Every culture around the world has their own fermented foods that they regularly consumed for good health.  My ancestors from Ukraine understood the many restorative properties of beet kvass. This Lacto-fermented, probiotic-rich tonic is made from beets. This is one of my probiotic staples that I don’t like to be without. This is one of the many things that brought me from chronically ill to healthy and strong in my 50’s. You can read about everything else that I did here.

Many of the benefits include:

1. Better bowel function

2. Liver  cleansing

3. Protects against infectious disease

4. Provides an abundant source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes

5. Aids in digestion

6. In Europe, it is used as a cancer therapy.

7. Maintains a healthy gut flora.

8. Alkalizes  the blood

9. A good treatment for kidney stones

Easy Beet Kvass Recipe

1. Chop your beets into 1/2 inch cubes. Do not shred as this will cause the beets to ferment too fast and the result might produce alcohol instead of lactic acid. I use a large 2-liter jar but you can use any size. I fill the jar 1/3 with beets.
2. 1 tablespoon grated ginger
3. 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
4. 1 tablespoon of sea salt
5. 2 probiotic capsules
6. Filtered water

Place everything in the jar and fill with water. We leave about 1.5 inches of air space in the jar. Stir everything together and then add the probiotics last. Give one last gentle stir. Cover and let sit on your counter for 48 hours. We prefer this recipe with the probiotic capsules because it reduces the fermentation time. Many recipes call for whey but we stopped using all dairy and no longer make kefir. We also make our sauerkraut with the probiotic capsules. Once you have some kvass you can just use 1/2 cup to innoculate your next batch.

Some people will empty the kvass and refill with water for a second batch.  This will work but the second batch will not be as strong. I like to think that I am worth a fresh round of beets with every batch.  Smiles

I can attest to the amazing health benefits of beet kvass.  I have experienced the bowel cleansing benefits as well as a major increase in energy. I enjoy walking several miles per day and find my pace and distance has greatly increased since the addition of kvass and other probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut. This is a good option if you do not have access to raw goat/cow yogurt or have to avoid fermented dairy due to a casein intolerance/allergy. This has been such a blessing to find an easy, inexpensive probiotic food. 

Helped with Anemia

Another benefit is the blood alkalizing and nutrient density of kvass. Since I have struggled with babesia (malaria-like protozoan) and anemia I feel that kvass is an excellent maintenance and support for the blood as beets are high in vitamin c, iron and copper. The body needs all three to build new blood.

“Beets are unique in their rich combination of betalain pigments. Both betacyanins (red-violet pigments) and betaxanthins (yellow pigments) can be found in beets. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are betalains that have gotten special attention in beet research. Beets are also an excellent source of folate and a very good source of manganese, potassium, and copper. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B6”.

Nutritional information from World’s Healthiest Foods.

I raise my glass of beet kvass and say – To your health! Na zdorov’ya

Best of Health!

Brenda

Everything that I have done to recover my health is available here for free on my blog. If you would like a little extra help, I offer nutritional therapy consultations and hair tissue mineral analysis for a fee. Please go to this page for a list of my rates and to book an appointment for health coaching.

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Water makes up 55 – 60% of our total body mass

6 REASONS WE NEED TO DRINK WATER FOR VIBRANT HEALTH

1. Transports nutrients
2. Removes wastes and flushes toxins
3. Aids in the digestion of food
4. Regulates body temperature
5. Cushions bones and joints (hydrates spinal discs)
6. Lubricates joints

“Chronic cellular dehydration of the body is the primary etiology
of painful degenerative disease.”
-F.Batmanghelidj, M.D.

EARLY SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION

1. Increased thirst
2. Dry mouth
3. Tired or sleepy
4. Decreased volume of urine
5. Urine is darker in color
6. Headache
7. Dry skin
8. Dizziness
9. Depression
10. Anxiety

LATE SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION

1. Heartburn
2. Joint pain
3. Back pain
4. Migraines
5. Fibromyalgia
6. Constipation
7. Colitis

HOW MUCH WATER DO WE NEED TO DRINK?

