Miso Barley Risotto

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, reduce to a simmer and add mushrooms and miso. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer.
2. In a deep saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil and onions. Cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
3. Stir in the barley and toast for 1 minutes.
4. Add about two ladles of the miso broth at a time and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add more broth until the barley is tender, about 30 minutes. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and stir through.
5. Finish with fresh parmesan and herbs, season to taste.
   

·         The gut is home to a 100 trillion microorganisms. This is known as your gut microbiome. Everyone’s is different and is affected by age, genetics, environment and diet. 

·         Probiotics are good bacteria that live in the gut. They help improve digestion, form vitamins, activate healthy-promoting compounds and prevent infection. The most common sources are: yogurt, kefir products and some aged cheeses that contain "live and active cultures". 

·         Prebiotics act as the food for probiotics (good bacteria in the gut). Examples include: asparagus, tomatoes, leeks, garlic, bananas, brown rice, wild rice, buckwheat, and soybeans. 

·         If your immune system is weakened, probiotics may be harmful so focus on foods with prebiotics instead. Make sure to speak with your doctor.