Raw Fermented Liquid Probiotic [review]

Probiotics seem to be everywhere and in just about anything. Last year, I did some research on the best form of probiotics and the consensus was that as close to natural and as close to raw is the best. Natural fermentation provides the best balance and mix of probiotics. Raw keeps the healthy bacteria at the highest level because heat can kill bacteria. Pro EM-1 Probiotic is a naturally fermented raw probiotic supplement.

Pro EM-1 Liquid Probiotic      

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

Disclosure: I am not a medical professional. Information about the product was sourced from the company website. These statements have not be reviewed by the FDA, not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any conditions or diseases. Please consult your physician before starting a new supplement. I received the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and are honest.

The Good	The Not So Good
Organic ingredients	Comes in a plastic bottle
Raw and naturally fermented
Ease to take

Pro EM-1 Liquid Probiotic Supplement is a fermented liquid probiotic made with organic ingredients and naturally occurring microorganisms. The company only uses live viable and active microbes (never freeze dried). The fermentation process produces active metabolites, including enzymes, co-enzymes, amino acids, organic acids, bacteriocins, and other bioactive micronutrients. Fermentation is a natural process that makes vitamins and minerals more available, but also provides our GI system with healthy bacteria.

The liquid probiotic comes in a dark navy plastic bottle. I do wish that the bottle was glass, but I am glad that it is dark to preserve the natural organisms. Pouring the bottle has been a bit of a challenge because of the way the opening is designed. When the bottle is very full, some of the liquid did drip down the side of the bottle. I have been experimenting with pouring quickly or slowing to see if it helps.

Pro EM-1 Probiotic ingredients:
Purified water
Organic aloe vera gel
Natural honey
Organic molasses
1 million cfu/ml of microbes:
   Lactobacillus plantarum
   Lactobacillus casei
   Lactobacillus fermentum
   Lactobacillus bulgaricus
   Saccharomyces cerevisiae
   Rhodopseudomonas palustris

This list of ingredients is one of the simplest for probiotic supplements. Even in natural supplements, sometimes it is hard to avoid fillers that are required to make the product work or make the supplement easier to digest and get absorbed into the body. I like the simple ingredient list. The liquid probiotic is gluten-free and dairy-free. The mix of microbes is a little bit different than what I have read on probiotic capsule supplements and that is due to the fact that this is a raw, fermented product. I strongly believe in the power of fermentation and am glad I found this product.

Usage: The recommended dose is 1 tbsp per day, taken with meals. The liquid probiotic can be mixed with water or juice. I have also been adding 1 tsp to my toddler's yogurt.

Results: I have been taking it directly and then chasing with water. The taste is somewhat pleasant to me. I have been taking about 1-2 tsp per day and have not experienced any discomfort. If you experience discomfort, reduce the amount day and gradually increase. Since I have began taking probiotic supplements (most of the days lately), I feel like my digestion and bowel movements are regular and of a good quality. In general, I have not had any GI issues like gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. I do feel like taking the probiotic supplement on a regular basis has helped my GI system.



If you are looking for a raw probiotic supplement, Pro EM-1 fermented liquid probiotic is a great supplement to boost immunity and health naturally.
  

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A Natural Complete Digestive Enzyme [Review]

Ever since I became pregnant and gave birth, there is something about meat that give me digestive issues. Furthermore, my diet is not as balanced as it should be because I am running around a toddler all day long and am lucky if I have a full meal. Starting probiotics has helped my digestion some. Adding a digestive enzyme supplement improved my digestive system even more. Enzymatrix Complete Digestive Enzyme is a complete and effective digestive enzyme formula, which includes a diverse range of 18 different enzymes to ensure proper digestion.

100 Naturals Enzymatrix Complete Digestive Enzyme      

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Effective
Natural ingredients
No artificial additives or preservatives
Made in the USA

100 Naturals Upbiotics Advanced Probiotic Formula contains 18 different enzymes to ensure proper digestion with each meal regardless of food groups. Each enzyme helps with a specific type or types of foods. I like that this a complete solution for digestive enzymes and is a supplement that can be taken regardless of what is eaten. The capsules are the standard size and are easy to take. The enzyme supplement is flavorless.

