Gut Health Expedition.

I have had gastro health issues for many years, I can't really remember when it all started. Some of issues I encountered for example, I love my peanut (shelled or not), but my digestions did not like me. (But I truly ate too many each day, that was my fault, moderation was not in my DNA when it comes to "peanut")

Some of my GI issues were lots of burping, constipations, sinus headache, indigestion and heart burns. On top of that, I was suffering back spasm causing me to not able to sleep comfortable. My upper back spasm pain called rhomboid pain, one of the main reasons of rhomboid pain is due to sluggish/clogged kidney (from eating too many peanuts). My kidney was not able to properly function and process food normally, in this case, peanuts were not being processed/stuck somehow! Thus, I research heavily into unclogging and developing a healthier kidney as well as avoiding peanuts which resolved my back pain and gut issues.

I continuously have to monitor and be extra careful on what I consume or I will suffer consequences. One other concern I keep complaining is lack of energy and being tired easily most days. I thought it was winter and the cold or perhaps this is something else.

... for whatever reason, I started getting very curious on gut relief using fermented food. With the help from YouTube university, I started my own home DIY pursuits. Now, I have to say getting pretty good making my own collection of fermented jars. My gut loves me now, I can even sneak a few peanuts after my regular meal if I desire without upsetting my stomach, YES!!!

My next endeavor is on working DIY seeds sprouting which is another category of health food. My hubby calls me a "mad scientist" lol

Here are a few of my fermented ideas.

Year End 2025 and Early 2026 Cookies

 

Kimchi

Pureed the followings together

6-8 cloves of Garlic 

1 inch Ginger

½ Apple (or any similar fruit - pear, pineapple etc)

½ cup Onion 

After pureed the above, mix Kimchi Paste in the below ingredients in a bowl, set aside in fridge.

6 tbs Fish Sauce

1 cup Gochugaru  (Korean hot pepper powder)

¼ cup (boiling) water, 2 tbs sweet rice flour - mix both water and rice powder into a soft paste, set aside.

Prepare the vegetables.

¼ cup (4 tbs) Sea Salt 

In a bowl, 1 large head Napa Cabbage (about 2 1/2 to 3 lbs) - cut in 1 ½ inch length, sprinkle Sea salt to the cabbage.  Mix and turn the cabbage after every 30 mins (do this for 3-4 times, total of at least 2 hours so the cabbage belongs soft).

Squeeze out water from cabbage and rinse cabbage with tap water, squeeze out most of the water.

5 Green Onions (sliced into two-inch pieces)

1 Carrot - Julienned (optional)

1 small Daicon (white radish/carrot) sliced into Julienned pieces (optional)

Put all together Kimchi.

Mix Kimchi Paste to all the vegetables.

Fill kimchi into glass bottle, store in room temperature for 2-3 days, after that, store kimchi in refrigerator for use.

Dinner Rolls

Ingredients 

1 Tbs yeast

1/3 cup sugar

4 tbs butter/margarine

4 cup floour

1/2 cup warm water, 1 cup milk

Instructions 

• Heat the milk, sugar, salt, and butter on the stove until the mixture reaches a temperature of 110°F. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  1 cup milk,1/3 cup granulated sugar,½ teaspoon kosher salt,4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Add in the yeast, and stir. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until foamy.
• Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer.
• Add in the flour, and mix on low for 3-4 minutes until a smooth ball of dough forms. - 4 cups all-purpose flour
• Cover the bowl of dough with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
• Divide the dough into 16 equal balls (about 51 grams per ball), and place them into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
• Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash (yolk with milk or just whole egg)
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cover the dough with a towel, and let it rise again for another 30 minutes.
• Remove the towel and bake for 12-15 minutes until the rolls are golden brown on top.
• (Optional) Brush the tops of the rolls with the melted butter.

Seasonal Cookies 2024

 

Chocolate Cake with Greek Yogurt

 Chocolate Cake with greek yogurt.

1 box cake mix

1 cup greek yogurt

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup oil

1 cup water

3 eggs.

Lined 3 6-inch cake pan

Lined 1 mini loaf pan

Buttercream icing with sprinkles

Icing - 1 cup butter and 3 1/2 cup icing sugar.

Bake 30 minutes at 350 degree.

Small Quilts.

 Here are 2 small quilts (throw or lap quilts) I have started, and some completed in 2023.