Author: carlablanc
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Bitters
What are “Bitters”? Bitters are a class of plants and herbs that taste bitter. We have bitter receptors through our digestive tract – the mouth, pancreas, liver, ear, nose, throat, brain and genitals all have bitter receptors. Most poisons are actually bitter, so we need to be very alert to the bitter flavor / compound. …
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Natural Yoghurt
How to Make Natural Yoghurt – no yoghurt maker Do I need a yoghurt maker to make home made yoghurt? NO! You don’t need a yoghurt maker to make natural yoghurt at home. All you need is something to stand the yoghurt container into to keep it warm overnight. The bacteria need a continuously warm…
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Sourdough Tin Loaf
Flour A few words about flour. When making any bread, you would normally opt for a strong flour, that is to say that the flour has a high protein content (12-13%) and therefore good gluten. Some flour varieties are naturally high in protein an some aren’t. This makes following a recipe quite difficult. A high…
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Acid Reflux
What is Acid Reflux? Acid Reflux is when acid and/or contents of the stomach are moved upwards through the sphincter (the valve that separates the esophagus and the stomach) into the esophagus causing various symptoms. Also known as GERDS, Heartburn, call it what you like if you have experienced it, you will know that familiar…
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Constipation
What is constipation? Constipation can be defined as not passing a stool within 24 hours to a few days. Some say that not passing a proper stool (passing “rabbit droppings”) is classed as constipation. However, if it affects you, it isn’t pleasant and can make you feel irritated and bloated and can be the primary…
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Sourdough Starter How to Make
How to make a Sourdough Starter To make a sourdough starter from scratch (without innoculation(1)) you will need: Jar. A clean medium sized jar Flour. The ideal flour is 100% organic Rye flour. It can be done with other flour but it can take longer and has variable results. Water. The water must be either…
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What is Sourdough?
What is Sourdough? Sourdough is naturally leavened bread, which means instead of using a commercial yeast, you “grow” your own starter by fermenting flour and water. Flour contains wild yeasts and bacteria which produces the gas needed for rising the dough. Sourdough bread is also known for it’s tangy flavour and slightly chewy texture. Wild…
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Gut Brain Connection
How gut health affects mental health The connection between your gut and your brain is real. So if you are suffering from Anxiety, Depression, Brain Fog, Fatigue or insomnia consider looking at your gut health. Digestive issues can affect your mood and impact your mental health, in some cases severely. There are a lot of…
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Power of Pepper
Is red pepper the same as black pepper? Red, white, green and black peppers all come from the same species, it’s just that they are at different stages of ripening. To begin with, a golden rule: if your pepper doesn’t sting or taste spicy when you eat it, then throw it in the bin! Often…