09Oct

Making sauerkraut and other adventures

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut

I have to admit I have never liked sauerkraut.  I don’t even like looking at it most of the time, much less smelling it!  My husband’s family serves it every year at Thanksgiving after they’ve cooked it for hours in a crock pot.  It is very brown and limp looking and I simply can’t stand the smell.

I don’t think I ever ate it as a child, but remember trying it at some point and just not liking it.  So I guess you can say that my faint memories combined with my present reality during Thanksgiving has put a damper on trying to make my own lacto-fermented sauerkraut.

One thing I knew before I decided to give it a go is it would be different from my inlaw’s version because you don’t cook it.  And after continued praise of this culinary concoction from countless resources, I have finally given into giving it a try.

The main praise of lacto-fermented sauerkraut (along with other lacto-fermented veggies and fruits) is that is has beneficial bacteria, or naturally occurring probiotics, which are great for our digestion.  Having a gut populated with billions of these beneficial bacteria are vital for everyone to have good digestion.

However, I have to say I wasn’t thrilled about making it.  I love cooking.  After I cook for my clients, I go home and create more things for my family to eat and enjoy.  I have always loved this simple act of creating a nourishing meal and then sharing it with company.

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29Sep

Am I having a Herxheimer reaction? Plus great grain-free goodies

Grain-free Coconut Crepes

Grain-free Coconut Crepes

Last week I got hit pretty hard with a Herxheimer reaction.  A what, you say?

A Herxheimer reaction (also called a “die-off” reaction or a “Healing Crisis”) “is the result of the rapid killing of microorganisms and absorption of large quantities of yeast toxins, cell particles and antigens.”  (Virgin Coconut Oil).

Basically what this is saying is that when toxins try to leave the body faster than it can handle, it creates “die-off” symptoms which can vary from person to person.  The symptoms are usually a repeat of symptoms a person already has but they can get worse before they get better.

But it’s a good thing!  It means your body is actually on its way to achieving a new level of healing.  However, it is difficult sometimes to know if you’re simply reacting to something you ate (in a bad way) or if there is actually a healing crisis going on.

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