Kefir

I have just discovered Kefir. I was in Brazil last summer and it was served on the plane at breakfast. I tried it. I had never seen it or heard of it before. I wondered if it was Brazilian. I just thought it was a yogurt smoothie. That was what the "only portuguese flight attendent" motioned and gestured and said one word...yogurt....to get me to understand what it was. The front of the bottle was all portugese!

I was strolling down the Publi aisle last week and low and behold...there it was! Kefir. I read the label and decided to get some. It is very good and seems to be good for you. What is is exactly? Well I did have to go on line and look it up.

Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that
help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than
yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B
vitamins.

How else is it good for you?

Kefir stimulates protein digestion and appetite, decreases the cholesterol
content in blood, improves salivation, and excretion of stomach and pancreatic
enzymes and peristalsis.Kefir consumption stimulates microphage production and
improves immunity. It has a favorable effect on the resistance of humans to
catching colds and other diseases.

What is the difference between yogurt and kefir?

While both Kefir and yogurt are cultured milk products, they contain
different types of beneficial bacteria. Yogurt contains transient beneficial
bacteria that keep your digestive system clean and provide food for the friendly
bacteria that already are present. Kefir actually helps to colonize your
intestinal tract -- a feat that yogurt cannot match.

Additionally, Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria
not commonly found in yogurt: Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter
species, and Streptococcus species. It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as
Saccharomyces Kefir and Torula Kefir, which help balance the intestinal flora,
including promotion of beneficial yeast in the body by penetrating the mucosal
lining. They form a virtual SWAT team that housecleans and helps strengthen the
intestines.

Kefir's active yeast and bacteria may provide more nutritive value than
yogurt by helping digest the foods that you eat and by keeping the colon
environment clean and healthy. The curd size of Kefir is smaller than yogurt, so
it's also easier to digest, making it an ideal food for babies**, the elderly,
and anyone with digestive health concerns.

Drink Kefir. I actually feel better when I drink it. Internally. I feel better and I find that amazing!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~