Holistic Diet / Lifestyle |
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(Holistic Physic, Multidimensional Medicine, Nature Cure, Natural Therapy)
"Medicine for the New Millenium"
The 2 main issues to restore health involve correcting nutritional deficiencies and eliminating toxicity. Limiting exposure to environmental toxins & pollution is also essential. The guidance below aids these aims and helps restore balance & well-being.
Emotions (dark, depressed/manic, fear, anger, resentment), thinking (limited, clouded, muddled, conditioned), spirituality (feeling disconnected, empty, ego-centred) also need addressing. These direct and are reinforced by diet/lifestyle. All in turn affect hormone/neurotransmitter levels, organ/brain function, circulation/breathing, healing capacity etc. The WHOLE BEING and body needs balancing to achieve health.
We are what we are
We are what we eat
We eat what we are
~<o>~<o>~<o>~<o>~<o>~
NATURAL NUTRITION : 7 STEP GUIDE & DIET PLAN
1. CARNIVORISM
This is the most base state where animal flesh or animal products form the major or main proportion of the diet. Typical of eskimo, hunting/nomadic tribes and very unhealthy Western diets. Reduce the amount of (especially red) meat so not the main component substituting with fish, dairy, eggs, textured vegetable protein, soy, seitan, beans, pulses etc.
2. OMNIVORISM (including PESCATARIANISM)
This is the Standard American / Anglican Diet (SAD). Some people eat fish only (pescatarian) which can an impovement providing the amounts are limited. Successively reduce consumption of meat, poultry, game, seafood, fish substituting with dairy, eggs or plant foods. Where available, buy organic meat & unpasteurised milk & dairy. Increase intake of whole-grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes (preferably organic).
3. VEGETARIANISM
Eliminate all animals & animal products (e.g. gelatine, shellac, animal fats etc.). Milk & dairy products are best organic; eggs are best free-range & organic (else avoid, especially in manufactured products). Aim to have protein sources from legumes/beans and fats from plant oils. Reduce consumption of deep-fried food, junk food and additives (e.g. MSG, salt, e-numbers). Avoid microwaved food.
4. VEGANISM
Eliminate entirely milk & dairy products & products containing dairy (e.g. whey, lactose, cream); eggs & products containing eggs; honey & products with honey. Substitute, if required, with soya/rice/nut milk & soya products, egg-replacer, maple/sugar/agave/date syrup. Successively increase percentage of raw food, fresh fruit/veg/salad, sprouts, nuts, seeds. Seaweeds (e.g. nori, wakame may be beneficial in transitioning).
5. RAW VEGANISM / RAW FOODISM
Eliminate frozen, refined & highly processed food (e.g. readimeals). Juices, blends/smoothies and dehydrated food may help transition. Successively increase consumption of fresh salad, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, sprouts (preferably locally-produced or home-grown). May have dried foods (e.g. sun-dried, dehydrated) if dried at temperatures under 118oF. Nuts, seeds, legumes & grains are best fresh, seasonal, soaked or sprouted. Avoid or reduce consumption of grains (especially gluten-containing wheat, spelt, kamut, rye, barley, oats, triticale) substituting with quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, teff etc. Incorporate flax & hemp seeds.
5. VITARIANISM / LIVE FOODISM
Eliminate root vegetables (e.g. onions, garlic, potatoes, beetroot, radishes etc.), fungi (e.g. mushrooms, moulds etc.), iceberg lettuce, Brussels Sprouts, yeasts, seaweeds, sea vegetables and algae. Substitute onions/garlic with (spring) onion leaves/chives/herbs. Avoid grains (sprouted grains may be acceptable occasionally). ALL food should be raw/uncooked and ideally fresh & organic. Nuts, legumes, seeds & grains should be whole, fresh, soaked or sprouted (nuts are best bought unshelled). Eat a variety & balance of different food types. Reduce number of mealtimes, eliminating breakfast and then evening meal. All food should be vegan-organic. Ideally leaves should be collected so as to keep the plant alive (harvesting the outer leaves only). Fruit should be gathered when ripe else ripened at home.
7. FASTING / BREATHARIANISM
This can be life-saving if suffering extreme health crises (especially where combined with internal cleansing - enemas, colonics, herbal cleanses). Regular fasting should be practised weekly preferably on the Sabbath/Saturday (ideally dry/water only else juices / fruit). 24-48 hours is usually adequate. Fasting for periods of longer duration may be undertaken (especially in unspoilt natural, rural environments, mountainous or forested regions). 40-day fasts (fruit/juice/water/air-fasting) may be employed when sufficently pure and robust for deep detoxification). Excessive fasting can be harmful and weakening and should not be undertaken unless on an already quite light diet. Fasting can easily lead to starvation.
