Kefir

Kefir is a fermented milk product.  It originated centuries ago in the Caucasus Mountain region.  It contains a huge quantity of beneficial microbes which make this food one of the best probiotics available.  I had a hard time finding kefir at the grocery store but have discovered it in the "exotic/imported" section of the grocer's cooler - near the goat milk etc.

Kefir comes in two different types of containers where I shop: the one picture at top and the one pictured just above.  It comes in plain and flavoured.  I prefer the type that is flavoured.  When you buy it in this second type of container you need to be aware of something:

The container has an interior foil seal which will be swollen outward.  This is a natural result of the fermentation process.  It is nothing to worry about.  When you get it home peel the foil off, stir with a spoon and enjoy.

Probiotics aid in digestion, which suggests that you might be able to absorb a greater amount of nutrients from other foods you are eating.  Kefir is also a good source of protein and vitamins and minerals. 

You can drink kefir like a beverage.  It tastes like...beer flavoured yogurt.  It is not like anything else.  It tastes tangy and refreshing.  It would be more economical to drink it an ounce at a time.  You will derive all the probiotic benefits from even a small quantity.  Some people put it on breakfast cereal.  It no good in coffee (trust me).

Your body craves a wide variety of different foods.  Try kefir - you might like it.

Tom

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Fenugreek Seed

Fenugreek seed is really weird.  Grown on the sub-continent, it is known as methi in India and is featured in many south Asian dishes.  While the leaves are also used, this article will focus on the seeds.

They look like toffee but they're disgusting.  I mean that in a good way.  They are hard and bitter.  Apparently, you can roast these to make them less bitter but I confess that I didn't really try that.  They were pretty cheap.  I found them in the "exotic/imported food" section of the grocery store.

You gotta grind them first.  I tried just sprinkling the cursed kernels on my cereal.  Gross.  Don't try it.  Could break a tooth.  Grind them up in a coffee grinder.  Even that takes a while.

Bzzzzz.  Keep grinding.

Mix with protein powder.  I like the cheap whey protein isolate powder that my wife buys me at Walmart.

Sprinkle in the ground fenugreek.  Note that I didn't grind this batch long enough. Fenugreek seed is loaded with fibre and protein.  Holistically, it is thought to boost milk production in lactating women and libido in men.  Good source of iron too.

Pour in some skim milk and shaker-up.  I mixed this combo with skim milk and shook really well.  Legend has it that fenugreek makes your urine smell like maple syrup and its true.  I intend to try fenugreek in other things like greek yogurt.

Tom - trying gross food; so that you don't have to.

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Goats Milk

 

Delicious Alternative to Regular Milk

OK maybe "delicious" is an overstatement but goat milk is really not as vile as people say it is. I picked some up in the exotic food section of the grocery store a few weeks ago to give it a try. It does have a distinctive taste but its actually pretty good.



  

Tasty and Nutritious
Goat milk has all the same nutritious value as cow milk. This food is a good source of protein, riboflavin and phosphorus, though a little high in saturated fats.

Uses
Goat milk is good just by itself as a beverage or mixed with chocolate protein powder in your smoothy. Its a little more expensive than cow milk; so its good for an occasional treat, unless you just like amping-up your grocery bill.

"3 more reps"

Tom

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Kefir

Kefir?

I first heard of kefir in a nutrition class promoted by the military.  Neither the instructor nor any of the students had ever even seen kefir.  All that was known about it was it a dairy product with vaguely middle eastern origins.  Living in the remote prairies at the time, kefir was scarce.  I finally found kefir in New Brunswick.  It was in the "exotic/foreign" food section of the grocery store, near the goats milk and yak butter.  The first product I found came in a container that was sealed with a foil lid (like the one pictured below).  The foil lid was bulged out under pressure.  I thought that it had gone bad but all of them were like that.  Closer inspection of the label revealed that this phenomenon is called "Champansky Effect" and is normal.  It is caused by fermentation gases.

The Taste

Kefir has a very unique taste.  I describe it as "yogurt-flavoured beer".  The plain version tastes the strongest but you can get raspberry and other flavoured kefir also.

Value

Its sold in smaller containers than cow's milk and is more expensive.  Its no good for adding to coffee or tea or cereal.  I use it as a beverage.  Some of my kids like it and some don't.  It seems to last in the fridge for a long time.

Nutrition

Kefir is high in protein and calcium.  Its loaded with healthy probiotic bacteria which is good for your gastrointestinal tract. 

Use

I keep kefir in the fridge and drink a small glass of it once or twice a day.  Its good mixed into a smoothy or protein shake.  Even a tablespoon of kefir taken occassionally can give you much of the probiotic benefits.  I've never tried taking kefir in my lunch and I doubt that it would be very portable.  Cooking with it will kill the healthy bacteria.

Recommendation

Get some kefir.  Start with nice flavoured stuff.  Try it.  You'll either like it or hate it.  At least when someone mentions kefir; you'll know what they're talking about.

Tom

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Almond Milk

Yummy - Almond Milk

Uses

Almond milk is a nice alternative to regular milk. Good for vegans and people who are lactose intolerant.  If you like soy milk; you'll probably also like almond milk.  Almond milk mixes well with protein powder or is a very refreshing drink all by itself.  It doesn't taste like almonds BTW.

Nutrition

Loaded with calcium and vitamin B12, almond milk makes a nutritious addition to your family refrigerator.  Its low in fat and lacks cholesterol.  Almond milk is not a protein powerhouse.  Here's a really detailed nutritional analysis from site I like click here>>  nutrition data

Value

Almond milk is a little more expensive than regular skim milk or 2% chocolate milk, so its better as an occasional treat for most people.  I'll probably buy it once a month.  Between my kids and I, we chugged down a large container (~$3.70) in less than a day. 

Tom

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