KOMBUCHA ~ The Elixer of Life!

January 1, 2023January 13, 202314 Comments

Kraut, Kimchi ..Kombucha!

Kombucha is a fermented drink like beer and wine. Very low alcohol (under 10%). Kombucha is called a tea, made from (1) Yeast, (2) Sugar, and (3) Black tea. Renew your interest in this fermented tea to improve your health. Make a difference in your life. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start now. [ Note: The sugar is fermented out via scoby / yeast culture. ]

Recipe

Ginger Kombucha

First STEP: Grow kombucha scoby ⬅️ link

Kambucha Recipe

Servings: 1 gallon-16 serv.
Time: 25 mins
Difficulty: medium-easy
Print

INGREDIENTS
1 Scoby purchased or grow komucha scoby from a bottle
1 Cup sugar (sugar needed to feed the fermentation)
5 Organic black tea bags (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)(can use green tea, but not the first batch)
1 Gallon Jar to store kombucha
2 Fresh Ginger (3-inch pieces) Vary to taste.
Glass bottles for storage
2 Cups brewed Kombucha

DIRECTIONS how to make kombucha recipe 1 gallon

1. Everything must be sanitized. I cannot stress this enough. When dealing with fermenting anything it is crucial every piece is clean and sanitized. Wash your hands and all equipment used before you begin. I like to run everything through my dishwasher before I make and bottle. My husband and I brew our own beer and make our own wine. So we are very familiar with making sure everything is super clean and sanitized.
2. Measure out 3.5 quarts of water and place in a pot on the stove. Heat the water until boiling. Some people insist on using distilled water. Boiling filtered water from our fridge has worked perfect for me, and I have been making this for nearly a year.
3. Turn off the heat and add 1 cup of sugar. Stir the sugar until it is completely dissolved. Then add 5 organic black tea bags. This is the brand I use and for the first fermentation from your homemade scoby you should use black tea for a strong brew. Cover the pot so not much water escapes. After you have brewed the kombucha you can then use a combination of black and green tea. But you should have at least a 3 black tea and 2 green for later brews
4. Wait for the tea to cool. It must cool to room temperature before adding the scoby. If not you risk damaging your precious scoby you grew from scratch. Once it is completely cooled, pour the tea into the clean 1 gallon jar and add 2 cups of your previous brew. Then add the homemade scoby to the top.
5. Store in the 1 gallon glass jar with a cloth (cheese cloth-doubled) covered lid with a rubber band. This allows the kombucha to breathe without getting any additional bacteria or fruit flies in your brew. Store in a dark closet that remains cool through out the day and someplace no one will touch it. It needs to remain still to grow the scoby and create the bubbles.
6. Allow to brew for at least 7 days. It may take 10-12 days, depending on the temperature in your home. During the winter months, I allow a little longer brew. Right now 8 days is the perfect time for the flavor and creating the carbonation.

IMPORTANT: The bacteria in kombucha is considered a probiotic. But, if not prepared properly harmful bacteria or mold grows on your scoby Green or gray spots is a sign of mold. Another sign of mold when your scoby is dull and fuzzy looking. NOT glossy. Discard the scoby and start over. TIP: Use cane sugar or white, not honey, stevia, raw or coconut sugar. When shopping for kombucha, it may be best to choose brands that contain under 4 grams (1 teaspoon) of added sugar per serving. TREND: Add turmeric & black pepper Ratio: 100/1. How much? 1 tsp. of turmeric per gal. + a pinch of black pepper. You should not be able to taste the turmeric.

Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) is a culinary symbiotic fermentation culture (starter) consisting of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), acetic acid bacteria (AAB), and yeast. .. provided by Wikipedia.com.

Put a jug in your fridge: Gallon dispensers (5.5 cups) with a spout. (as seen in IKEA.com, Canada)

It Tastes Like Vinegar!

Not true ~ Kombucha is delightfully tart and fizzy. Ginger adds a warm and spicy punch!

Kombucha can be made into vinegar – fermentation period –>6-10 weeks. Use in salad dressings! Other uses: mayonnaise (add 2 tbsp to your mayo recipe). Hair Tonic, Facial Toner, House Cleaner and Healthy Gummies <–recipe.