Take your body weight (in pounds) and divide it by 2  = number of ounces per day of water needed
If you weigh 150 pounds, divide by 2 = 75 ounces per day

Avoid the following diuretic beverages
1. Coffee
2. Caffeinated teas and some herbal teas like peppermint
3. Fruit juice
4. Soda
5. Alcohol

Note- If you are drinking the above diuretic beverages, you will have to consume additional water to offset the water they take out of the body. You will need to add an additional 12 – 16 ounces of water for every 8 ounces of a diuretic beverage.

THE BEST WATER TO DRINK IS NATURALLY CLEAN, PURE AND FULL OF NATURALLY OCCURRING MINERALS

1. Artesian or deep drilled well
Some people are fortunate to have this clean source of mineral-rich well water, which has to be periodically tested for mineral content and pathogens.

2. Natural spring water
Water that flows out of a spring and bottled at the source can be very mineral-rich.

3. Mineral water
This could be natural spring or artesian water.  It comes from an underground source and contains at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved solids, including minerals and trace elements.

WATERS TO AVOID

1. Water sold in plastic bottles
This water often contains toxic chemicals that have leached into it from the plastic.  In addition, many if not most of our discarded plastic bottles are clogging up landfills and our beautiful oceans.

2.  Distilled water
This water should not be consumed, as it does not contain any minerals; it actually promotes mineral loss in the body via osmosis when ingested over an extended period of time.

3. Alkaline water with meals
Drinking alkaline water with meals will interfere with stomach acidity (pH of 1.5 – 3) required for proper digestion. If stomach pH is too high, the digestive process is going to be disrupted. You can read about the consequences of low stomach acid here.

A WORD ON ELECTROLYTES

Ideally, we’ll get some minerals in our drinking water.  Essential minerals such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium are required to support almost every function in the body, especially in the adrenals. I have had to supplement with these minerals along the way, when I was severely deficient. It is always a good idea to get a hair tissue mineral analysis and a complete nutritional analysis to find out whether or not you have any deficiencies.  In addition to regular supplementation, there are also electrolyte packs that can be purchased and added to your drinking water if you are deficient, living in a hot climate or sweating a lot after workouts.

REMEMBER, WE DO THE BEST WE CAN!

I buy my water in 5-gallon bottles here in Mexico. This is not ideal, but this is the water that I have been drinking to completely restore my health. I simply run this water through a charcoal filtration system and drink 80 -100 ounces each day. It is very hot here, and I need this much water most days. I love to squeeze half of a lime into my 800 ml glass bottles of water. I also make my own electrolyte drink that I have 2 or 3 times per week.

When I return to Canada I will be purchasing a travel-sized Berkey. These are a little more spendy but worth the money in my opinion.

You can reuse many glass bottles for drinking.  For years, I have been using the vinegar bottles that you see me holding in my picture.

Water consumption has been a very big part of my recovery, ongoing health and vitality. So I raise a glass to you today and hope that you will up your daily dose of water – one of the best natural medicines that has been given to us!

If you are interested in booking a consult, please go to this page for nutritional therapy and hair analysis.

Best of Health!

Brenda

References
Your Body’s many Cries for Water – F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.
Nutritional Therapy Association- https://www.nutritionaltherapy.com/

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 “Death begins in the colon.”

Dr. Bernard Jensen, D.C.

It is a known fact that 70% of our immune system lies within the intestinal tract.  Bacteria  enter the GI tract and bowel mainly through food and water, and can disrupt the delicate intestinal flora. Dr. Clark mentions that bowel disorders are always connected to bacteria. Harmful enteric bacteria can then invade other parts of the body and colonize a trauma site or a weakened organ.  The Dr. Clark Bowel Program was together in order to remove harmful enteric bacteria. Many people report that after following this bowel cleanse program, they no longer suffer from constipation or conversely, from diarrhea; their minds are clearer and their bellies flat. The Clark bowel cleanse program was designed to help eliminate salmonella, shigella, e. coli, clostridium and other harmful intestinal bacteria. To do this, Dr. Clark used the following herbs and supplements:

TUMERIC AND FENNEL SEEDS
Possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Used for the treatment of digestive disorders such as flatulence and bloating. In this bowel program, turmeric and fennel seeds are used to remove shigellas and Escherichia coli.

