Superior Self
  • Start Here
    • Bio
    • About
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Books & Services
    • Services
  • Health & Nutrition
    • Guide to Wellness from Within
    • Free Healthy Meal Ideas
    • Foods I Live By
    • Physical Activity
    • HCG
  • Guest Appearances/Book Me
Connect with me!

Fermented Foods

7/25/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Fermented Foods History and Benefits

As far back as recorded history, we have evidence that humans fermented foods.

Fermented foods extended the shelf life of ancient foods that might have otherwise spoiled: Examples are cured and aged meats and fishes, fermented vegetables, cheeses, yogurts, and alcohol.

Fermented foods are associated with boosting the immune system and aiding digestion. They actually feed the intestines with good bacteria called probiotics.

Let's look at the words probiotics and antibiotics.

PROBIOTICS=PRO+BIOTICS
That means PRO, which is for, or yes, and BIOTICS, which is from BIO, which is life. Yes to life, life in our digestive system.

ANTIBIOTICS=ANTI+BIOTICS
That means ANTI, which is no, or against, and BIOTICS, which is from BIO, which is life. No to life, against life in the digestive system.

The good bacteria living inside our digestive tract is there to help absorb the enzymes and nutrition from the food we eat. It also weeds out the bad bacteria that passes through. Eating fermented foods (probiotics) not only increases the absorption of the vitamins and minerals of the fermented foods, but from ALL the foods we eat. We need a huge variety of probiotics in the intestines to live well. We have more types of probiotics in our intestines than the total cells in our entire body. There are billions of types of probiotics in our GI tract. We need to have a varied garden, so to speak. When we eat processed foods, the standard American diet, take antibiotics for every little ailment, and do not replant our garden, we may suffer with a barren garden. Then the immune system may be suppressed and we may become more susceptible to colds and flu. We may eventually suffer what is called leaky gut, where digestive acids and food particles actually leak through the intestinal walls and float freely throughout the body causing pain, gas, heartburn, food sensitivities, allergies, etc.

Fermented veggies are a great source of probiotics. If we make it ourselves, and vary the veggies we use and eat, we can have a plethora of the good bacteria, and replant our garden. We will have a beautiful intestinal garden. Don't be misled by regular store bought pickled veggies and sauerkraut. They add vinegar, sugar, salt, and sometimes citric acid or preservatives. Then they heat treat the mixture to pasteurize the veggies. It tastes wonderful, and makes them last a long time at room temperature on the store shelves. The pasteurization, the heating, kills the benefits of the fermentation process. There are no probiotics at all. You may, however buy raw, fermented varieties of veggies at health food stores and higher end grocery stores. Just ask your local store. They will always be refrigerated.

HOW DOES FERMENTATION WORK?

The natural bacteria feed on itself, and feed on the fibers and starch in the veggies. That's why if you are on a low sugar eating protocol, you can have Kombucha or beef jerky because the sugars are eaten by the bacteria in the process and very little is left. The sugars and starch in the fermented food turn into lactic acid. That is how it becomes sour tasting, pickled tasting. That is also how it creates the various good bacteria and vitamins. This extends the natural shelf life of the veggies or proteins. In the ancient days they would put it in the shade or in a cave or under ground for storage after it was done fermenting.

Even though the fermented foods tastes sour and acidic, they create an alkaline environment in the body, which is great for our health. Cancer and inflammatory diseases have a hard time thriving in an inflammatory environment. If 80% of our immunity begins in the gut, as many doctors tell us in the mainstream media, I want to fill my gut with fermented foods.

PREBIOTICS

Let me touch a little upon prebiotics because this word is often used in conjunction with probiotics. Prebiotics are food for the probiotics. Water, plant food, and sunshine feed your backyard garden, right? Prebiotics feed the intestinal bacteria. We find prebiotics naturally in food sources as well, in plant sources. They are fibrous plants. The highest sources of prebiotics we can eat are:

LEEKS
ONIONS
GARLIC
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES
ASPARAGUS
CHICORY ROOT
RADICCHIO
ENDIVE
BURDOCK
ARTICHOKE
DANDELIONS
BANANAS

We cannot digest these fibers, but the probiotics in our intestinal garden can. Whatever is not used, we eliminate.


OK, Let's make some fermented foods!

0 Comments

What's Your Perfect Day?

