Home-made Sauerkraut

Today I am going to try my luck at fermenting cabbage.  Making your own sauerkraut is easy and inexpensive.  Raw fermented kraut is loaded with nutrition and the good bacteria in it keeps your digestive system in tack.  I bought a jar of raw sauerkraut at my local health food store and it cost me $7.99 for a small 16 ounce jar.  I can make a whole lot more of this gem for a whole lot less at home.

Let's get started and give this a whirl.

Here's what you need:

1 head of cabbage, red or green, finely shredded. (Reserve one cabbage leaf for the top, if desired.)
   (About 8 cups)

1 tablespoon coarse salt

That's it for ingredients!

Here is the Process:

Core and finely chop the cabbage either by hand or with a food processor.  Today I am going to use my food processor.

Place the cabbage in a large bowl and begin sprinkling it with salt, a little at a time, and taste it as you go.  You don't want it to be too salty.

(If you are you using purple cabbage you may want to wear disposable kitchen gloves for this next step.)
                                                  

Begin squeezing the cabbage all around the bowl until the cells of the vegetable release their moisture.  (This is a good time to sing a little tune as you squeeze if you are so inclined!)  The goal here is to break down the cabbage until it is soft and reduced in size.  There will be some juices in the bowl, so make sure you keep it.  Do not drain.

Taste the cabbage at this point to check for seasoning.   If it tastes satisfactory and is juicy and soft you are ready to put it in a jar.  Any kitchen jar with a lid will work fine.  You could even use a crock if you have one, but do not use metal or plastic because the sauerkraut could react with the metal, and the plastic compounds could leach into your kraut. 

Begin placing the cabbage into your jar, pressing the air bubbles out as you go.  I used a wooden spoon at first, them switched to a flat meat tenderizer to press the final mixture down into the juice.  I then folded the reserved cabbage leaf and placed it on top of the final mixture and pressed it down until it was covered with juice.  I needed about a tablespoon of water to ensure it was all covered.  (Note:  I now use a rubber spatula.  It works great.)

Place the lid on, wipe down the jar, and that is it!  Keep it at room temperature for about 4 days, until it tastes the way you like it.

I will check on the process every day.  If you use a tight-fitting lid it will need to be opened daily to release the gases.  Also, if any mold develops around the upper part of the jar, simple scrape it away.  The kraut does not grow bad bacteria because the environment is too acidic to support it.

When the kraut tastes just the way you like it refrigerate it to slow the fermenting process.  It will keep in the fridge for several months.

Monday, August 18, 2014

I tasted the sauerkraut this morning and it is beginning to get sour.  I like mine pretty sour, so I will continue to leave it on the counter and check it each day until it tastes right for me.

Diagnosis: Breast Cancer

Last week I was dealt the breast cancer card.  Who would have thought?  Me, having breast cancer!  Wow.  I have to admit I was a bit floored by the news.  I have had scary mammograms in the past, scary enough to cause me to seek the advice of Naturopath doctors and self-help books on breast cancer prevention, etc.  I was pretty diligent about eating healthy and taking care of myself in positive ways.  I felt that if I worked hard enough at prevention I could avoid this outcome.  But, here I was, listening to my doctor tell me the news that I do indeed have breast cancer.

Don't get me wrong.  I still believe that healthy lifestyle habits and good nutrition can greatly reduce our chances of developing diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.  I personally know or have read the stories of people who have turned the disease process around in their bodies through diet, exercise and other healthy methods.  I have no doubt in my mind that we can care for our bodies in such a way that we can avoid things that break down health, and choose things that build health.  Smoking, eating tons of junk foods, excess alcohol, saturated fat and high stress are not good at helping our bodies stay healthy and strong  We all know that.  So I decided to do what I knew I should do and eat healthy foods, such as fresh, organic produce, whole grains, some lean meats.  I drank freshly made vegetable and fruit smoothies and lots of water.  I'm glad I did these things because I know this is healthy and good.  Positive lifestyle habits will continue to make me healthy and strong.  My fight is not over just because I got this diagnosis.  In fact it has only gotten me wanting to do more!  I will continue to care for my body in this same way, and be even MORE diligent at building health now that I have been diagnosed with cancer.  I know that I can prayerfully work together with medical doctors, nutritionists, health coaches, etc. in order to fight this battle and win.  And by win, I mean I will be victorious in whatever God chooses to do with my life.  I am ready to stay here on earth, or if  God wants to call me home, I am ready to hang out in heaven with Him.  It's all good in the end. 

