LIFE IN YOUR COLON..... If your digestive system isn't operating efficiently, you aren't getting the full benefit of your good nutritional habits. Your health may be at risk and you are throwing money away on high-quality food and nutritional supplements that your body can't make use of. The good news? Balancing the good and bad gut bacteria in your digestive tract is simple and when you do: your digestive symptoms disappear, your body begins to use all the good food and nutritional supplements you feed it and your immune system de-stresses and is better equipped to fight off disease. THE BUGS IN YOUR INTESTINES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO YOUR HEALTH... Chances are you have a good idea... a gut feeling... whether your digestive system is working properly. But how did things got out of whack to begin with??? - Have you taken a course of antibiotics recently? Antibiotics kill off both bad and good bacteria. You've contracted disease-carrying bad guys like parasites.
- Rigourous sanitation results in too little exposure to helpful bacteria that protects us from allergies and other faulty immune responses.
- Processed foods that has been pasteurized or sterilized create imbalance.
THE FRIENDLY BACTERIA HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS.... - Digesting and absorbing certain carbohydrates and converting them into energy and nutrients.
- Keeping bad bacteria under control.
- Preventing allergies.
- Supporting your immune system. About 80% of the cells of your immune system are located in your digestive tract, which is why the health of your colon dictates your overall health.
THE LIST OF CONDITIONS AND DISEASES THOUGHT TO BE RELATED TO A SHORTAGE OF FRIENDLY GUT BACTERIA INCLUDE... Diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Colitis and Crohn's Disease, Ulcers and chronic stomach inflammation, Leaky gut (a compromised intestinal wall that allows undigested foods and toxins to pass into the bloodstream), Lactose intolerance, Urinary and female genital tract infections, Skin infections like eczema and acne, Bladder cancer, Diabetes, Tooth decay and gum disease CONVENIENCE FOODS... are so preservative-dense and nutrient-deficient they do more harm than good inside your body. They promote the growth of pathogens -- bad bugs -- hampering the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. WHAT SUGAR DOES .....like processed foods, sugar encourages your bad gut bacteria to grow, flourish, and overwhelm your digestive tract. It causes Candida, an overgrowth of yeast whose symptoms include: Fatigue, lethargy, swollen joints, nasal congestion, sore throats, depression, irritability, headaches, problems concentrating, muscle weakness, recurrent vaginal and urinary tract infections, athlete's foot, jock itch, persistent heartburn, indigeston, constipation. FOOD FOR LIFE.....for ages, humans have used fermented foods to improve intestinal health. Traditionally fermented foods contain living micro-organisms replenish friendly bacteria in your digestive tract. A few healthy choices include Miso, Kimchee,Tempeh, Kefir, Yogurt, Tamari Soy Sauce, Olives, Sauerkraut, Pickles PROBIOTICS FOR LIFE....probiotics means 'for life'. The live micro-organisms in probiotic supplements help to replenish and maintain the friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract. Good bacteria drive down the pH of your gut, creating an inhospitable environment for bad bacteria. Maintaining a good balance of gut bacteria through diet and regular probiotic supplementation is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of remaining healthy and vital for a lifetime. RECIPES USING FERMENTED FOODS... Adding a daily cup of yogurt with probiotic bacteria is an easy and delicious way to improve your health- promoting bacteria and your cholesterol profile too. Here are just a few ways to enjoy yogurt: - Top your daily cup of yogurt or kefir with granola, a handful of nuts, fresh berries or dried fruit for a quick and sustaining breakfast.
- Creamy yogurt, chives, and freshly ground sea salt and pepper make a great topping for baked potatoes, yams or other cooked vegetables.
- For a creamy salad dressing or vegetable dip, just mix a cup of yogurt with a quarter cup of extra virgin olive oil and your favorite herbs and spices.
Curried Turkey with Rice This is a meal that is put together in 15 minutes or less assuming you have cooked rice or some other grain on hand. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil 16 ounces ground turkey 1 tablespoon curry powder 1 cup fire roasted tomatoes, diced or crushed 2 handfuls baby spinach (optional) cooked rice whole plain yogurt fresh cilantro, chopped sea salt to taste 1. Pour oil in a heavy skillet. Heat over medium high heat. 2. Add curry powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add turkey, sprinkle with salt and brown for 5 to 7 minutes. 3. Stir in diced tomatoes and spinach. 4. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes more; serve over cooked rice. Top with yogurt and fresh cilantro. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tamari Roasted Nuts The nuts make a crunchy addition to a lunchbox or sprinkle a few on salads or grains to liven up the flavor and texture. A jar of these are also a nice gift. Makes 2 cups
3/4 cup Almonds
3/4 cup Cashews
1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds
1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds
2 tbs Shoyu or Tamari Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Coriander
pinch Cayenne(optional) 1. Preheat over to 300 degrees F. Place nuts and seeds on cookie sheet. Toast in oven until they begin to turn golden and give off a nutty aroma; 10 to 12 minutes. You can also roast in an oiled skillet. 2. Mix tamari and spices together. Sprinkle over toasted nuts; stir and return to oven to dry out; 2 to 3 minutes. For a more even coating, put tamari mix in a spray bottle and mist over nuts, then stir in spices and dry. 3. Store in a sealed jar.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hearty Vegetable Miso Soup Wakame is a green, leafy sea vegetable high in calcium and other
minerals. This hearty soup is excellent when a family member is fatigued. Serving Size : 4 3" piece wakame Seaweed
4 cups water or broth
1 small potato, diced
1/2 cup bok choy, chopped
1 carrot, diced small
1/4 lb firm tofu or chicken cut into 1" cubes (optional)
4 tbs light or mellow unpasteurized miso
Garnish:
2 scallions, thinly sliced 1. Place wakame in small bowl of cold water and soak for 5 minutes to
rehydrate. 2. Put water, potato and carrot in 4 quart pot and bring to a boil. 3. Remove wakame from water and chop into small pieces, removing the spine.
Add to the soup. 4. Lower heat, cover pot and simmer until vegetables are tender about 10 to
15 minutes. Near the end of cooking time, add bok choy and tofu/chicken
cubes and let them simmer 2 to 3 minutes. 5. Pour a bit of broth into each serving bowl and dissolve 1 tablespoon miso
into each bowl. Add more broth with plenty of vegetables and stir gently.
Garnish with scallions. Recipe Source: Feeding the Whole Family Author Note: You never want to heat up the miso because it loses all its nutritional properties. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |