Kefir Kommunity

Eight Caffeine-Free Energy Boosts

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:35:00 GMT

We love coffee as much as the next guy, don’t get us wrong. We did, after all, bring Cappuccino Kefir into the world (although that is technically decaf.) But for a long-lasting boost of energy without the caffeine withdrawals, we have a few other suggestions. Check out these eight caffeine-free energy boosts!

1. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah or kee-NOH-uh) is a super nutritious seed that tastes like a grain. High in protein, and higher in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, iron, and zinc than wheat, it offers a boost of energy with every bite. Eat it in the morning with almonds and honey, just like oatmeal, or cook it with chicken or veggie stock and serve it for dinner in place of rice. Left over quinoa topped with veggie chili is one of our favorite high-fiber, high-protein lunches, too!

2. Lentils are another high-fiber, high-protein food that will keep you going without caffeine jitters. Unlike beans, dry lentils don’t require pre-soaking, so they’re ready to eat in under a half hour. Try them cold with fresh chopped veggies and a vinegar dressing for lunch, or serve them hot, mixed with rice for a power-packed dinner.

3. Herbs and spices can offer a quick pick-me-up any time of day. Add fresh ginger or garlic to your meal to help with digestion and perhaps to even keep your heart healthy. If you’ve ever had issues with digestion you know how sluggish that can make you feel – and the pep in your step you gain when those issues go away! Do some research on other herbs and spices and you’ll find that tasty accents like cinnamon and oregano can help do everything from lower blood pressure to combat Candida (yeast,) all of which can make you feel more energetic.

4. Kefir ranks high on our list of energy-boosting foods, which shouldn’t come as a big surprise. With 12 live and active cultures in every serving, kefir supports a healthy digestive system and boosts immunity. Try it in the morning with fresh fruit, over granola, or straight up and you might even find yourself skipping your daily latte all together. For a boost in the afternoon, try our Frozen Kefir – all the benefits of Kefir fabulously frozen.

5. Water might seem like a no-brainer, but so many people aren’t drinking enough! A nice cold glass of water can really wake you up and make you feel refreshed when you’re feeling sluggish. If you’re at work, you’ll get the added benefit of getting up and stretching your legs as you make your way to the water cooler.

6. Lavender – forget stop and smell the roses, the scent of lavender has been proven to boost alertness. If you can’t light a candle at work, try keeping a sachet of lavender in your drawer. Similarly, the scent of citrus can also give you a boost. Keep grapefruit-scented lotion on hand for a caffeine-free eye opener whenever you need it.

7. Light exercise can go a long way to strengthen your heart and increase your energy. If you don’t have time to hit the gym first thing in the morning, try taking short breaks throughout your day to stand up and stretch. Take the long way to the water cooler or the rest room. An after-work walk around the block might be just the thing you need to muster the energy to make dinner and help the kids with their homework.

8. Laugh more. Laughter isn’t just the best medicine; it’s also a great kick start for a sleepy brain. Make a point of looking up your favorite comedian on YouTube, subscribe to a daily joke email list, or exchange text messages with your funniest uncle every day. Not only will a good laugh stimulate your mind, but you look cute when you smile!

Still drinking your kefir every day as part of our 12 day challenge? What are your other favorite energy-boosting tips?

Our Favorite Natural Cold Remedies

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:27:00 GMT

It’s cold and flu season again, and apparently a few of us at the office have been slacking on our kefir consumption because there are some definite sneezes and sniffles going around. Before you get all zonked-out on cold medicine, check out these tips for busting your cold naturally. And remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so drink your kefir and keep yourself healthy this season!

Super Spaghetti

Move over, chicken soup, because spaghetti, or more specifically pasta sauce, is the new immune system-boosting comfort food. With its antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties, garlic is known to relieve congestion while tomatoes are high in vitamin C. Pair the sauce with whole grain pasta for added protein, iron and vitamin E.

Tea Time

Your immune system needs plenty of water to function properly, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinking water is the easiest and best way to do this, but it’s not always the most appealing when you’re sore and sick. Try chamomile tea with honey. Warm and comforting, chamomile tea can help reduce congestion and honey soothes a sore throat and can help suppress coughing. Add some fresh lemon for extra vitamin C and flavor.