Enzymatrix Complete Digestive Enzymes:
Protease 1
Protease 2
Aspergillopepsin
Amylase
Lipase
Cellulase
Glucoamylase
Invertase
Alpha Galactosidase
Beta Glucanase
Pectinase
Zylanase
Phytase
Hemicellulase
Lactase
Bromelian
Papain
Peptidase

The enzymes work for different types of food groups, including digesting beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables, carbs, fiber, grains, proteins, plant walls, sucrose, milk sugar in dairy products, fats, carbs from grains, phytic acid in nuts and grains, etc.

Other ingredients include: maltodextrin, vegetable capsule (hypromellose and water), and medium chain triglycerides.

This list of ingredients is one of the simplest for supplements. Even in natural supplements, sometimes it is hard to avoid fillers that are required to make the product work or make the supplement easier to digest and get absorbed into the body. I like the simple ingredient list.

Uses: The bottle states that the 1 capsule should be taken 1-2 times at the beginning of each meal as a dietary supplement. Do not exceed 6 capsules per day. Since this was the first time I have taken an enzyme supplement, I did some experimenting with the timing since I had read that some people take the supplement up to 30 minutes before the meal and some take the supplement at the beginning of the meal. For me, it worked to take the supplement about 15-30 minutes before the meal for best results.

Results: My issues with digesting meat must be related to the fats because when I eat fattier meat, I have more issues. For example, lamb is usually very heavy for my stomach and I get indigestion after eating it. Since I have began taking the enzyme supplement about 15-30 minutes before eating a meal with meat, I feel like my digestion issues have improved some. I have reached for the baking soda (my natural indigestion remedy) less. Otherwise, I have not had any GI issues like gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. I do feel like taking the enzyme supplement when I know I am going to eat a meal with meat has helped my digestion.

If you are looking for a high quality, natural enzyme supplement, 100 Natural Enzymatrix Complete Digestive Enzyme System is a great supplement to have on hand. This supplement would also be great for people who have intolerances and sensitives to food groups such as gluten and dairy because it might allow them to consume those food groups without the negative side effects.

Disclosure: I am not a medical professional. Information about the product was sourced from the company website. These statements have not be reviewed by the FDA, not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any conditions or diseases. Please consult your physician before starting a new supplement. I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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Probiotics for Better Health [Review]

Even if you eat a clean and organic diet, it is commonly known that foods today do not contain as many vitamins and nutrients as they did before when farming was not done on such a commercial scale and using so many pesticides and chemicals. Adding high quality, natural and organic supplements can be a great way to improve the function of your body. Whether dairy is part of your diet or not, taking a probiotic supplement supports your GI system and increases your immunity. Upbiotics Advanced Probiotic Blend consists of an optimized amount of 7 essential probiotic bacteria that are naturally found in the human body.






Upbiotics Advanced Probiotics Blend      

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Effective
Natural ingredients
No artificial additives or preservatives
Made in the USA

100 Naturals Upbiotics Advanced Probiotic Formula contains 11.5 billion organisms (at the time of manufacture). This is a higher number than most probiotic formulas. The recommended dose is 2 capsules taken daily, preferably with a meal. The capsules are the standard size and are easy to take. The probiotic formula is flavorless.

Upbiotics Advanced Probiotic Formula ingredients:
Probiotic Bacteria
   Bacillus subtilis
   Lactobacillus rhamnosus
   Lactobacillus casei
   Bifidobacterium longum
   Lactobacillus acidophilus
   Lactobacillus plantarum
   Bifidobacterium breve
Vegetable cellulose
Maltodextrin
Medium chain triglycerides

This list of ingredients is one of the simplest for probiotic supplements. Even in natural supplements, sometimes it is hard to avoid fillers that are required to make the product work or make the supplement easier to digest and get absorbed into the body. I like the simple ingredient list. Though, if you are allergic to dairy, I would contact the manufacturer to ensure dairy was not used as a medium/culture for creating the probiotic bacteria.

