Kombucha!

O Kombucha. How do I love the? Let me count the ways.

Many thanks to Kate, my sailing instructor co-worker for turning me on to this magical healing elixir. As I post this, I realize a couple of things:

1. Firstly- Live well, drink well really is a philosophy- It all started with cutting out soda for me- It has been 7 years now, I quit when I was a high school sophomore. When I discovered Yerba Mate, I was able to quit coffee cold turkey- three years now. At first I stuck strictly to the loose tea which I brewed myself. Then I discovered the Guayaki brand of Yerba and started drinking Mate all day every day- Hot Loose Tea in the morning and evening and a $2.60 guilty pleasure around lunch (The red pure heart is my favorite). For those who dont know Yerba Mate has more caffeine than coffee, massive amounts of theobroma- chocolate's active ingredient (similar to caffeine), and more antioxidant content than orange juice and green tea combined!
2. Kombucha is massively healthy- I noticed it the first time I drank it. It feels good for you in the same manner as eating a large (ranch dressing-free) veggie platter (vs junk food or a soda) would. It is made with mushrooms- this should be a plus to anyone who eats mushies for their health content; fungi have some amazing healing properties.
   
3. It is going to cost me (in addition to my Mate fix) $3 to $5 a pop, a day. These glass bottles of vinegary mushroomie goodness are well worth it however, and my favorite so far is the guava. Perhaps I should consider making my own- Its cheap and easier than brewing beer.

*Disclaimer* though I do not have any firsthand knowledge of kombucha, I have read that it is unadvisable to those who have pre-existing medical conditions and/or compromised immune systems.

For those of you who dont like mushrooms please dont avoid this one, it tastes more like a beer/vinegar than mushrooms- (but I do reccomepnd flavoring the first time around). If mushrooms and beer are not your thing AND you cant fathom gulping this down for your health, my hands are tied and I can't help you.
The chinese knew of this drink since 300bc. It is known for its universal healing powers. I am currently drinking a bottle a day (or two) of G.T's Kombucha and will continue to do so for a 14 day trial period- Ill keep you posted. On the bottle it says it supports: anti-aging, cancer prevention, immune system, digestion& metabolism. Body alkalinity, cell integrity, weight and appetite control. Being made of a fungi, I am prone to believe some of these health claims. Try it out for yourself if you havent already, and Yerba Mate too!

Live well, eat well, drink well, be merry! No bad days!


**P.S.
So I think Im back into the swing of things- to all my loyal fans, Im sorry for being lazy, I let the birthday pull me away from my second (or third) job, but all thats over. The internet is better,I am getting a new laptop soon (mine was stolen and currently my p key is busted on this one) & I am committed to bringing either a recipe, a review or a food related news article every day from now until the launch of my cookbook in late September and my book book around January.

Caio,
Chef Everett Lacey