Search Results: kefir grains
Kefir grains themselves are made up of many different species of bacteria and yeasts. Within the cell walls of the grains are cellulose microfibrils which are embedded in a polysaccharide matrix consisting of proteins. […]
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I love my kefir grains and they love me. It’s true! We’ve been in a long relationship for over twenty years and they never cease to amaze me with everything they can do. […]
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We make a lot of kefir. We drink it every day along with making kefir cheese and kefir sodas, so we make it daily. As usual, my husband and kids were helping me make kefir on April 1st, 2014. As I poured out the jugs into the strainer, no kefir grains appeared. . .
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A What amount of water kefir grains do I need to make water kefir? You’ll need three to four tablespoons of kefir grains to culture four cups of water kefir every 24 to 48 hours.
Read MoreA What do I do if my water kefir grains are slimy and smell bad? This is usually a result of over-mineralization: Sugars such as coconut sugar or honey can contain to many minerals and it is best to switch to an unrefined sugar. Warmer temperatures can also make your grains culture faster and can…
Read MoreA How do I know if my milk kefir grains are still good? They will culture your milk and turn it sour and thick within 24 hours. Make sure that you have enough grains for the amount of milk that you are using or it will separate into whey and curds which is still ok…
Read MoreA Why aren’t my milk kefir grains growing? If you are making kefir every day, your grains should be growing and multiplying. If they aren’t, it is because the temperature in your house is cooler than usual, slowing down the grains, or your kefir grains have died. If your milk is turning into kefir by…
Read MoreA I stored my milk kefir grains in the fridge for a week. Is the milk that the grains were stored in okay to drink? The milk that the grains were stored in is not really kefir. It won’t hurt you to drink it, but it probably won’t taste very good. Milk needs to culture…
Read MoreA I left my milk kefir grains in the refrigerator for a few months. Are they still good? Probably not. Kefir grains eat the milk sugars (lactose) out of the milk to live and to make their bacteria. This is why the milk gets more sour. When the grains run out of food, they begin…
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Description These are Live Milk Kefir grains that have been cared for by me and are ready to come live with you! I love these grains and I hope you will love them, too. They will make gallons upon gallons of delicious kefir from the moment you receive them. Take care of them, and they…
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Kefir Grains Never Rinse Them in Water I get so many emails from people, who in attempt to help their kefir grains, will rinse them in cool water. You should NEVER EVER EVER do this. It damages them and rinses off the protective bacteria that makes them thrive. So many times they will either die,…
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Kefir is a living food that tends to have a mind of its own. It ferments differently in the winter than the summer, so understanding the process can make a huge difference. I’m sharing seven tips to help you make great summer kefir. . .
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Keep Your Heart Healthy Just recently, my dear friend’s husband died at a young age of a heart attack and nobody saw this coming. It can be so devastating to families to feel the hurt of losing someone they love. Your heart is certainly one of your most important organs, and since heart disease is…
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Listen To My Podcast I get more emails about kefir separating into whey and curds than any other question about cultured foods. It can happen because the grains are growing or the temperatures have gotten warmer or a few other things. It’s not a bad thing and the kefir is still good, so don’t throw…
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I remember that day quite vividly. It was over fifteen years ago. It was February and bitter cold outside. I made myself a breakfast that I thought was healthy – high-fiber cereal and skim milk. Thirty minutes later a terrible feeling came over me […]
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Introduction Do you want to get started making Kefir? Contains live strains. Gluten-free. Non-GMO. Cultures at room temperature! Kefir is a cultured drink, traditionally made by adding kefir “grains” to some type of milk, including non-dairy milks. We have gone a step further and freeze-dried the kefir grains into a powder and made the process into…
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Listen To My Podcast One of my favorite things about kefir is the many stories, legends, and history behind it. It has been around for thousands of years and the stories are many, as are the mystics behind this food. It would make a great documentary! Kefir seems to have been around since time began…
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The Many Legends of Kefir One of my favorite things about kefir is the many stories, legends, and history behind it. It has been around for thousands of years and the stories are many, as are the mystics behind this food. It would make a great documentary! One of the first stories I heard dates…
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Kefir can be made with many different kinds of milk, be it non-dairy or dairy milk. It differs in calories and nutritional differences depending on which type of milk you use. Kefir is far superior to regular milk. Fermentation is the alchemy of milk. […]
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I love kefir grains, but I didn’t start my journey making kefir using kefir grains. I started with powder kefir packages and was very glad I did. […]
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In these summer months, has your kefir been fermenting faster and turning into curds and whey before you know it? […]
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There are many ways to make kefir with many different types of milk, and believe me, I’ve tried them all. Mostly to try to help you. I have some of my favorites, but I will explain which ones you can use and let you know my favorites too. […]
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When your feet hit the ground in the morning are you pumped about the day? Do you feel appreciation and love for others? Do you have energy that will last all day? Did you know that you are supposed to feel this way? […]
