Journey to the Golden Bazaar

*Gup gup gup*

The Green Samurai downs a bottle of snake poison as if it’s the smoothest Four Roses Bourbon he’s ever had, swirling it around like a fine wine.

He casually remarks on its harsh aftertaste.

You stare at him in disbelief.

He catches your gaze, his eyes wide and intense.

“Ah, my friend, do you really think the poison of a snake could harm me?"

His voice is calm, almost playful.

You're bewildered but undeniably intrigued.

Seeing your expression, he smiles knowingly. "You want to know my secret, don’t you? How I’m able to do this?"

You nod.

"Well," he says, turning toward the horizon, "this reveals our next stop on the journey—the Golden Bazaar."

The Golden Bazaar

You arrived at the Golden Bazaar!

The lively chatter of the marketplace fills the air. But your attention quickly shifts to the Green Samurai, who seems a bit... off.

"Oh my..." he mutters, his voice strained. "That extra rare, triple-distilled, organic, Australian Red-bellied Black Snake poison with a hint of eucalyptus really kicked in."

He catches his breath and says "Maybe I was a little overconfident before.”

"But fear not, my friend!" he continues, puffing his chest out,

"improving the gut microbiome will relieve my troubles!"

Seeing the confusion on your face, he chuckles softly. "Ah, do you even know what that is?"

You shake your head.

"The gut, you see, is the headquarters of our health. When it is well-maintained, our body thrives.”

“The microbiome is the delicate balance of bacteria residing within this headquarters.”

“By maintaining this balance, you ensure the gut is healthy, which in turn keeps the body healthy."

he leads you to a stall brimming with fermented vegetables, jars of kimchi and sauerkraut, pots of miso, and bowls filled with yogurt.

He selects a small jar of fermented pickles and a bowl of miso soup.

"Fermented foods like these are rich in probiotics.”

“they are beneficial bacteria that help maintain balance in the gut.”

As he takes a sip of the miso soup, you notice his posture relax, the tension in his face slowly melting away and his eyes filled with renewed calm.

"Now," he says, pointing to a nearby tea stall, "how about we start fresh with a nice cup of jasmine tea?”

Foods from the Golden Bazaar

These foods will maintain your gut microbiome and can directly improve your digestion, immunity, and mood.

Greek Yogurt
Plain nonfat Greek yogurt is a powerhouse of gut-healthy probiotics.

Kimchi
A staple in Korean cuisine, kimchi is a spicy, fermented cabbage dish packed with probiotics that promote a healthy gut.

Garlic
Garlic works over time for gut health as a prebiotic, providing food for the good bacteria in your gut.

Onions
Rich in prebiotic fibers like inulin and fructooligosaccharides, onions feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Beans and Legumes
These are high in resistant starch, which promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

Asparagus
Asparagus is rich in prebiotic fiber, particularly inulin, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria.

Bananas
Bananas contain prebiotic fibers like resistant starch and pectin, which feed beneficial gut bacteria.