Fermented Cruciferous Vegetables + Goitrogens

Greetings,

Last week we had the opportunity to sample our product at Alfalfa’s Market in Boulder. It’s a lovely store, locally owned and a Boulder original. I recommend you take the time to visit if you’re in the area. Their fermented foods section is the most impressive I’ve seen yet.

While there, a customer asked me about raw cabbage inhibiting proper thyroid function. Please know I’m not a health practitioner, nor do I give medical advice. I recommend you seek your trusted health practitioner for advice, testing, etc. With that said…

While researching goitrogenic compounds in raw cruciferous vegetables, I found that most of the research indicates that fermentation does not reduce the goitrogenic compounds. Conversely, numerous health benefits come from these same raw vegetables. I feel this issue along with many others, comes down to individual responsibility. Each person needs to educate themselves and make the decision that maximizes their well-being. If interested, please enjoy this YouTube video on the issue of the thyroid and raw cruciferous vegetables.

Be well,
marni w
Vital Cultured Foods

Summer Heat

The hot summer heat has hit us early here in Northern Colorado by bringing us temperatures in the triple digits. According to the Chinese, mung beans can clear heat from the body and have a cooling effect. We enjoyed some this evening with some organic brown basmati rice, locally grown collards from Native Hill Farm and topped off with Caraway Juniper Sauerkraut.

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New: Caraway Juniper Sauerkraut + Masala Carrots

Traditional fermented sauerkraut
Salutations Friends,

We are excited to share two new products with you: Caraway Juniper Sauerkraut and Masala Carrots. The Caraway Juniper Sauerkraut is not new to the farmers’ market goers but the look of it is new. The Masala Carrots are a new release tomorrow at the Larimer County Farmers’ Market. We will be sampling both. Please come by to give them a try.

Our Caraway Juniper Sauerkraut is the same delicious fermented cabbage with the addition of garlic, caraway seeds and juniper berries. The flavor is refreshing and crisp. The use of this sauerkraut is similar to our plain sauerkraut, it just has more of a kick. If you’re a connoisseur of sauerkraut you may like the different flavors this has to offer.

The Masala Carrots are pickled carrots and onions that have been spiced with Indian herbs and spices; garlic, ginger, lemon peel, coriander seed, fenugreek seed, cumin seed, fennel seed, Aleppo chili flakes, cinnamon, black mustard seeds and coconut flower nectar. The carrots are sliced, so the finished product is quite different and fun. We think they are excellent appetizers, great on sandwiches and perfect right out of the jar. One of my favorite things is the brine, it’s so delicious to drink and surprisingly refreshing on a hot day. We recommend you wait until your carrots are gone before drinking the brine.

We’ll see you at the market held every Saturday through October in Old Town Fort Collins and watch for these new products to hit the shelves of the Fort Collins Food Co-Op, Beavers Market and Alfalfa’s Market.

Cheers and good health to you!
Traditional fermented carrots in Indian herbs and spices

Summer Market Kick Off

Vital Cultured Foods at Larimer County Farmers MarketThank you to all of you who came out to the first Larimer County Farmers’ Market in Old Town last Saturday. It was a cool wet morning but the desire for fresh local foods was far more important to many. I’m sure you noticed the produce is getting more abundant and that’s exciting for us all. As always, it’s a pleasure serving you and look forward to a fun filled summer culturing local foods for you.

This coming Saturday we will have Sauerkraut and Caraway Juniper Sauerkraut again to serve you. Have a great one and see you on Saturday!

Final Be Local Winter Market

Vital Cultured Foods winter market 2012Spring is now in full swing here in Northern Colorado and last Saturday, 7 April was the last Be Local Winter Market. Thank you to all of you who came out to support us and tried our cultured foods. We look forward to creating many more cultured delights for you!

We’ll be doing the first two Drake Road Farmers’ Market on the 21 + 28 April. Our first outdoor market and we are very excited. See you there!