Are you managing your microbiome?

Nanny27:
Fermentation. Even a very complex wine is only alcoholic grape juice. The alcohol is produced by a process called fermentation. A ripe organic grape is full of natural sugars and there are wild yeasts living on its skin.

Thanks Dee - I'd like the kimchi recipe please. I see some include fish sauce, but can that be left out?

That does appeal to me. Do you keep it in the fridge?

I had a great compliment from my London-based son this morning. He and his girlfriend went out for Korean food and had kimchi there. He reckons my homemade kimchi is nicer! I got him started on milk kefir too and now he's also making it with water kefir grains. I have a ginger beer recipe I'm going to try out next. Apparently it really packs a punch!

I'm on the same trip as you. Try making kimchi - it tastes incredible! Unfortunately, while I'm in Spain, I can't get the ingredients but have made something similar, though not as addictive.

If you want a recipe, let me know,.

I'm interested in this but know little about it. I looked at a bottle of kefir the other day, but didn't buy it. Not sure if I'd like it? The bone broth would be a no and the saukraut doesn't appeal.

I'm vegetarian and eat lots of fibre and pulses/lentils and dairy. I have been on a SW diet and ate no bread for 6 weeks - when I did have some I had a reaction to it.

I will try again Hannah as it's clearly a good thing but maybe take it a bit easier this time ? !

That made me laugh Patricia. I too make kefir using live grains bought online. Very easy to do, and the grains multiply so you can give some away, or like Patricia put to sleep in the freezer!
I suffer with IBS and silent reflux and wanted a natural remedy so read The Clever Guts Diet too. Tried making sauerkraut but all that slicing and massaging with salt was too much effort. The kefir is fine and so is making live yogurt. Happy to read that blue cheese is a fermented food too but some of the recipes look very unappetising, though others get love them.
I'm afraid that I also still eat the wrong stuff, mainly sweet stuff so my ailments still have the upper hand.

It is correct that you can at first get some slight stomach cramp but usually only until your gut adjusts - there are often people on facebook who pass on some of their grains as they can grow fast at times so you can often get some for free. It takes a bit of practice to learn what works with them but they are pretty resilient. There is lots of info on the link I posted above - join in the kefir craze - though if you prefer you can also buy it in Lidl - but homemade is nicer and over time you can tailor it to how you like it best. It's also excellent for bone fracture healing and repair.

Sugar butties hellsgrandad!! A blast from the past.
My friend Kath's Mum used to make them. I pretended to enjoy them, but really I didn't like the gritty texture on my teeth.
In fact my teeth are on edge now just thinking about them

Been doing it for years. I started after being recommended a book by Dr. John Mansfield, a specialist in arthritis and allergies. A man way before his time.
Michael Mosley then investigated gut health and then I read another brilliant book by Tim Spaector called The Diet Myth. It really explains the links between the gut and the brain.
Not a fancy diet nipsmum, more just a healthy way of eating.

Think I've overdone the kefir culturing! Bought some grains online and busily got going but, typical bull-at-gate style, upped the kefir consumption daily and after a couple of weeks thought my gut biome was about to erupt out of my ears with v.painful cramps to boot! The grains are now gently dozing in the freezer...

I find that my gut thrives very well on sugar butties and fish and chips.
It never complains and at 82 I can still run up stairs two at a time.
Surely food is meant for enjoyment as well as sustenance.

I like the idea of making my own kefir. Interesting thread. Thanks.

How do you make kefir sdcb? I would like to have a go.

www.yemoos.com/pages/milk-kefir-overview

What’s kefir? ( sounds like a nomadic tribe.)

I didn't know I had one/them

I make my own kefir - they're my babies and we look after each other nicely.

Thanks nanny27- I'm with you

I have IBS but since I've eaten more fresh fruit & veg and have reduced ready meals, take aways and prepared cooked meats I've been a lot better - though I do get the odd flare up still but not half as often. I also keep to a 'toilet' routine and altogether I feel so much better gutwise. I don't eat or drink any specially developed 'good for the gut' food / drink. Best of all I managed to lose weight too!!!

Eating sensibly and smaller meals is fine for me I like my food.

Reduced intake of everything is working very well for me.

Thanks, NotaGran, I've just bought Michael Moseley's Clever guts, plus a related recipe book. Hope it works for me like it has for you. Well done

I survive very well on a good varied mixed diet. I cut down sugar and carbohydrates as I have type 2 daibetes. No fancy diets for me thanks.

I agree with every word you say, NotAGran55.