Anyway, when my doctor called last Tuesday, January 6, 2014, with the news that my breast biopsy was positive for invasive ductile carcinoma, I was floored, even though I kind of had a feeling this time it might be cancer.  God had been preparing me for the news.  My thoughts began to swirl inside my head as the doctor instructed me to call a breast surgeon and make an appointment.  I wrote down the name and number of the surgeon, but did so mechanically.  I barely remember our conversation.  One thing I do remember him telling me is that breast cancer is a better cancer to have if you are going to have cancer because it has a high cure rate these days.  It's just that the process of treatment can be grueling, but in the end many women come out victoriously.  So that gave me hope for a bit.

 But then I was floored again a few days later when I called to ask my doctor the results of the pathology report.  He told me the cancer I have was triple negative, which means it does not respond to hormonal therapies like many other breast cancers do.  Shoot.  This was another solemn conversation I needed to process.  But God was good to me by providing people to come into my life and encourage me through this low time in my life.  My husband knew some friends he works with who have gone through breast cancer treatments, and they got in contact with me and started giving us information....and hope.  We met with Colleen and she gave us names of doctors who she has had success with, and she got me in contact with her survival coach who called me and gave me much encouragement over the phone when I was at a low point.  I'm very thankful for these people who I had never met before, but who came to me to help when I needed it so desperately.  I praise God for this!

Another God moment came when my childhood friend, Cheryl, called just moments after I was told the news I had breast cancer.  Cheryl had no idea I had just gotten the bad news, but felt strongly that she should call me.  She was there to encourage me and make me laugh at a time my world was being turned upside down.  God is so good!

My family has been my lifeline of support, both before and after the diagnosis.  My husband is my rock and I praise God for his strength when I am weak. I am thankful I have him in my life!  My daughter has been a HUGE blessing to me.  She keeps me centered and ready for battle.  I honestly could not have gotten through this news without her love and care.  My son is amazing as well!  I will share about the tattoo we got together another time, but his support upholds me and makes me strong.  He bought a breast cancer t-shirt that I can't share what it says here because it contains an expletive, but it is funny.   Even his friend is supporting me by wearing a breast cancer t-shirt and putting a bumper sticker on his truck.

Another childhood friend, Tom, has been a lifeline of support as well.  His faith in God and His prayers and humor are doing wonders to keep my spirits up.  The list goes on and on of who has been supporting me with their thoughts, prayers and kind words:  people from work, (thanks Barry, Jane, Ken, Karen, Marilyn, Dick, etc. etc.), church, Mark's work and Facebook...all have all been wonderful!  Absolutely amazing!  I love my friends and family so much.  I wish I could hug each one of you!  I now know what it is like to be on the receiving end of support while going through tough times.  It's crazy, but love conquers all.  Love NEVER fails.

 I have a long way to go on this journey, but I know that with God and a little help from my friends, I will get through this!  I plan on blogging about all the good things that come from this journey in hopes that I can be an encouragement to others who are struggling with cancer or anything else.  I know we serve a God who cares.  We do not need to walk alone in this world!  I am thankful for this! I couldn't do it on my own, that's for sure.

A few days ago an old friend, Pat, from Michigan called me and the words she spoke encouraged me greatly.  She reminded me that our bodies are simply our earth suits.  They are the vessels we use to live in while here on earth.  Our bodies are not who we are!  Our spirits are eternal.  Our bodies are not. We simply need to take our bodies in for repairs periodically,  just like we do our computers or cars.  One day when my body wears out I will graduate to my amazing eternal home in heaven, and I will have a new body that will never get sick or die again.  How cool is that?  And do you know the best part of all?  The end is only the beginning!  I will be dancing with my heavenly Father in heaven where the light of His glory shines like the sun.  He will wipe away all of our tears and we will throw our crowns at His feet in adoration for all He has done for us!  I love you, Jesus.  And I love all of you, my beloved friends and family.  May God bless us as we walk this journey together!