My fermenting kitchen
I feel like a bit of a witch with a counter full of pots and jars that are bubbling and brewing and filled with strange looking concoctions. I’ve got kombucha, kefir, and kimchi going at the moment in full recognition of the importance of probiotic rich foods for gut health.
I usually recommend to my clients to start with kimchi, as it is easy and pretty fool proof. You can find the kimchi recipe I use and recommend to clients here. It’s from my friend and favorite raw chef Sunita Vira of The Raw Food Centre in Chicago. Try it. It is easy and delicious.
A little goes a long way when it comes to fermented foods, and I like to use a tablespoon or two of kimchi with a meal, or work some into a Paleo sandwich. Yum.
Ginger
It’s rainy season here in Manila. Changing temperatures and hot and humid weather makes a perfect setting for viruses and bacterial infections and when my son caught a bug last week, homemade ginger & manuka honey syrup was my go-to for soothing his sore throat and providing an anti-inflammatory boost to his system.
Ginger is also great for digestive support. Grated ginger pickle made with some lemon juice and Himalayan pink salt is a great way to get the digestive juices flowing before meals, which supports the breakdown and absorption of food.
Read more about this amazing root here.
Matcha Tea
This isn’t exactly a new kid on the block but I still love it. It’s my staple nourishing mid morning drink. Compared to coffee it doesn’t make me feel jittery and gives me a more sustainable perk-up.
Matcha is a special tea made with powdered green tea leaves. I love that it is super high in antioxidants and polyphenols which are a potent prebiotic that feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. I like my Matcha green and grassy but it makes an awesome latte with some (nut) milk too. Here’s a link to a simple recipe.
Digestive Bitters
I’m always trying to support my digestion. It’s my weak link and I do what I can to keep it in top form. Just like ginger helps to get the digestive juices flowing, so do bitters. They can help with gas, bloating, and nausea and liver / gallbladder support and I was very happy to find these Digestive Bitters by Urban Moonshine that comes in a small dropper bottle that I can carry around in my purse and use when on the road.
Coconut yoghurt
This is a fermented food that feels like a decadent treat. Rich and creamy, full of healthy fat and good for the gut: what more do you want? I am a happy camper with this find here in Manila: Ni-Yog.
It is possible to make coconut yoghurt at home by using coconut milk or, even better, by blending the flesh of young coconut (you need the ones with thick flesh – not the translucent blubbery ones), mixing a probiotic capsule in it and leaving it to ferment for 24 hours. I have to admit that having a supplier is way easier but necessity may be the mother of your coconut yoghurt invention!
Here’s a recipe link should you wish to try making your own at home.
Have fun & be well!