I have been taking two (2) capsules on an almost daily basis with a meal, as recommended. I love that there is no smell or taste. The capsules are of standard size and are easy to swallow for me.

Since I have began taking probiotic supplements, I feel like my digestion and bowel movements are regular and of a good quality. In general, I have not had any GI issues like gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. I do feel like taking the probiotic supplement on a regular basis has helped my GI system.

If you are looking for a high quality, natural probiotic, Upbiotics Advanced Probiotic Blend is a great addition to your diet.

Disclosure: I am not a medical professional. Information about the product was sourced from the company website. These statements have not be reviewed by the FDA, not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any conditions or diseases. Please consult your physician before starting a new supplement. I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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Immunity Boosting Bomb [Recipe]

I have been dabbling in essential oils for several years. This year, I have gotten more serious about building my essential oil collection. Along with essential oils, I am also researching and buying natural immunity boosters like elderberry, raw local honey, herbal teas, etc. Having an arsenal of a variety of immunity boosting products helps to keep our immune systems strong and healthy, so that when we are exposed to germs, bacteria, and viruses, we minimize the impact on our family. My favorite recipe for naturally boosting immunity is the Immunity Boosting Bomb. Containing plant extracts, essential oils, and raw local honey, this drink is easy to take and tastes great.

Immunity Boosting Bomb

Yield: 1-2 ounces

Vegan (leave out honey or sub)
Vegetarian
Dairy Free
Nut Free

Ingredients
1 tbsp elderberry syrup or elderberry extract
1 tsp honey (can sub maple syrup or agave syrup)
30-40 drops echinacea extract
3 drops Immunity Strength essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
1 ounce of water (warm or cold, depending on your preference)

Optional Additions
5-10 drops ginger extract
5-10 drops licorice extract

Directions

1. Mix ingredients in a cup.
2. Drink 2-3 times a day when exposed to illnesses or when sick.

Norm's Farms offers high quality elderberry products . Their Elderberry Syrup and Elderberry Extract are great additions to my natural medicine cabinet. The Elderberry Syrup is sweetened with a bit of honey and flavored with cinnamon. It is not overpowering, but just enough sweetness that my 1.5 year old son loved to take this syrup when he was sick. The Elderberry Extract is just elderberries and water. The flavor is not bitter, but is not sweet. I have been taking the Elderberry Syrup straight and my son has also take some of it, though he prefers the Elderberry Syrup.

The bottles are sealed for protection. Once opened, the bottles should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within 30 days. I was a little bit worried about the 30 day use by recommendation at first. Since we are in flu season right now and I am exposed to germs on a daily basis when we go to play dates and story times with other kids, I have been taking the Elderberry Extract every day. I can see going through one bottle of this in 30 days. My bottle has been in the fridge for more than 30 days and it has not started to go bad.

The Elderberry Extract does have a little bit of Malic Acid in it to prevent fermentation. My label on the bottle I received did not disclose this information. I did read this on the Amazon product page and learned about it from the company representative.

I would purchase Norm's Farms Elderberry Syrup and Elderberry Extract again. If you are looking for a way to easily and quickly boost your immunity, look to elderberries.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. This post may contain Affiliate links. You will NOT pay more by using these links. I will receive a small kick back to support this blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own. I am not a medical professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult with your doctor regarding taking any supplements.

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Green Pancakes with Organic Spirulina Powder [Review]

One of my passions and hobbies is cooking, including baking. In high school, my mom introduced me to baking. I did not start cooking until I was living on my own after I graduated from college. After I got married, I started cooking more meals from scratch, incorporating local produce and exotic spices. While cooking is second nature now, baking is making a comeback. I enjoy trying new recipes and tweaking old recipes to make them healthier. Baked goods can benefit from adding a little organic protein powder or organic spirulina powder to boost the vitamins and nutrients. Sari Foods Organic Spirulina Powder is a natural source of vital nutrients and vitamins for a healthy body.


