Cultured Food Life

Starting cultured foods can be exciting, but you might wonder what to expect along the way. In this episode, I'll walk you through your first month with cultured foods, how to start slowly, what changes you might notice, and how to make kefir, kombucha, and cultured vegetables part of your everyday life. Small steps can lead to big changes, and your microbes are worth taking care of! Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/your-first-month-with-cultured-foods-what-to-expect-episode-377/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/your-first-month-with-cultured-foods-what-to-expect/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

Fall is the perfect time to slow down, warm up the kitchen, and feed the microbes that help keep us strong. In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite cozy fall meals and simple ways to add cultured foods like kefir, yogurt, cultured vegetables, and sourdough to the foods you already love. You don't have to eat complicated meals to support your gut. A warm bowl of soup, a hearty fall breakfast, or a comforting sourdough dish can become even more nourishing when you pair it with the right cultured foods. 🍎🍂 Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/feed-your-microbes-cozy-fall-meals-with-cultured-foods-episode-376/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/feed-your-microbes-cozy-fall-meals-with-cultured-foods/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

After antibiotics—or before cold and flu season—I always come back to the same three cultured foods: kefir, kombucha, and cultured vegetables. In this episode, I'll share why I call them The Trilogy, how each one supports the gut in a different way, and how I use them together to help rebuild, nourish, and strengthen the microbiome. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/the-trilogy-after-antibiotics-and-before-cold-and-flu-season-episode-375/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/three-foods-that-can-change-your-life-the-trilogy-and-more/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

As women move through their 40s and beyond, changes in hormones can also affect the microbial communities in the digestive, vaginal, and urinary systems. In this episode, we'll explore why L. gasseri is an important beneficial bacterium, what makes it unique, and how L. gasseri yogurt can become part of a cultured-food routine that supports a healthy microbial ecosystem. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/why-women-over-40-should-know-about-l-gasseri-episode-374/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/why-women-over-40-should-know-about-l-gasseri/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

Easy Kefir is the cultured food I recommend most often for beginners. In this episode, I'll explain why I started with powdered kefir, how it differs from traditional kefir grains, and how you can make creamy, probiotic-rich kefir without straining grains or maintaining them every day. It's a simple and dependable way to begin your cultured-food journey. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/easy-kefir-the-cultured-food-i-recommend-for-beginners-episode-373/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/easy-kefir-the-cultured-food-i-recommend-for-beginners/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

With so many fermented drinks to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? In this episode, I'm breaking down some of my favorite cultured beverages—including kombucha, Jun kombucha, kefir soda, water kefir, rejuvelac, and naturally fermented ginger drinks. Each one has its own unique microbes, flavors, and benefits, and some are easier to make and maintain than others. I'll explain the differences, what makes each drink special, and how to choose one that fits your body, your lifestyle, and what you're hoping to accomplish with your gut health. You don't need to make them all. Sometimes finding just one fermented drink you love can be a wonderful way to bring more beneficial microbes into your life every day. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/which-fermented-drink-is-right-for-you-episode-372/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/how-to-choose-the-best-fermented-drink-for-you/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

If your gut feels out of balance, where do you begin? In this episode, I'm breaking down some of my favorite cultured foods and beneficial microbes—from kefir and cultured vegetables to L. reuteri, S. boulardii, Bifidobacteria, HMOs, Akkermansia, and natto—and explaining how each one supports the gut in a different way. You don't need everything at once. The goal is to understand what your body may need, feed the right microbes, and slowly rebuild a healthier, more resilient microbiome. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/how-to-rebuild-your-gut-finding-the-fermented-food-your-body-needs-episode-371/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/how-to-start-healing-your-gut-which-fermented-food-is-best-for-you/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

Your microbiome is doing so much more than helping you digest food. Your beneficial microbes are constantly helping to keep opportunistic microbes in check—and this protection extends far beyond your gut. In this episode, I'm talking about how good microbes crowd out the bad ones, why balance matters more than trying to eliminate every harmful organism, and the fascinating connection between the gut, vaginal, and bladder microbiomes. The more I learn about microbes, the more I realize that everything is connected. 🌿 Feed the microbes you want to flourish, and they can help create an environment where the troublemakers have a much harder time taking over. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/how-your-good-microbes-crowd-out-the-bad-ones-even-beyond-your-gut-episode-370/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/how-your-good-microbes-crowd-out-the-bad-ones-even-beyond-your-gut/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

At 66, I've learned that feeling young and alive isn't about fighting aging—it's about supporting the body. For me, it starts with my microbiome. Years ago, while dealing with diabetes and high blood pressure, I kept telling myself, "My body is designed to be well. The answers will come." Then kefir found me and changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing the foods, supplements, and daily practices that help me feel strong and vibrant—from cultured foods and minerals to red light therapy, magnesium, organ supplements, protein, and more. 🌿✨ Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/what-i-use-at-66-to-feel-young-strong-and-active-episode-369/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/what-i-use-at-66-to-feel-young-strong-and-alive/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk

As we age, nourishing ourselves becomes more important than ever. In this episode, I'm sharing simple cultured foods and protein-rich meals that can help support strong bones, preserve muscle, nourish the brain, improve digestion, and keep meals enjoyable—even when you're cooking for just one. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/nourishing-yourself-as-you-age-simple-cultured-foods-for-strong-bones-muscles-and-a-healthy-brain-episode-368/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/nourishing-yourself-as-you-age-simple-cultured-foods-for-strong-bones-muscles-and-a-healthy-brain/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk