Cultured Food Life

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy kefir! In this episode, I'm sharing 7 reasons to have kefir in the summertime—from supporting digestion and hydration to helping with quick, easy meals, smoothies, dips, and refreshing treats. Kefir is one of the simplest ways to care for your gut all summer long, and I'll show you why it's a cultured food you'll want to keep close in the warm months. Episode li...

Don't throw away your yogurt whey! In this episode, I'm sharing how yogurt whey differs from kefir whey and some of my favorite ways to use it in slushies, smoothies, cottage cheese, dressings, marinades, and more. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-363-9-ways-to-use-extra-yogurt-whey/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/dont-throw-away-you...

Simple changes can make a big difference. 💛 When I first started making fermented foods, probiotic condiments were one of the easiest ways I added more good bacteria to my family's meals. In this episode, learn how fermented mustard, probiotic mayo, and honey mustard can help support your microbiome and turn everyday foods into cultured foods your body will love. 🌱 Episode link: https://www.cult...

Bread has become one of the most misunderstood foods of our time, but what if the problem isn't always the bread — what if it's the way we make it? Discover how wild yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and time transform simple flour and water into something extraordinary. From reducing phytic acid to creating unique flavors, sourdough reminds us that microbes have the power to transform our food — and...

In this episode, we explore what happens when carrots ferment and how beneficial microbes may help unlock hidden nutrition inside food. We'll talk about the gut-brain connection, blood sugar support, estrogen balance, cravings, digestion, and why cultured carrots are so much more than just probiotics. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-360-what-happens-when-you-ferment-...

Is farmer's cheese really different than cottage cheese? In this episode, I'm sharing the story of how I first learned to make probiotic farmer's cheese over 20 years ago from a local farmer's wife in Kansas City — and why I've been making it ever since. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-359-is-farmers-cheese-different-than-cottage-cheese/ Link(s) I talked about: Artic...

Orangeade Kraut might look simple, but this fermented food is doing so much more than adding flavor to your plate. In this podcast, I'm sharing why this is the exact recipe I teach in my classes and the fascinating science behind fermented cabbage, oranges, and apples. How it can help with gut health and so much more. Tune in to learn more. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/or...

In this podcast, I explain why I changed my mind about using lactose-free milk to make yogurt, how Lactase works in the body, and why fermented dairy like kefir and yogurt are often easier to digest than regular milk. I also share why avoiding dairy for long periods can lower lactase production and make people think they have a dairy allergy when they may not. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoo...

Some memories don't just live in your mind… they live in your body. In this episode, I share a story about my daughter, a song from her childhood, and how the body remembers what nourishes it—and gently leads us back to what it needs. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-356-what-the-body-remembers/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/what-th...

Kombucha can look a little strange… but what's happening inside that jar is something amazing. In this episode, I share what kombucha is really doing, why it supports your body in unique ways, and how understanding the process can take away the fear. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-355-the-real-benefits-of-kombucha-and-what-its-actually-doing/ Link(s) I talked about:...

Two people can eat the same food and have completely different blood sugar responses. Why? In this episode, we uncover what's happening before glucose ever hits your bloodstream—and how fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and cultured vegetables can make all the difference. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-254-why-some-foods-spike-your-blood-sugar-and-others-dont-even...

Your body was designed to support you. It's working for you all day long—filtering, balancing, and detoxing—without you ever even thinking about it. But if your gut isn't working well, those systems don't work as well either. In this episode, I'm sharing why your gut is such an important part of your detox system and how simple foods—like fermented vegetables—can make a powerful difference. Someti...

Yogurt isn't just yogurt. In this episode, I explain why homemade yogurt works differently in your body—how fermentation changes everything, why it keeps you fuller, and how making a simple weekly batch can transform your routine. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-352-homemade-yogurt-vs-store-bought-why-they-dont-work-the-same-in-your-body/ Link(s) I talked about: Arti...

