Kefir is most commonly known as the "yogurt drink" in your grocers dairy section.  Unfortunately, like most highly marketable food products, this store bought drinkable yogurt is loaded with sugar and is only posing as true kefir.  Kefir grains are micro-organisms of bacteria and yeast that feed off sugars and thus multiply when added to liquids that naturally contain sugar, like cow's milk.  These bacteria are extremely beneficial and aid in balancing a healthy gut environment. While you can homemake true kefir with cow's milk (it's delicious), it should be fresh from the farm non-homogenized, non-pasteurized full fat milk for the best most organic results.  That being said, many of the reasons that we need these helpful little bacteria were caused by dairy in the diet, and thus wouldn't make sense to add kefir to you dairy!  So, we have almond milk kefir!  A great way to incorporate your healthy kefir bacteria without using dairy, soy, or rice products...and it's GAPS friendly, paleo friendly, and super easy.

Almond Milk Kefir

You’ll need:

• 1 cup raw almonds soaked for 8 hrs or more
• 2 liters water
• A nut milk bag to strain your milk (these can be found at your health food store)
• Body Ecology Diet's Kefir Starter  (they sell this at Vitamin Cottage, but can also be found here http://bodyecology.com/digestive-health-kefir-starter.html#sthash.oCqOLC0g.dpbs)
• 2 24oz mason jars or containers of choice

Directions:

• First you should soak your almonds, 8 hours in filtered water, on the counter is fine.
• Drain the almonds and add to a high powered blender like a Vitamix, I use a Ninja.  
• Add your 2 liters of filtered water, that's a little more than 8 cups, and blend blend blend
• Pour the contents through your nut milk bag, over a large bowl so you can catch the contents!
• Then mix in your Kefir Starter with a whisk
• And pour contents into your mason jars
• Seal, and leave on your counter (at least 70 degrees) for 24hrs

There will be a "froth" on top.  That's the fat from the almonds that's risen to the top.  Totally fine to just shake and drink that, but some people like to scrape it off and use it in smoothies.  This kefir is extremely mild tasting!  It will smell a little sour, or like yogurt, but the taste is much less potent than you would think.  You can add a little lemon or just drink it plain.

I suggest starting with a couple ounces first think in the morning for a few days to see how your body responds to the probiotics before drinking a full glass at a time.

Enjoy~