Food Gloria’s Food
Food First
Biotic Woman
BY GLORIA GALE
The Standards: Gluten-Free Low-Carb K Flat Bread B D , B
Bottling living tea is an ancient art perfected by one passionate master brewer
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Image by TBL Photography
isa Bledsoe is a Scoby Master. The busy wife and mother is the epitome of an entrepreneur dedicated to mastering the art of blending an organic, probiotic beverage known as kombucha. “It all began as a hobby then spilled over into business called Tea-Biotics Artisan Kombucha,” she says. Intrigued by the process which begins with the scoby or starter composed of a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, the infusion is combined with black tea, a bit of organic sugar, filtered water and fresh juice. The entire concoction ferments in 30 days or so. The results become kombucha, a healthy, effervescent brew that most people find delightful with the first swig. Tea-Biotics passion is to brew locally the best raw kombucha on the market. Bledsoe’s mission is straightforward, “Our unique culture of bacteria and yeast gives our kombucha a flavor profile unlike any other. Flavors vary from traditional to unconventional; it is our mission to create raw kombucha that is defined by its complexity as well as its deliciousness that aids in good health. We are passionate about organic ingredients, sustainability, the environment, and our community! We strive to make our planet a better place to live through positive health and living consciousness.” Her ‘laboratory’ is a 2,000 squarefoot facility based in Lenexa where stainless steel tanks ferment with Bledsoe’s healthy potion. She’s learned to be patient where, over the next month, the tea will ripen and flavors will be added. Bledsoe produces 2,000 gallons of kombucha per month with exciting and often unexpected flavors from Root Beer, Peach, and Blueberry, to Key Lime and Lavender. Since she’s a regular vendor at the weekly Overland Park Farmer’s market,
“A tasting is what most people who are unfamiliar with kombucha want first. Many flavors are seasonal and there are always new profiles to try,” says Bledsoe who loves to watch the expression on a customer’s face as she hands an ounce or two of the refreshingly fizzy tea. Momentary skepticism by some instantly turns to thumbs-up followed by a request for an icy cup or bottle of the tea. “Not only is it a digestive aid but kombucha is a perfect alternative for people looking to promote an alkaline environment in the body,” she adds. According to Bledsoe, the list below touting kombucha’s attributes is enough to turn most people into regular sippers. Aids digestion and weight loss Boosts energy Decreases anxiety and depression, increases mental clarity Cleansing and detoxifying Along with the help of Bledsoe’s husband, Ed, her daughter Alexis and partners, Sally Stokesberry, and Mallory Price , the busy Scoby Master is in high gear, marketing her kombucha in a variety of retail establishments including: Whole Foods markets, The Brew Gallery and Bulk-It to name a few. At $3 for 16 ounces, Tea-Biotics Kombucha is quite a bargain. Stop by the Overland Park Farmer’s Market and say hi and ask for a swig! Tea-Biotics.com Kansas City writer, producer, and photo stylist Gloria Gale is a sleuth when it comes to discovering interesting features for the media. Most recently, Gloria profiled area restaurants as a columnist for 435 Magazine and was on KCUR's Food Critics radio program. Want to know where to find the best tastes in town? ggale@everestkc.net
EVOLVING…IN KANSAS CITY
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ere’s a delicious bread option 1 cup diced butternut squash or for people who are looking to carrot eat low-carb and gluten-free. 1 cup golden flax seeds, ground in It’s never failed to please our coffee grinder or high-speed blender bread-loving guests. Plus, no one will 3/4 cup or one handful dried fruit, or ever know they’re eating vegetables. pitted olives, chopped into 1/4 - 1/2-inch I like the diversity Brazil nuts bring pieces (optional) to the diet. Most people, if they eat many Blend water, brazil nuts, oil and nuts at all, eat almonds, cashews and veggies in high-speed blender until roasted peanuts. Roasting causes the fats smooth. Pour mixture into mixing bowl. to go rancid in short Add ground flaxseed order, so I consider a bit at a time, roasted nuts, stirring until a dough including peanuts, a -like consistency is treat unless you roast reached. Stir in dried them and eat them fruit or olives if right away. Nuts are a desired. perfect balance of Spread dough protein, complex onto a Teflex carbohydrates and dehydrator sheet or healthy fat. They are silicone baking mat. rich in the Spread evenly to the monounsaturated fat edges using a Image licensed by Ingram Images oleic acid which spatula. promotes healthy cholesterol, blood Dehydrate at 145°F for 4 hours, then sugar and insulin levels. Brazil nuts are at 115°F for 9 hours. Flip the bread after no exception. Nuts are an excellent 4 to 7 hours. Alternately, bake on the source of minerals. Brazil Nuts contain warm setting of your oven for 8 hours high levels of the mineral selenium, flipping halfway through. Because the essential for thyroid health, as well as temperature of the warm setting can copper, magnesium and manganese. vary from oven to oven, check progress Minerals are required to clean up frequency. This bread should be firm, yet oxidative stress, produce energy and moist. Cut into 12 to 16 pieces. make neurotransmitters. This may be Refrigerate unused portion and warm at the reason so many people feel better 145°F for 15 - 30 minutes in a dehydrator when they switch from mineral-depleted or toast lightly before serving. fast and processed foods, to eating mineral-rich, whole unrefined foods. Almonds work well instead of Brazil Bethany Klug, DO nuts in this recipe. Simply soak them for created HealthSpan out 8 hours and drain before using. of a deep wish: for I like to spread the dough with a everyone to experience rubber spatula, then smooth the surface vibrant health. We go and edges with an offset spatula, beyond the conventional available where baking supplies are sold. pill-for-an-ill approach to Coconut oil melts at 76°F. Simply place educate and inspire you the jar in warm water to melt it. so you can successfully make positive steps toward greater health and wellbeing. Gluten-Free Low-Carb HealthSpan, the holistic medicine practice of Dr. Bethany Klug, is offering some excellent Flatbread classes this summer to help you reduce your 1 3/4 cups water toxic load and add some quick, easy and 1 cup raw Brazil nuts delicious dishes to you weekly repertoire. 1/4 cup olive or melted coconut oil Learn more at www.HealthSpanKC.com or 913-642-1900.
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July 2016