7/18/2016

0 Comments

 
What does your perfect day look like? If you did not have to work, and your health was in perfect condition, what would you do from the time you woke up until the time you went to bed? If money were no issue, what would you do all day for your perfect day? Would you travel? Shop? Go to a holy place? Meditate? Pray? Make love? Have a party? Go out to nature? Exercise? Eat super expensive things? This is a fantasy question, so let your imagination go wild!

I want to hear from you!
Blessings,
​KJ Landis
Picture
0 Comments

Taking Care of the Caregiver

7/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
In our society, we find many family members holding the position of caregiver for our elderly, adult, or our youngsters with chronic medical conditions. It can be stressful and busy at best, and exhausting and illness producing for the caregiver at worst. In order to care for others twenty four hours a day, we need to take care of ourselves first.

Like the airline safety procedure where we must put the oxygen mask on ourselves before assisting others, we must love and care for ourselves enough first before loving others into their best selves. How do we do this? It is easier said than done for sure, but with a few tips shared here, I am certain you will find a way.

I believe the foundation of all healthy caregivers is through real, whole foods, lots of clean water, and movement that supports the work you will do for others.

For me, it all begins with food. When I feed the very center of each cell with nutrient dense foods, my body and brain function at a high level. I can think clearly, move easily, and have energy for long days and nights. Nutrient dense foods include healthy fats, like extra virgin olive oil, avocados, raw nuts, raw seeds, wild caught fish, pastured eggs, 100 percent raw chocolate, and meats that are 100 percent grass fed. I always look for grass fed, raw butter too. For nutrient dense carbohydrates, I look to vegetables. I focus on dark, leafy greens, fibrous cruciferous vegetables, and organic varieties when they are on sale. For nutrient dense proteins, I eat wild seafood, wild fish, nitrate free, organic deli meats, and pastured animal products. The fats eaten alongside the vegetables allow for a higher absorption rate of the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals found inside.

The easiest meal plan includes the use of a crockpot or slow cooker. Add the proteins, carbs, and fats of choice, sprinkle in herbs and spices, and at the end of the day a delicious and nutritious meal or meals are ready! The slow cooking leaches out the collagen and proteins, as well as the good fats. Our body can easily absorb them in soups and stews. The softer stews and soups are easily eaten by even the most fragile members of our family.

Water is is key for the caregiver too. We see lots of caregivers making certain their charges are not dehydrated, but are too busy to drink water themselves. Drink lots of water, at least a half gallon daily. To make it more fun and palatable, add fruits or veggies to the water to create unique infusions.

If the caregiver lifts the patient physically, he or she must be strong and flexible. I suggest adding yoga, weight training, and squats to the daily routine. There are even free programs on cable television channels for all of these exercises, so even if stuck at home, there are no excuses!

Now tell me, are you a caregiver? What are your daily duties? Do you take time for yourself? It is important to take breaks and call in the support teams when necessary. You have a life too. Caregiving will go better when you feel like you are honoring your own soul and human self too.

I want to hear from you!
Blessings,
KJ Landis


​
0 Comments

Backbends are Your Birthright

7/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
I was on a trip to Pittsburgh recently to see family and friends. Luckily for me, there were hot yoga studios every place I traveled. After being on airplanes for almost 12 hours and sitting in airports, my back and ribs were achy. I welcomed the yoga and my favorite poses were the back bending poses. We are so connected to our computers and cell phones that most of our day is spent rounding forward with our spines and head. In order to combat the shrinking of our spine and height as we get older, we need to counter balance that.

The best way is to bend over backwards! So, the first step in prevention of backaches from forward bending is just to look up. Yes, look up and roll your head backwards. It won't fall off, I promise. We are sometimes nervous to do this because it is not regularly practiced. Then after a few days of looking up and back, begin to focus on the wall behind you or the floor. After a couple of weeks lift your arms up and reach back with the fists clenched and pointed, like you are holding a pistol. I started out timidly, but after a few months, my back bends grew stronger and I was less afraid. Remember to breathe slowly during the back bends, through the nose.

As you become stronger and more familiar with back bends, you can put your palms on the wall behind you and walk your way down the wall, inch by inch. Believe it or not, back bends are the most effective in preventing back pain as we age. It took me three years to be able to touch the wall behind me, so do not give up! Back bends also work the abdominal wall. I know I won't become the hunch backed woman of Regent Street because I practice my back bends. Back bends are your birth right. Don't deny your back its best self!