~<o>~
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
1 ) Reduce food miles, avoid imported food & buy products in season from local producers / farmers’ markets else from markets/co-operatives/fair-traders rather than supermarkets – best to grow your own
2 ) Avoid pesticides/herbicides/fungicides/fertilisers & buy products grown by vegan-organic (veganic) methods else organic over chemical methods; avoid GM (genetically-modified) food
3 ) Choose whole-food products (e.g. brown rice, wholemeal bread) over refined; avoid manufactured & processed products as far as possible (e.g. hydrogenated fats, ready-meals, convenience food, pasteurised fruit juices/smoothies); choose food grown in the climate you live in (e.g. avoid tropical fruit if living in a cold temperate climate); avoid hybrid (infertile) and seedless varieties of fruit etc.
4 ) Avoid preserved (unfresh) products : tins, pickles, frozen foods, tetrapaks, irradiated foods, conserves (e.g. jams, chutneys, marmalade), artificial preservatives
5 ) Avoid all drugs : - tobacco, alcohol, hashish
- psycho-tropic (mind-altering) drugs (e.g. cocaine, morphine, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, ketamine, GHB, amyl nitrate, ayahuasca, salvia divinorum, peyote)
- caffeine & stimulants (e.g. tea, coffee, cola, chocolate, guarana)
- pharmaceutical medicines (e.g. tranquillisers, sedatives, antidepressants, antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations, antihypertensives, antipyretics, anticoagulants, analgesics, diuretics, hormones etc. - these mostly act as toxins causing the suppression of symptoms)
- herbal preparations (infusions/teas, tablets, capsules, powders etc.), though these are far preferable to chemicals if felt necessary – better to eat the whole, fresh plant or juiced herb
6 ) Avoid sugar, salt, vinegar, MSG and heavily-spiced food (eg. chilli, pepper, mustard); avoid artificial additives (e.g. flavourings, colourings, sweeteners, preservatives, stabilisers, emulsifiers); avoid artificial vitamins & minerals; avoid “health-food” supplements & “superfoods” (e.g. spirulina, blue-green algae, ginseng)
7 ) Avoid combining many ingredients together at the same meal; simpler meals are healthier than complex gourmet preparations. Fruit is most easily digested when eaten by itself or half and hour before a meal (exceptions being apples and avocados)
8 ) Avoid consumption of excessive quantities of water (especially if chilled) – drink only if thirsty; fresh (or glass bottled) spring/mineral/well water is best otherwise use filtered or energised distilled; to energise water, put in a clear bottle, shake to aerate and expose to the sun for at least ½ hour to neutralise potentially harmful bacteria etc.; excessive water consumption strains the kidneys and is unnecessary if eating sufficient fruit & vegetables which are largely composed of water
9 ) Avoid carbonated drinks as these are acidic (e.g. soda water, cola)
10 ) Do not over-eat; eat until sated not until full/bloated/stuffed; try to under-eat if possible but do not deny yourself adequate food too; overeating distends the stomach, leads to excessive food-intake & places greater demands upon the digestive process
11 ) Eat a light breakfast, if at all; lunch should be at midday (i.e. 12-2 p.m.) and dinner should be at sunset (i.e. 6-8 p.m.); try to eat at regular times and not to snack throughout the day as this places greater strain on the digestive system; try to eat food of a variety of different colours (e.g. red tomatoes, orange apricots, purple broccoli-the rainbow diet) and densities (e.g. nuts, seeds, leaves-the chakra diet)
12 ) Vegetables, if cooked, should only be lightly cooked (the longer and greater the degree of cooking the greater the loss of nutrients); lightly steam or stir-fry in preference to roasting/baking/boiling
13 ) Avoid using microwaves to heat food – this irradiates food and denatures / destroys the nutrients and microwaves have been linked to cancer
14 ) Avoid yeast-fermented products where possible (e.g. leaven bread); cultured and naturally-fermented products are acceptable (e.g. nut or seed milk / yoghurt / cheese, sauerkraut)
15) Avoid excessively packaged food or plastic food-wrapping; avoid storing food in plastic or metal (choose glass or ceramic); avoid leftovers; eat as closely to the preparation of food as possible
16) Limit intake of tomatoes & potatoes to 1-2 per day maximum as these belong to the nightshade family and contain poisonous alkaloids
17) Try to incorporate hemp or flax seeds (linseed) into your diet as these are good sources of essential fatty acids and (with sesame seeds) amino acids; they should ideally be pre-soaked to remove phytates
18 ) Try to eat some wild food such as dandelion, nettles, thistles, mallow, purslane, crab apples, wild plums, hazels etc. as these have greater energy than cultivars
19 ) Try daily to include vitamin-rich, fresh sprouts : alfalfa, mung beans, lentils, chick peas etc.
