Manic Monday

Image found via Pinterest

Here we are the week before Passover, and I'm having a Manic Monday. I had a look around my kitchen and apparently, being sick takes a whole new meaning to "let's not clean the kitchen this weekend". Ya'll, I don't know how to tell you this, but I generally will keep a kitchen floor you can eat off of. Honey, I don't think anyone's pet would eat off our floor at the moment. That's a scary thought.

I'm in the midst of finding the last of our leavened items in the house, and we have a bunch of dusting, deep cleaning, vacuuming and mopping to do. Thank G-d for steam mops!

We've used most everything up that we need to, I'm just ready for the rest of it to be over, as we're in the end stages of rearranging our house. Once I'm done in the kitchen and our new guest room / resting room, we will get started in our dining/living room, and then the bedrooms. We know for sure that there is no food in the kids' room, so we're down to the rooms that generally do have food in them, or did at one time.

I've been thinking about what I can blog about during passover, but truth be told - we will not be keeping a completely GAPS-y Passover. One of the commandments is that we eat unleavened bread during the week, so we will be having unleavened bread.  We will also be having angel food cake. So, here's me sticking out my tongue at that.

We did have a very interesting thing to pop up in reference to the Easter celebrations at kindergarten. The kids will need to have a bread bunny (something like this, this or this) brought for them that morning.  YIKES! It's during Passover. No yeast!! Not to mention I'm trying to keep their meals as GAPS as possible. How will I pull this off?

I know! The sweet potato rolls that I made before, I'll just modify them slightly to look like this. My mom had sent me the link on Pinterest. Problem solved. Bunny rolls that are not only unleavened, but GAPS friendly! What a load off my back.

Insanity of insanities, I've been sicker this last week than I had been before. The kids had fever, one had conjunctivitis, and the other had chest congestion. So, I've been on around the clock duty, which means I've had to knock back on any fancy baking or cooking - and I've gone back to the basics of GAPS: Bone and Meat Broth. Lots of it.

We've had lamb/beef bone broth, and we've had chicken bone broth. This is where I do break from approved GAPS foods, I have no issues with using rice. We typically will use Basmati or Jasmine, and I cook it in bone broth in our rice cooker, and will usually steam vegetables in the veggie basket at the same time, unless we're making a steamed fish dish. I also have no issues with potatoes, as we tend to use them in a similar fashion. If they aren't made with broth, we make a broth gravy or will bake them, fluff, stuff and top with other healthy items. I also am looking at introducing millet, amaranth and quinoa. Bad non-GAPS-y me.  However, these are gluten free seeds that are high in nutrition that is very difficult for me to get otherwise.

Why I depart from GAPS on this - well, I do not think that any one grain, root or other food item should be the sole focus of a meal. Variety is key.  And when there are issues of malabsorption, you don't get to be so picky when you do not react to those organic grains. I will not be using them as main features in our meals, but as something to highlight on special holidays and perhaps Shabbat.

Which is why I was so excited this weekend to see this news item:

Quinoa and Orthodox Judaism's relevancy problem

The question of long-term vitality of Judaism may ultimately come down to the question of relevance and whether Orthodox Jews are seen more as keepers of the faith or gatekeepers of the faith.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/the-fifth-question/quinoa-and-orthodox-judaism-s-relevancy-problem.premium-1.509725

If you don't have a free account with Haaretz and are interested in news from Israel, you can register for 10 free news stories a month. That is just about the right amount for me, to be honest, as I scan many of their issues via Google News, and know exactly what I want to read.

So yay! It's not just Sephardim who are eating Quinoa this year after this ruling. I'm interested to see if this will also count in Millet and Amaranth or not in the coming years. This is a relevant and interesting subject to me as someone keeping gluten free, as keeping an Ashkenazi non-gebrokts and strict anti-kitinyot Passover is too strict for our dietary needs. But, we can easily keep up with a Sephardi Passover, and get everything we need that way. I've done it both ways, and there was just much more freedom with the Sephardi Passover for us, and it has been a much more enjoyable experience all around. You can read about those differences here and here and here.

Honestly, I think this is the first Passover season that I have not experienced panic-y feelings about. I'm not worried about my kombucha, milk kefir or the fact I have resting grains of tibicos in my fridge. We've scrubbed the fridge down and kashered it already, and we've done the same with our oven. All that is left, is our microwave oven and our toaster, once we get the other items cleaned up and out.

Image found here on Pinterest.

I found myself an interesting unleavened bread idea that I will be testing out today.  It was shared on Google Plus (I can't remember who shared it originally) and was listed as a possible item to try for Saint Patrick's Day. I figured save it for Passover, so we'll be making it up to test tonight. I'm praying it works. You know how it is sometimes with gluten-free recipes!

