If you and your rheumatologist have decided that adding probiotics to your diet might be beneficial, grab your shopping list. You can find these good bacteria—sometimes referred to as active cultures—in many natural foods. It's true that some of these foods, like blue cheese and buttermilk, are rich and high in calories. But you can enjoy them in small amounts, or as an occasional treat and still reap the benefits of good bacteria. Here are some examples of how to add them to some healthy dishes:
- Blue cheese: sprinkle some on a spinach salad
- Buttermilk: include it in whole-grain pancake batter
- Tempeh: add it to bean or barley soup
- Yogurt: use a dollop on your oatmeal or cereal
And now, as promised, here's that favorite recipe of mine.
Ingredients
2 Baked Turkey Legs
1-2 Lb. Sauerkraut
1 Tbs. Caraway Seeds
½ Cup Brown Sugar
Step 1: Place two previously baked turkey legs into a very large pot. (You can bake them ahead of time and freeze them until you're ready to make this recipe.)
Step 2: Add 1-2 lb. of sauerkraut with liquid. Bring to a boil, cover, and turn down to a simmer. You may have to add some additional water to completely immerse the meaty parts of the turkey legs.
Step 3: After 20 minutes, add ½ cup of brown sugar or flavor to your taste. Some people like it sweeter, while some prefer it more sour—you be the judge.
Step 4: Next, add 1 tablespoon of caraway seeds. Continue to simmer with the pot covered for about 45 minutes to an hour. If the turkey legs were frozen, then cook longer. Ultimately, the meat will begin to fall off the bone. That's how you'll know it has cooked thoroughly. If the mixture becomes too thick before it's ready, you might have to add a little bit more water. At this point, you should taste it to see if the sweet and sour ingredients are in the right concentrations.
Now it's ready to eat. It should serve about 4-6 people, and the leftovers are even better the next day.
As you can see, it's fairly easy to include good bacteria in dishes you're already eating or to find some new favorites. If you try making the Turkey With Sauerkraut dish, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Managing Pain and Stress
