Kombucha - Second Ferments

We are enjoying our Kombucha so much, thanks to Kombucha Kamp!  I love it right out of the tap; it's refreshing and fizzy, but another way we enjoy it is doing second ferments.  These are so easy to do and the fun part is being creative with what you add.  I love doing second ferments for flavor and increased fizz.

Pictured on this post this orange hibiscus.  Second ferments are typically done with fruits and herbs.  So far I have enjoyed using different fruits that are coming through my local co-op.  Some blends I have tried so far have been watermelon mint, nectarine, vanilla plum, and even cucumber mint.  I'm having a lot of fun coming up with different flavors.

Second ferments are quite easy to do and you can read more about them HERE. 

To Induce Labor or Not...

This is such a wonderful article by my instructor, Aviva Romm, at Herbal Medicine for Women.  I just had to do a quick post and give the link to her article.  If you are expecting or know someone expecting, or if you are planning on being a parent, this is a great read.

Recently, there was an article that discussed the possible link between inducing labor and autism.  Aviva addresses this, and I'm glad she did, as this is another possible cause of autism.

I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did!

And, just a side note, I am LOVING her school!!  Enrollment reopens in September.  I cannot say enough good things about this course.  It's perfect for any woman, whether you just want to learn more about controlling your own health or if you hope to open your own herbal practice one day.  Aviva is an amazing instructor and you will walk away so much richer from taking this course.

Kombucha's Brewin'!!

Well, the big day finally came!!  My beautiful Kombucha crock arrived along with my supply kit (I ordered one of the continuous brew packages from Kombucha Kamp, which included everything that I needed to get started).  I decided to do what is called a continuous brew method rather than a batch method since I want Kombucha on tap all the time.  For those of you who are new to Kombucha, feel free to read all about it at the Kombucha Kamp website.  Kombucha is a wonderful way to get probiotics into your family in a healthy, yummy drink!

Some of the products included in my package

My excited helper

I took some time to review the videos that came with the package and read over all the instructions so that I was completely prepared - a must for this post-partum brain!

I am so glad that I ordered the package with my Kombucha crock, because it made everything very quick and easy.  I highly recommend going this route, especially for beginners.  Hannah, at Kombucha Kamp, packed everything up beautifully, along with an extra set of instructions (the package comes with a year access to her videos and a very detailed ebook full of helpful information).  I loved having that extra set of paper instructions, but I loved even more being able to watch the videos.  These made me feel much more comfortable with the process.  They are short, quick, and easy to watch and understand. 

Here is my beautiful crock!  I bought the green one, but as you can see, it has a beautiful blending of greens, blues, and browns.  I know the photos are a bit over exposed, but I wanted to give you readers an idea of the colors in this crock.

So, next step...wait 7-10 days and give it the first taste test.  I can't wait!   Then a post on second ferments and how to flavor your Kombucha!


This post has affiliate links.  By clicking on my links, you are helping to support this blog and is a way to say thank you for the information provided.  Your price remains the same wether you use my links or not.

Do You Belong to a CSA?

I love our CSA!  I'm fortunate that here in SoCal, we can have a produce CSA year round.  Not only do I get our weekly delivery, but I also love to buy things in bulk at discounted prices.  I will often do this with strawberries and freeze them, as well as tomatoes, for making dehydrated tomatoes to enjoy in the winter on all kinds of things or for making pestos.  Just look at all the lovely things we got this week!  Yum!

So, why join an organic CSA?

1) I love being able to support local farmers!

2) Organic farmers treat the land and produce kindly, no use of pesticides!

3) The items in my CSA are fresh!!  They last for a long time in the fridge.

4) Organic produce is higher in vitamins and other nutrients than conventional produce.  Because it is fresh, that will just add to the nutritional value, which will start to decline once the produce is picked, so the sooner you can eat your produce, the better.

5) Your food will not be irradiated.

Do you belong to a CSA?  I would love to hear why you love your CSA and what kinds of yummy things you are enjoying this summer!

And, coming up this weekend will be a post on my new continuous brew Kombucha maker.  I can't wait to share all about it!  If you want to read up on Kombucha in the meantime, check out Kombucha Kamp!

This post contains affiliate links.  Buying from my links is just a way to say thank you for the upkeep of this blog.  Your price remains the same whether you use my link or not.  Thank you!