A couple of years ago whilst wading through books, podcasts and presentations I started to add gut health to my radar.
After a few months of taking and actioning loads of advice Jen and I even got our Gut Health tested via Atlas Biomed https://atlasbiomed.com/. We got our DNA tested at the same time. A few hundred pounds well spent as really understanding your body is priceless and the best way I learn is to experiment.
Three of the things that I never run out of are Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), Kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) and Kombucha (fermented tea).
These three things are so easy to make, so cheap and very scrumptious.
So, this morning when prepping some food for the day (chia seed pudding, sourdough bread & Saurkraut) I decided to film what I did.
For this recipe, I use 1 cabbage, 3 tablespoons of salt, a tablespoon of peppercorns and a couple of teaspoons of caraway seeds (these make a big taste difference). You can use either red or white cabbage, use both for pink sauerkraut.
Shred the cabbage, massage in the salt, wait an hour, add in the seeds and peppercorns. Then mash it down into a jar. The salt will extract liquid from the cabbage to provide liquid that will help you get all the air out of your mix.
Then seal it and wait about 10 days. It will then last in the fridge for a few months. Ours never lasts long.
To make Kimchi, just do exactly the same as above but add in a table sppon of garlic, a tablespoon of ginger and a teaspoon of chill flakes.
80% of what you are is non-human, we spend so long feeding the 20% we forget about the 80%. Feed your gut and it will really look after you.
Here are just some of the benefits of Sauerkraut...
1. Sauerkraut is very nutritious
2. Improves your digestion
3. Boosts your immune system
4. May help you lose weight
5. Helps reduce stress and maintain brain health
6. May reduce the risk of certain cancers
7. May promote heart health
8. Contributes to stronger bones
Just imagine if big pharma created a drug that did all of this with no side effects. Shame there is not a big cabbage lobbying party. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-sauerkraut
Oh and it doesn't make you super windy 😃