Let’s Learn About SCOBY

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021

If you know me, you know about my love for Kombucha and my two fermentary businesses here in Thunder Bay, where I regularly brew Kombucha and make other delicious fermented foods. So you might be wondering why I’m talking about Kombucha when I’m supposed to be talking about SCOBY? What does Kombucha have anything to do with today’s topic? Stick around, and I’ll tell you all about it.

Kombucha is a fermented beverage people enjoy for its unique taste and tremendous health benefits. It contains many powerful ingredients and one of those ingredients is called SCOBY.

What is SCOBY?

SCOBY is a thick, cloudy rubbery mass that helps the fermentation process. SCOBY stands for “Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast,” and it’s an essential ingredient that I use in the fermentation and production of my Kombucha.

Fermentation is a chemical process where carbohydrates like sugar and starch turn into alcohol and acid.

The appearance of SCOBY can vary, but usually, it’s round, dense and a little rubbery. It also looks a bit cloudy with a very mild smell of vinegar.

How SCOBY Works

When producing Kombucha, you add a SCOBY into sweetened black or green tea, and then you let it ferment for a few weeks.

The bacteria and yeast in the SCOBY start to break down the sugars in the tea and convert them into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

In the end, it has a sweet and tangy vinegar-like taste with specific flavours that you leave to ferment.

The fermentation process also increases probiotics’ concentration, which brings lots of positive health effects to your gut.

Many studies have connected probiotics’ consumption to reducing cholesterol levels, improved immunity and enhanced weight loss, among other excellent benefits.

Can You Eat SCOBY?

Yes, you can eat SCOBY! They are perfectly edible and good for you. SCOBYs are safe to eat on their own and will not cause you any harm.

However, be careful when incorporating SCOBYs into your recipes because they are not as simple as you think. If you have experience cooking with SCOBY, then go for it. You can make many tasty treats like smoothies, fruit leathers and jerky, but remember that what you make and how you go about it will make your SCOBY dish either edible or inedible.

But before you experiment with cooking with SCOBY and making different dishes, I suggest you start by making your own batch of Kombucha. Unleash your inner kombucha brewer with my Kombucha Starter Kit! I include instructions and a little gift receipt for a $10 coupon.

If you don’t want to brew your own Kombucha but enjoy drinking it, try some of my current favourite flavours and let me know what you think:

In Health and Wellness,

Nadia La Russa

Click here to learn more about Narrow Gate Foods, my small-batch, big-love fermentery in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Click here to learn more about Kumbaya Kombucha, another fermentery in Thunder Bay that I recently purchased.

Let’s Talk About Gut Health

May 12, 2021May 12, 2021

If you know me, then you know that gut health is a topic I enjoy talking about. With my two fermentery businesses in Thunder Bay, I regularly brew kombucha which improves my own gut health and also spreads that goodness to the local community. It’s something I truly love doing. So, what exactly is gut health? If you want to know then continue to read below and of course, reach out to me if you have any questions.

So…what is gut health?

“Gut health” essentially describes the function and balance of bacteria of many parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Our organs work together to allow us to eat and digest food without feeling any sort of discomfort.

It’s been said that the gut is the body’s second brain and when you have an unhealthy gut, it can take a toll on the rest of your body. In order to understand why this happens, it’s helpful to know how a properly functioning gut is supposed to operate.

The foods we eat get broken down in the gut to a simple form that can enter the bloodstream and be delivered as nutrients throughout our bodies. A healthy gut contains healthy bacteria and immune cells that ward off infectious bacteria and other viruses and fungi. A healthy gut will communicate with the brain through nerves and hormones that help to maintain general health and well-being.

Pay attention to your gut

Many factors of modern life such as high stress levels, lack of sleep, and consuming processed foods can affect your health. There are multiple ways your body will communicate with you to signal an unhealthy gut.

Upset stomach

Experiencing gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn are signs of an unhealthy gut.

Unintentional weight changes

Gaining or losing weight without making any changes to your diet or exercise can also be a sign of an unhealthy gut. An imbalanced gut can damage your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, and store fat.

Constant fatigue

An unhealthy gut can contribute to sleep disturbance such as insomnia or poor sleep, which leads to chronic fatigue. A majority of the body’s serotonin is produced from the gut, so an unhealthy gut can damage your ability to sleep well.

Skin irritation

Skin conditions like eczema may be related to an unhealthy gut. Inflammation in the gut from a poor diet may cause skin irritation.

How you can improve your gut health

If you’re experiencing any of these, then don’t worry, there are ways to improve gut health. You just have to make some changes.

Start by eating a diverse range of food

Eating a diverse diet rich in whole foods, fruits and vegetables is a great place to start in terms of improving your gut health. After all, they’re the best sources of nutrients for a healthy microbiota. They’re high in fiber, which normalizes bowel movements, prevents the growth of some disease-causing bacteria, and overall enhances gut health.

Eat whole grains

Whole grains contain lots of fibre and non-digestible carbs that can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria within the gut. These changes to the gut can improve aspects of metabolic health.

Eat fermented foods

Fermented foods are foods altered by microbes. The process of fermenting usually involves bacteria or yeast converting the sugar in food to organic acid. Foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha (although kombucha is a beverage) can improve digestion, boost metabolism, reduce inflammation, and more!

