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5 Foods That Changed My Life
My Top Five
There are moments in life when you stumble upon something so simple, yet so powerful, that it changes everything. For me, that “something” was food—specifically five foods that opened up a whole new world of health, joy, and transformation. These foods aren’t exotic or hard to find. In fact, they’ve been around for centuries, quietly nourishing cultures all over the world. But when they entered my life, they didn’t just improve my health—they gave me back my energy, my peace of mind, and my passion for living.
I often think, what if I hadn’t gotten sick and gone searching for these foods? What if all that pain hadn’t turned into wisdom and a deep desire to share what I discovered with others? My life is simple, and what works for me, I share with you. It is my heart’s desire that you be well, and that you experience the joy of feeling so good it surprises you—so good that you might even start a website, write books, or record podcasts, things you never thought you could do.
That’s what wellness does. It opens doors you didn’t know were closed. Please don’t go through life not feeling good—you don’t know what you’re missing.
Here are the five foods that changed my life: kefir, kombucha, fermented vegetables, yogurt, and matcha. Superfoods — that are waiting for you. ❤️
Kefir – My First Love in Fermentation
Kefir was the very first cultured food I ever tried, and it was nothing short of a miracle for me. My body was struggling, my digestion was in chaos, and I was desperate for something that would help. When I began drinking kefir daily, everything started to change.
Not only did my digestion improve but so did many other health issues. My blood pressure came down, my blood sugar began to stabilize, my sleep improved, and I felt my body start to gently detox. Even my heart health, seasonal allergies, and lung and respiratory function grew stronger. It was as if my whole system began to reset.
I use kefir in many ways: smoothies, kefir cheese, chia pudding, kefir cottage cheese, and so much more. I've been drinking it for decades, so I have found so many ways to enjoy this miraculous food.
Kefir is teeming with billions of probiotics—more strains than almost any other cultured food. These living microbes brought balance back to my gut, strengthened my immune system, and gave me energy I hadn’t felt in years. Kefir quickly became my daily companion, and it’s still the food I recommend first when someone asks, “Where do I start?”
Kefir Soda – The Fun, Fizzy Cousin
A few years later, kefir soda entered my life, and I was amazed at how something so delicious could also be so healing. Made from fruit juice and a special starter, kefir soda is naturally bubbly and bursting with probiotics. What I love most is how it transforms the sugars in juice—reducing them dramatically while creating a sparkling, tangy drink that supports gut health. My family fell in love with it, too, and it quickly became our “healthy soda.”
Kefir soda is one of my favorite ways to get probiotics—it’s bubbly, delicious, and so good for you. The natural microbes in kefir soda support digestion, strengthen your immune system, and even help your body detox. It’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost energy, skin health, and overall wellness.
One of the best parts? The good bacteria eat up most of the sugars, making it naturally low in sugar but still full of flavor. Because it’s lighter and more filling than regular soda, it can also support weight management by helping you feel satisfied without the sugar crash. Probiotics in kefir soda, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species, can influence the gut flora in ways that may aid in weight loss and prevent weight gain.
Kombucha – My Sparkling Hero
If kefir was my first love, kombucha was my bubbly sidekick. I’ll never forget my first sip—it was fizzy, tangy, and alive. Kombucha felt like a celebration in a glass, and yet it was quietly working to detox my liver and flood my system with beneficial acids.
Over time, I noticed even more changes. Kombucha helped me detox from addictive substances, supported my hormones, calmed seasonal allergies, soothed my joints, and even kept Candida in check thanks to its powerful probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii.
It gave me a healthier alternative to soda and became my go-to drink whenever I craved something refreshing and uplifting. Today, I can’t imagine life without those fizzy bottles lined up in my fridge, waiting to brighten my day.
Fermented Vegetables – My Daily Medicine
When I started making my own sauerkraut and fermented veggies, I realized that food could truly be medicine. Just a spoonful of fermented vegetables a day was enough to help my body fight off colds, calm inflammation, and keep my digestion humming along.
For my family, they did even more. Fermented vegetables help remove pesticides from produce, soothe stomach distress whether it’s from the flu or food poisoning, strengthen the good bacteria in the gut, and kill harmful pathogens. They also skyrocket vitamins like C and B during the fermentation process, making them some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. And let’s not forget—fermentation is one of the safest and best ways to preserve vegetables, locking in their goodness for months.
Fermented vegetables are packed with fiber, enzymes, and probiotics. They support your immune system in ways that modern supplements only dream of. I often say that the juice from fermented veggies is a natural “first aid kit” for the gut. For me, it was exactly that—healing from the inside out.
Yogurt – Comfort Food Reimagined
Yogurt was always a comfort food for me, but when I learned how to make it myself with powerful probiotic strains like Lactobacillus reuteri, it took on a whole new meaning. This special strain does more than support digestion—it helps stimulate powerful hormones like testosterone and the “love hormone” oxytocin. For me, that meant noticeable improvements in skin health, muscle growth, bone density, slenderness, and even increased insulin sensitivity. I can’t say enough about what it has done for my body and mind.
Skyr and Greek Yogurt – Ancient Traditions, Modern Superfoods
I also fell in love with Skyr and Greek yogurt—both thick, rich, and full of protein. Skyr, with its Icelandic roots, gave me a yogurt that was mild, creamy, and deeply nourishing. Greek yogurt, with its tang and density, became another staple for both meals and snacks.
These yogurts not only provide protein and probiotics but also connect us to cultures that have thrived on these foods for centuries. I’m eating a ton of protein these days—about 30 grams at each meal is my target—and Skyr and Greek yogurt have become a huge part of making that possible. They’ve helped me slim down, build muscle, and enjoy steady energy throughout the day.
These aren’t just yogurt—they are superfoods. Making yogurt at home allowed me to control the strains, the fermentation time, and the creaminess. They gave me more than comfort; they gave me targeted health benefits. From better sleep to improved skin to stronger immunity, homemade yogurt became one of my most powerful tools for wellness.
Matcha – The Gentle Energy Boost
The fifth food that changed my life isn’t fermented—but it’s every bit as powerful. Matcha entered my life as a gentle, steady source of energy.
Matcha is made from shade-grown green tea leaves (tencha). After harvest, the leaves are steamed to stop oxidation, dried, and stone-ground into a fine, vibrant powder. Because it’s steamed right after picking, fermentation is halted, keeping it in the green tea family.
Matcha turned into a game-changer for both mood and appetite control when I started drinking it about two years ago.
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I started losing a few pounds naturally, simply because I felt full and satisfied throughout the morning.
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Though direct links to GLP-1 (the “fullness” hormone) are still under investigation, one review shows that catechins from green tea may influence appetite hormones like GLP-1 and ghrelin, delaying gastric emptying and promoting a sense of fullness (ResearchGate).
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Preclinical studies also show matcha helps alleviate obesity and regulate metabolism through gut–liver axis modulation (NCBI, ScienceDirect). It is pretty amazing, and the way it makes me feel is why I keep drinking it.
- The colostrum I have been adding to my matcha makes Bifidobacteria grow like crazy, and everyone needs more Bifidobacteria. I've tried a lot of brands, but this one is so good I can't stop using it.
Listen To My Podcast
There are moments in life when something so simple, yet so powerful, changes everything. For me, that “something” was food—five very specific foods that transformed my health, my energy, and even the course of my life.
I’ll walk you through my story with each of these foods, how they helped me heal from the inside out, and why I still enjoy them daily. My hope is that by the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to invite at least one of these foods into your own life—and discover what a difference it can make.
✨ Because when you start to feel good—really good—you never want to go back.
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