Kombucha Bottled! And Pickles!

Yesterday I bottled my first double batch of kombucha, thanks to the beautiful slimy 'mushrooms' Lydia gave me when we visited her last month.  I'm using 500ml mason jars with plastic lids (just to rule out any problems with metal ) and used 3 different flavors.  Blueberry, apricot, and almond.   I also added a bit of coconut sugar to them (except the apricot) to boost the second ferment and add a touch of sweetness since we're not accustomed to kombucha yet!    I've already stuck my straw into them today for little taste and it's pretty good! 

I can see how it will become somewhat addictive, I'm already thinking about having another taste.  I'm also  drinking beet kvass everyday , 2-3 times per day and am really starting to crave that.  And it's so funny to see Amilia grabbing for the glass and drinking it down!  Will have to get some pictures or video of that for sure.

You can see from the picture that I've got a jar of pickles fermenting as well.  This batch is cucumbers and onions, with pickling spice and garlic and a touch of coconut sugar.  In the future I'll use honey but I'm all out right now.  We cracked open a jar of pickled (lacto-fermented) carrots and peppers last night with my in-laws and they were a big hit. (I put dried dill and fennel seeds along with garlic cloves and celery tops  in that one.)   Wish I could say the same for the beet kvass haha, so far Amilia and I are alone in our enjoyment of that!  

Lydia at Divine Health has written about brewing kombucha as well.  You can also do a search on her site for even more info on it.  A quick google search will provide you with simple instructions for brewing your own (or follow directions in Nourishing Traditions).  And I found another excellent article discussing the history and the many health benefits on drinking kombucha tea, as well as suggestions on how much to drink and other tips.  That site also has much more information available, so be sure to check it out!

Amazing Gluten-Free and Kid Friendly Recipes!!! And So Cheap!

Really, I am a collector of recipes.  I"m addicted to cookbooks, I read them by the hour.  I LOVE them.  And I love the ones with pictures. So, you might consider me an expert of sorts and I'm here to tell you where you can find some amazing healthy recipes that will enable you to make the most beautiful and delicious food!  Please head over to Lydia's Divine Health Blog where her August e-book is now available for a mere pittance.  Or you might consider purchasing a subscription and save even more!   You can check out some pictures before you purchase if you like, and the book includes beautiful color photos of each recipe.  I know you won't be disappointed!

Looking For Amazing Recipes? Gluten Free? Low Sugar/Carb?

My wonderful amazing friend Lydia from Divine Health has put out her first e-book!!!!!  I just finished ordering mine and can't wait to try out the recipes, the pictures look soooooooooo good!  Please head over and check out her blog and consider buying her Divine Living Ebook – July 2010 edition.  Here's the description:

"This month’s ebook includes 8 entire meal plans, so you can have 2 new dinners per week to add to your repertoire, plus a few extra recipes, such as muffins, brownies and a divine chocolate recipe you won’t want to miss! I am selling each monthly ebook for $7.95 – (that’s $1 per meal plan)."

You may also subscribe and pay one discounted price to recieve a new ebook full of creative and nourishing recipes each month for a whole year!

New Blog Address For Lydia's Blog Divine Health

This is just to let you know that Lydia has changed her blog address so if you've bookmarked it you should make note.  The new address is  http://www.divinehealth1.blogspot.com/ .

Divine Health, My Amazing Friend Lydia's Blog!!!

I'm kind of addicted to learning more about how to be my healthiest and look/feel my best.  I'm pretty passionate about good real food and getting my family to try new things and opt out of junk food on their own, even my young children (a work in progress!)  Lydia is probably even more passionate about all this than I am.  She is an amazing woman (and great friend!) who cooks gourmet meals, is raising 4 young boys as a single mom, and somehow manages to always be learning more about health and nutrition.  I have no doubt she'll be an amazing success as she begins to embark on her new adventure of pursuing business and career ideas.   So go check out Lydia's blog, there's tons of great reading about her day to day health journey and lot of great resources to check out there as well. She is hoping to be producing  some short recipe ebooks in the very near future--I can't wait!  (Please consider donating even a small amount on her site or ordering amazon books through her store to help her get things rolling...she is a stay-at-home mom needing to begin bringing in an income from home.)