Donna Schwenk
Hi my name is Donna Schwenk. I have been making and eating cultured foods since 2002. It was through a turn of events in my life that I found myself and my family facing major health problems.
It was these foods that turned my life around and started me on my own journey to discover how food can impact the body. These foods have been around for thousands of years. but just recently have they started making a comeback.
I am the Kansas City Chapter leader for the Weston Price Foundation, a worldwide organization comprised of people dedicated to restoring nutrient dense food to the human diet through education research and activism. I teach classes in the Kansas City area, helping to share with others what has come so easily to me. Making these foods can be daunting at times, not because it is hard but because it is new and unfamiliar. Hopefully I can clear the mucky waters and help you learn to make these foods with ease. It has been 10 years since I started making these foods. It still surprises me how much they have changed my life. They feel like friends that showed up in my life’s journey to help me out. My prayer is that they will help you too.
Press for Donna & Cultured Food Life
August 21, 2012 09:15 ET
”Cultured Food Life” Acquired by Hay House Publishing
Donna Schwenk’s Lifestyle Guide Highlights the Extraordinary Benefits of Keeping a Diet Rich in Fermented Foods
BLOOMINGTON, IN–(Marketwire – Aug 21, 2012) – Balboa Press, a division of Hay House Inc., and leading self-publisher of personal empowerment books, today announced that author Donna Schwenk’s holistic health book, ”Cultured Food Life,” has been acquired for publishing by Hay House, Inc. Schwenk’s book joins a growing list of Balboa Press titles to be acquired by traditional publishers, which includes Gerry Gavin’s “Messages from Margaret,” Bronnie Ware’s “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying” and Karen Noe’s “Through the Eyes of Another.”
Donna Schwenk began working with probiotics and fermenting her own foods in 2002. “My family and I were facing serious health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure and irritable bowel syndrome, and I was desperate for a natural solution to our problems,” said Schwenk. “After doing some research, I started fermenting foods and incorporating them into my family’s diet. The results were astounding, everyone’s health improved dramatically, and I realized that this was something I needed to share with everyone I possibly could.”
After several years of teaching cooking classes, blogging and holding seminars, Schwenk decided to write “Cultured Food Life,” and made the choice to publish it with Balboa Press. Following the advice of her marketing consultant, Schwenk attended Hay House’s “I Can Do It!” Pasadena conference and placed her book in the on-site bookstore. “Donna’s book sold out in the first day of the event, and interestingly, it was also the highest-priced title. We were astounded,” said Gail Gonzales, director of marketing at Hay House, Inc. “Donna had developed a very strong web presence on her own; she had how-to videos and very active social media accounts. She was absolutely perfect for Hay House, and if she hadn’t been at ‘I Can Do It!’, we may have never noticed.”
“Cultured Food Life” will be available this fall from Hay House, Inc. To learn more about Schwenk and to check out her fabulous fermented food recipes or read her blog, please visit: http://www.culturedfoodlife.com/. For more information about self-publishing through Balboa Press, please visit balboapress.com.
KCLiveTV
KCLiveTV- Making Kefir Breakfast Pudding.
Energy Times Magazine submitted and contributed two recipes. January 2013
In Vegetarian Times Magazine on an article about kefir. July 2012
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Article :Mom Heals Family with Probiotic Foods
Suburban Woman Magazine published an interview with Donna Schwenk in July/ Aug 2012: Pg. 58. http://www.suburbanwoman.net/
Mother Earth News will feature excepts from Donna Schwenk’s Book Cultured Food Life book on their website: http://www.motherearthnews.com
Fox 4 News
Fox4 Local Kansas City news. Making Apple Kefir Blue Cheese dip and talking about cultured foods on local news.
Fit Bottom Girls Article: Living the Cultured Food Life (Which Is Way More Tasty Than It Sounds)
- Blogtalk Radio with Gloria Prater. The Healing and Health Benefits of Fermented Foods by Nutritional Awakenings
- 1290 AM CJBK, London Ontario March 1, 2012 Andy Oudman and Pam Killeen interview Weston A. Price Foundation Chapter Leader, Donna Schwenk about her book, “Cultured Food Life,” (www.culturedfoodlife.com) and the health benefits of fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha and kvass. LISTEN HERE
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I Can Do It Conference Pasadena California October 14-16 2011
Balboa Press Releases Schedule of Free Book Signings at Hay House’s I Can Do It! 2011 Pasadena Convention Center. Signings Feature Authors Across a Wide Array of Genres.Balboa Press, a division of Hay House Inc., has released its schedule of free author signings at the I Can Do It! 2011 Pasadena convention being held at the Pasadena Convention Center. Balboa Press will host 15 free signings throughout the event.
I cant stop telling you how proud I am of you! I try to tell people when I work with them to follow their heart. Nobody can get in your way if you truly come from a helpful place. Like Wayne says: ” Dont die with the music still inside of you”. You are an inspiration to me and believe it or not you validate why i love this working with authors. Keep an open mind and have a heart of service and you’ve proven once again it works! Thanks for being an inspiration Donna <3
You are my special friend Brandon. You helped me find my way when there were so many paths to choose. You helped me make my dreams come. Appreciate you Brandon! ~ Donna
I am a new author . I am wanting to know how your experience was with the conference ‘I Can Do it”
I am offered a chance to go to one in 2013.
CONGRATS FOR GETTING PICKED UP BY HAY HOUSE.
Hi Pat,
Did you watch my Balboa video on this page? It was a huge turning point for me. without it I don’t think I would have gotten published. They said that in the article. Best thing I ever did. Thank you. Wishing the best for you and your success.
[...] http://www.culturedfoodlife.com/about-me/ [...]
Yes, it is. Something for us all to aspire to.
Thanks again, Donna
It’s so heartening to read about strong women who listen to their hearts.
Would the diet you advocate be vegan?
Jacquelyn
I am not a vegan but I do really love that cultured foods can be added to any diet. I think that our own bodies can guide us to the things that work best for us. It is the thing I am most passionate about. It is nice that after so many years my body is my best friend and teacher, giving me constant feedback as to how I am doing, body mind and soul. It’s a sweet way to live your life.
Donna,
Thanks you for your swift response and great link. Chris is an intrepid researcher.
A vegan friend of mine used Kombucha in combination with other things and is now completely cancer-free-a marathoner, in fact.
I run a holistic cancer program that works every time. Always looking for more good things to offer my clients.
Your site is most helpful.
Jacquelyn
Here is a great story about the founder of Gts kombucha and his moms cancer story. She had an aggressive form of breast cancer and was only given a year to live. That was in 1993 and she is going strong. Powerful story and one of my favorites. http://www.synergydrinks.com/enlightened/ourstory.aspx