Kombucha is everywhere, and its fan base is growing rapidly, with sales estimated to grow to $1.8 billion by 2020.

Its high levels of probiotics and antioxidants make it a healthy alternative to soda, with numerous benefits for digestion, mood, immune function, and weight regulation.

The challenge is that kombucha is expensive, and its healthful qualities can be mitigated by the inclusion of excess sugar.

Now, health seekers are taking matters into their own hands. More and more people are fermenting their own kombucha at home. Not only is it easy and fun to customize healthy flavors, it’s remarkably cost-effective at just 50¢ per gallon (that’s eight store-bought bottles) versus a whopping $3–$5 per 16 ounce bottle at the grocery store.

Lila Volkas is a certified Nutrition Consultant and received her education from Bauman College: Holistic Nutrition in Berkeley, CA. She was inspired to follow this path by her own four-year healing journey from chronic skin, digestive and fatigue issues. She has come to recognize the onset of these health challenges as a blessing in disguise. They strengthened her ability to listen and attune to her body's needs and led Lila to her dream job of helping others find healing through food.

ABOUT BAUMAN COLLEGE
Established in 1989, Bauman College is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that educates future leaders, thinkers, and creators in the holistic nutrition and culinary arts professions to support people in achieving optimal health. Bauman College’s philosophy centers around the Eating for Health® model developed by Dr. Ed Bauman. This model is a whole-foods approach based on seasonal, organic, unprocessed, and local foods. Within this framework, Bauman College also emphasizes bio-individuality over one-size-fits-all recommendations—each person must eat in a way appropriate to his or her unique physiology and lifestyle.