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Kefir is my favorite cultured food. It has the most probiotic strains of any cultured food (over 50 strains) and is also super easy to make. It was the first cultured food I tried and it made me well in so many ways that I started on a journey to learn all I could about this magical food. […]
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More and more people are eating raw and unprocessed whole foods which is a good thing – unless they’re loaded with enzyme inhibitors and phytates. […]
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Get extra Minerals from your Food Making Cultured English Muffins There is a famous bakery in Kansas City called Wolferman’s that sells their gourmet baked goods to many distributors (like Harry & David’s) and has been around since 1888. Every fall I used to drive thirty minutes to get their legendary super-delicious English muffins that…
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“Kefir is worth the trouble of making. Like all things virtuous, you have to struggle to gain the reward. Trust me, the rewards are many.” Donna In these summer months, has your kefir been fermenting faster and turning into curds and whey before you know it? In the summertime, kefir can change and many people…
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I have seen many people benefit from kefir, and this includes non-dairy kefir. So many people need a dairy-free version, so we created just about every kind of non-dairy kefir we could think of. […]
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Don’t throw out your kefir if it separates into whey and curds. Your whey, although less appealing to many individuals, is a superfood which contains a lot of healing properties. There is something known as “The Whey Cure” which was used throughout history. In fact, Hippocrates and Galen, two founding fathers of medicine, frequently recommended whey to their patients to heal them. This whey was often referred to as “liquid gold.” […]
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Lots of articles are popping up about reasons you should have kefir, but few of the people writing the articles have actually drunk kefir every day for 14 years. This post is specifically talking about milk kefir and not water kefir. My reasons for drinking kefir are very personal and specific to me. […]
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Perhaps you’ve seen this happen, and it even happens to me from time to time: My kefir will get really sour. This can happen for several reasons. During your first ferment, you let your kefir ferment too long on your counter, or your house might be warmer than usual. […]
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Many years ago I discovered a way to make kefir not only taste better but also increase the nutrients in it. It is the only way that I make my kefir now because it is so delicious. The process is called second-fermenting. I have to admit that the reason I second fermented my kefir is that it tasted so much better. […]
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Are you ready to master kefir and eat it every day? Most diseases begin in your digestive system, including physical and mental disease. Once you heal your gut, your digestive system will begin to work properly again and disease symptoms will begin to resolve. Kefir is a great place to start. […]
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I have seen many people benefit from kefir, and this includes non-dairy kefir. So many people need a dairy-free version, so we created just about every kind of non-dairy kefir we could think of. We have 16 in all and I want to tell you which ones I like the best and how to make it thick like yogurt! […]
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So, what is the difference between kefir and yogurt? Which is better? Kefir is far superior, but yogurt has its benefits too. I read once that yogurt is like wine and kefir is more like champagne. It has more pizazz! […]
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Coconut water is one of my favorite drinks! It is fast, super easy to make, and wow is it good for you. Listen and check out the many health benefits and why drinking this can help with anxiety, kidney stones, blood pressure, and more. It’s bubbly, tangy, and delicious! […]
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Kefir was life changing for me in regards to blood sugar problems. Find out how kefir can help your blood sugar by changing the microbiome and enhancing your overall health. . .
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Coconut water is one of my favorite drinks! It is fast and super easy to make and wow is it good for you. Water Kefir Crystals make fantastic coconut water kefir. It’s bubbly, tangy, and delicious! All you need are water kefir crystals (which are different from milk kefir grains) and some coconut water and 24 hours. . .
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We all have trials and struggles throughout our lives and often these struggles have brought me to my knees. But without fail, each and every one of them has been a blessing in disguise. The pain turned to wisdom and I found myself so grateful for the struggle that brought me so much pain. . .
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People often ask me about water kefir and milk kefir and which type of kefir I think is more beneficial. Water kefir is a non-dairy kefir that is gaining in popularity. Many people start with this method of making kefir because it’s so easy and fun and they want a non-dairy option. . .
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In 2001, I was battling hypertension and diabetes. It was then that I started drinking kefir and I noticed an interesting occurrence. It seemed that when I drank a glass of kefir every day my blood pressure would go down; and not just a little, but quite a bit. It would put me in the normal range. . .
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This is my daughter Holli’s favorite breakfast. I make extra servings of the crunch topping and store it in a jar for her to use whenever she makes her morning smoothie. This was the recipe that really changed her more than any other recipe. My family is like everybody else. . .
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One of the first things I noticed when we started drinking kefir was the help my husband received with eliminating his acid reflux. It was quite surprising to me since he popped antacids like they were candy. . .
