As you can probably tell, one theme that I will continue to promote is the power of fermented foods because they are super charged with nutrition, vitamins and enzymes that help you to digest your food. You get the added benefit of bringing in good bacteria that helps to build your gut flora, thus building your immune system and improving your overall health.
Here's an example of how I supercharged my dinner last night (pictured below): mixed veggies ---cauliflower, bok choy and carrots cooked for thirty minutes in a pot of water. South western peppers, cheese peppers, onions and garlic cooked in duck fat in a covered pan for thirty minutes. I topped this veggie dish with natto beans and enjoyed a side of homemade sauerkraut.
All of the food in this meal came from farmer's markets except for the onions and garlic which were bought organic from our local grocery store. The natto beans are organic and were purchased online from Megumi. I've just started eating natto beans two weeks ago and I enjoy it, mostly because I know that it's super healthy. I am looking forward to the long term health benefits of eating natto as described below.
Here are the 3 methods that I used to power pack my veggie plate that you can use also! Come on guys, we're having fun with health so let's do this:
1) Main dish
Cook your dish in a good animal fat like lard or duck fat. You can also use coconut oil olive oil.
Benefit of animal fat: helps with digestion and helps to seal the lining of the gut. When the gut is healed, it lowers the risk of autoimmune system diseases.
2) Top your main dish with natto beans
Natto beans are fermented soy beans.
Benefits of eating natto are:
* Contains the enzyme in nattokinase which is fibrinolytic (anti-clotting ...breaks down fibrin) and it's also anti-inflammatory
* high in protein
* good source of fiber
* vitamins K2 and B2
* calcium and iron
As a note, unfermented soy is hard to digest. According to naturalnews.com, unfermented soy can have the following affects:
* contributes to thyroid disorder, especially in women
* promotes kidney stones
* weakens the immune system
* contributes to food allergies and digestive intolerance
3)Add a fermented side dish
Sauerkraut or any other fermented veggies/fruit are highly nutritious. I promote making your own fermented foods. Many fermented foods in grocery stores have been pastureized and also use vinegar. To get the optimal benefit of your food, process it yourself with wholesome ingredients.
Benefits of homemade fermented foods are:
* the process of fermenting increases the nutrition of the food adding vitamins A, D, K , B, also nutrients such as magnesium, calcium iron and zinc
* supports your immune system by helping to build a healthy supply of good bacteria in your gut which decreases your chances of catching colds, flu and autoimmune diseases
* the fermentation process produces lactic acid to help you better digest the fermented food and also aids in helping to digest non fermented food when eaten together
* the fermentation process produces lactic acid which is needed to reduce the amount of phytic acid (nutrient inhibitor) found in food which makes for better nutrient absorption
* reduces inflammation
These are some of the ways that you can supercharge and power pack your veggie plate. It's a very tasty and colorful way to add more nutrition to your veggies. Do you know of any other ways? Please share!
Resources:
http://naturalbias.com/12-reasons-why-saturated-fat-is-good-for-you/
http://www.naturalnews.com/022630_soy_food_phytic_acid.html
http://www.meguminatto.com/about_natto.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/nattokinase/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/01/03/fermented-foods-part-two.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment