WHAT IS KOMBU?
What is kombu, you may ask? Kombu is a magical sea vegetable that can change your vegan life. So many people have asked me how I can eat so many beans and other legumes without the stomach pains and gas associated with eating beans and legumes; when cooking beans and legumes, adding one stick of kombu while cooking reduces the bloating and gas associated with consuming legumes.
In fact, seaweeds are becoming more widely known as a healthy food with few calories and rich minerals. Kombu kelp, however, possesses something that other edible seaweeds do not, and this is what makes kombu kelp the “King of Seaweed.”
Not only is Kombu kelp delicious on its own, but it is different from other seaweed in that it produces Dashi(stock). No other seaweed has that gift. This exclusive characteristic of kombu kelp is significant and is indispensable to Japanese cuisine. Dashi is the base of several dishes and is valued as a vital and rich ingredient.
In my opinion, its real power is in its ability to take the gas out of beans; yes, it removes the negative results of heavy bean and legume consumption.
COOK KOMBU WHILE YOU COOK ALL YOUR BEAN AND LEGUME DISHES
All you have to do is put one piece of Kombu, whole, into your bean and legume dishes while they are cooking. For instance, I put a piece in the crockpot of the chili we ate for dinner tonight. I left the Kombu all day brewing in the chili. Then, like a bay leaf, I removed it when I served the chili.
IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE SEAWEED OR CHANGE THE FLAVORS OF THE FOOD
It does not leave a seafood taste; you won't even know it was in there, but you will notice a decrease if not full disappearance of gas and discomfort that some experience when eating beans and legumes.
WHERE CAN I BUY KOMBU?
I bought my Kombu at Whole Foods, in the Asian section, but you can buy Kombu on Amazon.
EXAMPLE USE FOR KOMBU
When I make my Curried Pinto Beans recipe, I throw in a stick of konbu while cooking. As a result, the beans taste the same without gassiness.
ANOTHER TIP FOR GETTING RID OF BLOAT; APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Recently, I watched a very informative YOUTUBE video about vegan bloat. For some reason, some people experience not only gas but extreme bloat. And some people, who differ from this problem, give up on the plant-based lifestyle because of this discomfort.
Many different sources, for instance, suggest drinking apple cider vinegar in the morning before eating and before bed to get rid of bloat.
Of course, I had to give it a try, or I couldn't possibly suggest you try it as well. So, every morning, I drink 2 Tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar, diluted in water (do not just shoot in like a shot, or you will burn your throat). And, if you want, you can also add a little maple syrup to sweeten.
Next, drink and repeat before bed. My daughter, who has the same issue, uses this remedy as well.
WARNING!
I do recommend, however, that you rinse your mouth or brush your teeth afterward. This is because the acid in the apple cider vinegar, despite its healing properties, can damage your teeth' enamel.
Like drinking lemon juice, it is strongly recommended to drink before brushing your teeth in the morning and evening.
Even though apple cider vinegar is also used to remove stains on teeth, it is suggested you brush your teeth after removing stains as well.
WHAT ARE THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR?
Apple Cider Vinegar, commonly added to recipes and dishes, has a variety of healing properties:
- Fermented probiotic that aids in digestion
- It helps to kill harmful bacteria in the body
- Good for the lymphatic system
- Helps lower cholesterol
- Helps to maintain healthy body pH (alkaline)
- Help prevent bloating and indigestion
- Lowers blood sugar
- It May help reduce acne
So the next time you cook beans or legumes, throw in a stick of kombu. As a result, your stomach will thank you. Or drink a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, diluted in water, once a day can keep the gas and bloat away.
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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