Ode to Kefir

I was introduced to kefir several years ago while I was fitness instructing, but I can't remember who educated me on this excellent food. I had a Kefir-based protein shake in the change room after my shower almost every day. I know my beverage ritual was a curiosity to many. I'm not really sure why I stopped using this valuable ingredient, but today I began again.

Kefir, in layman's terms, is a liquidy, yogurt-like food that is more sour and potent than it's thicker, creamier cousin.

When you take the lid off the container you will immediately assume it's past it's due date but the label assures you that the bloated foil seal is just the result of the fermentation process.

Kefir is choc full of "good bacteria" and is truely active when you consume it.

I've never been one to suffer traditional women's ailments in the yeast department, but I figure good bacteria is not a bad thing. Usually an abundant supply of good bacteria is helpful to women but I noticed that overdoing the Kefir consumption had the potential to knock my usual body chemistry off balance. This was easily corrected by cutting down to only a few servings a week. I'm more convinced than ever that more of a good thing is not necessarily better.

Recently, a friend of mine was looking for Kefir seeds which I presumed she wanted in order to make her own Kefir starter. The memory of my former use of this healthy food came back to me and it didn't take long for Kefir to make it back into my grocery cart. I buy mine from the Superstore in the Natural Foods dairy case.

So drink Kefir my friends, live long, and prosper!

Kefir Protein Shake

1 c Plain, Unsweetened Kefir

1/2 c Frozen Blueberries

1/2 Frozen Banana

1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

2 ice cubes (optional)