Viva Vinegar

Lots of people swear by apple cider vinegar for treating a sore throat. The theory is that the acid kills bacteria in the throat. To try it yourself, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 6-8 oz of water. We recommend gargling with it a tablespoon at a time and spitting it out, although some also suggest swallowing it afterwards. Full disclosure: those of us who have tested this remedy did get some relief, although we don’t recommend it if you’re feeling nauseous because it tastes horrible!

Soothing Smoothie

Our signature Starfruit Cafe Immunity Smoothies are a hot commodity this time of year. If you can’t make it to one of our Chicago locations to get one, make it at home by blending together fresh or frozen strawberries, mangos, pineapple, a scoop of Vitamin C Complex & vanilla kefir. Or, grab our Pomegranate/Blueberry BioKefir for Immunity. With more than 20 billion units of probiotic activity in each bottle, BioKefir contains twice the amount of probiotic power found in regular kefir.

Aftercare

After you’ve kicked your cold, there are a few steps you should take to insure a full recovery to make sure you don’t infect anyone else. Cold and flu viruses can linger in your house for days, so it’s a good idea to wipe down any surfaces you touched while sick – like the remote control and your cell phone. Replace your toothbrush, especially if you had a bacterial infection like strep throat. And finally, drink your kefir! The 12 live and active strains of good bacteria in Lifeway Kefir can strengthen your immune system and help digestion. Kefir is especially helpful for restoring good bacteria in the gut if you’ve been on antibiotics for strep throat or a sinus infection.

What are your favorite remedies for the cold and flu?

Top Five Healthy Winter Foods

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:20:00 GMT

For a lot of us, the winter months are an excuse to overindulge. Bathing suit season is far enough away to ignore for a little while longer, and all the best produce is out of season, right? Wrong! Eating Well Magazine recently released a list of Five of the Healthiest Winter Foods and we were happy to see some familiar names on the list!

Pomegranates topped the list this year. Heart-healthy, and rich in anti-oxidants, this exotic fruit has become a popular ingredient in lots of healthy foods recently. See how you like the sweet and tangy flavor of pomegranate in our Low-Fat Pomegranate Kefir. Try our Low Fat Pomegranate/Acai for the added yumminess of acai berries, or check out our Tart and Tangy Pomegranate Frozen Kefir for a dessert with a probiotic boost.

Dark leafy greens also made the cut. Rich in vitamins A,C and K, dark leafy greens are also a great source of calcium. No time to mix yourself a salad in the morning? Try kicking off your day with our Organic Green Kefir. Like all Lifeway Kefir, our Green Kefir is packed with 10 powerful probiotic cultures and loaded with vitamins, protein, calcium, and folic acid. With the added power of Phytoboost, our exclusive blend of health-promoting Phytonutrients, a serving of our Green Kefir is equivalent to a full serving of vegetables!

Other winter time super foods included citrus fruits loaded with vitamin C, immune system-boosting potatoes (yes, potatoes!) and low-calorie, high-vitamin butternut squash. Sounds like a feast to us!

What are your favorite healthy winter foods?

Frozen Kefir For Kids' Dental Health?

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:53:00 GMT

By now we hope you already know what makes frozen kefir so great. Need a quick refresher? Well, our frozen kefir is:

home to 10 live & active cultures
high in protein and calcium
made from all natural ingredients
only 90 calories per serving
gluten free
99% lactose free

But did you know eating frozen kefir might also prevent tooth decay? A recent study conducted by The College of Dental Sciences and Research in Mullana suggests that children between the ages of 12-14 who consumed ice cream containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis (just two of 10 live and active cultures found in our frozen kefir) showed reduced levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in their saliva than a control group consuming conventional ice cream.

Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, FYI, are the bacteria most commonly associates with tooth decay and plaque.

While we don’t exactly recommend brushing your teeth with Tart & Tangy Strawberry quite yet, it’s just one more reason to give one of our newest good-for-you products a whirl!

