Our great grandmothers were usually knowledgeable and adept at fermenting foods, i.e., allowing microbes to grow on food, thereby keeping foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and meats, from spoiling while increasing the nutritional value of the food and providing you with beneficial probiotic microbes. They may not have appreciated these benefits, but surely at least knew that it was a useful method of preserving food without refrigeration. Modern processed foods, widespread availability of home refrigeration, and convenience caused most of us to abandon this practice. But it represents yet another mistake we’ve made in healthy eating, coupled with blundering dietary guidelines, exploitative practices, and ignorance or indifference of food manufacturers. 

Wife and mother, Donna Schwenk, struggled with health issues of her own and her family. Twenty two years ago, she stumbled on the idea of creating fermented vegetables. Adopting them into her lifestyle and that of her family, she witnessed transformations in health. Donna is a vocal advocate for the fermenting lifestyle and shares her wisdom in her culturedfoodlife.com website loaded with recipes and wisdom on how to put fermented foods to work to restore your emotional and physical health. In this episode of the Defiant Health podcast, Donna shares some of the most recent lessons she’s learned through her fermenting projects. 

Learn about the surprising role of fermented vegetables in alleviating symptoms of SIBO and Candida overgrowth, as Donna details her daily fermentation routine. Be prepared to have your mind blown as Donna reveals her remarkable remedy for food poisoning, and even the surprising health benefits her dog has experienced! Beyond personal anecdotes, we delve into the controversial health topics, illuminating why some major health organizations haven't updated their advice despite new evidence, and the importance of strength training as we age.

Wrap up the episode by exploring the tantalizing world of homemade cheese. Hear her recount the incredible potential of probiotic yeast and the lasting health benefits her family has experienced from a diet rich in fermented vegetables. Whether you're a fermented foods enthusiast or just embarking on your journey, this episode promises to be packed with nuggets of wisdom and fascinating insights. Tune in to be inspired and empowered with the knowledge to transform your health through food.


For more from Donna Schwenk: CulturedFoodLife.com with lots of recipes, informative discussions, and products available for purchase.
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Books:

Super Gut: The 4-Week Plan to Reprogram Your Microbiome, Restore Health, and Lose Weight

Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight and Find Your Path Back to Health; revised & expanded ed