BETAINE HYDROCHLORIDE
For removing clostridium from the intestinal tract.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Break down components of food so that they can be taken up by the organism. They minimize the presence of undigested food particles which can aggravate a sensitive or leaky gut.

CASCARA SAGRADA
Gentle laxative for those who are constipated restores tone to the smooth muscle of bowel wall.

LUGOL’S IODINE
Essential trace element for the formation of hormones of the thyroid gland. Antioxidant and removes free radicals. In Dr. Clark’s bowel program it removes salmonellas.

BLACK WALNUT TINCTURE
To remove parasites, particularly intestinal flukes.

HOT CUP OF WATER UPON RISING AND MAGNESIUM OXIDE
For constipation.

 MY BOWEL CLEANSE CHART

For three weeks:

Mix the herbs, black walnut tincture and Lugol’s into a glass of water and follow with another glass of water.

Dr. Clark warns that it can take all of the above and the full 21 days to remove a serious enteric bacterial load.

Note* – I did the full 21 days of this bowel cleanse before I started the parasite cleanse.

Constipation

If you are constipated, take the herb Cascara Sagrada.  Start with one capsule a day, use up to maximum on label. Take extra magnesium (300 mg. magnesium oxide powder or citrate two or three a day), and drink a cup of hot water (flavored is fine) upon rising in the morning. This will begin to regulate your elimination. Constipation is usually caused by clostridium botulinum, which makes its own chemicals in the colon to inhibit the neurotransmitters controlling smooth muscle contraction – the normal driving force for intestinal movement there. Use betaine hydrochloride capsules, two to three with each meal, to keep Clostridium out of your colon. Constipation can also be caused by other bowel bacteria. Certain drugs such as morphine or similar painkillers as well as certain antidepressants produce constipation as a side-effect.  While doing the bowel cleanse, it is important to expel bowel contents at least once a day…if necessary, with an enema.

Laxative Dependence

I used cascara sagrada regularly for over 4 years. I had to, as I was so severely constipated.  It is really critical to move the bowels daily either with the use of cascara sagrada or with enemas. If the body cannot eliminate its contents daily, it will become extremely toxic with active infections and dying pathogens. I am happy to report that I am not dependent on anything to have regular bowel movements each day. I was very concerned about becoming laxative-dependent, but once my gut flora levels were corrected to a healthy balance and nutrient levels restored, constipation was no longer an issue.

Upon completion of this cleanse, I noticed immediately that my sugar cravings had significantly decreased and constipation much improved.  I knew I still had a long way to go and that the other infections would have to be treated. I was also severely magnesium deficient, anemic and experiencing the effects of a low functioning thyroid, all of which will contribute to constipation. To address these issues, I began adding magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, fish oil, dessicated liver pills and kelp to my diet.  I continue taking all of these as part of my maintenance protocol, now that I have recovered.

I still use the liver/bowel herbs (turmeric/fennel/dandelion/milk thistle mix) on occasion when I travel, if I run into intestinal issues. I find this mix does a great job of resolving intestinal upsets within a day or two.

Once I completed this bowel cleanse, I was careful to maintain a daily intake of homemade fermented foods.  These offset the effects of the Lugol’s iodine, which I knew would be hard on the beneficial intestinal flora.  The addition of fermented foods was an important part of the next steps I took to healing my gut. You can read more about them here.

Here is an article that details everything that I have done to recover completely from bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, PTSD, major anxiety disorder and lyme disease and co-infections.

If you are interested in booking a consult, please go to this page for nutritional therapy and hair analysis.

Blessings and Best of Health!

Brenda

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