Hack Your Health: the Secrets of Your Gut

Hack Your Health: the Secrets of Your Gut is a LOVELY documentary about your health and your gut microbiome. Your microbiome is a whole universe of bacteria, primarily within your digestive system. Giulia Enders, a German physician, delightfully leads the audience throughout the film. I appreciate her love for our bodies and the whole digestive system. Her gentle way is persuasive and inspiring. Also, the artsy ways that the concepts are presented make me smile. Here are some examples:

Look at these darling bacteria!

There is a part that demonstrates how processed foods flood our system
and how each time it happens is a traumatic event in our body!

There is a great explanation of how "leaky gut" happens,
and how we can prevent it!

These three share their personal experiences throughout the film.
There is also a 4th individual, who has an interesting history of hot dog eating championships!
Also, this part discusses how each person handles any given food differently.  

Here is the official trailer:

Quick Tip:

"ABCs" is to "always be counting". Count the different fruits and vegetables you eat each week, aiming for at least 20-30 different kinds of produce each week to promote a diverse gut microbiome, crucial for overall health and immune function. Can you get this many daily?!

My day so far: arugula, beets, soybeans (tofu), tomato, blackberries, strawberries, broccoli, peanuts, dates, flaxseed, hummus (chickpeas, sesame seeds, garlic, lemon), muffins (pumpkin, banana, ginger, dates, flax, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), orange...I count 13, or 21 if we count nuts, seeds, and spices! The polyphenols of spices are very beneficial to our gut flora.

Here is a 5-min video reviewing key concepts of the film, in case, or prior to when you get a chance to watch Hack Your Health.

The microbiome is fascinating and may be the key to many of our health problems. By eating lots of different fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and seeds, we feed the "good bacteria", the bugs who help us most, so that we may thrive inside and out!

Charred Poblano Peppers, Tofu, and Black Bean Skillet Burritos

Poblano Peppers for the Win!

What a delight to come home to a new, delicious meal! My dear husband made these scrumptious burritos for the family! What a treat! And made from a plentiful supply of fresh poblano peppers delivered from a friend earlier in the day! He adapted the recipe from various other recipes, linked below.

Here are just a few Poblano Pepper Benefits!

Poblano peppers are nutritious, offering high levels of vitamins A and C for immune and eye health, antioxidants to fight cell damage, and fiber for digestion, and a million other benefits, all while being low in calories. Their capsaicin content may offer pain relief and metabolic benefits. 

The love of a homecooked meal is beneficial to well-being!

Charred Poblano, Tofu & Black Bean Skillet Burritos

Made 8 good sized burritos

Ingredients:

6–10 poblano peppers, halved + seeded

1 block firm tofu, pressed + crumbled

1 can black beans, drained

1 onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1–2 cups corn

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp oregano

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

Salt + pepper

Optional: lime, cilantro, avocado, tortillas, rice

Instructions:

Char poblanos under broiler or on grill until blistered. Chop. Sauté onion. Add tofu, soy sauce, cumin, paprika, oregano. Brown lightly. Add poblanos, black beans, corn, garlic, nutritional yeast. Simmer 5–10 min. Finish with lime, salt, pepper. Serve with rice or tortillas.

Various Poblano Scrambles and Stuffed Peppers from:

Baking Fairy

Minimalist Baker

Simple Veganista

Everyday Plant-Based