If you are living a mainly or 100% plant-based lifestyle, probiotics such as kimchi are a must. Fermenting vegetables is super easy, it adds zings to your dishes and is packed with much-needed friendly gut bacteria to protect your health.

Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that are good for your health and the digestive system. Probiotics are often called the "good" or "friendly" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.

Probiotics help in the digestion of food. Though researchers are still trying to figure out the link between certain health problems and probiotics, it is clear that our health starts in our gut.

Probiotics have been found to improve, soothe or prevent conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites), antibiotic-related diarrhea, skin conditions (like eczema), urinary and vaginal infections, allergies, colds, oral health. Furthermore, probiotics have been shown to strengthen and boost the immune system.

Though many vegans rely on probiotic supplements to up their friendly gut bacteria, there are so many wonderful plant-based foods (that aren't cultured dairy-free yogurt) you can add to your diet to up your intake of friendly bacteria. Kimchi is one of them. We add it to salads or serve it as a side with stews and curries... so yum and good for you!

Broccoli Bell Pepper Dhal with Homemade Kimchi

Ingredients

½ cup uncooked split lentils, we used yellow lentils, soak for 10-30 minutes
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup bell pepper (any color), chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup tomato, chopped
1 cup potatoes, chopped
1.5-2 cup water
1.5-2 cups bok choy, chopped
½ lime, juice only (1-1.5 tsp)
Homemade kimchi

FYI: CLICK HERE for my homemade kimchi recipe

Herb mix

1 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric powder
Black pepper and sea salt to taste

Directions

In a pot heat cooking oil over medium heat and cook onion for 2-3 minutes, then stir in herb mix and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Stir regularly.
Add tomatoes, bell pepper, and broccoli. Cook for 2 minutes more before adding the potatoes, water, and lentils. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally and season with salt and pepper. Last few minutes, add lime juice and bok choy and cook until wilted.
Serve with a kimchi side.