20 ) Chew food well; eat in a relaxed mood (not when stressed/angry/rushed) & pleasant environment
21) Use cold-pressed, unheated virgin fruit, seed or nut oils. Marinading vegetables for some hours in such oils gives a healthy "fried-food" taste. Avoid especially deep frying which creates carcinogenic acrylamides. Stir/flash-frying is preferable if needing to cook.
22) Fasting occasionally or regularly can be healthful - these should be restricted to 1-2 days; extended fasts (up to a week) combined with bedrest & enemas can produce much purification / detoxification; avoid excessive fasting which can weaken the system; the diet should be improved and refined after fasting else the benefits gained from fasting are nullified
23) Consume food as close to its fresh, raw, natural state as possible
- minimise food preparation - chopping, dicing, slicing is better than blending, which is preferable to juicing
- blending should be minimal as this oxidises/destroys the nutrients. Blends may be useful in transitioning to increase the quantities consumed of raw food
- juicing may be useful initially in allowing increased absorption of nutrients especially where the digstion is poor. Juices though are fractured (incomplete not whole) foods, lacking fibre. They should be replaced by solid food later. A macerator juicer is far superior to a centrifugal juicer especially for green juices (grass and leaves). Juices should ideally be drunk fresh within 15-30 minutes of extraction
~<o>~
NOTES
The above are guidelines only and are not intended to be followed dogmatically. They are, to a degree, ideals and it takes, depending on the individual & his/her degree of consciousness/spiritual evolution, days/weeks/months/years/lifetimes to accomplish them. The more unhealthy a lifestyle an individual has previously led, the harder it will be to change habits and the longer it may take although, paradoxically, the more important it is for him/her to embark on a process of detoxification. All unnatural foods lead to build-up of toxins in the body and hence to disease – natural foods help eliminate toxins and prevent their build-up and damaging the body. It is better to cut-out than cut-down and to cut-down than to do nothing. A gradual transition may help lessen any symptoms of the detoxification process (e.g. weight loss, runny nose, headaches, lethargy, bad breath, foul stool/urine/breath/body odour, malaise, spots, sores). Listen to your body’s needs and eat the sort of food & amount you feel drawn to – this may change from day-day, week-week, month-month, season-season & year-year.
It should be easy to accomplish steps 1 & 2; with more commitment step 3; and with further dedication steps 4 & 5. Steps 6 & 7 depend more on circumstances (e.g. home environment to be able to grow some food, ability to observe a Sabbath day of rest, spiritual practice). This is only a general guide and it is possible to practise parts of different levels (e.g. anyone can fast, eat some raw food). The general recommendations should be observed as far as possible according to each individual’s will-power, budget and access to fresh, local food. It should be easier to follow a natural diet in “less-developed” countries / the countryside than in “developed” nations / cities.
~<o>~
EXAMPLE RECIPES
Breakfast
* Fresh fruit - citrus fruit (grapefruit, orange) ; melon (should be eaten alone); banana, guava, papaya; apple, pear, plum, cherries
* Muesli / Swiss Breakfast - oat & wheat-flakes, apple, nuts, raisins/sultanas, soaked overnight in water and warmed
* Porridge / Scottish breakfast - oat-flakes (“Jumbo” oats) soaked overnight in water and warmed
Lunch
Large green salad – cucumber, tomato, lettuce, cabbage, celery, rocket, spinach, watercress, sprouts, sweet peppers (not unripe green ones), mustard-&-cress, parsley, coriander, asparagus, leeks, sweetcorn, courgette, cauliflower, broccoli, Chinese leaf, mangetout, sugar snap peas, peas, green beans, herbs, sprouts
* Accompaniments : Essene bread; crackers; seed / nut cheese; hummous; tahini
* Salad Dressings : olive oil & lemon juice / pesto / sesame oil
Dinner
* Fruit salad
* Raw vegetable soup
* Nut or seed butter / cheese / yoghurt & Essene Bread
* Crudites (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, courgette) & hummous / guacamole / salsa
~<o>~<o>~<o>~<o>~<o>~
1. Materials
Where possible, no clothes or other articles (e.g. furniture, soft furnishings, ornaments, building materials etc.) to be purchased or used made from leather, wool, fur, silk, feathers or other animals
- try to buy goods of good quality and durability
- avoid synthetic products (e.g. polyester, nylon) & metals as far as possible
- choose unbleached materials if available made from organic hemp, flax / linen, cotton, jute, etc.
