Word for the Day: probiotics
I don’t keep track of the latest food fads. But even if probiotics aren’t still trending, there seem to be good reasons to make sure you include them in your diet.
Dr. Andrew Weil states, “These {probiotics} are used to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. Probiotics can help to keep the digestive system in balance and functioning optimally, restore normal flora, and may support immune system functions especially when a person is taking antibiotics, which can wipe out intestinal bacteria indiscriminately, including those that help keep the intestinal tract healthy.”
I don’t personally feel the need to take a probiotic supplement since probiotics are found in foods that I happen to like. The most common source is yogurt with active cultures. They can also be found in other dairy products like kefir and pickled foods as well as sauerkraut.
In today’s blog I am sharing some of my simple probiotic-rich recipes that I use as quick go-to meals when I don’t have much time to prepare a big meal.
Heidi’s meatless Reuben:
Butter two slices of sourdough bread and put the buttered sides down on the fry pan. Use only Emmentaler or Gruyere cheese. Add slices of cheese to bread. Next add generous portions of sauerkraut. Lastly, add a bit of dill pickle relish. Optional: Add thousand island dressing for extra flavor. Make into a sandwich. Fry each side until nicely browned.
Heidi’s blueberry kefir smoothie (Nutra Bullet or Ninja needed if you add the roots and seeds)
Add one banana
One cup of frozen blueberries
One cup of plain whole fat kefir
A handful of pumpkin seeds
¼ inch of fresh turmeric root
½ inch of fresh ginger root
One cup of frozen kale
Two cups of orange juice
½ teaspoon spirulina powder
Bon appetit!
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