While I have not been feeling particularly chatty this past week, I did see some interesting things come across the blogs I follow for discounted and free kindle books, and it looks like a couple came in that would be interesting for those following a GAPS-y or Paleo/Primal lifestyle. They are not all free, but they are at a pretty good price to learn more about things without breaking your bank. Trust me, I know all about that last $3 being "too much", so if you can't afford it on your version of Amazon, just put it on your wish list and get it when you can. Choose your hard, and don't push yourself where you do not have to. OK?

If you click the images, you will be taken to the Amazon page for these kindle books. Please do note, I have NOT been paid for the reviews of these books, I simply found them interesting and I only get a very small kickback on people purchasing these books. If they are free, I don't get anything.  The reason I am sharing these books is because I found them helpful and they are not break-your-bank expensive.

"This brief guide will give you everything you'll need to know to begin incorporating this healthy and natural elixir into your life.

Discover the origins of the fermented Kombucha tea.
Find out the many health benefits you can enjoy.
Find out the best places to buy Kombucha
Classic Recipes to make at home
Other fermented foods and much more."

"Making kefir in your home kitchen is easy and inexpensive.  In How to Make Kefir - A Beginners Guide you will learn:

• How to make a delicious, healthful beverage bursting with probiotic power
• How to make dairy, water, coconut and nut milk kefir
• How to store your kefir
• How to care for your kefir "grains"
• How to troubleshoot kefir gone wrong"

"You are about to embark on a culinary journey with quinoa (keen-wa), the new miracle seed that will add a boost to any healthy diet, or change those diets that aren’t so healthy. This report not only teaches you how to cook quinoa, it also provides thirty of the best recipes one can find to showcase this delicious seed. "

"In this concise and detailed manual to the Paleo diet, you will learn exactly what you need to eat while utilizing the Paleo diet, what type of activity you should engage in, and exactly what to expect while on the diet. "

"30 Days Of Amazing Paleolithic Lunches hands you paleo recipes that are super easy to prepare yet very delicious.  It shows you that preparing healthy meals does not have to be boring and time consuming."

"This guide teaches you how easy it is to add nutritious whole foods to your lifestyle through a simple juice.

Juicing Recipes for Beginners - Delicious Juice Recipes for Losing Weight Feeling Great and Improving Your Health is the latest from the Best Selling author of Raw Food Diet for Beginners, Susan Ellerbeck."

"99 Delicious Paleo Recipes offers great recipes for those who are on the Paleo diet or just wants a healthy way to eat. The Paleo diet is the diet of our ancestors. The Paleo diet is a simple and healthy way to lose weight by eating foods we have been designed to eat. Who thought that eating like the cavemen would taste so great!"

"If you want to avoid gluten, this book will help you to cook the best meals for your grain free diet. Our grain free gourmet cookbook will give you dozens of the best grain free recipes for your grain free cooking. You can find delicious lunch and dinner recipes, recipes that will help you to fill up on healthy food that just so happens to be grain free!"
<-- This one does not seem to be Paleo or GAPS, so you'll need to modify some of the recipes.






I hope and pray that these are helpful to someone, even if they are no longer free by the time you see this post.

Another interesting thing I've been up to this weekend was watching a documentary called "Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives". If you have not seen it already, please do watch it!! It has a lot of helpful information. The only inaccuracy I found in it was the chef that mentions that x years ago there was no Celiac Disease aka wheat allergy. A) Celiac is not Wheat allergy and B) It has been around for over 2,000 years. . . so take that end with a grain of salt. Otherwise, this documentary was one of the best I've seen on the issue in a long while.

What all have you guys been up to out there in GAPS-y land?

Kombucha Tea

My Kombucha Tea in an Ikea jar
Take note that there is no seal on this jar!!

Today we are going to talk about Kombucha Tea. Kombucha is a very helpful probiotic for anyone, but is especially helpful in a gluten free, Paleo, Primal, SCD or GAPS diet.

This is a long post, so be sure to snuggle up under a blanket and take your time watching the videos and reading all the links.

Just what is Kombucha exactly?

 Kombucha is an effervescent tea-based beverage that is often consumed for its anecdotal health benefits or medicinal purposes. Kombucha is available commercially and can be made at home by fermenting tea using a visible, solid mass of yeast and bacteria which forms the kombucha culture, often referred to as 酵母 (kombo, lit. "yeast mother", see etymology for disambiguation with 昆布, kombu, kelp).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha 

Kombucha SCOBY. Source: Google

To your left is a Kombucha SCOBY. This is probably what yours will look like if you get it from a friend or purchase one online.

You may also get one that is "torn" or cut in pieces. Mine is apparently part of a larger SCOBY at the dealer I got it from, and was cut in quarters. Mine's just a little corner piece. It will float to the top and start making another SCOBY on top of itself every brew.

One thing you will want to do with your SCOBY is to be sure and handle it with washed hands, not just when you place it into the tea, but also while it is brewing.

