Kefir

I have really been looking into the benefits of kefir and how to make my own. Thankfully a few friends have been nice enough to help me learn more about it. I am looking forward to starting my first milk kefir batch soon. But for now I have been using plain/unsweetened milk Kefir from Trader Joe's.
Here is a web site that has been really helpful to me while I am still learning about Kefir.
http://culturedfoodlife.com/Kefir.html

Some Fun Facts about the benefits of Kefir:

• Kefir has been called the “champagne of milk
• Kefir is a fermented milk which contains a mixture of several species of lactic cultures.
• Kefir is a remedy for digestive troubles because of its very low curd tension, meaning that the curd breaks up very easily into extremely small pieces.

Another great thing about Kefir is that you can use it in a variety of foods and drinks. We have made ice cream, smoothies, muffins, and now today bread.

Pumpkin Kefir Bread
Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside
2 cups white/whole wheat flour
2 TBS pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder

Mix wet ingredients in a large bowl
1/2 cup unsweetened natural applesauce
3/4 cup raw local honey
3/4 cup raw sugar or sucanat
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBS molasses
1 can pumpkin
1 cup milk kefir

Once the wet ingredients are well combined add the dry ingredients slowly.
Pour into loaf pan and can also make 6 muffins
Bread 325 degrees for 40-45 mins
Muffins 20-25 mins