To Make Kombucha

These instructions were given to me by my friend Jillian Mahl Peet who is a culinary chef and Licensed Massage Therapist:

Brew 1 gallon of strong tea using black or green tea leaves or bags.

Add 1 cup of sugar, stir to dissolve. Strain into brewing vessel(s)   and cool to 80 - 90 degrees.

Add mother (SCOBY) to brewing vessel(s), cover with cheesecloth or a thin towel. Secure with elastic or a rubber band or string to keep bugs out.

Allow brew to ferment 5 days to two weeks.  It takes longer to brew in the winter. Do not keep in a sunny spot.

The mother should rise to the top, produce some bubbles and a clear white layer will form across the top of the liquid. Should produce a 'yeasty' sour aroma like vinegar, not anything 'rotten' or 'putrid.'

2018 Matriarch Massage & Wellness Events

Hello and welcome to my blog! I'm excited to share my passion of therapeutic massage and wellness events with you. Becoming a massage therapist in 2016 was just half of my goal. The second half of that dream is becoming a health coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition this year. I'm still in school but ready to share with those who are seeking answers and solutions to chronic pain and illness. I'm a 45 year old mom of two teen boys who were exclusively homeschooled from birth to ages 7 and 10. We volunteered on organic farms in California and camped in 6 National Parks plus drove to Alaska. I've been a health enthusiast most of my life but have experienced my own health challenges and a near death crisis enough to know there is always more to learn about living a balanced and happy life. 

Please join me at any of the events below or contact me for private health coaching or therapeutic massage.

Much love,

Heather Brown 

LMT & Holistic Health Coach

Offices @ 

 The Soul's Garden Shop, 501 North Ave, Norwalk 

(across from 2nd Casey's in Norwalk) 

Text or call for same day appointments when available...515.689.2001

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August 2018

Chair Massage (Most) Saturdays at Natural Grocers in the classroom or health & beauty area from 9:30-11:00 a.m. ~ $1 a minute (Natural Grocers on 86th & Hickman, Clive)

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A Second Office Location opening this month in Norwalk.  
I'm very excited to offer another location at The Soul's Garden at 501 North Ave, Norwalk, Iowa (JUST west of Hwy 28 and across from the 2nd Casey's gas station on the way to Cumming. The Soul's Garden is a new shop which offers Young Living Oils take and make roller balls, Reiki for people and pets, yoga classes, chakra classes plus massage, health & wellness events by yours truly! I can't tell you how excited I am and welcome you to visit me at either of my offices. My first office is at the fabulous Unity Center in Des Moines. Call or text me for same day appointments when available. 

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Kombucha 101 Class
Wednesday, August 22nd from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Natural Grocers Demo Kitchen in Clive, Iowa (86th & Hickman)

Kombucha is a sweet, fizzy drink made of yeast, sugar, and fermented tea. It has a number of potential health benefits, including gut health and liver function. Kombucha starts out as a sugary tea, which is then fermented with the help of a scoby. "SCOBY" is actually an acronym for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast." It's very close cousins to the mother used to make vinegar. I will go over the kombucha making process in this class and show you how I made my first kombucha batch this summer with a SCOBY from a culinary chef. No samples will be given of my batch for liability reasons but we will taste samples of kombucha sold at Natural Grocers. 

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September 2018

Natural Grocers Demo Kitchen in Clive, Iowa (86th & Hickman)

Date is to be determined 
Jun Tea 101 

Jun tea is a delightful fermented tonic that is cultured with honey in a base of green tea. It is known as the “champagne of kombucha” because of its soft, light flavor and plentiful carbonation. It differs from kombucha in that it cultures best with green tea and raw honey, while kombucha thrives in black tea and sugar. It is truly a delicacy.

The history and origins of jun tea are mysterious. Some speculate that this close member of the kombucha family was a spiritual elixir originating in regions of northern China and Tibet. Others, however, think that it is a more recent deviation from kombucha.

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October 2018
Our first Holistic Lifestyle Potluck begins on Wednesday, October 3rd at 5:30 p.m. We will each be invited to bring our favorite gluten and dairy free food and share our experience and encourage one another plus set goals and intentions. I'll bring a main dish using items purchased at Natural Grocers. We will meet the first Wednesday of the month in the classroom & demo kitchen at The Soul's Garden in Norwalk. You may join us even if you come empty handed. ALL ARE WELCOME.

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November 2018

Holistic Lifestyle Potluck  on Wednesday, November 7th at 5:30 p.m. We will each be invited to bring our favorite gluten and dairy free food and share our experience and encourage one another plus set goals and intentions. I'll bring a main dish using items purchased at Natural Grocers. We will meet the first Wednesday of the month in the classroom & demo kitchen at The Soul's Garden in Norwalk. You may join us even if you come empty handed. ALL ARE WELCOME.


Group and Corporate Health Coaching Begins. If you would like me to contact your employer for group health coaching at your work place, please send an email to matriarchmassage@gmail.com with the contact person and their phone number, email or mailing address. 

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December 2018

Holistic Lifestyle Potluck  on Wednesday, December 5th at 5:30 p.m. We will each be invited to bring our favorite gluten and dairy free food and share our experience and encourage one another plus set goals and intentions. I'll bring a main dish using items purchased at Natural Grocers. We will meet the first Wednesday of the month in the classroom & demo kitchen at The Soul's Garden in Norwalk.  You may join us even if you come empty handed. ALL ARE WELCOME.