I want to hear from you!
Please sign the contact form below and comment.
Blessings,
KJ Landis

0 Comments
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    BUY REAL HCG HERE

    Author

    KJ Landis is her first success story.  She lost 50 pounds in 60 days and has kept it off for years.  Daily research and coaching has fueled her to love others into a better existence.

    I am now partnered with Buck Books, Good Reads, Author Central, Publishers Weekly, Leading Edge Review, Book Life, Lakanto, and more! Here are some author links for free and discounted items as well as learning more about my journey as an author on their pages!
    ​

    GREAT DEALS LINKS: PLEASE CLICK TO READ MORE AND JOIN FORCES!!
    Here are the links:


    Amazon Author: Click here!
    GoodReads: Click here!

    Apple iBooks :superior self book link: Click here!
    Google books: link to my first book:Click here!


    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Activism
    Add
    Addiction
    Adhd
    Advice
    Affects
    Age Related Deaths
    Aging
    Agriculture
    AI Health
    Air
    Alcohol
    Alcoholism
    Allergies
    Alzheimers
    Amaranth
    Ancestral
    Ancient Traditions
    Angel
    Angry
    Anti-cancer Therapy
    Anti-inflammatory
    Anti-nutrients
    Anxiety
    Anxiety Disorder
    Apple Cider Vinegar
    Aquarium
    Arthritis
    Arthroscopic Surgery
    Artichokes
    Artificial Sweeteners
    Artist
    Asian Vegetables
    Attitude
    Authentic
    Avocados
    Awareness
    BACKACHE
    Back Aches
    Back Bends
    Balance
    Barley
    Basal Metabolic Rate
    Batter
    Beans
    Beauty
    Beauty Oil
    Becoming
    Beef
    Beef-jerky
    Biohacking
    Bird Flu
    Birthing
    Birthright
    Bladder
    Bladder Infections
    Blend
    Blood Circulation
    Blues
    Bmr
    Body
    Bounce Back
    Brain
    Brain Fog
    Brain Imagery
    Brassica
    Brathing Techniques
    Bread
    Breast
    Breast Cancer Risks
    Breastfeeding
    Breast Mammogram
    Breast Mri
    Breasts
    Breast Ultrasound
    Breathing
    Breath Is Life
    Breathwork
    Broccoli
    Broccoli Sprouts
    Buckwheat
    Budwig Diet
    Bulgur
    Burn
    Bury
    Burzynski
    Busy
    Buti
    Buti Yoga
    Butter
    Cabbage
    Cakes
    Cancer
    Cancer Healing
    Cardiac Arrest
    Cardiac Distress
    Career Change
    Career Motivation
    Caring
    Cattle
    Cattle-ranching
    Cauliflower
    Caution
    Caveman
    Charlotte Gerson
    Cheaper
    Cheeses
    Chemistry
    Chemotherapy
    Chest Training
    Childcare
    Chocolate
    Choices
    Choline
    Chronic Dehydration
    CHRONIC PAIN
    City Hikes
    Cleansing
    Climate
    Clutter
    Coconut
    Coconut-oil
    Cognition
    Cognitive Protection
    Cognitive Repair
    Cold
    Colicky Babies
    Comedy
    Comfort Zone
    Communicable Diseases
    Community
    Compassion
    Complaining
    Concern
    Concerns
    Connection
    Consistent Kindness
    Constipation
    Contrary
    Cookies
    Cooking
    Core
    Core-exercises
    Core-strength
    Corn-fed
    Corona Virus
    Courage
    Covid-19
    Covid19
    Cows
    Crafting
    Creative
    Creativity
    Cruciferous-vegetables
    Crustaceans
    Cursive-handwriting
    Dairy
    Damaged
    Declutter
    Dedication
    Dehydration
    Dementia
    Demise
    Dense Breasts
    Depression
    Desire
    Dessert
    Determination
    Diabetes
    Diary
    Diet
    Digestible Starch
    Digestive Health
    Disbelief
    Discipline
    Disease
    Disease Prevention
    Dna
    Do
    Doctors
    Donuts
    Dream
    Dreams
    Drowning
    Dry January
    Eat
    E.coli
    Edemame
    Effects