  ...Kombucha has the ability to mutate to fit the needs of the person making the ferments. Handling the colonies leaves personal bacteria on the colony and hence in the ferment. Kombucha will either incorporate the 'good' bacteria or produce an anti-bacteria to fight the bad ones. The effect is that the kombucha ferment mutates to help the specific health of the person preparing it. I think this is why kombucha can apparently help so many diverse health conditions. I am not at all sure that kombucha is not a direct gift from God since it can not survive without direct help from man.)
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kombucha.htm

I've been asked many times what Kombucha tastes like. Well, it really depends on several factors. What kind of tea you are using, how long you are brewing it, how much air you have getting to it, and your current weather/temperature in your home.

I think the taste also changes depending on the type of glass you serve it in. I'd been drinking it in a narrow-mouthed glass and it tasted cidery. Same batch, different glass (brandy glass with a wider mouth and bottom) and it tasted more like nestea without "enough" sugar. Now - remember I grew up in Southern culture so sweet tea is the norm, 1 gallon with 1-2 cups of sugar in that mother. It's so sweet it will rot your teeth out of your head. This is just not that.

Q. What does kombucha taste like?

A. The taste of kombucha varies greatly depending on the amount of time it was allowed to ferment and whether or not flavoring was added. For example, fermentation time determines whether the kombucha tea has a very mild taste or a very strong vinegar taste (kombucha is made using a method very similar to the one used to make vinegar). If you desire a more sweet taste, we recommend a very short brewing period 5+ days. If the vinegar taste doesn't bother you, a longer fermentation process will allow the tea to fully culture. When first making kombucha, we recommend you taste the kombucha starting at day 7 (using a straw makes this easier) to determine at what point you wish to stop the fermentation process. Adding fruit or juice following fermentation can sweeten the kombucha. Alternatively, you can add water to the finished kombucha prior to drinking to cut the flavor. Click here for more information on influencing the flavor of homemade kombucha.
http://www.culturesforhealth.com/kombucha-tea-frequently-asked-questions-faq

It's hard to compare the taste of kombucha (comb-boo-cha) to anything else. Vinegary, fizzy, cider-y, or just plain nasty if you haven't given it a chance yet. Then again, some people (particularly those who drank vinegar as a kid) like it from sip one.
...The enzymes boost your energy without the post-caffeine lows and headachey shakes, making you feel rejuvenated, restored, and pretty happy. It has something to do with the "mother cell," a mini jellyfish-looking blob floating around, which, if you really want to know, is a yeast and bacterial colony where the sugars are digested. With the addition of tea, this microorganism party ferments into a tangy, sparkling drink.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/03/kombucha-fermented-tea-gts-honest-tea-brewing-drinks.html

I love this comment at the end of the article by a subby. I think it sums up nicely.

I really like Kombucha but it takes some getting used to. My mom used to try to get me to a drink a version of it when I was little, and let me tell you, it did NOT have fruit juice mixed in. It was smelly, warm and I wasn't having it.

These days I crave it at least once a week. I love the buzz it gives you and I think it tastes pretty good. 
Serious Eats article

 There has been some concern expressed by some friends and family about the alcohol content of Kombucha. Please read these if this is one of your concerns:

Alcohol content in Kombucha
Does Kombucha Have Alcohol Or Can Recovering Alcoholics Drink Kombucha Tea?

This SCOBY is making another Scoby. Notice the thin film on top.

This is my most recent SCOBY. It is about 1cm thick.

You will definitely need this link as you learn how to brew Kombucha:  5 signs of a healthy Kombucha brew.


Here is some information about Kombucha:

This may be out of order. (I hope not! I tried to get it right, but it is not numbered on youtube) This set of videos is from a Kombucha "camp" that explains everything you need to know to get started. Ms. Crum's site is http://www.kombuchakamp.com/

She mentions using spring water - I would say DO NOT use well water or tap water. I use Vittel or a similar brand of still mineral water. Always. Make sure you change your cloth often as it will attract fruit flies. So, keep fly-eating plants nearby, but do not brew anything else fermented or keep any house plants nearby that pollinate!


I have heard that you can also brew your  kombucha with Yerba Mate instead of tea. Below are a few videos about that.

Warning: very long schpiel. (16 minutes!)

 

This is my SCOBY when I first got it last year.
Notice how it is on the bottom. Generally, this
is where it will start before it begins floating.

• Don't ever wash your glass brewing jar unless you take a break or need to start over due to mold.
• If you get a batch that's too sour it makes an excellent marinade.
  
• I don't eat the fruit from the second brew, but you can.
  
