Having several chronic illnesses along with a tracheal stenosis makes achieving wellness a challenge. It’s a struggle, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be accomplished. The last couple of weeks I have been feeling loss of what my next step is. I’m a planner and I know now my next step is waiting. While I am waiting I decided that since I am writing articles for “Chasing Wellness”, why not write some articles for my own blog. Warning, I’m going to be talking about something uncomfortable for most of you. I’m going to be talking about poop and our digestion.

I had my last chemo infusion on December 5^th. That means that my immune system is being suppressed by the Rituximab medication. Resulting in the good bacteria in my gut, along with the bad being destroyed in my system. Consequently I have been having watery poop. It’s not pretty. It’s embarrassing. And of course, I hate running especially with a tracheal stenosis. Ugh!

The last bout of watering explosions I had an epiphany while sitting on the toilet. When I take anti-biotics I have been told that I should take a probiotic too. I thought, why shouldn’t I start thinking that way every time I take immune suppressant medications? Thankfully, I don’t have to rely on probiotic pills. You can get probiotics from fermented foods, such as, Kimchi, Kombucha, yogurt, and sauerkraut, basically anything that has been fermented. Also, bone broth is shone to increase the good bacteria in your gut too. Bone stock is so simple to make. Throw bones into a crockpot, pressure cooker, or stock pot with some water and let it boil for a day and there you go nutritious broth. This week I decided to make sauerkraut again. This time I used a white cabbage instead of the purple, along with garlic and shredded carrots. I know it will be delicious. While I wait 4 weeks for this to be done. I can use up the bone broth I have stock piled in my fridge from beef, turkey, and chicken. As you can see, it is simple to get probiotics in our systems.

Our bodies have 1 trillion bacteria inside. That is a lot. The purpose of the good bacteria is to line our intestines and help us digest and get the vitamins we need for our body. They also signal our immune system and talk to our brain so it works. It’s important. These good bacteria also aide in weight management. If we are devoid, we get exploding poops, watery poops, crampy poops, and any kind of bad poopy experience you can imagine. Also, if we are not getting enough probiotics in our diet we can experience fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, and many other things. Our immune system is vital for our brain function, along with the rest of our body.

What does that mean for us with Chronic Conditions? To me, it means that including pro and pre biotic foods in our diet is important for our health. Since many of us take immune suppressant medications such as prednisone, plaquinil, Humira, Azaparathine, Rituximab, and many others that include antibiotics.  In order for our gut to be healthy good nutrition is important. That means including fermented foods and even bone stocks.

I know this information, but I have to confess something. I am bad at following my own advice. That is why when my last batch of sauerkraut I made was eaten up. I didn’t make another batch right away. It is why I have 6 quart size jars of turkey, beef, and chicken stock in my freezer. It is why I have not been planning or doing batch cooking. The last week has been trying for me. I realize that how can I share or post things such as the importance of good nutrition and moving your body if I do not follow this advice. Yes, I know that I have a tracheal stenosis that makes conventional movement impossible for me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do some form of movement. Plus, I can eat better, my throat issues can’t stop me from eating better than I have. I can do batch cooking. Meaning I can make a weeks’ worth of meals ahead to enjoy. This can save me money, energy, and time. I can feel good about what I am putting in my mouth. That means planning.

This morning, after my time with Jesus, I cut up my cabbage and stuffed it into a quart and a ½ quart mason jars so that I can have some sauerkraut in a couple of weeks.

What fermented food is your favorite? What do you do for your gut health? Here are some resources I found: Food Renegade, WebMD, and a Case Study