeba
Hello Shirley !
My sister told me about your blog (she reads MSE OS). I have ME (with lovely IBS too) so thought that kefir might be a good thing to try. If it helps I shall tell everyone else on the ME forum I use and continue to spread those grains around the country! There are a lot of people with ME who have digestive problems. When/if you next have some spare grains I would love to try some.
With Best Wishes,
EcoA.
June 1, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Karen
Hi Shirley
I too am a regular on MSE OS! I was wondering if you would add me to your list please? I recently saw Kefir for sale in Tesco but I assume that it is only the “made” stuff with no culture in it?
Thanks!
MrsB
June 2, 2008 at 9:24 am
shirleyuk
Hi all
I’m not doing the list anymore as it was getting too long and messy. Keep your eyes on the blog though as I just post when I have spare grains and its first come first served. I hope you get some soon.
I didn’t even know you could get kefir in Tesco!
October 14, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Susan
Hi Shirley, I heard about Kefir on MSE and it sounds absolutely fabulous. I’m not the most “regular” person even though I am constantly eating fruit. Do you still send grains out, if not do you know where I can get some. I’d really appreciate any help. Thanks, Sue. x
October 16, 2009 at 8:11 am
Shirley
Hi Sue.
My grains have been on hold for a few weeks and any spare ones i’ve given to the dogs to keep them healthy. I did post on the forum about a yahoo group that was set up and that had a swapping area. I’m afraid I don’t have the address to hand but it will be on the thread where you found out about my site. Good luck with it!
November 7, 2009 at 2:58 am
Janny
I don’t really know if I am ding it right.
My daughter just gave me some kefir grains and alls I am getting is little tiny grains no biggy that I see in the pictures.
How long does it take to get the cauliflower looking clumps?
I just don’t know, but one thing is I love the stuff.
Janny
November 7, 2009 at 3:00 am
Janny
Oh I am interested in getting a good start if I could.
October 30, 2010 at 11:11 am
Schedule
Maybe you should edit the post subject title I’m back on the kefir… Natural Living Diaries to more specific for your webpage you make. I liked the the writing nevertheless.
August 3, 2014 at 5:13 am
probiotics
Acidophilus probiotics You are looking to supplement your diet with probiotics but want to check whether there are any side
effects first. If your taking probiotics for the first time you
may feel gas and bloating for a few days, but after your body gets used to it those
side effects will go away. Staphylococcus bacteria are present
in the nasal passages of humans and can be found on the skin and hair.
April 24, 2016 at 6:06 am
Diane
Hi Shirley are you still sending ou kefir grains? I have started the GAPS diet and need to make kefir 😊
February 21, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Sheetal Prabhu
I would love to try kafir for the first time . Please let me know the process to post the envelope
Thanks
Sp
February 21, 2017 at 10:46 pm
Sheetal Prabhu
Hi Shirley,
Definitely interested in giving it a go .
Please let me know if you can post me some grains if i send a envelope
February 24, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Hulya Townend
Hi if you’ll let me know your address I’d like some kefir grains please.
Thank you