    Efforts
    Elderly
    Electrocution
    Elimination
    Emergency Room
    Emotional
    Emotional Distress
    Empathy
    Emt
    Energy
    Enhanced Foods
    Epigenetics
    Equal Rights
    ER
    Eritrean
    Essential Oils
    Estrogen
    Ethiopian
    Evergreen Trees
    Exercise
    Exercise Outdoors
    Exercise Tips
    Expensive
    Factory Farming
    Facts
    Fake Fat
    Falling
    Fall Risks
    Fancy
    Farmers
    Farmers-markets
    Farming
    Fast Food
    Fat
    Father
    Fatty Foods
    Fear
    Fear Based Living
    Feeling
    Feminism
    Fennel
    Fennel Recipes
    Fennel Tea
    Fermented Foods
    Fever
    Fiber
    Fight
    Fish
    Fish-and-mental-life
    Fitness
    Flexibility
    Flight
    Floatation Devices
    Flower Teas
    Flu
    Food
    Food And Identity
    Food Costs
    Food Healing Therapy
    Food Heals
    Food Therapy
    Foot Cramps
    Fortified Foods
    Free
    Free Will
    Frequent Urinary
    Friend
    Functional Foods
    Fur Babies
    Future
    Game
    Gas
    Gaseous
    Genetics
    Geriatric
    Gerson
    Gerson Method
    Gerson Therapy
    Gluten
    Gluten Free
    Glycemic Index
    Glycemic Load
    Gmo
    Goals
    Goal Setting
    God
    Goiter
    Goitrogens
    Good Fat
    Good Fats
    Grain
    Grass Fed
    Grass-finished
    Gratitude
    Grazing
    Greens
    Grocery-shopping
    Guardian-angel
    Guilt-trip
    Gut Brain Connection
    Habitat
    Handwashing
    Happy
    Healing
    Healing Music
    Healthcare System
    Healthcare Workers
    Health Trends
    Healthy
    Healthy Aging
    Heart Attack
    Heart Healthy
    Helpless
    Herbal Supplements
    Herbs
    Hibiscus Tea
    High Blood Pressure
    High Protein
    High-protein-deserts
    Hiking
    Hill
    Holidays In Bed
    Holiday-travel
    Home Health Care
    Homeless
    Hormonal-issues
    Hormones
    Hospital
    Hospitalization
    Hot-flashes
    Hungarian Pastries
    Hurt
    Hybrid-agriculture
    Hydrolyzed Fat
    Ill
    Immune Strength
    Immunity
    Impulse Eating
    Independence
    Industrial Ranching
    Inflammation
    Inflation And Food
    Informed Consent
    Ingredient Labels
    Ingredient Reading
    Injera
    Innate
    Insulin
    Interactive
    Intestines
    Jackfruit
    Job Enthusiasm
    Journal
    Journalig
    Junk Food
    Just Do It
    Kaiser
    Kale
    Kidney Function
    Kidneys
    Kitchen
    Kitchen Fables
    Knee Replacement
    Knowledge
    Korean Recipes
    Kratom
    Kratom Tea
    Laughter
    Laughter Therapy
    Leafy Greens
    Legacy
    Leg Cramps
    Legumes
    Lettuce
    Life
    Lifestyle Change
    Lists
    Living
    Living Well
    Love
    Lunch
    Makeup
    Malnutrition
    Manipulation
    Mantras
    Marriage
    Mat Pilates
    Max Gerson
    Meal Replacement
    Medical Social Worker
    Meditation
    Melasma
    Memory
    Memory Loss
    Memory Studies
    Menopause
    Mental Health
    Mental Illness
    Messy Room
    Methylene Blue
    Methylene Blue And Vitamin C
    Milk Thistle
    Mind
    Mindful
    Minerals
    Minerlals
    Mini Stroke
    Miracles
    Mollusks
    Moment To Momemt
    Monks
    Monounsaturated Oil
    Mother
    Mothering
    Motivation
    Mountain
    Movement
    Msg
    Mugwort
    Muse
    Music
    Musicians
    Mustard Greens
    Nadi
    Nadi Breathing
    Natural Disaster
    Nature
    Negative
    Negative Domination
    Negative Living
    Neutralizing Polarities
    Never-ending Love
    New Exerciser
    New-year
    Night-nurse
    Nurse
    Nurses
    Nursing
    Nutritional-healing
    Nuts
    OA
    Oats
    Obesity
    Oil
    Old
    Olive Oil
    Omega 3