Update: More good news! Researchers in Spain are now saying that probiotic milks and yogurts can help to combat gingivitis, bad breath and cavities. Check out the report here.

Occupy Lifeway

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 08:40:00 GMT

Occupy Wall Street has taken over headlines, with thousands of protesters calling attention to perceived social and economic inequality.

Lifeway kefir is jampacked with seven to ten billions CFUs of probiotics, live and active cultures that occupy your GI tract to calm tummy troubles and boost overall immunity.

We matched them head to head – see which occupier emerged on top.

11.11.11

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:26:00 GMT

For eleven months, the pages on your calendar have flipped by, the stars have slowly been aligning, all to get us to this magical date: 11.11.11. The special date has been linked to everything from the purported 2012 Mayan Apocalypse to Jessica Simpson’s shotgun wedding. (Some might even consider them the same thing.)

Most people deem Nov.11, 2011 an extremely lucky date, numerically speaking – and we agree! We say, why wait until January 1 to start making some changes when 11/11/11 has such a better ring to it? Some ideas on how Lifeway kefir can help you achieve your New Year’s Resolutions:

If your New Year’s Resolution is: To lose weight

Why don’t you: Start drinking a glass of Lifeway kefir a day. Research shows that people who consume a lower-calorie diet that includes low- or non-fat dairy shed nearly twice as many pounds as those who only cut calories.

If your New Year’s Resolution is: Drink Less Alcohol

Why don’t you: Drink more kefir! We’ve even been to parties where the hostess served low fat pomegranate kefir in chilled martini glasses!

If your New Year’s Resolution is: To reduce stress

Why don’t you: Drink more kefir. New research out of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center suggests that probiotics – the good bacteria that make kefir so healthy – might be capable of delivering neuroactive compounds to help improve psychological health. The theory behind this new wave of medicine lies in a potential connection between gut microbes and the nervous system. Kefir also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body relax (think of the feeling you get after eating a big Thanksgiving dinner…that fatigue is from the turkey, which is rich in the same amino acid.)

If your New Year’s Resolution is: Feed my child healthier food.

Why don’t you: Pick up some Probugs™. Our line of creamy, organic whole milk kefir with fun characters and flavors appeals to even the most finicky of eaters. With a no-spill spout and easy-to-grip package, Probugs™ are great for tiny hands and even better for growing bodies. High in bone-building calcium and energy-sustaining protein, kefir contains 10 live and active cultures (friendly bacteria) that help little bellies stay calm and developing immune systems healthy. Plus, kids love the funny names and goofy characters, Orange Creamy Crawler and Sublime Slime Lime.

If your New Year’s Resolution is: Start recycling

Why don’t you: Buy from eco-conscious companies, like Lifeway Foods. We buy local, which means less packaging and fewer miles being traveled. And most of our packaging and production materials are either biodegradable or recyclable. We also buy renewable energy credits to offset the electricity used in our production facilities; our credits are equivalent to planting 335 acres of trees. And at our headquarters, even our office furniture is recyclable!

What’s your 11.11.11 resolution?

Got Probiotics?

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:41:00 GMT

Dairy products have long been considered the Holy Grail for bone health. And yet, study after study reveals no decrease in fracture risk with higher consumption of milk and cheese. What’s the deal?

It turns out bones don’t simply soak up dietary calcium like a thirsty sponge. For that, you need a strong population of healthy bacteria in your gut, as well as a host of other nutrients such as Vitamins D, K and magnesium.

A recent Journal of Applied Nutrition study found that when women ages 48 and older took a probiotic supplement for at least eight weeks, their bone density was 36% higher compared to those who didn’t take the supplement.

That means we can now add bone health to the mile-long list of benefits of probiotics (others include enhanced immunity, improved Crohn’s and IBS symptoms, reduced yeast infections and antibiotic-related diarrhea, less severe lactose intolerance and more.)

Some more strong-bone tips:

Build an anti-inflammatory, bone-friendly diet Limit meat, sugar, soda, booze and packaged products, while increasing fruits and vegetables. And cook up some salmon: In a 2011 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, its omega-3 fatty acids combatted bone loss when consumed three times or more per week.

