~*~NUTRITION~*~

Food is the single most important factor in achieving and maintaining  good health. When it comes to good nutrition, the key, as in all natural living, is simplicity. "Living foods, such as fruits and vegetables, eaten in their natural state, raw, or only slightly cooked, is best to get all the nutrients they have to offer. By cooking our foods, vegetables and fruits, we loose 85% of the nutrients they provide. All enzymes are killed and amino acids are either destroyed or changed into indigestible components.

Foods to avoid are refined sugars, white and brown, flour, caffeine, red meat, and processed foods, which contain toxins our body has to deal with. Refined sugars contribute to such degenerative diseases as arthritis, neuritis and rheumatism. Increased sugar content in children's diet can deter calcium metabolism as well as iron in adults. Milk products are mucus producing foods, and are best taken "soured" in the form of yogurt, cottage cheese, buttermilk and such. Also a concern with dairy products are the bovine growth hormones injected in cows to help them produce more milk. This hormone is carcinogenic and is transferred in the milk.

Another factor in nutrition is how we combine our foods. Fruits should always be eaten ripe and alone for the body to assimilate them properly. Cooked, canned or preserved fruits will ferment adding to the body's toxic load. Do not combine proteins and starches. Proteins should be ingested before vegetables. In other words, do not eat your salad before your meal if meat or other types of protein will be consumed.

"The greatest remedy; the physician within"
~Paracelsus~

Fasting is usually practiced for health or spiritual reasons. Many physicians, from the Greek golden age like Hippocrates, Socrates and Plato, among others, fasted for therapy. Christ fasted for spiritual enlightenment, as did Moses while writing the Ten Commandments.

Much of our energy is used for digestion. In fact, more energy is used for digestion than any other activity. Fasting allows us to rest our digestive system. The energy saved is devoted to spiritual development and self-healing. Fasting also allows us to cleanse the body, rid our system of toxins stored from our constant exposure to environmental pollutants, and the ingestion of refined and processed foods.

Short-term fasting, one to three days, taking in only water and herbal teas is used for the treatment of colds, flues, infectious diseases and toxic conditions of all kinds. People experience sharper senses and clearer heads after only one day of fasting. They report “lighter bodies” and feel more energetic. Fasting beyond three days should be supervised by a physician experienced in this treatment.

While fasting, some suggest only water and herbal teas should be taken. Others claim juice fasting is far superior and results in much faster recovery from disease. Juice fasting consists of fresh fruit and vegetable juices from organic sources ingested immediately after making , before it looses nutrients. If suffering from hypoglycemia, depression or schizophrenia, vegetable juices, only should be taken.

After the first 24 hours, it is extremely important to take an enema to expel toxins from the colon and prevent reabsorption. Also important while fasting is to drink plenty of fluids to help move toxins through the urinary system and prevent constipation.

Another important factor to observe while fasting is to stay mentally and physically calm. Remove yourself from stress and do not continue your usual exercise program. Prevent becoming chilled, since body temperature drops while fasting.

Breaking a fast is the most important phase. All benefits from fasting can be undone if not broken correctly. Since the hydrochloric acid in the stomach may be weak and digestive enzymes have to be built up it is most imperative not to overeat. Start with small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables. Chew food slowly and well. Advance the diet gradually. This will be a good opportunity to change your eating habits to include a healthier diet

Any nutrients we receive from eating animal flesh come from the plants they have consumed. Animal flesh contains toxins our bodies have to deal with, especially from domesticated animals given hormones and special feeds to "fatten" them for slaughter. Meat also contains more protein than we need and lacks the vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables.

It takes more land to produce meat than it does to grow crops. Five times the amount of protein from plants can be grown on the same acre of land that it takes to maintain livestock for human consumption.

Above all, my main concern, is the spiritual consideration behind the horrible conditions which animals are forced to live under and the barbaric slaughter of the innocent. How can we treat other living creatures so badly with a clear conscience.

Recent studies in cancer research have linked rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) to cancer. rBGH is a genetically engineered hormone injected into cows to increase milk production.

IGF-1 (insulin growth factor) is a natural hormone-protein found in humans and cows. These hormone levels are higher in cows injected with rBGH, and can enter the blood stream of anyone consuming dairy products from these cows. Not only does IGF-1 contribute to cancer cell growth but actually protects cancer cells from dying.

The FDA has approved the use of rBGH in cows, even though no long-term testing has been done to determine the effects on those consuming dairy products, infant formula and beef. They (FDA) don't even require special labeling on products laced with the hormone.

Cows injected with rBGH suffer too. Called "crack for cows" this hormone speeds up their system in order to produce more milk. It also causes gastric disorders, mastitis, inflamed udders, leg ulcers, cystic ovaries and uterine disorders.

How can we allow this to continue? Not only are they putting us at risk but how humane can it be for these poor animals. For more information on which companies in the dairy industry use rBGH, and what we can do about it call Food and Water at 1-800 EAT SAFE.