• You can also eat the SCOBY. If you end up with lots of babies, it's 100% fine to consume them.
• There should always be a baby. Always. They can often be stuck to the mother but if there truly is no baby your culture is off. You should split them, not keep them together indefinitely.
• You can supposedly make kombucha with honey. I've never tried it, though.
• To be GAPS compatible you need to ferment away as much sugar as possible while still keeping it palpable. Most GAPSters do the first ferment a really long time then do a second ferment with fruit to make it more palatable.
• I don't use any spiced or flavored teas but some do. DO NOT use Earl Gray, the bergamot will kill your SCOBY. Orange pekoe is a variety of black tea. So is darjeeling.  Herbal tea will not work. You might get something but it won't be kombucha and it wouldn't be safe to consume.
• You can use a green tea as a portion of your tea but if you use 100% green tea, the SCOBY will not ferment the sweet tea properly.
• You can use these glasses, or Grolsch Beer glasses.
• A sour, ACV smell is a good sign. It will get stronger. Doing a second ferment with fruit will tame it a bit. The acidity is what keeps mold away.
• I don't follow all her rules and whatnot, but this is a decent site. http://www.laurelfarms.com/how_to_make_kombucha.html

This is my SCOBY Hotel.
Notice that there is tea in this from my last batch. 
The SCOBY in here is also from the batch of tea in the jar.

One thing you will want to do with your dear little SCOBY is make a SCOBY Hotel. This is a lifesaver, especially if you have issues with fruit flies, mold or other "oopsies" in your household. I once had to let a SCOBY go in the trash after it got infested last year with fruit flies. Somehow the flies got their eggs past my wash cloth barrier (this is why I now use the glass I use!!!) and laid their eggs right on top of my SCOBY. I cried buckets. I tore the baby off the mother. I washed the mother SCOBY very well and I began brewing again. At that point, I did not have a SCOBY hotel, because I only really had one SCOBY. Now, I always have a backup, because I know - as the saying goes - "Shit happens". It really, really does.

  SCOBYs are an investment here in Germany and I purchased mine through Wellness Drinks. You can get them from Kombucha Kamp in the USA. I also got my large brewing glasses and lids from them (you don't have to do that if you have other large glass jars you plan on using), and I purchased my Milk Kefir and Water Kefir (Tibicos) from them.  I'm really happy with my purchase, and they were not too expensive when you compare their prices and shipping with other shops here in Germany and the EU.

So, if you need any and you're here in Germany, one way to get a SCOBY is to ask a friend of yours that brews, or you can purchase from Wellness Drinks.  OR, you can brew your own by simply leaving some Kombucha tea out for a while in a glass jar. The SCOBY will form on the top of the tea.

Some time ago, people were recommending purchasing Kombucha Tea from the store to brew your own KT. This is no longer workable due to changes in the way bottled KT is allowed to be marketed in the USA.

Recipes:

How to brew your own Kombucha SCOBY
Kombucha Recipe [PDF]
Brewing Kombucha
Continuous Brew Kombucha
Double Fermentation Method
Kombucha FAQ
Kombucha recipes and ideas
Kombucha Float with Milk Kefir Icecream!
Aperol (liqueur) Kombucha drink


We had a question come up in our meeting with a nutritionist this fall - whether or not kombucha could be made with dextrose (Grape Sugar) or not. I looked it up, and if you do this - you have to do it 50-50 with the sugar of your choice. Otherwise, it will starve the kombucha. Info found here, a German site. 

UPDATE 7.1.2014  -  Kombucha: Myth vs Truth

Do you drink Kombucha? Feel free to share your stories and comments below.

Protecting our Gluten and Allergen Free Kids

Today's post is about keeping your allergic/food intolerant children incident free.

“For the previous 250,000 years, man had evolved without having this very strange protein in his gut, ...And as a result, this is a really strange, different protein which the human intestine cannot fully digest. Many people did not adapt to these great environmental changes, so some adverse effects related to gluten ingestion developed around that time.”
...People with celiac have one or two genetic mutations that somehow, when pieces of gliadin course through the gut, cause the immune system to attack the walls of the intestine in a case of mistaken identity. That, in turn, causes fingerlike structures called villi that absorb nutrients on the inside of the intestines to atrophy, and the intestines can become leaky, wreaking havoc. Symptoms, which vary widely among people with the disease, can include vomiting, chronic diarrhea or constipation and diminished growth rates in children.
The vast majority of people who have celiac do not know it. And not everyone who has the genetic mutations develops celiac.
What worries doctors is that the problem seems to be growing.The New York Times: Gluten-Free, Whether You Need It or Not

1. ...Do things other kids do...
2. ...Create recipes that mimic troublesome foods... 
3. ...Take your child to meet other food allergy kids... 
4. ...Give your child an empowered voice...
   Yahoo Voices: 4 Tips to Keep Your Food Allergy Child Normal

You may enjoy this webinar: Raising a Well-Adjusted Child Who Takes Food Allergies in Stride

8 GREAT Ways to Recognize Gluten-Free Needs During National School Lunch Week

NFCA: Printable Guides and Tip Sheets and Navigating the School System


Celiac Sprue Association's Letter to the Teacher


As Play-Doh is NOT gluten free, and many other alternatives are also not gluten free, you might want to check out Soy-yer Dough. The original version does have soy, but they do have a soy free version. No, I was not paid to advertise for them, and I actually do not own any myself. I use Pelikan's modeling clay here at home IF I am in a mood to clean up after it.

This art supply ingredient list is two years old now, so you will need to call the companies and ask after their products.


Books and Magazines:
Free PDF Book (also available in Paperback) "The Trouble that Jack Had
Gluten Intolerance Group's Magazine for children and Summer Camp
Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids
Cilie Yack is Under Attack: A story about a boy with celiac disease
Adam's Gluten Free Surprise: Helping Others Understand Gluten Free
Gluten-Free Kids: Raising Happy, Healthy Children with Celiac Disease, Autism, and Other Conditions
Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease?: A look at the sunny side of being a gluten-free kid
Eating Gluten-Free with Emily: A Story for Children with Celiac Disease
No Cupcakes for Jason: A Child's Story about the Gluten-free Casein-free Diet With a Parents' Guide and a School Guide included
The GF Kid: A Celiac Disease Survival Guide
No More Cupcakes & Tummy Aches
Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults, Second Edition
Lunch With Quinn: The story of one child's diagnosis and management of Celiac Disease
Bagels, Buddy, and Me...A story about gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease
How I Eat Without Wheat
Gluten-Free Friends: An Activity Book for Kids
 
Out of all of these, the only one I currently have is "The trouble that Jack had". I netted a free copy a couple years ago when my mom and sister went to the Better Homes and Gardens show in Alabama. There was apparently a very large Gluten Free contingent there.  If you have any further book suggestions, please feel free to drop them in the comments box.



When it comes to packing food (Lunch box, brown bag, Bento or Tiffin) it is always best to follow food safety rules so that your child does not get food poisoning. You may find Lunch In A Box or other Bento-related blogs very helpful in this avenue. Some of her recipes are gluten free, or can easily be transformed to be GF. Some recipes or Bento fillers are Paleo, Primal, SCD or GAPS compliant. I do have a few wonderful Bento cookbooks I would be happy to share, but most of the recipes are not helpful for this diet. Perhaps later on I can include some of the recipes, as I become more confident with the GAPS Diet.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, perishable foods kept between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 60 degrees Celsius) for more than two hours are no longer safe to eat.
Although 45 percent of the packed lunches included an ice pack and 12 percent were kept in refrigerators, nearly all of the perishable foods were in the danger zone.
Yahoo News: August 8, 2001: Kids' packed lunches too warm to be safe: study

And when it comes to colleges, it appears there are relatively few colleges that cater to gluten free students. 

While there is still a long way to go in making the majority of schools safe and celiac-friendly, some colleges and universities are going above and beyond when it comes to providing gluten-free options. Here are just a few of the schools who are leading the way, though many, if not most, have programs to provide meals for students with any kind of dietary need.
14 Colleges That Cater to Gluten-Free Students and Gluten Free Reviews of College Dining Services

With more children going gluten-free in the past few years, according to Celiac Disease awareness organizations, parents are increasingly asking schools to accommodate these dietary needs the way they have for other allergies such as peanuts. And it’s not just banning gluten-containing products from lunchboxes. Some parents say they are requiring that arts & crafts go gluten-free too.
Market Watch: Even Toys are going Gluten Free

Please stay safe and happy out there in GAPS-y land! xoxo

Water Kefir / Tibicos

Why yes, those are NOT GAPS Compliant recipe books behind my Kefir!

When I started my Water Kefir last year, I had 100g. When I took this photo, I had re-bottled them into the new bottles we got, I weighed it and had over 300g of Kefir. So, between the heat, the food source + sugar I am using, I am much loved. I split my grains, and the brew going  in the photo has fig (I think this one tastes like cream soda!) and one going with apricot. 

The kefir grains that I had left over, I went ahead and dehydrated for back up. At this point, I have not had any water kefir (aka Tibicos) going since December. I need to rehydrate and feed my kefir so I can start brewing again.

So, what are Tibicos?

Water kefir “grains” are actually not grains at all, but SCOBYs (symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeasts), like tiny kombucha mothers or milk kefir grains. They are a mix of lactobacillus, streptococcus, pediococcus, and leuconostoc bacteria along with yeasts from saccharomyces, candida, and kloeckera held together by a polysaccharide matrix. They feed on sugar from dried fruit to produce lactic acid, alcohol (just a little), and carbon dioxide. When they’re done, you get a refreshingly tart, lightly carbonated, mildly fruit flavored probiotic beverage that kids love! 
The Liberated Kitchen

Water kefir is a pretty easy food pet, as food pets go. Water kefir is a lot like it's cousin, kombucha. It makes a kombucha like drink, but less vinegary, so if you aren't wild about kombucha then you might prefer this drink. It works quickly, more quickly than kombucha but it still is bubbly and slightly sweet and is easily flavored with fruit juices or vanilla extract. Instead of a large scoby, there are many tiny little grains, similar to dairy kefir. They look like unflavored gelatin and are firm and rubbery but will crumble if forced. They are self perpetuating and will reproduce and make more little grains to either compost or give away. 
Dyno-Mom

Water kefir is, in fact, a bacterial yeast culture (that looks like little odd-shaped jelly-pearls) that converts sugar into fructose and imparts incredible probiotic goodness into the water you keep it in.
Think of it as yogurt on steroids that masquerades as carbonated, healthy soda.


