How about a post-weekend metabolism boost? Giveaway too!

Expo West is the capstone of natural food shows. Carolyn and I love a challenge and decided we could cover this massive event in one day. Before every one of these expos we make a pact not to oversample. Let’s just say that at 9am, when Carolyn found me, I had gluten free pizza in one hand and bone broth in the other. The treat train had left the station and mild reflux was already setting in. But how can I know whether to recommend something without tasting it?

By midafternoon we had reached our threshold. At this point, we’d jerkey-ed, dark chocolated, posed for the embarrassing photo du jour and walked over 10 miles (20K steps). 

A booth with props? We're always  in.

We just wanted to be finished. It’s mile 25 of the marathon and the high five supply is exhausted. As we entered an area with newer products, we saw the Fire Cider booth. We know and love the original Fire Cider but as we shuffled by the booth we heard the word unsweetened. Original Fire Cider is sweetened and so not a member of our innermost food circle. Unsweetened? Carolyn and I turned and took a shot. Wow.

If you’re among the uninitiated, Fire Cider is amped up ACV (apple cider vinegar).

There’s ginger, turmeric, habaneros, lemons, here are the ingredients:

It’s good for weight loss and blood sugar; it’s anti-inflammatory and a metabolism booster. And you’ll decide for yourself whether I’m right about this but when I have it I feel a little buzzed (not so bad). I have it first thing in the morning. With ACV I put a Tbsp. in water but with Fire Cider I go straight up. Start with 1 Tbsp., our friend Heather at Fire Cider has it three times a day but we’re still building up our tolerance. In the mean time, try this “secret weapon” shot and let us know what you think.Cheers!
Firecider is giving away 1 bottle of their sensational stuff to 1 of our readers. To be eligible, comment below and tell us why you want to try fire cider AND tweet Need a boost? @Foodtrainers has a @firecider giveaway? OK? Must enter by Friday the 13th.

Should you be apple cider vinegar-ing?

Today we sent out our Monthly Morsels newsletter. May’s topic is what we call Ferm Foods (fermented/probiotic…too many syllables). We are Ferm freaks at Foodtrainers.  If you’re wondering what these foods can do for you, here you go.

One of our Ferm faves is apple cider vinegar (ACV). It seems there’s nothing ACV can’t do. While we remain leery of food miracles tied to ingesting any one item, we’re fans but have our limits. We’re not washing our hair with it (yet) or curing our foot odor (Foodtrainers don’t smell). Instead this ferm food slows the conversion of carbs to sugar and stabilizes blood sugar.  And if this didn’t resonate the benefits of better blood sugar include more energy and less excess sugar stored as…you guessed it fat.

Not sold? ACV is also great for seasonal allergies, gas and constipation.  And seems counterintuitive but ACV and ferm foods reduce reflux (or GERD). There’s also interesting information on ACV and Lyme. 

Of course all vinegar isn’t created equal. We like this ACV-first it’s palatable. Also, your ACV should be cloudy and not clear. You want “the mother” present which is that goopy stuff (where all the goodness exists). How much? Don’t go crazy- 1 Tbs. before breakfast diluted with water (if you like your tooth enamel) and a squeeze of lemon works. Going to twice a day is fine too.

And be careful sugar and especially fructose (fruit sugar) can undo the work ferm foods do, with summer nearly here be careful you don’t overfruit.

Do you ACV? Do you use it at meals or solo? Does your bottle have a mother?