Organic Spirulina Powder             ($25.95, 16oz)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
USDA Certified Organic	Zip lock does not work
Very fine powder, mixes easily	Plastic bag
Great source of vital nutrients

What is spirulina? Spirulina is a natural blue-green algae (cyanbacteria) powder that is very high in protein and nutrients. The algae forms tangled masses in warm alkaline lakes. The algae is dried and prepared as a food or food additive. This algae can be consumed by humans is one of the most potent nutrient sources available. Purchasing organic spirulina is important to avoid any contamination from the ponds and bodies of water where it grows. Contaminated spirulina, potentially non-organic spirulina can contain contaminants that would make it likely unsafe for children to consume because children are more sensitive to the contaminants.

Sari Foods grows spirulina in natural soda lakes in a remote area of Mongolia and is cultivated with pure desert water from 500m underground. This water is naturally free of environmental contaminants and is naturally rich in minerals and trace elements, making the conditions optimal for spirulina that is both pure and nutrient-dense. The area where the spirulina is grown is free of industry and pollution.

Spirulina is a fantastic source of many nutrients and vitamins that naturally boost the immune system and fight aging and free radicals. Nutrients and vitamins include:

• Dietary protein
• Calcium
• Vitamin B12 (perfect for vegetarians and vegans)
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Beta Carotene
• Chlorophyll
• Phytonutrients
• Antioxidants and essential amino acids (GLA, Omega 3, 6, 9)

Now that we have given a brief overview of spirulina, let's talk about using the powder. Sari Foods Organic Spirulina Powder is very fine. When I opened the package, the powder poofed out and dusted the counter top, reminding me of very fine all purpose flour. The package has a zip lock top, but it did not work very well. I had a difficult time getting the zipper closed all the way and decided to transfer to a glass container. I would like to see the packaging improved so the zip lock top closes all the way and is easier to close. The powder is so fine that the zip lock needs to work!

I smelled the spirulina powder and tasted a bit on my finger. Very strong smell and even stronger taste. The spirulina powder is very concentrated, so a little goes a long way. One would not necessarily take a teaspoon of spirulina powder and follow with water. The powder can be added to drinks, smoothies, baked goods, etc. 

I have mainly been adding spirulina to baked good like breads and muffins. When I added 1 teaspoon of the organic spirulina powder to pancake batter, it made it very green. Once the pancakes were cooked, the color wasn't as prominent. I think my toddler would find green pancakes fun when he gets a little bit older. I also made homemade raw almond butter and added about 1/2 tsp of the organic spirulina powder to it. Spirulina's deep green color makes it great for natural food coloring. I love the versatility of the spirulina powder. The fine grain of the powder results in easy and quick mixing into your favorite food or drink.

Green Pancakes Recipe
Add 1/2-1 tsp of organic spirulina powder to the pancake batter.

Every week, I am finding new foods and drinks to add the spirulina powder to. As the flu season has started, spirulina powder is a great way to keep my family healthy and strong to combat any illnesses we are exposed to. I keep reminding myself that a little spirulina powder goes a long way. The 16 oz package will last me a long daily with weekly use.

Remember to buy organic spirulina. Conventional and non-organic spirulina can be loaded with heavy metals and toxins that can cause harm to your body. Sari Foods Organic Spirulina Powder is a potent food additive to naturally boost immunity and strengthen your family's health. I would purchase this product again.

Disclosure: I am not a medical professional. If you have any questions or concerns about using this product, please consult a qualified medical professional. Spirulina use does have precautions and warning, so please do your research on any side effects and interactions. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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How to Make Raw Almond Milk [Recipe]

Over the past year and a half, staying at home full time with my baby and now toddler has made me realize that I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I love making healthy, homemade items for us to enjoy. Though I appreciate the convenience of pre-packaged food, I receive great satisfaction from making something myself. I have full control over the ingredients. After a recent search for an organic almond milk without any additives or sweeteners (yes, even natural and organic ones), I decided to make my own. Vita Nut Milk Bag is the best nut milk bag for making your own nut milks, raw juices, cold brew coffees and so much more.

Vita Nut Best Nut Milk Bag           ($9.95)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Rounded bottom for less waste	When drawn, strings can get in the way
No tearing under heat/squeezing
Ultra-fine mesh for better filtering
Reusable, quick-drying

Making raw almond milk is an easy process with just a few steps. Vita Nut's best milk bag helps to filter out the almond milk from the almond pulp and results in easy and sanitary clean up.