...my digestion is improved beyond measure – and my seasonal fall allergies are almost nil when I drink water kefir on a daily basis. When I forget for a day or two, the difference is overwhelming.
As a whole, though, all the health benefits you expect from yogurt, milk kefir, and kombucha, you can expect from water kefir, as well.
You can even wash your face with it! 
Crunchy Betty

One of the most entertaining parts of having Water Kefir is watching it work. Or, it is if you don't have any pets or small children to watch/tend to or you're extremely interested in "crunchy" science experiments such as this one. (ok, I'm nerdy, what's new?)

Here are two videos that show you what it looks like while it is brewing:

Q. I want to consume kefir but I'm allergic to dairy. Is water kefir a good alternative?

A. Yes! Water kefir contains no dairy (please note: water kefir grains are processed in a facility where dairy products are processed).

Q. Does water kefir contain gluten?

A. No, water kefir grains do not contain gluten (please note: water kefir grains are processed in a facility where gluten based products are processed).


Q. Are water kefir grains reusable?
A. Yes, water kefir grains are reusable. Once your kefir is finished culturing, simply remove the water kefir grains and place them in fresh sugar water, juice or coconut water.

Q. How long do water kefir grains last?
A. With proper care, water kefir grains should last indefinitely.
Cultures for Health

What are some of the health benefits of this tasty beverage, you ask? Kefir works by regulating the body, thus helping it become healthier. Water kefir has been known to regulate blood pressure and aid in weight control! In addition to being known to aid in such disorders as internal ulcers, kidney problems, anemia, eczema, dermatitis, and abdominal feminine discomfort , Water Kefir is an amazing intestinal purifier! When we have intestines that function optimally, we find that most of our disorders, go away! Remember, what shows up OUTside is a direct result of what’s happening on the INside! One will only need 8 oz’s a day to feel the benefits! For more severe disorders, see this CHART for the amount to drink on a daily basis. 
Girly Girl Amy

I'd mentioned that all of mine are dehydrated grains. SOMETIMES when you purchase tibicos, they will not arrive to you in any other fashion than dehydrated. This is how that process is done, should you ever have excess (and you will!) and you need backup (trust me, you ALWAYS need at least a little back up), or you ever want to share.

To dry them, just lay them on a piece of unbleached parchment paper and put them in a warm part of your house to dry (but not over 95 degrees). It usually takes a few days for them to dry. Once they are dry, you can store them in a zip lock bag in the fridge as a back up in case anything happens to your regular set of kefir grains. Also, some people eat the kefir grains (or blend them up in a smoothie).
Cultures for Health

Here is how to rehydrate your dehydrated grains:

Helpful links:
Water Kefir PDF
Water Kefir Recipes (Branch out! Look for more links!!)
Another FAQ
Alternative brewing instructions that include using egg shell for added minerals
Flavor Extracts
Ginger Ale

How to fatten your Tibicos

Interesting health articles:

June 27, 2011 Kefir Grains inhibit Ehrlich Carcinoma and Sarcoma 180 growth 

June 23, 2011 Kefir Grains cause increase in DTH response inhibiting tumor growth 

June 10, 2011 Anti-tumor Activity of Milk Kefir 

June 6, 2011 Kefir Grains Retard Tumor Growth 

May 31, 2011 Kefir Lowers Cholesterol

 

 I hope and pray that this has been both educational and helpful for you, and that you choose to add this very healthy probiotic into your life.  Stay GAPSy!

So, what's the nitty-gritty about the GAPS Diet?

I made this image to reflect a few thoughts I am having about the GAPS Diet. Yes, I know my lines are not perfect. But, it is an effort I'm making to better understand where I see myself going with the GAPS diet. Think of it as a lovely addition to a Vision Board.

