It is time to honor the cultured side in each of us—yes, I am referring to the whole world of living organisms inside every one of us and that usually go unnoticed and unacknowledged. But without these fine friends, we would not be alive.
Unfortunately we hear only about the “bad” bacteria; the germ theory of disease. We wipe, wash, heat and antibiotic our way to sterility—but did you know that 99+ percent of bacteria are harmless?
More importantly, did you know that having the correct bacteria and other probiotics in your gut is vital to prevent disease and keep you healthy? If you are experiencing any health symptom at all, and particularly if you have food allergies, Celiacs or any gut inflammation disease, have ever taken antibiotics, have been living on a high-carb diet, have blood sugar imbalances or high cholesterol, heartburn or indigestion, and/or hormone imbalances, then it is vital you restore balance and health to the “good” bacteria and other “friends of health” living in your digestive tract. Failing to restore digestive balance can hang up otherwise sound steps you are taking to accomplish your health goals. In fact, my holistic, whole foods-based, Rejuveo Cleanse is designed to restore balance starting with digestion, read why here.
Why? Because basically the healthy bacteria digest your food, make key vitamins (such as vitamin B12, a nutrient that supports the health of your nervous system, blood cells, and many other functions) and then deliver those gifts to you via the lining of your gut.
Eating cultured foods does some important things:
1. lacto-fermentation naturally preserves food: “lacto” from a specific species of bacteria, namely Lactobacillus, e.g. the Lactobacillus acidophilus often used in the process of making yogurt, but there are many others, and “fermentation”—in this case the ability to convert sugars into lactic acid, a natural preservative.
2. lacto-fermented foods have higher nutrient and health qualities: lacto-fermentation also increases the vitamin and enzyme levels, as well as digestibility, of the fermented food. In addition, Lactobacillus organisms produce antibiotic and anticarcinogenic substances that may contribute to good health.
3. probiotic-containing foods help restore bacterial balance to your intestine: these in turn transform your food into the vitamins and fatty acids your body needs to stay health.
The beautiful part is that cultured foods can taste great and come in a variety back of delightful flavors, textures, and culinary levels of difficulty (mostly from super simple to slightly less simple—doable even for you “non-cook” types).
Enjoy the ever-growing collection of recipes in this section—here’s to the health you’ve always wanted!
Easy Homemade Probiotic Salsa
Garlicky Cultured Kraut
Designer Home-made Pickles
Lacto-fermented Gingered Peach Chutney
Lacto-fermented Dilly Beans
A tale of fermented olive tapenade (and other varieties)
Pick a Peck of Pickled Peppers
Kimchi
Gingered Beets & Kvass (that actually tastes good)