Homemade Raw Almond Milk

Ingredients
1 cup raw almonds, soaked in water (cover almonds and soak overnight, 8-12 hrs)
3 cups of water
Sweeteners such as dates (3-4 dates soaked for 1 hr), raisins, prunes, agave, honey, maple syrup (optional)
Vanilla or almond extract (optional)
Pinch of sea salt, to enhance flavor (optional)

Directions

1. Place almonds in a small bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight, 8-12 hours. Can also soak for 1-2 hours, if in a pinch.
2. If using dates, raisins or prunes as your sweetener, place those in the blender with a little bit of water and blend on highest speed until creamy. 
3. Drain and rinse the almonds and place in blender with 3 cups of water, any sweeteners, vanilla/almond extract and sea salt, if using. Omit sweeteners for unsweetened raw almond milk.
4. Blend on highest speed for 1 minute.
5. Place the milk bag over a large bowl and slowly pour the almond milk mixture into the bag. 
6. Hold the top of the bag closed and squeeze the bottom of the bag to release milk. Twisting the bag can also work. This creamy liquid is the raw almond milk.
7. Pour into a glass or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Shake container very well before using because the almond milk separates when sitting. 

Photo Directions

Drain and rinse soaked almonds. Place in blender with 3 cups of water and any other additions.

Blend on highest speed for 1 minute.

 

Place milk bag over a large bowl and slowly pour the almond milk mixture into the bag.

Let the almond milk drain, then squeeze the bottom and twist the bag to release the rest of the almond milk.

 

Notes

• A food processor can be used instead of a blender. The liquid tends to leak out, so you might want to do 2-3 batches.
• Cheese bag, cheese cloth, flour sacks, etc. can also be used. Cheese cloth tends to tear with twisting, so be careful when squeezing and twisting to release the almond milk.
• Recipe can be used to make any nut or seed milk. Most seeds do not need to be soaked or strained in the nut milk bag because they blend well with water. 
• Feel free to add any other flavorings or sweeteners to the blender.
• Liquid sweeteners can also be added to the strained milk.
• Almond pulp can be saved and used as an addition to things like yogurt, oatmeal, baked good, or dried/dehydrated to make raw almond flour.

I really liked using the Vita Nut milk bag to make my homemade raw almond milk. The bag was easy to use. I did not worry about it ripping or tearing when I was squeezing the almond milk. The almond pulp inside the bag was dry, meaning that the bag and my hands did a good job at straining the almond milk. When I was done straining the almond milk, I scooped out the almond pulp to save for muffins. I turned the milk bag inside out to get all of the almond pulp out. The rounded bottom helped to scoop everything out and resulted in easy clean up. A little natural soap and water and the milk bag was clean. The milk bag dried quickly and I reused it later for removing liquid from frozen spinach.

The strings at the top help to keep the bag cinched, but tend to get a bit long when they are drawn. I found that they got in the way while I was trying to squeeze the milk out. Maybe next time, I will tuck the strings into the bag.

Vita Nut best milk bag is the secret to quick and easy homemade nut milks, raw juices and more! No tearing, less mess and frustration, and easy clean up make Vita Nut milk bag the perfect accessory for your milk and juicing endeavors.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Healthy Whole Wheat Date Muffins [Recipe]

Ever since I have become a mom, a healthy breakfast or healthy snack that I can grab on-the-go ensures I have enough energy to make it through the day. Being able to give my child the same snack is even better! This muffin recipe originally started out as a bread that I made for years. I came across the Whole Wheat Date Nut Bread recipe in Whole Living magazine. After a while, I started experimenting with different additions and substitutions. I love the versatility and ease of this recipe. Everything I added or substituted made the bread even better. The bread is always delicious and moist.

I am sharing the original bread recipe and my adaptations (in blue). I also list some of the additions/substitutions I use every time and some that I sometimes use. My recent favorite addition (to add more nuts to my 16 month old son's diet) is to grind up nuts to a meal and add them into the batter.

