Chef Gailyn Gagliardi received her culinary training in clean and organic cooking, but it wasn’t until she and her daughter were facing serious health concerns that she began to study the health benefits of kefir, a probiotic-rich, lacto-fermented beverage made from organic kefir grains.

Gagliardi said that within just days of incorporating kefir into their diets, both she and her daughter noticed a significant improvement in their overall well-being. Pro-biotics, said Gagliardi, are live bacteria and yeast that help to rid the digestive system of toxins.

“85 percent of our immune system is in our gut,” she said. “And yet the average person can have up to 30 pounds of toxins in their gut, inhibiting the release of vital chemicals like serotonin.”

Gagliardi has been making her Kefir Complete from live grains for the past several years. The benefit of this homemade kefir is that it contains more than 70 probiotic strains as compared to the pasteurized versions available in grocery stores, which contain only about five strains. She freezes the kefir and ships it to clients throughout the U.S.

And this summer, Gagliardi opened Kefir Complete Healing Cafe and Catering, at 5543 Carolina Beach Road. She specializes in Kefir Complete healing smoothies, which contain no sugar and are 99 percent lactose and gluten free.

Gagliardi, who is also a certified holistic nutrition and dietary health coach, said that a huge component of the cafe is educating the public on the benefits of kefir and healthy eating. She offers classes as well as one-on-one consultations and 30-day detox plans.

“Everyone’s body is different,” Gagliardi said. “But there is not a day that goes by that we don’t hear testimony from customers on how kefir has changed their lives for the better.”

In addition to three flavors of smoothies; strawberry, chia and flax and plain, the cafe serves paninis, wraps, salads and baked goods, all prepared with organic ingredients. One of those ingredients, organic einkorn berries, are used in all of the cafe’s homemade bread, which is high in protein and fiber and 99 percent gluten free.

Gagliardi also offers full-service organic catering. For more information on catering, upcoming classes, Kefir Complete, and books by Gagliardi, visit the Kefir Complete website.

Kefir Complete Healing Cafe and Catering is open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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