Criminal Minds At Work!

Mandy Patinkin (actor – Criminal Minds +plus) is a proud advocate of kombucha [kämˈbo͞ochə]!…or Kambuka?
Anyway you say it ~ it ‘s all good!

Kvass – Similar to Kombucha

Kvass

When life gives you stale rye bread, it’s time to make bread kvass!

Kvass is an ancient fermented cereal-based, low alcoholic drink. Kvass is known to reduce the risk of cancer. When it comes to taste, kvass is similar to kombucha. Kvass is a rich source of manganese, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, iron, copper, and magnesium.

Making Kombucha. This is my favorite video.
He said it best!

New Year’s Resolution : “GOOD HEALTH!”

Make Kombucha ..drink ..daily.. like water! See the change and let me know about it. You will be helping .. yourself .. and a lot of other people! Spread the news. 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏻 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻 👍🏽 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏻 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻

Sweet 😊 Glycemic Index

November 23, 2022November 27, 20225 Comments

What Do You Know About GLYCEMIC INDEX?

The GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI) is a number from 0 to 100 assigned to a food, with pure glucose (a simple sugar) arbitrarily given the value of 100. Glycemic Index ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by how quickly they digest and raise your blood sugar or glucose levels.

Women eating the highest glycemic load diets were much more likely on average to develop type 2 diabetes or heart disease compared to women of the same age with the lowest glycemic load diets ? provided by the large-scale Nurses’ Health Study

30 Day Challenge!

CHALLENGE DETAILS : Take a picture of yourself today, in the next 20 minutes. Apply a 2 week health regime. Whatever you want: a 10 day cleanse combined with another form of healthy eating. But, follow the GI Plan. Then, take a picture ath the end of the first 2 weeks wearing the same clothes print them both out. Place the pictures on the fridge or where you can see them every day. A good start! Now, in another 2 week later (totaling 4 weeks) take another picture wearing the exact same clothes We have ended 30 day challenge. What does you picture look like now after a total of 30 days. and when you started. If you have been honest with yourself, the results should amaze you and it will motivate you for continued progress. Let’s say you are watching what you eat & doing exercise routine; swimming and walking ti the store -id you can and some exercise plan you enjoy. Pilates is good? After 6 weeks -you will have developed what is called a new “HABIT”. Your new lifestyle has become a habit. Tell me if I am right! Whatever was missing in your life ~ make it happen! Fill your cup to the brim. I’m on your side. In weak moments send me a comment in this posting. I will respond. I am here to help. [Even as a shoulder to lean on].

Individuals who are pre-diabetic typically have fasting glucose levels (before a meal) that are nearly normal or only slightly elevated (usually < 100mg/dL).

DOWNLOAD CHART: Click “Glycemic -Index Images“below

Glycemic-Index_imagesDownload

High GI = 70+ .. try to avoid these
Medium GI = 55-69 .. use caution
Low GI = 0-54 .. your target zone.
Remember, this doesn’t mean these are necessarily “good for you foods”. They’re just a representation of their GI score ~ provided by glycemicedge.com.

Carbs Don’t Make You Fat – High GI DOES!

Adults: 2 cups of fruit every day ~ lowers risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer~

STAY 🍏 HEALTHY!

Spice Jars~Holiday Gifts

December 16, 2016January 15, 201713 Comments

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!

How about giving you friends and family a spice jar this holiday season?
I had a few people over for dinner the other night and they were raving about the shredded Mexican chicken I had prepared. I surprised them all when I gave each one a jar of ‘holiday’ spices. When I fill my spice gift jars, I add enough spice for two meals.
This dry mix of spices will add a unique zing to any chicken dish. Most of these spices you will have in your own cupboard. Try the suggested chili powders for this mix. My spice blend has just the right amount of heat and flavor to make all your guests ask for the ‘secret’ recipe. In fact you can give them a jar of spices as a gift this holiday season! If you are able to prepare your own fresh ground cumin adds a great dimension to the dish. Fresh is always more fragrant and the taste is sensational. Do you want great flavor without adding a lot of heat? This would be a good mix. THE REAL GIFT IS THE RECIPE!