- avoid synthetically-dyed materials – aim for vegetable-dyed products
- try to buy second-hand rather than new
- if new, try to buy fair-trade goods
- avoid fashions – buy quality, classic, durable, washable (not dry-clean only) clothing that does not require much / any ironing
2. Cosmetics / Toiletries
Use only cruelty-free and animal product-free products (e.g. avoid soap with tallow)
- use the least cosmetics / toiletries as necessary (as the skin absorbs these)
- avoid products with synthetic ingredients & avoid fluoride tooth-pastes (consider using water for brushing else not brushing at all)
- use ater for cleaning the bum (Indian-stylee) which is cleaner and gentler)
3. Household / Cleaning Products
Choose bio-degradable, non-chemical, cruelty- & animal-free products
- use e.g. Ecover / Down-to-Earth washing powder, washing-up liquid etc.
- try using simple detergent instead of separate cleaning products for e.g. bathroom, kitchen surfaces, metals, ovens etc.
- use unbleached recycled toilet paper or, best of all, water
4. Clothing
Wear light, loose-fitting clothes made of natual materials (hemp, cotton, linen) to let the skin breathe
- avoid underwear (pants, knickers, bras)
- choose white or pleasing colours (e.g. saffron, green, blue, violet, pink) in preference to black, gold, red
- wear the least clothes necessary for warmth / protection
5. Drugs
Avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, chocolate or mind-altering substances (e.g. ecstasy, amphetamine, solvents, poppers, heroin)
6. Treatments
Avoid if possible radiotherapy, surgery, medicinal drugs especially those pharmaceuticals tested on animals), vaccines, most orthodox treatments
- choose alternative therapies, if absolutely necessary (e.g. naturopathy, herbalism, aromatherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy, energy medicine…)
7. Breathing
Avoid combustion products : smoke from joss-sticks, candles, fires, passive smoking etc., if possible, else ensure good ventilation; use vegetable oil candles or vapourise essential oils
- breathe clean, fresh air; avoid stuffy, re-circulated air e.g. in offices, pubs, clubs, planes, tunnels (country / mountain / forest / waterfalls / sea air is best)
- breathe deeply/abdominally (i.e. the diaphragm doing most of the work) rather than chest/thoracic breathing
8. Simple Living
Live simply - avoid excessive consumerism and consumption in all aspects of life
- buy only goods that are necessary & possess the minimum needed
- give unwanted or unneeded belongings away (to family, friends, charity)
- do not live in a house, possess clothing, take food or earn money excessive to your needs
9. Law of Return
Remember the mantra : REDUCE – REUSE - REPAIR – RECYCLE (rather than discard & replace)
- recycle as much as facilities will allow
- compost all vegetable matter
10. Cleanliness
Bathe/shower regularly according to the weather (ideally initially once per day)
- not too much as this dries the skin
- not too little as this leads to accumulation of toxins
11. Tidiness
Keep a house tidy, clean and free from clutter & accumulation of dust
- arrange to provide easy movement around furniture (basic Feng Shui)
- avoid blocking light; nurture house-plants; do not over-heat / over-cool
12. Building Materials
Choose organic, environmentally-friendly, sustainable building materials and products where possible
- choose vegan, organic varnishes, paints and paint pigments
- choose solid wood over composite board; avoid metals, plastics etc.
- choose straw-bale, stone, brick (preferably reclaimed) rather than concrete
- choose durable, quality, classic designs and products (e.g. kitchen units, bathroom suites)
13. Furniture & Soft Furnishings
Choose items made from sustainably-grown wood and from natural fibres
- avoid fitted carpets (which trap dirt); choose hemp, seagrass, cotton, rag, jute rugs etc.
