kefir smoothie with pomegranate juice and berries

i'm learning that having small light sources is important in food photography.  i'm also learning that i need small light sources (and perhaps an actual camera, not just a blackberry).  anyways...


i have recently become obsessed with kefir, after consuming its powerful probiotics aided me in overcoming a nasty stomach virus (tmi?  sorry...).  i found myself buying a variety of flavors and being perfectly content with a glass of kefir for my morning meal.  curiosity got the best of me and i got the itch to make my own kefir.  i searched for local kefir makers who were giving kefir grains away (why pay?), and voilà, i pick up a few tablespoons from a nice eastern european man, and i'm ready for kefir making!

all you need is milk (mammalian if you want the grains to multiply), kefir grains, and a container (most people use mason jars or similar glass products, i used an old ceramic canister...just something that's not metal that will allow oxygen in so the grains can breathe).  combine (i'm told the general rule is 1 cup of milk to 1 tbsp of grains), mix, cover (not airtight!) and place in a corner away from the sunlight.  mix the solution every so often, and 24 hours later you have kefir!  

strain the grains, place the kefir liquid in a container for the fridge, and restart the process with your hungry, hungry kefir grains.  if you're not in the mood to make more, put the kefir grains in a smaller container with a little bit of milk and place in the fridge; they'll go dormant until you're ready to feed them again.  you can use the kefir right away.  drink alone, eat with your cereal, or make a smoothie, like the one below:

kefir smoothie with pomegranate juice and berries (yields 1 serving)
1/2 cup kefir
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup frozen mixed berries


-combine and mix
-enjoy