question about kefir

[AdoptChina]

I want the kids and I to try some ....does brand matter? I dont want to do the Helios one b/c they add inulin (which we are avoiding at the time)...is Lifeway ok to use? Any other suggestions?

[Gale Force]

I can't remember what brands I have used. But did you realize you can make kefir very easily at home (and much cheaper). You can get a start of "kefir grains" from someone here at MDC, probably for the cost of shipping and handling, so less than $10. THose grains ferment the milk into kefir. So after the small start-up cost, your kefir would cost whatever you pay for milk. Check out the probiotics thread in this forum.

[AdoptChina]

thanks!
My only concern with that is that my kids and I have severe allergies...and Id have to make sure that the grains (or what they are stored in) never came in contact with our allergens (I wouldnt think they would since our allergies are to egg, nut, peanut, fish, shellfish, strawberries, oranges, etc....and not dairy)
I'll look into it

[Gale Force]

That's a question for the experts because the grains are possibly centuries-old, passed down over the generations. They multiply as they culture the milk. So you never *really* know where they've been, but whether they could spark an allergic reaction because a jar they were stored in used to have stawberries in it too is a tough one. I've never heard of this being a problem, but I know severe allergies are very serious and you don't want to take chances.