The purpose of the diet is to break the ongoing cycle caused by an overpopulation of harmful bacteria in the gut. When the body is able to absorb the proper nutrients from simple sugars and other carbohydrates that are easy to digest, the inflammation and other complications caused by many autoimmune diseases can be lessened. The goal is to rid the body of complex saccharides so the gut will be able to heal itself and enable further healing to occur.
The method of the diet is to keep the bacterial flora well balanced and to allow the gut to digest all of the food it is given, thereby starving out the harmful bacteria.
Certain foods, such as commercial syrups and sugars, starchy vegetables, and dairy products are not allowed while on the diet. Other foods, such as fruits, greens, animal protein, and nuts, are allowed.
Source

This is about the Paleo Diet, but also applies to GAPS:

• Nuts: Say hello to your new best friend. Nuts are the best on-the-go protein source for any follower of Paleo. Make sure you buy them raw without any added seasonings. Nut butter can be safe on this diet as long as you watch the added oils that may be added. Almond and sunflower butter are pretty safe bets.
• Meats and fish: This duo should be the main attraction on your meal plate. When buying them, check for added ingredients. Your protein should be free of any artificial flavors and seasonings, which is hard to tell in the deli section. If there isn't a visible label, then just make sure to ask for full disclosure on your poultry, cold cuts, and other meats. Canned fish is still on the menu for the Paleo diet and can be a quick time-saver to your salads.
• Produce: Lucky for Paleo eaters, this section is pretty stress-free. Almost anything in the produce section is on limits for the caveman diet, just steer clear of anything that could be processed or pasteurized, like bottled fruit or vegetable juice. Kombucha, which is a naturally fermented black tea, is a good drink to buy in place of your Odwalla.
• Frozen veggies: These can be huge time-savers when you're in a rush. Keep a selection of veggies like green beans, corn, and spinach in your freezer to quickly heat up next time you're crunched for time.
• Oil: Coconut and olive oils are the best types of oil for even non-Paleo eaters to keep on hand. Olive oil is great for homemade salad dressings, while coconut is excellent to cook with. Keep one of each for variety.
• Flavorings: Natural herbs, vinegar, unsweetened applesauce, and certain broths from concentrate can definitely liven up your food a bit. Make sure you recognize all the ingredients on the foods list to watch for added sugars and colorings.
  Source

 

 See: http://greatist.com/health/the-ultim...-paleo-022012/
And: http://greatist.com/health/debunking-diets-paleo-facts/
And: http://perfecthealthdiet.com/the-diet/

  

Graph explaining differences between Gaps, Paleo and Primal
A Comparison of Primal, Paleo and Traditional Foods
What’s the Difference Between Primal and Paleo?
My Leptin Prescription
The Paleo Diet: Gallbladder Issues
http://pinterest.com/ladyjenevive/pr...nd-paleo-eats/
http://pinterest.com/andreabak/recip...ied-and-liked/
http://pinterest.com/andreabak/recipes-to-try/
http://pinterest.com/hej415/recipes-to-try/

Some of this does not apply to GAPS, but keep it in mind for when you eventually will return to a more normalized diet. Remember healthy variation, healthy fats, meats, vegetables, oils, fruits and so on.

Here are a few helpful FAQ-type links about the GAPS diet. They will help in addition to the GAPS-y blog links to your right. Keep in mind though, not all the links to your right are GAPS friendly. They may simply have GAPS OK recipes on there from time to time and I listed them as an encouragement that there are things out there in mainstream recipe sites as well as there may be a day you can return to that kind of diet, if you want to.



GAPS v. Paleo v. Primal guide Side by Side of diets. (some errors, but mostly ok)
Body Ecology Diet / GAPS Diet Differences
The Bristol Stool Chart (Poop guide - seriously. If you're gonna talk diets - poop will come up..)
GAPS Diet Myths
The Five Most Common GAPS Diet Mistakes
The Difference Between SCD and GAPS- Guest Post by Empowered Sustenance
GAPS diet: Surviving the Intro Diet and Die-off
Guide to Underwhelm on GAPS (main site: Gaps Guide)
Can I do GAPS if I’m Breastfeeding?
The Gut-Brain Connection & Autism, ADD, Allergies, and Other Diseases
GAPS Intro: For Gut Healing and Sealing
Intro – What To Expect
My Child Needs GAPS But Won’t Even Touch That Kind of Food! (how to get kids with sensory issues on the GAPS Diet)
Full Gaps Diet Information
12 tips and recipes for stage 1 of the GAPS intro diet
Soaking Grains: Top 5 Reader Questions Answered

Below are some books that have been recommended to me to read about the GAPS diet. These usually do not go on sale, so they are full price. You might can find them used, or possibly at your local public library. I'm kind of SOL in my little village, there aren't many English books at our public library, and when it comes to food related books and the fact I have contact allergies, I would rather just own my own books anyhow.


