Gut-Healthy Snacks: The Raw Dill Pickle Adventure!
About Me
Samantha McConnell
Date
Sep 17, 2024
Categories
Uncategorized
Content
About Me
Welcome to Thriving With Health, where we believe in the power of raw, nutritious foods to transform our health and happiness.
Today, we're diving into the world of raw dill pickles – a crunchy, tangy treat that's as fun to make as it is beneficial for your gut health.
**Why Raw?**
Raw foods retain more nutrients and enzymes than their cooked counterparts, making raw dill pickles a powerhouse of vitamins and probiotics. These beneficial bacteria are fantastic for your digestive system, supporting a healthy gut microbiome.
**Family Fun in the Kitchen**
Making dill pickles is a delightful activity that the whole family can enjoy. It's a wonderful way to introduce your kiddos to the joys of healthy eating and food preparation. Plus, their hands-on help makes the process even more special.
**The Recipe: Delicious and Nutritious Raw Dill Pickles**
**Ingredients**
- 4-6 medium cucumbers (sliced or whole)
- 2 cups of filtered water
- 1 ½ tablespoons of sea salt
- 2 tablespoons of fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
- Black peppercorns (optional)
- Grape leaves (optional, to maintain crispness)
**Directions**
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sea salt in the filtered water to make a brine.
2. Place the cucumbers in a clean, large mason jar. Add the dill, garlic, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, and peppercorns.
3. Pour the brine over the cucumbers, ensuring they are completely submerged. If you're using grape leaves, place one on top and bottom to help keep the pickles crisp.
4. Seal the jar and let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours, then transfer it to the refrigerator.
5. Allow the pickles to ferment in the fridge for at least one week for optimal flavor and crispness. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months.
**Serving Size** This recipe makes approximately one quart of pickles.
**Total Time** 1 week (including fermenting time)
**Tips for Including the Kids**
- Let them help wash and dry the cucumbers.
- Kids can add the spices to the jars.
- Older children can help by carefully pouring the brine over the cucumbers.
**Call to Action**
Ready to crunch into your raw dill pickle adventure? Gather the family, roll up your sleeves, and let the pickle-making party begin! Share your pickle-making moments and crunchy creations with us by tagging Thriving With Health. Let's spread the joy of healthy, homemade snacks!
This blog post is designed to engage Thriving With Health's audience by combining the fun of a family activity with the benefits of nutritious eating. It encourages interaction and participation, fostering a community around healthy living and wellness.
Pickle them whole or sliced. It's deliciously up to you!
A delicious & nutritious snack that loves you back!
Samantha McConnell
About Me
My passion about health started in my teens when I first hand saw the effects of how illness can wreck havoc in a family growing up with parents who had serious health issues. I too struggled with losing weight & developed an eating disorder that I was able to heal by educating myself on healthier habits. Itās amazing what our bodies can do when we learn to take care of them like God intended. These experiences & challenges fueled my passion to be a life long student in pursuit of learning how to create healthier lifestyles where one can thrive at their optimal best. As a mother of 3 children & a wife of a traveling husband, I quickly learned how to implement healthy habits on the go so that I could be my healthy best for my family. This has evolved into my health coaching business Thriving With Health where I coach people to integrate simple & fun healthy 'bitesā throughout their day even on their most busiest & challenging ones. You are never too busy to take care of your health & I can show you how. Everyone has busy lifestyles and living at their optimum best is not only doable but can be fun as well!
