I recently acquired some kefir grains, after reading about its magical health properties. Very exciting! These grains can culture milk at room temperature, making a yogurt-like substance, only much thinner than yogurt. (They’re not actually grain like cereal grain, but a symbiotic yeast-bacteria colony that forms gel-like curds called grains. Yum!)
I actually don’t like the taste of it plain, but I’ve used it successfully in smoothies, and in bread-making. It is much cheaper than buying yogurt, so I’m going to try using it as a substitute for yogurt, and for buttermilk, in recipes.
If you’re in the Ottawa area and want to try it yourself, let me know and I can give you some of the grains once mine have multiplied enough to share. Any other kefir suggestions?
Frugal + Urban 
I have heard that you can strain it to make it thicker (and use the whey to soak grains)….
Do you think Kefir whey is the same as yogurt whey?
I have been told Kefir way can be used in the same way yogurt way can be used.