Why Fermented Foods?

So, why low carb, and why fermented foods?

Lower carbohydrates will allow me to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. This is very important for me. I was on the verge of becoming diabetic while eating tons of raw fruits. In order to get my blood sugar levels under control I needed to reduce the high levels of sugars in my diet. Now I use primarily stevia and raw coconut palm sugar as my sweeteners. No more agave or maple syrup for me. I occasionally use raw honey for my sweetener in recipes.

Why fermented foods? In the past I’ve had poor digestion. I suffered, or should I say suffer, from a symptom called Defecation Syncope. If I become too constipated, I will pass out while having a bowel movement. It is scary when you find yourself passed out on the tile floor in the bathroom. So, for me, having regular bowel movements is extremely important.

Fermented foods feed the good bacteria in my intestinal tract which helps to reduce the possibility of having intestinal problems.

Fermented foods also supply my intestinal tract with beneficial vitamins such as B vitamins which are critical to nerve development.

January 1, 2012 Raw Food Low Carbohydrate Journey

Today is January 1, 2012

For the last two years I have primarily focused on other issues that may have or may not have contributed to my ill health.

In January of 2011 I found out that my mercury levels were six times the maximum recommended on blood and urine tests. I went through a series of chelation therapy using DMPS IV treatments. After the series I had another blood and urine test done to test my levels and it was found that my levels were 1.5 times the maximum recommended.

Due to the mercury exposure I had begun to lose bone density. I just wasn’t absorbing the nutrients from the raw foods in my diet. I had been eating what traditionally is the high nut based raw foods diet. Then I had switched to the 80/10/10 diet and found that initiated a pre-diabetic state in my blood. My blood sugar levels were gradually increasing to the point that if I didn’t cut back on the amount of sugars in my diet I was headed toward being diabetic.

In 2011 I made several changes. I started eliminating many of the fruits that I was devouring at an alarming rate. Previously, I could sit and eat a whole mini watermelon. Then I’d still be hungry and go for more food even though my stomach was sticking out so much that I appeared pregnant. I seemed to always be hungry then.

Once I started eating more fat in my diet I started to feel better. I started incorporating more coconut oil into my diet. My arthritic pains started to improve. I was feeling better on a lower carbohydrate diet with more natural fats.

Then in February I decided to do an elimination diet with these strong herbs. It triggered appendicitis and I ended up having to have my appendix removed. I fought very hard to not have that happen but ended up having the surgery. The following morning I broke out in a horrible rash all over my body. I had a reaction to the anesthesia or something else in the procedure.

It took me a couple of months before I was able to get back on my feet.

Then in May I had to have dental surgery to remove an implant which was causing a metallic taste in my mouth. After its removal my mouth felt better.

The year of 2011 was a tough one for me. I dealt with many family stresses and so many personal stresses. It was a tough year.

So, for 2012 I am going to focus on my health. I am going to focus on eating a lower carbohydrate raw food diet. I must say, I do not eat 100% raw foods, and I am not a vegan. I eat some fish, some eggs, and butter and ghee.

I’m going to do a variation of the Body Ecology Diet. I am going to eat fermented foods. I am going to eat tons of green vegetables. I am going to eat the best food combining I can. The only changes to the B.E.D. diet are that I like to drink kombucha and I am going to eat some berries. I don’t eat grains but I may occasionally have some of the quinoa that Donna Gates recommends. I also like to add chia gel to my morning green smoothies.

On my counter I have coconut water kefir fermenting on my counter. I am using both Donna Gates’ probiotic packets and I am also making some using water kefir grains. I wanted to see if there was a major difference between the two methods. I didn’t find many but I will be documenting this in detail as I go along.

I make coconut yogurt using coconut meat and probiotic powders.

I make homemade kombucha tea.

And, I make homemade sauerkraut.

I am going to start making more fermented foods using more than just cabbage.

Those are my goals for this year.