Tag Archives: fermented salsa

  1. The Benefits of Probiotics

    I am very excited today to share this post with you. Not only is the lovely Eliza Schneider of Embodied Emergence joining us again, to share her thoughts on probiotics, but I am also sharing some great probiotic encouraging recipes from some wonderful friends of mine, as well. Probiotics have single-handedly changed the game for my always troubled gut, my only complaint of probiotics is that I didn’t learn of them sooner. I am so happy Eliza took some time to explain probiotics and share all of the amazing benefits we get from them.

     ——————————————————————————————

    If you’re interested in taking better care of your digestion you’ve surely been hearing buzz words like “probiotic,” “prebiotic,” “digestive enzymes,” “intestinal flora”… don’t be scared by these terms!   You’re not alone if you’re thinking “WTF is this biotic stuff all about?  Should I be taking supplements? Do I need this stuff?  What kind should I be getting?….!!??”

    Don’t fear! The digestive detective (my new self-title, haha) is here to “break it down for you,” so to speak.

    Today we’re going to focus on your intestines.  These windy, long intestinal tunnels have villi (tiny hairs) capture the nutrients and send them into your blood stream.  These villi are covered with tiny bacteria (probioitics).    The probiotics repel yeast, bad bacteria, and fungi from getting into the blood stream.  It is VITAL that the nutrients are able to absorb into the blood stream at this point in the digestive process, and the probiotics assist in allowing this to happen.  The intestines are the final frontier for the digested food before it’s moved into the colon and then released as waste.

    On average, we have over 1,000 different types of bacteria that live in our digestive track and help to break down food and absorb nutrients! (Amazing, right!?)  But sadly, things like antibiotics and diets filled with processed foods can cause these helpful bacteria to die off.  As I mentioned in a previous blog post on POO, foods that cause inflammation in the body can cause the villi to be covered in a mucous that prevents mineral and nutrient absorption!  This in turn can cause problems like constipation or diarrhea, IBS, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating and other not-so-fun digestive problems.

    Something to be aware in today’s factory-farmed world is that there can even be trace antibiotics in the meat you are eating.  Conventional farmers often add antibiotics to animals who are grown close together and are prone to bacterial infections.  Also, some fish are packed in antibiotics so that they don’t develop bacteria on them as they are shipped to stores.  By choosing organic fish and meats you’ll avoid these risks.

    The GOOD NEWS is that probiotics (supplements that help rebuild the intestinal bacterial [AKA flora]) can relieve many of these problems!  Probiotics are microorganisms that offer some form of health benefit to the host.  Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a special kind of dietary fiber that nourish the existing bacteria already living in the colon.  They are naturally occurring in many plants.  Basically, prebioitics are fibers (non-living) that help feed the good bacteria (probioitics!).

    In this post, we are going to focus on PRObiotics, the actual beneficial bacteria that we ingest either in foods, or through supplements and are produced naturally (in a healthy body) in our intestines.

    The Benefits of Probiotics

    Some foods with natural probiotics in them are:

    • Plain yogurt (Be sure to pick one without too many filler sugars and that says something like “live and active cultures” to be sure you’re getting good bacteria!)
    • Kefir (fermented milk drink made with kefir grains)
    • Fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, etc
    • Miso (fermented soybean paste… makes great soups, and yummy dressings!)
    • Tempeh (fermented soybean)
    • Kombucha (basically bacterial cultures that in a tea-based drink)
    • Dark Chocolate (YESS!!!)
    • Olives (also go through a brine-fermenting process) Read the rest of this entry »
  2. Fermented Salsa – Gluten-free, Vegan

    Fermented Salsa

    First off, I know for many of you, your very first question will likely be “Why?” Why would you ferment salsa? Well, I suppose that could be asked about many things. Why ferment? Admittedly, fermentation and cultured foods is something I am newly interested in and I am still learning a lot about. So, I will just share some of what I have learned about why fermented foods are so good for us.

    There is so much more to having a balanced and happy gut than we realize. It is now estimated that over 500 species of bacteria are present in our intestinal track with reports of 50 – 75% of our immune system activity residing there. In our modern world filled with antibiotic drugs, chlorinated water, antibacterial soap and pasteurized foods, we are killing off all of the good bacteria we need to maintain good health and digestion. If we don’t actively replenish this good bacteria that we need, we won’t get the proper nutrients out of the foods we are eating.

    Why Ferment?

    There are so many healthy enzymes that flourish and live cultures that are created when vegetables are fermented, creating an environment full of probiotics, enzymes and minerals which are important in maintaining healthy digestion and a healthy body. These live cultures, usually bacteria or yeast, that fermented foods contain, help balance the microflora are a little city of tiny organisms in our large intestine that, when working well, help digest fiber, protect us from things we’d rather not absorb like carcinogens, and keep the bowel healthy.

    The probiotic good bacteria and enzymes in fermented foods help to populate our gut and intestines with Lactobacilli which are really important for healthy digestion. They also help to eliminate toxins from our body, so eating them will allow your intestines to detox, which is a really good thing! All of this beneficial bacteria (or probiotics) have also been shown to help slow or reverse some diseases, improve bowel health, aid digestion, and improve immunity! I am a huge proponent of taking a daily probiotic, which has changed the way my gut feels on a daily basis.

    Read the rest of this entry »

DISCLAIMER: This website is written and produced for informational and educational purposes only. Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA. Content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. The reader assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional before starting a new diet or health program. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. The writer(s) and publisher(s) of this site are not responsible for adverse reactions, effects, or consequences resulting from the use of any recipes or suggestions herein or procedures undertaken hereafter.