    Onion Rings
    Open
    Openness
    Options
    Organic
    Osteoarthritis
    Overcome
    Oxygen
    Pain
    Pain Management
    Paleolithic
    Pancreas
    Pandemic
    Panic Attack
    Paralyzed With Fear
    Parenting
    Parsley
    Party
    Patient Care
    Perception Of Aging
    Personalized Health
    Personal Training Geriatric
    Pets
    Pharmaceuticals
    Phytates
    Pilates
    Pine Healing
    Plan
    Planning
    Plans Change
    Plant Medicines
    Play
    Playing
    Pleasure
    Policy Programs
    Political Disaster
    Polyphenols
    Popcorn
    Positive
    Positive Mindset
    Potassium
    Power
    Practices
    Pranayama
    Pray
    Precision Health
    Prediabetes
    Preservatives
    Prevention
    Produce
    Professional Drive
    Protein
    Proud
    Pseudocereal
    Psychosomatic Pain
    Questions
    RA
    Radiant
    Radiant Energy
    Rapidly Digestivle Starch
    Raw Foods
    Reaction
    Reading Food Labels
    Rebellion
    Recipes
    Recovery From Surgery
    Reduction Of Sugar
    Red Wine
    Relationships
    Repetition
    Replace
    Resistant Starch
    Resolutions
    Rest
    Resting Metabolic Rate
    Resveratrol
    Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Ritual
    Rmr
    Rosemary
    Rosemary For Memory
    Rotator Cuff
    Rye
    Sabotage
    Sacred
    Safe Wearing Masks
    Same
    Sap
    Savory Elements
    Science
    Seafood
    Seasonal Vegetables
    Seeds
    Seeing
    Self
    Senior Citizen Marriage
    Senior Citizens
    Seniors Training
    Senses
    Sensitivities
    Sexual Desire
    SF Bay Area
    Shellfish
    Shoulder
    Shoulder Pain
    Sickness
    Simoncini
    Singing
    Sister
    Skin Barrier
    Skin Care
    Skincare
    Sleep
    Snacks
    Snacks-on-the-go
    Social-justice
    Sodium-bicarbonate
    Solidarity
    Soothing The Gut
    Soup
    Soy
    Soybean-oil
    Spending Dollars
    Spider-veins
    Spinal Discectomy
    Spinal Fusion
    Spinal Laminectomy
    Spinal Surgery
    Spine
    Spine Surgery
    Spirit
    Spondylolisthesis
    Spontaneous Healing
    Spring Vegetables
    Squalane Oil
    Ssuk
    Stability
    Stand
    Stew
    Stories
    Stories-connect
    Stress
    Stroke
    Struggles
    Success
    Sugar
    Sugar Addiction
    Sugar Chemistry
    Sulforaphane
    Superfood
    Super Foods
    Supplements
    Surgery
    Survival
    Swap
    Sweats
    Sweet-desserts-with-protein
    Sweeteners
    Sweets
    Symptoms
    Tea
    Teff
    Tempeh
    Thinking
    Thought
    Tofu
    Tough-questions
    Trace Minerals
    Tradition
    Trauma
    Travel
    Truth
    Try
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Uncomfortable
    Unhealthy
    Unions
    Universal Body And Hair And Face Oil
    UTI
    UTIs
    Vacation
    Varicose Veins
    Vege
    Vegetable Nutrients
    Vegetables
    Veins
    Versatile Foods
    Virus
    Vision
    Visiting Nurse
    Vitamin B 12
    Vitamins
    Walk Tall
    Walk The Walk
    Warriors
    Water Deaths
    Water Safety
    Wear A Mask
    Weight-loss
    Weight Training
    Wellness
    Whole Food Sources
    Work
    Workplace
    Workshop
    Worry
    Write
    Writer
    Writing
    Yoga
    Yoga Is Meditation
    Your Story

    RSS Feed


    RSS Feed

Contact Copyright © *|2014-2025|* *|SUPERIOR SELF|*, All rights reserved. Workshops and Coaching
Photo from wonder_j
  • Start Here
    • Bio
    • About
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Books & Services
    • Services
  • Health & Nutrition
    • Guide to Wellness from Within
    • Free Healthy Meal Ideas
    • Foods I Live By
    • Physical Activity
    • HCG
  • Guest Appearances/Book Me