It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways (Paleo, but most are SCD/GAPS friendly recipes)
The Whole 30 Diet (Paleo, but most are SCD/GAPS friendly recipes)
Real Food 101
What Can I Eat Now? 30 Days of recipes and tips for the GAPS™Intro Diet
Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia
Internal Bliss - GAPS Cookbook (Recipes designed for those following the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet)
Against the Grain: Delicious Recipes for the Whole Food and Grain-Free Diet (Modern Alternative Mama: In the Kitchen)
Gaps Guide
Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet
Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet: The Grain-Free, Lactose-Free, Sugar-Free Solution to IBD, Celiac Disease, Autism, Cystic Fibrosis, and Other Health Conditions (Healthy Living Cookbooks)
Eat Well, Feel Well: More Than 150 Delicious Specific Carbohydrate Diet(TM)-Compliant Recipes


Paleo books (there are more than these, but these are what was recommended to me)
Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids
The Paleo Diet Cookbook: More than 150 recipes for Paleo Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Beverages
Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole-Foods Lifestyle
Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat
Paleo Comfort Foods: Homestyle Cooking for a Gluten-Free Kitchen
Make it Paleo: Over 200 Grain Free Recipes For Any Occasion
Paleo Slow Cooking: Gluten Free Recipes Made Simple
It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways
The Primal Blueprint Cookbook: Primal, Low Carb, Paleo, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free (Primal Blueprint Series)
Paleoista: Gain Energy, Get Lean, and Feel Fabulous with the Diet You Were Born to Eat
Perfect Health Diet: Regain Health and Lose Weight by Eating the Way You Were Meant to Eat


Below are the books I currently have on my Kindle, because they have GAPS-friendly recipes, and I happened to find them for free or greatly discounted (2€ or less) at the time I got them. Please do keep in mind that Paleo / Primal recipes might need a little tweaking to make it GAPS compliant.


Eating Clean in a Dirty World: An easy to follow guide to cleaning up your diet for life
Genetically Modified Foods vs. Sustainability

Plan It, Don't Panic: Everything You Need to Successfully Create and Use a Meal Plan

Making Herbal Remedies (Herbology At Home)
The Power of Herbs
Herbology 101 A short Course in Growing and Using Herbs 


Paleo for Beginners: Essentials to Get Started
Paleolithic Slow Cooker Soups & Stews: Healthy Family Gluten-Free Recipes
The Paleo Recipes Bible: A Family Paleo Diet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Recipes Cookbook for Weight Loss and Curing Disease
Salad: 17 Indispensable Recipes for the Paleo, Primal and Gluten-Free Inclined 
17 Delectable Dessert Recipes for the Paleo, Primal, and Gluten-Free Inclined 
30 Days of Amazing Paleolithic Dinners: Easy Gluten Free Recipes 
30 Days Of Amazing Paleolithic Lunches: Easy Gluten Free Recipes 
30 Days Of Amazing Paleolithic Breakfasts: Easy Gluten Free Recipes 
Cavelady Cooking: 50 Fun Recipes for Paleo, Low-Carb and Gluten-Free Diets
The Amazing Paleolithic Cookbook: Over 120 Gluten Free Recipes To Satisfy Your Primal Cravings 
Paleo Cookbook. 17 Day Diet. Paleo Diet Cookbook Recipes. Full Menus, for a 17 day diet Cycle.
The Vegetarian Paleo Recipe Cookbook: 47 All Natural Gluten-Free Meals and Desserts 
Paleo Beginner Quick Start: Essential Guide to Get Started Fast on a Gluten-Free Diet
Paleo Diet for Her: Paleo diet basics, Paleo diet recipes, Paleo diet Breakfasts, Paleo Lunches and Dinners - Lose weight and eat healthy with the Paleo Diet
The Paleo Recipe Cookbook: 101 All Natural Gluten-Free Meals and Desserts 
Easy Practical Paleo: An Easy Paleo Diet Solution & Blueprint Beginners Guide
Coconut Flour Recipes ( recipes using coconut flour, used for Gluten Free, Celiac and Paleo Diets
Easy Kiwi Recipes: Nature's Best Kept Secret For Disease Prevention & Weight Loss

Best of Grain Free Meal Plans, Volume 1: A cook book for those following grain free diets
29 Gluten Free Soup Recipes and Stew Recipes - Delicious Gluten Free Soup and Stew Recipes To Try  
Vegan Soup Cookbook
10 Awesome Vegan Thai Curry Recipes
31 Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes
Healthy Vegetarian Collection: More Than 100 Healthy Recipes for a Vegetarian Diet
 

100 Healthy Raw Snacks And Treats
30 Moan Inducing Raw Vegan Lunch Recipes 
50 Healthy Raw Desserts Volume One
50 Healthy Raw Deserts Volume Two 



 30 Juices in 30 Days: Juicing Recipes for Health and Beauty
Smoothie Recipes For Weight Loss: The Daily Diet, Cleanse & Green Smoothie Detox Book
20 Super Easy Smoothie Recipes for Kids!
I Love Green Smoothies - 50 Recipes To Get You Started Drinking Your Way to a Sexy, Slim, Youthful You!
Raw Food Diet: A Quick Simple Guide to Help You Lose Weight, Look Younger and Boost Health More Effectively

How to Make Probiotic Drinks for a Raw Food Diet: Kefir, Kombucha, Ginger Beer, and Naturally Fermented Ciders, Sodas, and Smoothies