Tag Archives: kombucha

Bacteria Love

Yesterday’s lunch was one of those meals that was so simple but came together beautifully and created a filling plate.


(I know, it’s a massive pile of potatoes, we will be eating them all week)

UM, collards are my new favorite green!  I love the bitterness of them.  These ones are sauteed in a teaspoon or two of coconut oil with garlic, a balsamic reduction, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

 

 

Turns out it is possible to over-roast squash :(.  Still edible though.

Post lunch I headed to my fermentation station

KOMBUCHA!!! ♥

LOVE this stuff.  Makes me feel sooo good.

Since September I have been making kombucha from a “mother” (the necessary culture) that my sister gave me.  It’s been working great but I am not able to make quite enough to last me until the next batch is ready.  Time for another SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) mother.

After some internet research I decided to try to grow my own SCOBY.  Into a quart mason jar went 1 cup of white  and brown sugar sweetened green tea and one cup of kombucha (from my homemade stash).  I covered the jar with a paper towel held in place with a rubber band to keep out any undesirable bacteria and set the jar in my kombucha closet.

A week and a half later I took a look and what did I find?

A perfect SCOBY!

Yeah, yeah, I used to be a little skeeved out about making kombucha too (I had my little sister make it when we lived together in Portland ;)).  But I got over it because I love the stuff and $4 a bottle?  No thanks.  Also, it’s fun to make.  I feel like I am making something from nothing and can control the sweetness and fizziness.   Not to mention the cost of a few quarts is some green tea bags and sugar!

Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some milk on the stove that needs turned into yogurt

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Filed under cooking, Fermented Food, food

The Air is Crisp

MISSION: 10k PR

Week 2

  • long run (7 miles)
  • 1-2 speed workouts (30-45 minute run with sprint intervals)
  • easy run (4-5 miles)
  • 3 days yoga
  • 2 Pilates workouts

Yesterday Tate and I went on a great 4.26 mile run (my “easy run” for the week).  The air was just a little chilly and smelled straight up like fall, yum!  I was still a little sore from Saturday’s dance class but after the run and a noontime vinyasa class I was feeling much better.

Tate and I headed by bike to Kath and Matt’s mid-afternoon to keep Matt company while he made a batch of homebrew.  They invited us stay for a delicious early dinner and we were home by 7pm and in bed by 9:30!

The chilly weather this week has reminded me that it is naturally time to make some shifts in my schedule.   As it gets darker earlier, dinner comes earlier, bed comes earlier, and waking up comes earlier.  I love fall but a few years ago I recognized that my body has a challenging time during this season.  My eyes are a little puffy when I wake up, I need more sleep, and I usually get a cold or at least feel run down as the weather starts to change.

This fall I am taking precautions to avoid that cold/run-down feeling.  Here are some tips to stay healthy and strong as we transition into the dark slumber of winter

  • go to bed half an hour earlier
  • suppliment vitamin C
  • decrease intake of coffee, alcohol, and sugar
  • eat more fermented foods
  • drink more water
  • pay extra attention to eating dark leafy greens, garlic, and ginger
  • note how your exercise routine is making you feel- energized? rundown? needing more? a change in the seasons is an excellent time to change up your routine!

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Filed under goals, running, workouts, yoga