Fermentation: the Key to Health and Fighting Antibiotic Resistance - Part Two

The real cause of disease is a weakened immune system

E. Coli is responsible for most hospital infections, but it is also responsible for keeping you alive.  When it's in your colon it breaks down nutrients and vitamins and actually helps protect you.  So why is it responsible for most infections in hospitals?  Let's consider what happens when you are in the hospital.  Do they do a lot to help promote your immune system?  No, they weaken the immune system (your resistance to disease, cancer, etc).

Risk vs. Benefit

Tetanus is a disease of sick farm animals that is naturally killed almost instantly upon exposure the the air.  Consider how weak it is since it can be killed by simply pouring a little hydrogen peroxide on the wound.  It is a very fragile bug that is also destroyed by washing with warm, soapy water.  Why then would one get a tetanus shot when studies have shown the vaccine to be associated with Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, autoimmune disorders, as well as the fact that it contains neurotoxins.
We need to develop a relationship with bacteria in our bodies to establish wellness.

EIGHTY Percent (80%) of your immune system is in your gut! 

• Being able to maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in your intestines is vital to your health as well as the health of those entrusted to your care.
• Your good bacteria are constantly being assaulted by antibiotics, chlorinated water, birth control pills, stress, sugar, and a host of other factors. 
• This has made digestive issues extremely common as well as diseases.
• Your healthy gut ratio should be 85% beneficial bacteria to 15% non-beneficial.
• Some deadly factors  have caused this ratio to be reversed in many people leaving them clearly deficient in beneficial bacteria and thus predisposed to illness!

It also bears repeating for you moms struggling with depression: 90% of the body's serotonin is manufactured in the gut.  I hope by now you are beginning to see the picture and shift your thinking.  Let's take a quick poll:  Do you want to kill the bad or feed the good?  Right, feed the good.  This is similar to other aspects of parenting where we endeavor to reward and praise good behaviors in our children in order to propagate more.  What have you done to promote health in your home today?

Living Life for Him,

The Cultured Mom

Is Kombucha Tea healthy?

Well...if you consider a strengthened immune system healthy, then read on.

We have all heard the claims that Kombucha is some kind of "Miracle Drink" or health potion, but what is it really?  When consumed within reason Kombucha tea is, at best, an enzyme-rich superfood and at worst, a superb alternative to chemical-laden sodas or fruit juices.  It really hits the spot when you are wanting that sharp bite and fizz in the back of your throat.  It provides sparkle and carbonation in a really healthy form.

Kombucha falls into the family of cultured/fermented foods and as such contains life-giving probiotics which will serve to aid your overall digestive health.  Additionally, you can expect to gain these four main health benefits from drinking Kombucha Tea:

1. Digestive system support due to the high amounts of active enzymes and probiotics
2. Cleansing and detoxification due to the Glucaric Acid that is produced in Kombucha: this acid has been shown to prevent cancer, increase energy, and detoxify the body in recent studies.
3. An excellent antioxidant due to the black tea it is made from which contains flavonoids: these have been show to boost fat loss and boost energy levels
4. Joint health and Ph benefits due to the high content of Glucosamines: terrific for athletes and those who suffer from arthritis to consume on a regular basis

 Consume a quality brand in moderation or make your own.  Just ask me how!

Living Life for Him,

The Cultured Mom 
 

Should I eat fermented foods?

Here are a few reasons I think you should eat fermented foods on a daily basis:

1. Fermented foods combat the daily attack placed on our body's immune system from chlorinated water
2. Fermented foods aid digestion
3. Fermented foods restore the proper balance of good bacteria in the gut
4. Raw, fermented foods are rich in enzymes
5. Fermenting food actually increases the vitamin content
6. Eating fermented foods helps us to absorb the nutrients we are consuming
7. Fermenting foods helps to preserve it for longer periods of time
8. Fermenting food is inexpensive
9. Fermenting food increases the flavor

Do not use chlorinated water for fermenting food!

How can I improve my family's health with probiotics?

Did you know that there are actually more bacteria in your body than there are cells in your body.  That is one reason it is so important to make the most of the food you eat by including probiotics.  These good bacteria serve to help us fully break down (digest ) the food we eat. If for some reason you or one of your children must use antibiotics it is vital to your health that you consume an increased amount of probiotics in order to replenish the healthy flora.  Remember antibiotic literally means "against life" and probiotic means "for life."  What can you do to promote life and wellness in your family today?  Serve the amazing SUPERFOODS that I call The Trifecta, of course:

Kefir - raw goat's milk is preferred but cow's milk is also acceptable.


Cultured veggies - use organically grown vegetables only and non-chlorinated water.


Kombucha - for a fun, fizzy soda alternative that is sometimes touted as the "elixir of life" or alternatively, enjoy water kefir made with coconut water.

Eat from one of the three choices at EACH meal of the day.

 

Sauerkraut for Dummies...or Smarties: Fermented Vegetables

Sauerkraut is a love of mine and always has been.  I love it's vinegary, pickly taste.  Perhaps if you do not share my affections for this lowly vegetable it is because you have tried the store-bough varieties.  That stuff pickled in brine and lying there limp on in the can or bag is no longer what I consider to be sauerkraut.  It looks dead because it is.  Put aside what you thought sauerkraut was and relish with delight every bite of your new-found love...cultured cabbage.  Fermenting foods is one of the oldest methods of food preservation.  The liquid that is given off by the fermentation process becomes lactic acid.  It is one of the necessary components and is also responsible for helping your body more readily assimilate the nutrients you are feeding it.

Method One - the simplest.  This is my Basic Sauerkraut Recipe.  Nothing fancy, mellow flavor.  Click here for a great demonstration found on YouTube.

Tools you will need:

• Get the kids involved.
• 3-4 Heads of organic cabbage.
• Large stainless steel bowl.
• A smasher, hammer, or mallet-like object for breaking down the cabbage.
• Sharp knife
• Fermentation crock or jars
• Salt
• Filtered, boiled water - to your liking, up to 3.5 cups

Method:

1. Use the knife or food processor to shred the cabbage...all of it.  If you use the knife be certain to slice into thin ribbons in order to create a small surface area which is broken down faster.
2. Place the cabbage in the bowl in batches, depending in the size of the bowl and really work to break it down.  Let the kids squeeze and smash and smoosh and twist to get the cabbage to give up as much liquid as possible.
3. Mix in up to 3T of Real Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt.
4. Begin to pack your container(s), push down, stuff in some more, until you have about an inch of space at the top of the vessel and liquid completely covers the entire surface area
5. Press down the jarred cabbage once more and add any additional cabbage from bowl in order to pack tightly and
   
   
   
    help it stay submerged under the liquid.
6. Put the lid on jars (if using) with the bands loosely tightened to allow the gases to escape.
7. Put on the counter for 7,-28 days, depending on your tastes, then refrigerate.

Living Life for Him,
The Cultured Mom