Probiotics DIY
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If you’re interested in free samples of copious amounts of organic dark chocolate, shots of wheat grass, chocolate-covered ginger (my favorite), grass-fed steak, and grain-free snack bars, the Natural Product Expo East is the place to be.
It takes place every fall at the Baltimore Convention Center, and this was my third year wandering amongst the expo-goes, scanning the booths for new, innovative products.
Nate Rifkin, a fellow writer and researcher for Living Well Daily, and Chris Campbell, managing editor of Laissez Faire Today, and I found a good deal of interesting “natural” products at the expo. Chris and Nate just wrote about the amazing kombucha we found and the philanthropic purpose behind the company’s “Sovereign” flavor.
You can read more about that in Chris’ Laissez Faire Today post here. (At least check out the super-creepy photo of Nate with some “all-natural chicken nugget” mascots. Why they chose those animals as their mascots, I have no idea.)
The expo took up the entire convention center, with two floors of exhibit halls and one floor of educational and meeting rooms. Some of the most prevalent products included grass-fed jerky, gluten-free anything and everything, and coconut water.
A lot of the same old, same old.
There were a few things, however, that struck me as novel that I thought you might be interested in.
We’ve written on more than one occasion (here, here) about the health benefits of fermented food and drink, including sauerkraut, kimchee, and kombucha.
To quickly recap, these foods are natural sources of probiotics that support gut health, and are also a source of prebiotics, the foods that the good bacteria eat.
However, these things can be quite expensive at the health food store. A single bottle of kombucha is usually at least $3 and can be up to $5! That’s why it’s great if you can make your own fermented food and drink.
A few months ago, Brad Lemley, editor of Natural Health Solutions and guru on all things nutrition, gave great instructions on how to make your own fermented veggies.
But I admit that even though I know how great these cultured foods are, I’ve been hesitant to try making my own, because I’m worried about mold and harmful bacterial contamination.
At Expo, however, I found something that could change all that.
Presenting: the Perfect Pickler!
This device has an airlock that allows gases to escape as the veggies ferment and expand but keeps outside microbes from getting into the container. This just about guarantees that the recipe won’t become contaminated with mold.
It also has a brine cup that collects the expanding liquid and keeps the veggies underneath the brine, where they are safe on the off chance there is any potential microbe contamination.
All you do is put your sliced veggies in a jar, add sea salt (provided in the kit) and any seasonings you want, fill it with water, top it with the Perfect Pickler screw-on cap, and wait four days for friendly probiotics to make healthy fermented veggies.
Though I may sound like an infomercial right now, I’m not getting paid to tell you about this. I’m just really that excited about this product.
I’m ordering mine this week, and as soon as I give it a go, I’ll be sure to tell you how it went.
You can buy it directly through their website here, or you may be able to find it at your local health food store or Wegmans. It’s quite affordable, too. You can get a kit without a jar for $20, or one with a jar for $24. And if you’re interested in making kombucha, they provide an XL “Big Bertha” variety to make larger batches of probiotic-laden drink and food.
It also comes with a DVD that teaches you everything you need to know.
There were a few other neat things we found at Expo. I’ll be writing about them in future issues of Living Well Daily, and Nate will be back on Friday to tell you about more cool things we found.
But first I’d like to know…
Have any of you tried the Perfect Pickler before? What do you think?
Would you like Living Well to provide more information about items like this to you?
Let us know! livingwelldaily@lfb.org.
To eating well,
Jasmine LeMaster
Health Researcher
Photo Courtesy perfectpickler.com
View More Free Articles
The Deadly Danger Lurking in Your Favorite Foods
I’m sure it comes as no surprise that the so-called Western diet isn’t doing you any favors. You know the one I’m talking about—burgers, fries, sugary sodas, and processed snacks galore. It’s the diet that’s as American as apple pie (which, ironically, isn’t great for us either). But let’s face it, despite knowing it isn’t...
The Nightly Brain Reset You Can't Afford to Miss
We know sleep is vital. It’s right up there with eating your vegetables and regular exercise. But let’s be honest—many of us don’t prioritize it as we should. We’re up in the middle of the night binge-watching our favorite shows or tossing and turning, struggling to sleep. Then, when we wake up feeling irritable and...
Olive Oil “Trash” Is a “Treasure” For Your Health
You probably know that olive oil is a superstar ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. Its health benefits range from supporting heart health to reducing inflammation and protecting against certain cancers. But you know how they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure? Well, in the case of a waste product from olive oil production,...
Low Carb Delivers HIGH Nutritional Rewards
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you know I’m a big fan of low-carb eating. But I’m NOT talking about those extreme “meat-only” diets you might have heard about Instead, I encourage focusing on quality proteins and non-starchy veggies to keep your blood sugar in check and promote longevity. But I’m met with...
Are Electrolyte Sports Drinks REALLY Healthy?
You’ve undoubtedly seen the colorful sports drinks lining grocery store shelves. They promise to replenish our electrolytes and boost our performance. But are these trendy beverages really the health elixirs they claim to be? Keep reading to uncover the surprising truth about electrolytes and their impact on your health… Electrolytes are minerals in your blood...
The TRUTH About Winter Weight Gain
Happy New Year! If you’re like many folks, you woke up today thinking about the year ahead, determined to turn over a new leaf. In fact, the number one New Year’s resolution year after year is to lose some weight. Common wisdom claims that putting on five pounds over the winter is inevitable. But is...
Mailbag: 3 “Cocktail Companions” to Safely Ring in the New Year
“I don’t usually drink alcohol. But I’m going to a New Year’s party and might have a few drinks. Can I do anything to make them less harmful to my health?” -Cheering In the New Year Hi Cheering, As you prepare for your New Year’s celebration tonight, you may be looking forward to raising a...
Could a Fall Be a Warning Sign for Something WORSE?
Falls are an unfortunate reality for many older adults. They’re among the most common causes of injuries and hospital visits for seniors. But what if a fall could mean something more? New research raises concerns that falls might be more than just a physical issue—they could be an early warning sign of a devastating condition…...
Want to Live Longer? Reach for Your Toes
We know that staying active is crucial for healthy aging. But what if touching your toes might be just as critical as taking your daily walk? Surprised? Well, new research suggests that flexibility could be the secret ingredient to a longer, healthier life. A groundbreaking study from Brazil uncovered a fascinating link between flexibility and...
Tiny Toxic Threat Lurking in the Air You Breathe
Imagine taking a deep breath of fresh air, only to realize that—along with oxygen—you’re also inhaling tiny plastic particles. It may sound like a scene from a science-fiction film, but new research reveals microplastics have found their way into the very air we breathe—and they may pose serious risks to your health. Recently, scientists discovered...