Fruit Kvass and...Kvass-tini

Okay, Nick is sleeping longer than I thought he would (phew!) so hopefully I can delve into what I wanted to.  Since discovering that most of my ucky symptoms were because of yeast die off, I have been trying to incorporate less sugar, less grains, and more probiotic foods.  This is an adjustment, and something that I need to do slowly, both because it is a big lifestyle change, and because it makes me really sick to do too much too fast

The other day, I decided to make Kvass, kind of like my beet kvass, but I drank too much of the beet kvass and it made me a little sick, so I'm not so keen on the taste any more.  This kvass is a really delicious one...so much so that it's hard to NOT drink!  The recipe was straight from the GAPS book, and it's just apple, raspberries, and ginger.  Cut up the apple, including the core, grate ginger (about a teaspoon), and add a handful of raspberries.  Typically you would use whey, but I didn't have any, so I just used some salt; so add a bunch of sea salt to the fruit, then cover with water.  Leave on the counter for a few days, then refrigerate when it has brewed to your satisfaction. 

Please do beware, though, that if you are as yeasty as I am, this will cause a mild die off reaction, so proceed with caution.  I tried the kvass because it is supposed to be a gentle detoxifying tonic, and not supposed to cause die off symptoms....but I am pretty toxic, so I did experience die off.  I started out only drinking 2 oz, which I watered down. 

After the first drink, which I drank early in the day, I starting having it at the end of the day so that any die off would happen overnight while I was sleeping.  This is also when Nick nurses the least, so it minimizes the impact on him. 

Now I can have that 2 oz and I don't have the uncomfortable side effects, so I will start to up my intake.  Yay! This really is a refreshing little drink, perfect for these hot summer days.  Know what else it would work well in...a martini! Or any other light, spritzy mixer.  For my purposes, I am avoiding alcohol, but I did add some soda water and drink from a fancy glass, just to make it feel more festive. 

This drink is highly recommended!