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Water kefir grains, or we call them kefir crystals, are unlike milk kefir grains as they thrive on sugars and not lactose. These special probiotic yeasts and beneficial bacteria in the water kefir crystals consume the sugar in the sugar water, and they produce probiotics, new enzymes, vitamins, and help repopulate your gut flora. . .
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I’ve received several emails from people who have been greatly helped by cultured foods in regards to kidney health. More and more medical research is showing great benefits to using probiotics for kidney health […]
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I love kefir that is thick like yogurt. However, it can sometimes be difficult to strain out the kefir grains. There is a super easy remedy for this. Enjoy the benefits of kefir and find an easy and quick way to strain it. Check out the video for tips. […]
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Goat milk was a godsend for my tiny daughter, Holli. She was born eight weeks premature and this little one rocked my world. I became a woman on a mission to help her be well. Nursing this tiny infant was a challenge […]
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I love winter kefir! It’s often creamier and thicker than summer kefir. Kefir acts differently in the winter than in the warmer months of the year, due to cooler temperatures that make it ferment more slowly. […]
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Lots of people write articles about kefir, but few of those people have drunk and made kefir for 15 years. I am a believer that kefir is not just a food but a healer. Find out 7 ways it can help you too. […]
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I can teach you three different ways to make a delicious, bubbly, probiotic soda. Find out the good things, and the things you need to be careful about when deciding if this is the cultured drink for you. […]
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We went to a nut farm this weekend and found just about every kind of nut you could imagine. Nuts are prebiotic foods and your gut loves them. I love my kefir, but nut milks don’t always make thick and creamy kefir as much as cow’s milk — until now. […]
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So, do you want to know why you have certain persistent problems with things like ringworm, toenail fungus, and athlete’s foot? All of these are caused by a fungus that can spread and grow like crazy and last for years and years. […]
Read MoreA My water kefir has changed and smells yeasty or funny? If your water kefir has a yeasty aroma you may be over-culturing, which can cause an imbalance. Make sure to reduce the culturing time in warmer temperatures, to keep the grains well-fed and in balance. With grains that have been in use for a…
Read MoreA Does non dairy kefir ferment faster? Generally speaking non dairy kefir does ferment faster than regular cow’s milk kefir. (18- 24 hours) It will also depend on temperature in your home and what kind of culture you’re using. If you are using a lot of kefir grains your kefir will ferment faster. It is…
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Water kefir crystals are often referred to as water kefir grains, or tibicos. They make a bubbly fermented drink that is loaded with probiotics! Water kefir crystals are translucent in nature and also dairy-free. They contain a healthy combination of probiotic bacteria and yeasts, and grow and multiply for as long as you take care of…
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A Can I take a break from water kefir grain? To take a break from making water kefir, prepare a sugar-water solution, place the grains in the sugar water, place a tight lid on the container, and place it in the refrigerator. This will keep for a couple of weeks in your fridge. After that,…
Read MoreA I’m going on vacation. How do I keep my grains alive and happy while I’m gone? If you don’t want to make new kefir and want to store it, place the grains in at least 2-4 cups of milk, remembering the “1 tablespoon of grains to 2 cup of milk” rule. Then add a…
Read MoreA Why is my milk kefir culturing so fast and how do I fix it? This happens for one of two reasons: Your grains have grown, but the amount of milk you’re using hasn’t increased; or your kitchen is quite warm. If the former, either remove some of the grains or add more milk for…
Read MoreA Why is my milk kefir starting to separate and curdle? It has cultured faster than expected. This is not a bad thing. It just means that your kefir is ready. Remove the grains, and shake or stir the kefir to mix it together again.
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Do you want to get started making Kefir? Try Easy Kefir. Kefir Made Easy! Kefir is a cultured drink, traditionally made by adding kefir “grains” to some type of milk, including non-dairy milks. We have gone a step further and freeze-dried the kefir grains into a powder and made the process into EASY KEFIR. It’s fun…
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Many people have found that even though they can’t consume regular dairy products, they can eat milk kefir no problem. This is because kefir eats the lactose in the milk and makes it 99% lactose free. So those who are lactose intolerant aren’t actually consuming the lactose in kefir, because it’s already been consumed by…
Read MoreAs you know, it’s hot outside. I can’t stress enough that if you order my live kefir grains, it’s your responsibility to make sure you will be home when they get delivered. Despite my best efforts to warn everyone, I’ve had too many people tell me that their grains were killed from the heat because…
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I love kefir grains, but I didn’t start my journey making kefir using kefir grains. I started with the powder kefir and was very glad I did. I was pretty much a wreck at that time in my life and I needed something easy and foolproof or it wasn’t going to happen. […]
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Many years ago I discovered a way to make kefir not only taste better, but to increase the nutrients in it. It is the only way that I make my kefir now because it is so delicious. The process is called second fermenting. I have to admit that the reason I second fermented my kefir,…
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Kefir grains love to eat the sugars (lactose) in milk. These sugars are the primary food for this culture. Fresh milk kefir is only 1% sugar and live kefir grains contain over 50 different types of yeast and bacteria existing in a symbiotic relationship. […]
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A few weeks ago I had a dream about kefir. I was watching TV in my dream and heard a newscaster say that kefir had swept the world and there was now kefir in every kitchen. I woke up and carried that dream with me for weeks. If everybody drank kefir, the world would be a better place. I am convinced of this. […]
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Is your kefir separating into whey and curds? Is your kefir thin and runny? Most of the time this is because it is over fermenting and you need to add more milk or remove some of the grains. It also might be warm in your home and this will make it separate faster as well. […]
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This last month my husband and I had our 30th wedding anniversary. Ron and I and our three kids are a tribe and we’ve always done everything together. This was the first vacation we have had alone since our honeymoon which we spent on a houseboat in Lake Powell, Utah. […]
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This kefir starter culture is made by Cultures for Health, and it makes delicious bubbly kefir soda! It can also be used for making milk kefir, but we prefer using our Easy Kefir starter for that instead. In the Bag Each bag contains: 4 packets of kefir starter. Please note that even though these packets…
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Probiotic Ice Cream If I had to choose only one cultured food, which would it be? If I were banished to a desert island, which one would I take to live with me, leaving the others behind? I really love them all, and it kills me to think about choosing just one. But if I…
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Some of the best friends I have today came to me through cultured foods. I meet people who are looking to be well – they either come to one of my classes or they find me through friends to purchase kefir grains. […]
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What is Kefir? “What is kefir?” You’ve probably asked yourself this before. Pronounced “KEE-fuhr,” kefir is a tangy, slightly fizzy, FANTASTIC fermented milk beverage. It can be made with all kinds of different milks, dairy and non dairy. It looks similar to yogurt, but is far superior. Click here to learn more on the difference between kefir…
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Gather Your Materials Most milk types are acceptable, including whole milk, fat-reduced, non-fat, pasteurized, and homogenized. Fresh raw whole cow’s milk is delicious too and goat kefir is one of my favorites! Please don’t use ultra-pasteurized milk when making kefir. Your kefir won’t do well. Many times organic milk that you purchase from a store…
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Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Dairy Milk Kefir Why is my non-dairy kefir is separating into whey and curds? This is actually normal for non-dairy kefir. Since most nut milks are made with mostly water it separates quite easily. This doesn’t diminish the product in any way. Stir or shake it up, or blend it into…
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Water kefir grains, or we call them kefir crystals, are unlike milk kefir grains as they thrive on sugars and not lactose.The special probiotic yeasts and beneficial bacteria in the water kefir crystals consume the sugar in the sugar water, and they produce probiotics, new enzymes, vitamins, and help repopulate your gut flora. They are dairy free…
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So, let’s talk about starter cultures! I would like to clear up some confusion involving starter cultures and ratios. In my first book, Cultured Food For Life, the recipe for kefir called for 1 cup of milk to 1 tablespoon of kefir grains. […]
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Oxalates and Gut Health Oxalic acid is an organic compound found in many plants. In fact, all plants produce oxalic acid at various levels. It is their natural defense against insects and other pests. The terms “oxalic acid” and “oxalate” are used interchangeably in nutrition science. Foods like spinach, beets, chocolate, and almonds are all…
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Many people wonder if probiotic pills provide the same benefit as probiotic foods since they seem to be marketed in the same way—healthy bacteria for our guts. However, probiotic foods work significantly better because of their construction […]
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Hi Donna. I’m so excited I had to share my story. A year ago I found out through a routine blood work that my kidneys were functioning at 43%. It was a shock and I was scared to death. I rocked along for a few months, changed my diet and saw little improvement. Six months…
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For many years, and way before I found cultured foods, we would travel to my mom’s house in Virginia for Christmas. It was a twenty-hour car ride from my home in Kansas City and we would often drive all night to get there so the kids would sleep. We would always be exhausted by the time we arrived at my mom’s home. . .
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Almost two decades ago I had a revelation. No longer could I rely on any individual to solve all my health problems even if it was a medical professional. […]
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Featured Image PositionClick to adjust the image position. Visitors will not see this. The Call Finding My Way To Cultured Foods You have to fight through some bad days to find the best days of your life I have always had a sense of urgency about my life. I never knew why this was, and…
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When I was growing up, my mom always made a Christmas braid on Christmas morning that was filled with cinnamon and nuts and covered in frosting. […]
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