- best to avoid furniture that distorts the posture (e.g. most sofas, armchairs)
- avoid interior sprung mattresses (which are very bad for the back); choose all-cotton futon mattresses instead
- try to buy second-hand, use discarded or make your own furniture
14. Household Appliances
Limit the number or size of any electrical equipment
- avoid dishwashers, tumble-dryers, microwaves, freezers
- cookers, kettles, deep-fat fryers, toasted sandwich makers, steamers, coffee machines, bread makers etc. may be dispensed with on a raw-food regime
- avoid ironing; choose clothing that does not require ironing
15. Work
Change careers, if necessary, or work in less mundane occupations (e.g. avoid jobs involving human, animal or environmental exploitation or lacking creativity)
- help those less fortunate or able (sick, old, poor, young, animals)
- do voluntary / charitable work, if possible, else give to selected charities
- do creative work – plant trees, make music, write a book/poetry/prose, sing
- work diligently & conscientiously taking pride in everything you do
- earn enough money to cover your needs not your greed
- maybe choose to work part-time to allow time for healing / more spiritul activity
16. Commuting
Don’t spend excessive amounts of time commuting or journeying to-and-fro as this strains the nervous system - live near work, work near home or work @ home
- avoid cars if possible – walk, cycle or use public transport where available
17. Holidays
Travel, if you feel it necessary, but take out enough time to thoroughly experience the new culture or environment (e.g. at least 1 month depending on country)
– don’t be a tourist; use travel as an opportunity to learn more about other cultures, history, religion and people and, more importantly, yourself
18. Retreats
Make time for meditation, contemplation, reflection & relaxation (ideally, morning, noon and evening)
- observe the Sabbath (or rest at least one day per week)
- rest as much as the body signals
- spend time at a commune, ashram, community, spiritual centre or retreat
- learn to listen, talk less; appreciate the sound of silence
- sleep soundly & sufficiently (ideally asleep by 10pm and sleeping 8 hours per day - longer or shorter as needed)
19. Pets
Animal are not objects to be owned; be conscientious if choosing to look after pets / companion animals; dogs or cats are preferable to other companion animals (they have evolved naturally to live with Man); treat them well
- rescue an animal, if able
- feed pets vegetarian or preferably vegan food where possible
20. Exercise
Take regular exercise as able : walking, cycling, hiking, hatha yoga, t’ai ch’i, swimming,
- avoid/limit gym-training, fast sports (e.g. squash), high impact aerobics & jogging (on hard surfaces) as these strain the musculo-skeletal system
21. Study
Study the holy scriptures of all truthful religions / philosophies and other spiritual / channelled / New Age books
- do not follow any teaching dogmatically or pedantically : they are guides only and each individual has to follow his/her own path
- watch the more conscious youTubes on such subjects as "Secret" Societies, New World Order, reptilians, spiritual development (check out Humanity Healing Foundation), Hollow Earth, Saint Germain/Ascended Masters, 2012, Galactic Federation/Pleiadeans, Atlantis, Holographic Universe, Sacred Geometry...
Study and educate yourself in the sciences, arts, philosophy, ethics (e.g. biology, physics, ecology, environmental science, ancient & modern philosophy, poetry)
- learn what is true in all you read and remember, not everything in black-and-white is the Truth; many scriptures & texts have been adulterated or are partial reflections of the Universal Oneness
22. Dharma
Dharma means Truth, Path, Duty, Wisdom or Teaching : Keep the Dharma
- try to understand the concepts of karma & reincarnation
- try to be always aware, loving, truthful and peaceful
- acknowledge the need for a connection with Nature/God : be mindful always of this in all you think, say & do
- have the great spiritual leaders as role models (e.g. Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha) and try to behave as they would
- develop the virtues of non-attachment & equanimity; try to be calm and settled even in the most hostile situations; if disturbed, take deep, regular breaths and centre the mind before doing anything rash
- remember the Golden Rule : Do to others as you'd have done to you
23. Emotional Clearing
Contemplate and reflect on your feelings and reactions from people (who can be mirrors of ourselves or reacting to stuff within us). Analyse, observe and process negative emotions - fear, worry, anger, hatred, resentment, grief, sadness, bitterness, jealousy, envy, lust, callousness, judgment, criticism, mania etc. Cultivate the qualities of love, forgiveness, compassion, faith, trust, care, calmness, acceptance, joy, peace, non-judgment.
24. Lovers, family, friends, acquaintances, business partners, work colleagues etc. should be supportive and uplifting. Avoid company that is abusive, negative, antagonistic or brings you down. Relationships should be worked at but where harmony cannot be achieved, it is better to keep some distance.
25. Tuning-In
Last but not least, tune into your own source of wisdom within, the answer to everything : inner-knowing, gut-feeling, Conscience, divine intuition either through daily meditation, prayer, chanting, silence, time in Nature… Anyone / anything else can only be a rough guide but the ideal is to look inside for the Truth to become your own guru (gee, you are you).
~<o>~<o>~<o>~<o>~<o>~
Email:pazitronic@hotmail.com
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