KRAUT, IBS AND ME As a teen and young adult, I suffered with many symptoms of IBS. I changed (and restricted) my diet (and life) for years with some relief... until I made my first batch of kraut. I had no idea it could taste so good, and so I ate it everyday - on just about everything. It wasn't my intention to consume it this way, I was just following my gut. After about a month, I realized that I no longer had any problems with bloating, my skin was glowing and many of my other digestive issues were gone! I hadn't changed anything else in my diet and so I knew it was due to the kraut! When I introduced it to my clients, and they started getting the same results - eureka! It seemd that a simple effective gut food medicine had been found! (This was back in 2012 before it hit main stream media). Even for my clients who cannot tolerate lactic acid ferments, we have started with just a teaspoon or less of sauerkraut juice and worked our way up, and the results have always been great. WHY KRAUT? Sauerkraut is a powerful gut aid for many reasons! Any time we ferment a food, it potentiates the natural benefits of that food and cabbage happens to be:
So sauerkraut is a potent aid of digestion, detoxification and is extremely nutritious! In addition, the ingredients are affordable, and it is simple to make. What could be better?! GET WILD and MAKE YOUR OWN DIGESTIVE AID KRAUT So you can eat some real sauerkraut plain,.. or give this recipe a try to really boost your digestion. It also contains a few of the gut-helping wild weeds gentian, juniper berries and dandelion root plus citris, pepper and ginger. Use the video link if you need a "how-to" video to get you started. Then head outdoors, collect your wild weeds (see previous posts) and give this a whirl. PS. It's okay if you can't add all of the last six ingredients. Aim for as many as you can and try it out. Let me know how it changes your digestive issues! I can't wait to hear all about it... 
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That is why July is all about getting outside - not only for the fresh air and peace of mind - but to find and collect (free) wild weeds that aid digestion! Last week, I mentioned how wild rose and red clover help support and soothe the gut-brain connection. Now let's look at two local weeds can help the stomach with gas and bloating!
You can also dry juniper berries and use them ground up as a seasoning on wild meat and fish (like pepper); and they are awesome for boosting fermentation! I have used them to make gulten-free sourdough starters, and I add them to my krauts for both flavour and a natural probiotic kick! Learn where to find creeping juniper and how to identify it here.
I am heading outside right now to begin foraging these wild weeds as well as collect (okay eat) some wild strawberries (bery helpful for the gut-brain). More on wild Canadian berries here.
One frequent complaint I hear from new clients is that they have too many supplements.
Thus, I often look to how to supplement their supplements with wild natural foods (what a novel thought!). And with recent global events, it does seem like the perfect time to get back to nature, find some peace of mind, and build self-sufficiency. Here are two easy wild foods to start with. They are common throughout Canada and some parts of the USA, and they are abundant right now!
And I haven’t even broached the subject of MUSHROOMS yet. But soon. And July is going to be ALL about using local wild foods to nourish your gut and aid digestion. (There are so many, I can't wait to share them with you!)
So maybe try avoiding the stores this month folks... we're heading outdoors! Get your shoes on and I'll see you in the next post! Happy Canada and Independence Days this week, my friends! And what better topic to explore this week than gut-healthy CAMPING FOOD!
Spending a camping trip uncomfortably bloated, gassy, constipated or worse… running for the outhouse, definitely puts a damper on things. So if you are going camping or to a picnic this week, enjoy good times AND good food with some of these ideas... The Food Basics"To fail to plan, is to plan to fail". The key to not giving into eating foods that will harm you (and they are different for everyone) is simply to plan ahead, and have quick tasty alternatives on hand. But let's face it, sometimes we're flying by the seat of our pants and don't have time to plan it all out (especially if you're solo parenting! So much to think about!). That's how I came up with these basics to take, because I can make great tasting, quick meals with these strategic foods: Pre-Cook and Bag: It is easier to cook and clean up in your own kitchen verses in a campground, and having these foods pre-made makes it a cinch to whip up a happy gut meal in 5-10 minutes!
When the food has cooled, I bag each one separately (and depending on the timeline, may freeze it) and presto! I have the makings for a variety of meals like soup, wraps, omelettes, stir-fries, sauces, etc. To go with this, I often bring:
Treat Yourself
Don't forget your "First Aid" kit!And if things don't go as planned, you'll be prepared to battle bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation with these life savers! (And for legal reasons, I have to say: do not substitute this info for medical advice. Always discuss with your medical doctor before taking new supplements.)  💊Digestive enzymes can help you digest foods you don't normally eat. You can also take them after eating to speed up recovery from indigestion. 🦠Probiotics are necessary to keep your inner garden happy. You could instead use milk kefir or sauerkraut. Yogurt isn't enough on its own. 🍃Two drops of essential peppermint oil in a litre of water, to sip during the day, will improve digestion and bloating. 💚 Camping food is often Magnesium and Vitamin C deficient, which will make you feel tired and possibly constipatied, so eat lots of fresh fruits or greens - or take a supplement. You can also increase your dosage to alleviate constipation. 🧴Aloe Vera juice can soothe an irritated digestive tract as well as help with regular bowel movements. ❗Hot Water Bottle.... a God-send when your tummy hurts. Its easy to use, even when camping, and can either keep your cold feet warm or your tummy relaxed while you sleep. I truly hope these suggestions help you to enjoy your next camping trip! What have been your camping life savers? Please share and we can build our bag of tricks, cuz holidays should be fun!!
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It Takes Guts Nutrition
Katanne Belisle RHN Gut Health Specialist Whitehorse, YT, CAN |
What Clients Are Saying"I was plagued by a myriad of digestive and inflammatory issues and after months of discomfort I was fortunate enough to meet Katanne. Her insight, intuition, knowledge and caring attention has made it possible for me to heal and thrive with a new understanding of the food I eat. I am now healthier, happier and have more energy than I have had in quite some time. " ~ Steve T. "Katanne gives well balanced information versed in first hand experience and research. After seeing various health professionals over the years, doing my own research, trials and tribulations, I can (say) that this is the real deal, and that what she provides people is a holistic, realistic approach to healing oneself through food" ~ Elizabeth G.
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