Step away from the salt shaker Sodium promotes calcium loss in the urine.

Work it out Weight-bearing activity (think jogging, walking, dancing, tennis, basketball, strength-training) is one of the best ways to build bone density.

Don’t forget your D Calcium needs Vitamin D – produced by the body when exposed to sunlight – to function properly.

Osteoporosis risk factors:

Female
Caucasian or asian
Petite
Low weight
Family history (mother, grandmother or daughter)
Late onset of menstruation (after age 15) or early menopause
History of an eating disorder or skipped periods due to low body fat
Smoking
Alcohol use (more than seven glasses of wine or beer or 7 oz pure alcohol per week)

WWLD? (What Would Lance Drink?)

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:20:00 GMT

Over at LiveStrong.com, they’ve pitted Dannon yogurt against Lifeway kefir in a sort of probiotic death match. Both, they point out, are popular brands of cultured, fermented dairy products, solid sources of calcium, potassium, B vitamins and protein, and may be easier for lactose-intolerant people to digest (versus milk.). Here’s where they differ:

Culturing

Culturing is the process of adding either bacteria or grain to milk to create either yogurt or kefir, respectively. The number and type of cultures and steps involved impact what ends up in your intestines and how your body responds to each food. Yogurt is boiled and cooled, before bacteria from a separate yogurt is introduced. Kefir is cultured by adding live kefir grains to fresh milk. Dannon contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, both healthful, probiotic bacteria. Lifeway contains a symbiotic colony of about 30 different types of bacteria and yeast.

Edge: Lifeway kefir

Intestines

Yogurt is good for your intestines when Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria are present, live and active. When this is true, these bacteria clean out your intestines and feed other friendly bacteria in your intestines, although you have to eat yogurt daily to maintain these cultures. The National Yogurt Association provides a seal that certifies the presence of live, active yogurt cultures. Most Dannon yogurts display this seal. Kefir cultures take up residence in your intestines, so you don't have to replenish them as frequently. The bacteria continually kill bad bacteria, heal existing ulcers and improve your immune system.

Edge: Lifeway kefir

Digestion

The fermentation process makes both Dannon yogurt and Lifeway kefir easier for you to digest if you're lactose intolerant. Yogurt is fermented at 100 degrees F for about 8 to 16 hours. Kefir is fermented at room temperature for 12 to 48 hours. This fermentation process allows the activation of enzymes that break down lactose, the naturally-occurring sugar in dairy products that creates allergies in some people. Kefir may be easier to digest, though, because it uses smaller curds and its wider range of bacteria may break down more lactose.

Edge: Lifeway kefir

Additives

While both products have many benefits, Lifeway kefir pulls ahead of Dannon yogurt as the healthier choice because of the additives in Dannon yogurt. Lifeway sweetens its fruit-flavored products with cane sugar and sometimes adds vitamins A and D to its formulas. Dannon, on the other hand, adds cornstarch, gluten, aspartame, fructose, pectin and gelatin. Gelatin, even when kosher, may be derived from fish, beef or pork.

Edge: Lifeway kefir

Looks like we’re the clear winner in this race. Have you had a glass today?

"Dear Lifeway Kefir,  You saved my life..."

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:58:00 GMT

It’s not uncommon to open up in inbox at Lifeway HQ and find fan mail gushing over our product, decorated with pink hearts and multiple explanation points. Some might call us the Justin Bieber of the Midwest. But when a letter begins, “Dear Makers of Kefir,  I am emailing you today to explain how you saved my life…”, well, that’s the kind of introduction that makes you sit up and really take notice. We reached out to the sender, Angela Hansen, 40, from Shakopee, MN, to learn more about her story. Read on to see how Lifeway strawberry kefir turned this yogurt-hating ulcer patient into a convert…and saved her thousands of dollars and hours of intense pain in the process.

Lifeway: Tell us a little about your medical history.

Angela: "On September 19^th, 2010, I was diagnosed with an ulcer - and not a garden variety one. This one sat over the muscle that allows food to pass into the small intestine, so it caused the intestines to swell shut, and the only place for food to go was the way it came in...for 21 days straight. The diagnosis came on the day after my birthday; I was supposed to go skydiving that day but was in so much pain, I could barely make it off the couch. I was told it would take a year to heal this ulcer; at that time I had health insurance and the cost of meds was not an issue."

Lifeway: How did you hear about our product?

Angela: "In December, I no longer had health insurance. When I went to the pharmacy to refill my meds, I was shocked to learn they would cost over $500 dollars a month! Insane, to say the least. Then I heard a story on a local radio station that caught my attention: it was on probiotics and how they help heal your digestive system.”

Lifeway: Had you ever heard of probiotics before?

Angela: “Well, what you need to understand is my severe dislike for yogurt. I have never liked it and honestly get the dry heaves upon trying to eat it! So buying yogurt would probably have done more harm to my system than good. Three months after my diagnosis, I discovered Lifeway strawberry kefir while shopping. I liked how it came in more of a smoothie formula. I figured I would just shoot it like a shot of liquor. I went home, poured a half cup into a small glass, and gave myself a pep talk – remember, I really don’t like yogurt. But I was pleasantly surprised, and within days, my stomach felt better. I couldn't believe how well kefir was healing me…literally! I stopped taking the meds 100% (I couldn't really afford them anyway) and went from paying hundreds to just under $20 dollars a month for my healing, with the bonus of it being organic!”

Lifeway: So we’ve managed to convert you?

Angela: “Absolutely. It’s been almost a year and I still drink a half cup of kefir every morning and will probably do so for the rest of my life. I can't thank you enough for your product. I tell everyone I know about it and how it healed my stomach, which hasn't hurt since December of 2010. My doctor thinks it is great that something so simple, inexpensive and organic could do that, and now he recommends it to his other patients.”

Do you have a story to share? Has Lifeway kefir helped bring relief from your Irritable Bowel Syndrome/lactose intolerance/chronic cough/nosebleed? We want to know! Send us an email at contactlifewayfoods@gmail.com - your success story could be featured in an upcoming blog, making you more famous than the Biebster himself!

Do posted calorie counts help or hurt?

LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:55:00 GMT

Anyone who’s visited Starbucks in the past year (in other words, everyone) knows that bananas have about 100 calories. The reason we know this is because Starbucks posts calories counts for all of their food – a move made mandatory a few years back in NYC.

Some people find posted calorie counts helpful – perhaps they never realized their favorite apple muffin from the corner bakery packed in more calories and fat than a small McDonalds burger. Others are bothered by the information, saying it ruins the fun of eating.

It appears the posts do work: A new study published in the British Medical Journal found that the 2008 New York City law requiring fast food companies to post nutrition information on menus resulted in one in six customers ordering items with fewer calories: On average, customers bought 44 fewer calories at McDonald's, 80 fewer calories at Au Bon Pain and 59 fewer calories at KFC. (As the ladies at Jezebel helpfully pointed out, , dropping 44 calories from an order at McDonald's amounts to eating one less Chicken McNugget.)

But while it’s fantastic that one in six customers chose low-fat vinaigrette over ranch, that still means five out of six customers muttered “Whatever” and ordered their Whopper and fries.

As for us, we find the nutritional postings to be incredibly empowering – that’s why we post the calorie count of our frozen kefir at our Chicago Starfruit stores. People deserve to have the information they need to make healthy, informed choices. And by the way, those choices don’t have to be perfectly healthy every single time – there’s room for a big, fat burrito with cheese and sour cream every now and then. (Although we prefer the creamy tang of plain kefir!)

What do you think? Are you for or against posted calorie counts?

Kefir Kommunity

Eight Caffeine-Free Energy Boosts

Our Favorite Natural Cold Remedies

Top Five Healthy Winter Foods

Frozen Kefir For Kids' Dental Health?

Occupy Lifeway

11.11.11

Got Probiotics?

WWLD? (What Would Lance Drink?)

"Dear Lifeway Kefir, You saved my life..."

Do posted calorie counts help or hurt?

"Dear Lifeway Kefir,  You saved my life..."