Note: I have reduced the amount of sugar in the recipe by 1/4 cup and it can potentially be reduced to 1/2 cup. Sugar does play a role in baking, so be careful how much you reduce it.

Whole Wheat Date Nut Muffins

Yield: 18-24 muffins (depending on how full you fill the cups)
Bake time: 15 minutes

Vegan (sub flax egg or banana)
Dairy Free (sub flax egg or banana)
Nut Free (leave out nuts)

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups hot water
1 cup pitted dates, chopped (can also sub other dried fruit)
1 large egg (sometimes I use 2 small eggs; can sub flax egg or banana)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use coconut oil; can sub apple sauce (2-4 tbsp))
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour (I sub buckwheat flour or other whole grain flours)
1 cup whole-wheat flour (can sub other whole grain flours)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup pecans, chopped (can sub any other nuts or leave out, whole or ground to a meal)
3/4 cup brown sugar (can reduce to 1/2 cup, can sub turbinado)

My Additions (I usually put in)
Nuts of any varieties (whole or ground)
Spices (1 tsp nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, or ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, all or some)
Hemp protein powder (2 tbsp)
Nutritional yeast (1 tbsp)

Other Additions (I sometimes put in)
Flax meal (2 tbsp)
Hemp seeds (2 tbsp)
Dried fruit (like raisins)
Molasses (1 tbsp)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, pour hot water over dates (and any other dried fruit) and let stand until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Whisk in egg (or flax egg or banana), oil (or apple sauce), and vanilla (and any other wet ingredients).
4. In another bowl, stir together flours, baking soda, salt, nuts, and sugar (and any other dry ingredients).
5. Fold wet mixture into dry until just combined.
6. Fill muffin pan about 3/4 full and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Bake for 15 minutes for both regular and mini muffins, or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. (bread bakes for about 65 minutes)
8. Let rest 10 minutes, then remove and move to a cooling rack.

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Graindrops Organic Probiotic Beverage [Review]

Probiotic beverages are a great way to get a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Fermentation is a great way to access these vitamins and minerals, which is why a lot of probiotic beverages are fermented. Probiotic beverages are also dairy based. For those who are following a vegan diet or cannot consume dairy, Graindrops offers an organic, GMO-free probiotic grain milk to optimize personal health and wellness. Graindrops uses Koji, an Asian fermentation culture that offers more than 40 enzymes to support our body's health.

Graindrops Probiotic Beverage   
   ($5.99)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
USDA Certified Organic
Naturally fermented
22-24g of whole grains per serving
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free

Graindrops is an organic probiotic non-dairy beverage that is dairy-free and gluten-free (does contain oats). Graindrops adds agave syrup to sweeten the beverage, so I would call it cane sugar-free also. This probiotic beverage is triple cultured to result in a culture grain milk that contains natural probiotics. One of the things I really like about Graindrops is that this vegan beverage contains both prebiotics and probiotics. This combination aid digestion and increase the availability of nutrients for easier digestion. What a great way to boost immunity and maintain immunity.

Graindrops is certified gluten-free. However, it does contain gluten-free oats. Graindrops ensures that the gluten-free oats are not contaminated in the field or during processing. People who are allergic, intolerant or sensitive to gluten can also be allergic, intolerant or sensitive to oats because oats contain a similar protein to gluten. While Graindrops is gluten-free, it might not be completely allergen-free for those who react to oats.

Graindrops is available at my local Whole Foods Market. They used to have a bigger selection with more flavors, but recently reorganized the dairy and non-dairy sections and only have one of the flavors, Original. I have tried the Blueberry flavor in the past and prefer the fruit flavors to the Original flavor.

The Koji culturing method does provide an interesting flavor. Graindrops would describe it as rich, rounded, full flavor with a clean and refreshing taste. I agree! It is unlike anything I have tasted before, but I do like it. The texture is creamy with a clean finish.

For the Original flavor, I would probably add a little bit of honey or homemade fruit puree to round out the flavor. I have been adding Graindrops to smoothies to boost nutrition.

If you are looking for a dairy-free and gluten-free probiotic beverage that is naturally fermented, I recommend that you try Graindrops.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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