Ancient Foods for Current Health
Call me old fashioned but I can't help but believe in some of the old, traditional ways of doing things. Just because back in the day people didn't have university degrees and scientific evidence for everything doesn't mean our ancestors didn't know what they were doing. Au contraire, mon frère. I think many of them were tuned into a wisdom within themselves that guided them in a way our culture may have lost faith in.
Back in the day, way before our reliable internet or even before books were at hand, ancient people knew the importance of fermenting foods. Some cultures wouldn't even eat a meal without a fermented component because they knew how beneficial it was. Today, we are generally not eating as much fermented foods as we had in the past. Real fermented foods. Not just commercial products that claim to have probiotics in them as a way of marketing their brand.
We are putting a lot of pressure on our digestive organs to digest and assimilate everything we eat to the best of its ability. Some foods are harder to digest than others and some, such as fast and refined foods, are especially hard. Many of us with overworked digestive systems may be experiencing symptoms - from minor to major - due to possibly years of overburdening our bellies and guts.
When reading various books from various perspectives, I often stumble upon the line: "An unhealthy stomach is the root of all illness." Scientists are now beginning to see a link between the illnesses we are experiencing so much of today with poor intestinal and gut health. It is worth considering that an imbalanced digestion may be affecting things such as the swelling in your joints, the quality of your skin, your level of energy, or the health of any other organs. I think many cultures before already knew this.
So moral of the story - eat real fermented foods. Better yet, make your own. It is painfully easy. Really. In the coming weeks I'll guide you through making some of your own. So, so easy. For today, just take my word for it, or our ancestors words for it. Fermented = Good.
Types of fermented foods:
Sauerkraut
Kombucha
Kimchee
Pickles
Rejuvelac
Kefir
Tempeh
Vinegars