Cultured Food Life
Cultured Food Life

Cultured Food Life

Donna Schwenk

Overview
Episodes

Details

Discover how to make and serve delicious probiotic foods and improve your overall health with Donna Schwenk. In her weekly radio show "Cultured Food Life" (new episodes every Tuesday), Donna will de-mystify different probiotic foods such as kefir, kombucha, and cultured vegetables, and share how to add these foods into your diet. As a teacher and writer, Donna works with thousands of people to open the door to a world of foods that can help improve an array of health problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, and IBS. In her down-to-earth and informative style, Donna will walk you through the basic preparation techniques and teach you how to make these delicious probiotic recipes at home. You can find out all about Donna on her web site https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/

Recent Episodes

Episode 340: 4 Fermented Foods I Never Skip In December
DEC 7, 2025
Episode 340: 4 Fermented Foods I Never Skip In December
December is joyful and busy — which is why my body depends on four fermented foods to stay balanced. In this episode, I share the simple daily staples that keep my digestion steady, my immunity strong, and my energy up all month long: kefir, protein-rich yogurt, cultured veggies, and a bubbly kefir soda or kombucha. These small habits make the biggest difference during the holidays. 💛 Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/4-fermented-foods-i-never-skip-in-december/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/the-4-fermented-foods-i-never-skip-in-december/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://youtu.be/CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Water Kefir Crystals: http://bit.ly/2irmImW Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk
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18 MIN
Episode 339: Thanksgiving Reset- How Fermented Foods Can Help You Bounce Back Fast
NOV 30, 2025
Episode 339: Thanksgiving Reset- How Fermented Foods Can Help You Bounce Back Fast
Feeling a little off after the holiday feast? In this episode, I share a gentle 48-hour microbiome reset to help you ease bloating, boost energy, and get your gut back in balance. With simple steps using kefir, cultured veggies, kombucha, and cozy probiotic-rich recipes, you'll feel lighter and brighter in no time. Your microbes are ready to help—you just have to give them a little love. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-339-thanksgiving-reset-how-fermented-foods-can-help-you-bounce-back-fast/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/thanksgiving-reset-how-fermented-foods-help-you-bounce-back-fast/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://youtu.be/CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Water Kefir Crystals: http://bit.ly/2irmImW Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk
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15 MIN
Episode 338: How to Help Your Ferments Stay Happy in Winter
NOV 23, 2025
Episode 338: How to Help Your Ferments Stay Happy in Winter
In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite tips for keeping your ferments happy all winter long — from kefir and kefir soda to kombucha, cultured veggies, and sourdough. Winter changes the way our microbes behave, and with just a few simple adjustments, you can make some of the best ferments of your life. Tune in and learn how to create a cozy environment for your favorite ferments and keep your body nourished, strong, and supported all season long. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-338-how-to-help-your-ferments-stay-happy-in-winter/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/keeping-your-ferments-happy-all-winter-long/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://youtu.be/CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Water Kefir Crystals: http://bit.ly/2irmImW Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk
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31 MIN
Episode 337: The Miracle Inside You: How Feeding Your 100 Trillion Bacteria Changes Everything
NOV 16, 2025
Episode 337: The Miracle Inside You: How Feeding Your 100 Trillion Bacteria Changes Everything
Discover how feeding your 100 trillion bacteria with fermented foods can transform your digestion, mood, and health. Learn why The Trilogy changed my life. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-337-the-miracle-inside-you-how-feeding-your-100-trillion-bacteria-changes-everything/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/the-miracle-inside-you-how-feeding-your-100-trillion-bacteria-changes-everything/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://youtu.be/CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Water Kefir Crystals: http://bit.ly/2irmImW Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk
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11 MIN
Episode 336: Fermented Comfort Foods – Bringing Cultured Ingredients to Your Soups, Stews, and Casseroles
NOV 2, 2025
Episode 336: Fermented Comfort Foods – Bringing Cultured Ingredients to Your Soups, Stews, and Casseroles
There's nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup or a bubbling casserole — especially when it's filled with life! In this episode, we're exploring Fermented Comfort Foods — how to finish cozy dishes with kefir, yogurt, labneh, or a splash of kraut brine so they nourish both your belly and your heart. You'll learn how to keep those live cultures happy, why they boost mood and digestion, and simple ways to turn everyday comfort food into true gut comfort food. Episode link: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/podcast/episode-336-fermented-comfort-foods-bringing-cultured-ingredients-to-your-soups-stews-and-casseroles/ Link(s) I talked about: Article: https://www.culturedfoodlife.com/fermented-comfort-foods-using-cultured-ingredients-in-soups-stews-and-casseroles/ Check out these other links: My Story Video: https://youtu.be/CbX9Nv9OtGM For health tips and recipes, subscribe to our weekly emails. We'll also send you our free Getting Started Guide: http://bit.ly/2BnHpay Listen to all my podcasts: http://bit.ly/cflpodcast Become a Biotic Pro Member: http://bit.ly/2kkhwS1 Cultured Food Recipes: http://bit.ly/2UIfY2x Health and Food Topics: http://bit.ly/2SdzIOS My Amazon Shop: https://bit.ly/3KdhEge MY STARTER CULTURES Milk Kefir Grains: http://bit.ly/2rQ99PE L. Reuteri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LReuteriSuperfoodStarter L. Gasseri Superfood: https://bit.ly/LGasseriSuperfoodStarter Easy Kefir: http://bit.ly/2MQ1nPV Kefir Soda Starter: http://bit.ly/3YVErTa Kombucha Starter: http://bit.ly/2g2R9hE Vegetable Starter: http://bit.ly/2SzzVem Water Kefir Crystals: http://bit.ly/2irmImW Sourdough Starter: http://bit.ly/2IjaaXK Other items in my store: http://bit.ly/2HTKZ27 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: http://instagram.com/culturedfoodlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulturedFoodLife/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/donnaschwenk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/donnaschwenk
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16 MIN