Combine the spices in the Mexican Chicken recipe and package. This is the perfect hostess or other gift to give along with the printed recipe!

INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons ground cumin (grind you own in a mortar and pestle )
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon powdered red chili ~ i.e. Ancho, chile de arbol, New Mexican Chile.
Dash of Cayenne pepper ~ or ~ to taste
1 teaspoon salt ( use Kosher, sea salt or Himalayan pink salt )
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Mexican Shredded Chicken ( recipe inside ), Chocolate Chili Truffles ( in box )

I like giving my friends and neighbors little treats this time of year, spreading happiness and good wishes.

DID YOU KNOW? Spices not only excite your taste buds but are composed of an impressive list of phyto-nutrients, essential oils, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are essential for overall wellness. Spices have been part part of our food ever since the spice trade began and when salt was a form of currency. Today we value healing spices even more. Thanks to the Arab and European explorers, whose contributions in spreading them from their place of origin to the rest of the planet has immensely broaden their use and popularity all over the world!

Mortar & Pestle, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Cayenne, Salt, Pepper & Ancho Chili Powder

Ambition Nutrition

May 30, 2016June 4, 201612 Comments

GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE SYMPOSIUM
At the recent symposium at George Brown College, the speakers were an esteemed group including amongst others a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Michael Moss, an endocrinologist who is a professor at Harvard medical school, Dr. David Ludwig, and a cardiologist, epidemiologist from Tufts, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian.

Dr. David Ludwig and Chef Eva at George Brown Symposium

Michael Moss’s book “Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us” and Dr. David Ludwig‘s book “Always Hungry?: Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, and Lose Weight Permanently” have both been on the New York Times best selling list. Their information was compelling.

Dr. Ludwig’s decades of ground breaking but little known research has culminated in his evidence based approach to obesity. He targets the root cause of obesity. Insulin is stimulated by the processed carbohydrates in our diet – not just added sugar, but also processed carbs like bread, white rice, pasta, potato products, cookies, crackers, and “fat-free” snacks and desserts. That’s why he recommends a higher fat diet, which is the fastest way to lower insulin levels and jump-start weight loss. Recent systematic reviews confirm that, contrary to what we’ve been told for 40 years, high fat diets are more effective than low fat diets for weight loss. And the types of fat we emphasize – those present in nuts, olive oil, avocado, fish, and dark chocolate – are especially good for the heart. But you don’t have to eliminate all carbohydrates to get these benefits.

LAST FIVE(5) MONTHS
I have been on a high fat diet for the past 5 months and I have never felt better. I have more mental clarity and am never hungry as he states in his book. And I get to put butter or Béarnaise on my vegetables! Fat is good for your brain. I’m a happy gal!
Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy of the department of Nutrigenomics at the University of Toronto discussed that there were genomes that identified individuals who’s blood pressure is affected by salt intake, who’s health is adversely affected by coffee, etc. We don’t all have to give these up as they do not affect us. Genetic testing is available for individuals who wish to find out their personal results. Interesting….

MY CONTRIBUTION
I explained to Dr. Ludwig how my food blog is attempting to give people delicious tasty food that is healthy and give information on nutrients and their affect on their bodies in order to encourage them to eat these foods. He liked my title “Simply Splendid food”

Dr. David Ludwig Book Signing

Dr. David Ludwig’s book “Always Hungry?: Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, and Lose Weight Permanently” is a welcome addition to my culinary library!

Your Foodie Tip

October 1, 2015February 21, 201651 Comments

The easiest way to peel a tomato is to cut an “X” on the end, place it in boiling water or whatever water you may have boiling on the stove like stock, soup, pasta water. After a minute or two drop it in ice water and it will peel very easily. The procedure is the same for peaches, nectarines and the like.

Did You Know?
If you drop your lemon into boiling water for a minute or two and then roll it on your counter, you will get more juice out of it? I watched one of our most famous Italian chefs in the city do this. Of course he had lots of pots boiling at any given time. You then roll it on the counter, cut it and juice it.
In addition, if you use one of those new juicers that you just press, cut the end off the lemon and you will find it’s easier to juice and again you will get more juice. If you have too many lemons, you can grate and freeze the rind and then juice the lemons and freeze the juice.