Benefits of Kombucha Tea

I've been learning so much about bacteria in our bodies—how important it is to our health and ways to get more good bacteria into our system. In What's the Scoop on Probiotics and Prebiotics? I mentioned Kombucha tea as a great way to enrich your microbiome. That post followed What's Bugging You?—a serious discussion about the state of an unhealthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract due to an imbalance of good vs bad bacteria.

Kombucha is a fermented tea consumed for over 2000 years all around the world. It has been extensively studied and applied to several medical issues in Russia, Germany, China and other places. Many make their own Kombucha tea, but I'm happy to see it offered in the grocery stores by several companies. Its natural carbonation makes it a refreshing drink and perfect replacement for sugar-laden soft drinks that can ravage your health.

Why is drinking Kombucha tea, an all natural health beverage teeming with healthy bacteria and amino acids, a good thing? There are a host of healing properties* attributed to Kombucha tea:

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Sweet & Sour Veggies

I've made this yummy dish twice now, tweaking it to perfection. As per my menu requirements, it's very quick and easy to make.

You may have seen that I use Bragg Liquid Aminos instead of soy sauce in my recipes. Reasons include no added salt or preservatives, and the soy beans used are certified non-GMO. Learn more about the benefits of Bragg Liquid Aminos here.

You may have trouble finding an apricot preserve with no added sugar. Here's one I found at Whole Foods. St. Dalfour from France. Made from 100% fruit. I avoid added sugar like the plague to keep my body slightly alkaline. But you may opt for a preserve that has some added cane sugar. St. Dalfour uses grape or apple concentrates to moderate the sweetness of their preserve. I know it's all still sugar (fructose), but I stay away from the processed sugar.

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Giveaway & Movie Review

Movie Review
Joe Cross had a successful career and everything going for him... except his weight had ballooned, his cholesterol was heading higher and he had chronic nagging illnesses that required medication. Could be almost anybody in America today. Even children are experiencing theses issues at an alarming rate.

Originally debuting in 2011, the documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead follows Joe on a trek across America. Accompanying him on the journey was a juicer for prepping the vegetables and fruit he consumed as his only food for 60 days. Encountering people "on the street" along his way, he proudly drank his liquid meals while highlighting the typical processed food that most ate.

If it isn't enough to witness the whittling down of Joe before our eyes in the film, wait until Joe meets Phil, a truck driver with the same autoimmune disease, and begins to help him turn his health around. At 420 pounds, Phil's story becomes the emotional grabber of the movie. You will not believe the transformation that occurs. The movie leaves you with a sense of hope, wellness, friendship and our ability to change.

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Kid-Friendly Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Green Apple Salad

This is a great kid-friendly salad. Doing my usual lunch salad prep, I found what I threw together pretty tasty. Of course... I think that about all my salads. Veggie salads are my favorite food. Seriously! But you may find your kids think it's yummy too.

For kids, I would leave out my recommended spice blend due to the amount of pepper, which kids may find too hot. Use only dressing and a dash of sea salt to finish it off for the little ones. They should find the sweet and tart of the apple appealing. Let them know the salad will make them grow tall and strong. Forget telling them it's healthy for them—that's not relative in their young minds. For more tips on getting your kids to eat healthy, read 11 Proven Ways to Get Kids to Eat More Vegetables.

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