Most people think yogurt, kefir, and skyr are basically the same…But one simple step changes everything. In this episode, I'm going to show you how straining transforms fermented dairy — increasing protein, lowering lactose, and changing how full and satisfied you feel. We'll talk about kefir, Greek yogurt, skyr, and Yogurt Plus… and how each one works differently in your body. Because when you un...

In this episode, I'm talking about what fermented foods, protein, and fiber are really doing inside the body — and why they matter so much more than most people realize. These foods do more than nourish you. They help support your gut, feed your microbes, and influence important signals tied to appetite, satisfaction, blood sugar balance, and metabolic health. I'll share why I believe the body is...

Why do meals with fermented foods like kefir and yogurt often leave you feeling more satisfied? In this episode, we explore the fascinating connection between fermented foods, protein, the microbiome, and the gut signals that help regulate appetite and blood sugar. Donna shares insights from her own kitchen experiments and the science that may explain why fermented foods can make meals more nouris...

Protein has become the focus of modern health — but digestion is often overlooked. In this episode, I talk about why fermented protein is easier to absorb, how fermentation transforms dairy, and why foods like yogurt, kefir, and L. reuteri ferments can support muscle, metabolism, and gut health more effectively than processed protein products. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast...

How does L. reuteri actually work? In this episode, I explain how this unique beneficial bacterium functions in the upper gut, produces bacteriocins that inhibit harmful bacteria, and supports balance without damaging the microbiome.   Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-347-how-l-reuteri-targets-harmfull-bacteria-especially-in-the-upper-gut/ Link(s) I talked about: Vide...

In this episode, I share how fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, cultured vegetables, and kombucha can help calm cravings, support blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and gently bring your metabolism back into rhythm. We'll talk about why weight loss often doesn't happen right away, how your gut bacteria play a powerful role, and how small, consistent habits can create lasting change. This isn't a q...

When Is the Best Time to Eat Fermented Foods? Fermented foods were once eaten naturally—at meals, between meals, whenever they were ready. But modern digestion is different, and WHEN you eat fermented foods can matter. In this episode, I share the best times to enjoy fermented foods and why timing can support digestion, blood sugar, and appetite—especially if you're over 40 or just getting started...

In this episode, I share the ancient story of skyr—an Icelandic cultured food that has nourished people for more than a thousand years. Skyr wasn't a trend or a treat. It was relied upon, day after day, to sustain families through long winters and hard work. I also share how a visit to a Danish village inspired me to create a Viking-style seed and nut bread enriched with skyr—one of the most satis...

In this episode, I share the story of the forgotten foods that built strong guts for thousands of years — kefir, yogurt, cultured vegetables, fermented drinks, and sourdough. These foods weren't trends or optional add-ons. They were everyday nourishment that supported digestion, immunity, and resilience. If you've ever wondered why modern guts struggle so much, this episode may help you remember w...

People ask me this question all the time — which kefir is best? In this episode, I break down the real differences between water kefir, milk kefir, and kefir soda, and explain why they're not all the same, even when they look similar. We'll talk about probiotics, yeasts, sugar, alcohol concerns, and why microbial diversity matters — especially if you're healing your gut or dealing with sensitiviti...

January isn't meant for restriction, detoxes, or dieting. It's meant for rest, repair, and nourishment. In this episode, I share why January is actually the best time to heal your gut — gently and naturally. We'll talk about why true detoxing isn't about taking things away, how cultured foods support the liver, immune system, and microbiome, and why foods like kefir, kombucha, yogurt, kefir soda,...

December is joyful and busy — which is why my body depends on four fermented foods to stay balanced. In this episode, I share the simple daily staples that keep my digestion steady, my immunity strong, and my energy up all month long: kefir, protein-rich yogurt, cultured veggies, and a bubbly kefir soda or kombucha. These small habits make the biggest difference during the holidays. 💛 Episode lin...