If the thought of bacteria conjures images of germs that should be avoided, think again! Some friendly bacteria, called probiotics, are not only beneficial, they're essential. Thanks to recent research, it is clear that the healthy bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract are the body's silent partners for good health, optimizing the power of the immune system to fight disease and the "bad" germs we fear. Here is a guide to probiotics and the foods...

"Donna Schwenk's first book, Cultured Food for Life (2013), told the amazing story of how she used the probiotic power of fermented foods to heal herself and her family from serious illness-- and it introduced readers to the basics of preparing and using these health-giving foods. Dr. Christiane Northrup called it "just what the doctor should be ordering!" Now, Donna returns to help us take the next steps in transforming our kitchens and our health....