do you kombucha?

ah, yes. kombucha. i am sure that, if you have tried kombucha, you have a very specific opinion that comes to mind when you hear this word or see this beverage.

am i right, or am i right?

many moons ago, back in may of 2009, i tried this stuff and hated it.  it was the trilogy flavor, in case you were wondering and are too lazy to click on the flashback link. don’t worry, i wouldn’t click on it either, i am like that. it was a tragic experience (dramatic, much?) and i swore kombucha off completely.

fast forward to january of this year.  my current roommates swore by the stuff, always guzzling it by the jar full, despite the hefty price tag.  my taste buds have been known to mature, so i went ahead and gave kombucha another try.. this time in the citrus flavor.

guess what?

i dug it. i loved it lots. i am usually someone who does NOT like to drink my calories. i drink water and black coffee and unsweetened iced tea. that is it.

a bottle of kombucha carries two servings (yeah, right.. i don’t follow serving suggestions.. a serving of cereal 3/4 a cup? yeah, pigs fly and the moon is made of swiss cheese) and per serving it is 30 calories.  SO, only 60 calories for the whole bottle? that is really not detrimental to my calorie intake for the day. i mean, it does all sorts of good things for you and i already take in over 100 calories with vitamins alone.

SO.. it passed the “i can drink these calories and be ok with it” test and i was ultimately afraid that my new love for this beverage was going to break the bank.

let’s talk about those good things kombucha does for you that i eluded to above, shall we?

kombucha supports:

• digestion
• metabolism
• immune system
• appetite control
• weight control
• liver function
• body alkalinity
• anti-aging
• cell integrity
• healthy skin & hair

*these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. THis product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

cool stuff, right? and as an added bonus, their ingredient list never fails to make me smile:

100% pure love?!? sign me up!

so you may have seen me drinking kombucha more and more lately.

at the movies.

in the car.

in marshall’s car.

in my grocery hauls.

yes. i love the stuff.

GT’s kombucha is:

• totally raw
• all natural
• organic
• vegan
• anti-bacterial/anti-fungal
• low carb
• low calorie
• naturally rejuvenating
• kosher

WELL.. guess what? the folks at millennium products (who actually are the people behind the goodness of GT’s raw kombucha) were kind enough to send me some coupons for free kombucha!

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a little bit more about the company and the beverage:

all information came from the pamphlet above.

“the story behind the bottle”

in 1995, mllennium products founder GT Dave’s life came crashing down when he heard that his mother had just been diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of breast cancer. after a week of emotional turmoil, he was relieved to find out that her breast cancer had not spread and that the pungent tasting cultured tea that she had been drinking was part of the reason why.  GT was touched by how kombucha had helped his mom and was inspired to begin making it from the kitchen of his house.  being only a teenager he had no business plan, just a desire to share this gift with anybody who could benefit from it.

fast forward nearly ten years.  GT’s kombucha has grown from its humble beginnings, where GT would hand-deliver his just-bottled kombucha to local health food stores, to a full-fledged company that makes over a dozen different varieties of kombucha products distributed throughout most of the U.S.  although the company has experienced some incredible growth, GT remains committed to expanding the company gradually and organically, never sacrificing quality for the sake of profits.

east meets west

kombucha originated several thousands of years ago in asia.  according to records that date back as far as 221 BC, it is believed to have first been consumed in china where it was named “the drink of immortality”. use of kombucha later spread to japan, russia, india and europe.  those who drank the beverage attributed their longevity and their immunity to metabolic diseased to their daily consumption of kombucha.

strengthening the body’s defenses

GT’s kombucha is not an herb, a drug, or a medicine.  it is basically a super healthy food that helps to rid the body of toxins.  toxins can come from environmental, emotional, or diestary sources.  when the body is in a toxic state, its immune system can be weighed down and weakened.  many illnesses and healthy conditions can be symptoms of a build up of toxins.  toxicity can cause a severe imbalance in the body. but through detoxification, the body can be restored to a stronger and healthier state.  once this occurs, the body is more capable of healing itself.

living food. living nutrients.

in the past few years kombucha has become very popular here in the U.S. because of its unique nutrient content.  studies show it contains vital nutrients that are extremely beneficial for strengthening the body’s natural defense against disease and illness.  the nutrients found in kombucha are:

• active enzymes: these are the “life force of the most vital raw foods. research shows that every human is born with a plentiful amnount of enzymes, however, they begin to diminish as we get older which results in signs of aging.  when these enzymes are replenished the body is able to maintain a more youthful state.  they also assist in the stomach’s metabolism of foods, sooth indigestion and calm the appetite to prevent overeating.
• glucoronic acid: this is a natural liver detoxifier. it binds with the toxins that build up in the liver and forces them out of the body’s system.
• natural antibiotics: these antibiotics only target the “bad” bacteria and naturally prevent and treat infections
• probiotic cultures: these are beneficial bacteria that are crucial for healthy intestinal flora.  they work together with the immune system to ensure that the body’s natural defenses are in optimum condition.
• other nutrients: vitamins b1, b2, b3, b6 and b12
• mucointinsulfat acid: repairs the stomach lining.
• folic acid: assists in the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

drink it daily. feel it forever.

unfortunately our bodies are bombarded by impurities on a regular basis.  to help counteract this, GT’s kombucha can be consumed on a daily basis to help detoxify and flush out toxins.  when drinking it for the first time, start off with 6-8 ounces (janetha here.. i didn’t do that. whole bottles at a time, people.) and the gradually increase to an amount that you are comfortable with.  there is no wrong way to drink GT’s kombucha.  it can be consumed before, during, or after meals.  most people prefer to drink it first thing in the morning, but it can also be taken in the later part of the day for a natural energy lift.  GT’s kombucha is also great for replenishing after yoga, pilates, cardio, or weight lifting.

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there you have it. all you ever wanted to know about kombucha.. and probably more!  if this was NOT enough information for you, there is much more to read on the millennium products website!

FLAVORS!!

if you haven’t tried kombucha and are wondering what the best flavor is to start.. wonder no more. i am going to give you a brief rundown.

you know how beer is an acquired taste? well, kombucha can be for some people as well.  to start out, try the “wine cooler of kombucha” flavors.. something that i would compare in the beer world to mike’s hard lemonade or a fuzzy navel ;)

start with these flavors: mystic mango, raspberry rush, guava goddess, divine grape, strawberry serenity, and passionberry bliss.

if you like kombucha but still aren’t ready to try the full fledge, unflavored varieties, there are some middle-of-the-road flavors that aren’t quite as sweet and you will most likely enjoy. try these flavors: cosmic cranberry, trilogy, superfruits, gingerberry, citrus and gingerade.

if you are really into that whole vinegar flavor and could drink it like water (read: like me) then give these flavors a shot: original, multigreen, botanic no 3, botanic no 7 and botanic no 9.

you can read more about all the flavors listed above by clicking here.

do you want to try kombucha for yourself?

i am giving away not one, not two but THREE coupons to three winners.

to enter:

• leave a comment telling me why you would want to try GT’s kombucha OR if you already are a GT’s kombucha drinker, tell me why you drink it.
• for an extra entry, link back to this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to the post you linked back in.

simple as that. giveaway will end tuesday, april 13 @ 11:59 PM.

good luck! hope you all have a great sunday! i am off to eat some pancakes.

xo. janetha b.

p.s. FYI: sunflower market has GT’s kombucha on sale for $2 right now and whole foods has it on sale for $2.50! go get some!