Posts Tagged ‘kombucha’

  1. just made: kombucha

    January 16, 2012 by justgathering

    Well, not just.

    Kombucha actually takes a little while to make. But it’s so worth the wait.

    Remember this, way back in December?

     

    Yes, I got a make-your-own-kombucha kit from my bosses for Christmas. (I know. They know me so well. But wait: it gets better. I also got them a make-your-own-kombucha kit. Crazytown.)

    I gladly assumed responsibility for both SCOBYs and got brewing on Wednesday, December 21.

    The process is actually incredibly simple. (1) Brew tea. (2) Add sugar. (3) Let cool.

    Then comes the important part: add SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast).

    Checking temps. (SCOBY + very hot tea = a no.)

    Once it’s cool, you’re good to plop that sucker in.

    It looks like a slimy floating pancake.

    And then comes the waiting. Lots of waiting. Like 4 weeks if you like really vinegary kombucha like I do.

    Okay, so I got a little impatient. Around two weeks ago I bottled some ‘buch to make a kombucha gin cocktail. I mean, to see if it was ready. (Answer: not quite, but sugary kombucha and gin do make a nice combo.)

    This morning, though, I was determined to bottle. The kombucha was giving off a strong vinegar smell, and this nice healthy-looking culture was thriving. Mmmm, probiotics. It was definitely time.

    The verdict: this first batch tastes JUST like a bottle of KBBK Original, i.e. delicious. I’m ecstatic. Bottling the second jar to bring to work and then getting started on my next batch, which I’m thinking will be flavored. Lavender? Hibiscus? Raisins? Ginger?

    I’m feeling energized. It must be all the probiotics.

    p.s. It’s obvious from this shameless plug that I was very pleased with my experience with Kombucha Brooklyn. They’re one of the many local companies that’s doing something really cool, and everything from the tea blend to the Twitter encouragement has been stellar, so if you’re feeling inspired to brew, go get your own kit.

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  2. More Crazy Sexy Eats

    March 31, 2011 by justgathering

    Guess whose lecture I attended last night? I’ll give you a hint: it was entitled Crazy Sexy Miracles.

    That’s right. Danielle and I were two very lucky ladies; we went to see Kris Carr and Gabby Bernstein talk about their books (Kris’s Crazy Sexy Diet made a pretty big impact on me), health and happiness, and their perspectives on living fully. The night was overflowing with powerful words of wisdom, and I left feeling pretty pumped to take my well living to the next level.

    Kris’s sense of humor was amazing, and she gave lots of tips for living what she calls a “prevention is hot” lifestyle, including reducing the consumption of fear-based foods (animal products, sugar) and increasing that of love-based foods (veggies). I loved this gem from her: “Broccoli is not radical; surgery is radical.”

    On that note, I’ve eaten a few pretty great (and love-based) meals over the last few days. Before last night’s lecture, I had this gargantuan salad from the Whole Foods salad bar:

    (There are roasted brussels sprouts, beets, and sweet potatoes hiding under there!)

    Today I stopped into Birdbath Bakery after a fantastic midday yoga class and picked up this beauty:

    A thumbprint cookie, comprised of their homemade granola and agave, with some extra gooey preserves in the middle. So good.

    I also tried kombucha for the first time! I have been wanting to try this for years but have mostly been too lazy. Kombucha Brooklyn seems like such an awesome company, though, that I was finally motivated to go out and get one. I got the original flavor, and I absolutely loved it. Might be hooked.

    I’m thinking a dinner project is just the thing for this rainy/snowy evening. Please spring, come soon, thank you.

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