A change in diet can make a world of difference, but your change doesn’t have to be drastic. You can always start small. Start by adding some kombucha to your diet. You can drink it with your lunch or dinner as it is a healthy alternative to sodas or juice. Best of all, they come in delicious flavours. These are some of my favourites:

In Health and Wellness,

Nadia La Russa

Click here to learn more about my small-batch, big-love fermentery in Thunder Bay.

Click here to learn more about the other kombucha business I recently acquired in Thunder Bay.

Click here to learn more about how kombucha can benefit your body.

How Kombucha Can Benefit Your Body

April 28, 2021April 28, 2021

If you know me, then chances are, the topic of kombucha and gut health has come up once or twice. Not only do I own two fermentary businesses in Thunder Bay, but I also regularly brew kombucha and create other delicious fermented foods. If you’re interested in learning more about how kombucha can benefit your body, read below for a detailed breakdown, and of course, reach out to me if you have any questions at all!

So, what exactly is kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented tea that originated in China and is believed to have healing powers that bring health and longevity. Kombucha also contains antioxidants and is rich in probiotics, which means it can also kill harmful bacteria and fight multiple diseases.

Keep on reading to learn about some of the different ways kombucha can help you!

Kombucha can be as beneficial as green tea

Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks on the planet because it contains micronutrients such as polyphenols which act as a powerful antioxidant in the body. Some kombucha is made from green tea, such as this Plain Jane Kombucha blend from Narrow Gate Foods, which includes the same micronutrients and can give you the same benefits.

Many studies have shown that regularly drinking green tea can help your body burn more calories, reduce belly fat, improve cholesterol levels, and more. Adding kombucha to your diet can give you those same benefits as green tea.

Kombucha contains antioxidants

Antioxidants protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease and more. Free radicals are produced when your body breaks down food or when your body is exposed to different toxins. Scientists believe that antioxidants from foods and beverages are way better for your health than any supplements.

Kombucha, especially when it’s made with green tea, has antioxidant effects on your liver, and recent animal studies show that consistently drinking kombucha can reduce liver toxicity by almost 70%.

Although no human studies currently exist on this topic, there are many promising fields of research for people with liver disease.

Kombucha is an excellent source of Vitamin B12

Did you know that kombucha is an excellent source of vitamin B12? That’s right! B12 is an essential nutrient to have in your body because without it, you might feel fatigued, weak, experience gastrointestinal disturbances, and more. B12 can be found in many types of meat and animal products, but if you are a vegetarian or vegan, Kombucha is a great option.

Fermented beverages like kombucha are rich in B12, and regular consumption will ensure that your level of B12 is high.

Kombucha is an excellent source of probiotics

Probiotics are found in many fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, and since kombucha is a fermented product, you can find several probiotics bacteria in it. Probiotic bacteria can help balance the gut microbiome and improve digestion, inflammation and even help with weight loss. Who doesn’t want that?

If you’re looking to improve your health, then I suggest you add kombucha to your diet! It’s a healthy alternative to many other beverages like sodas or juice and also comes in many refreshing flavours, and they taste great! Here is a list of my favourites (if you’re in Thunder Bay or anywhere else in Ontario, be sure to check them out!):

These kombuchas are great if you’re just trying kombucha for the first time:

In Health and Wellness,

Nadia La Russa

Click here to learn more about Narrow Gate Foods, my small-batch, big-love fermentery in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Click here to learn more about Kumbaya Kombucha, another fermentery in Thunder Bay that I recently purchased.

3 Ways To Feel Younger Overnight

December 3, 2018March 19, 2019

Imagine waking up feeling five or even ten years younger in your appearance, confidence, and aura. The secret is in reducing gut inflammation. Gut inflammation can result in a lack of motivation and an increase in autoimmune disorders, tiredness and irritability, leaving you feeling worn-out and exhausted. Does this sound familiar? These three simple steps will have you take control of your gut health and as a result, feeling younger, more vibrant and healthier!

1) Try some bone broth.

Grass-fed bone broth helps to build antibodies, tighten skin cell and can even reduce the appearance of cellulite. It’s packed with gelatin and collagen, which rebuilds your gut lining and helps to strengthen your immune system. Bone broth contains potassium and glycine, which aids in liver detoxification. Enjoy it warm before bed on by itself or in a soup. Grass-fed bone broth can be found at your local health food store.

2) Eliminate sugars, bread and pasta from your diet.

Replace those unhealthy carbs with natural ones like berries or starch vegetables. Gut inflammation is often exacerbated by food sensitivities. Some food sensitivities are so hidden, you may not even know that you have one without an official food sensitivity test. Proactively removing unhealthy carbs and white flours from your diet will aid in the replenishment of your gut lining and reduce the inflammation in your gut.

3) Last but not least, establish a regular, calming evening routine.

Brushing and flossing your teeth every night is crucial to feeling better the next morning. Your mouth is the gateway to your overall health! Spend a little time before bed winding down, reading a book or writing a journal entry. Meditate or go for a moonlight walk. Ensure you are getting at least eight hours of sleep every night and commit to taking a little time out of every day for yourself. The greatest change comes from within and the willingness to commit to the change!

These three simple steps will usher in a big difference in your overall health and wellness. It’s recommended to commit to these lifestyle changes for at least three months to fully repair the inflammation in your gut. By then, you will already have forgotten about those old habits that used to be your norm. That feeling of lethargy and lack of motivation is in the past and you’re well on your way to a healthier, younger you!