One parting shot about the GI Flu:
Be careful what you eat. To us, it's food. To your stomach, it's ammunition.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Attitude Adjustment
I had an attitude adjustment over the weekend. At work the GI flu has been going on for 2 weeks, keeping the double doors closed, the Green Wing on "lockdown," which is really a prison term, but that's how it feels.
I've been waiting for the axe to fall on me, thought I'd escaped, until Saturday. I cleaned house, drove Pearl down to Eatonville to help paint, and it was a beautiful day with sunshine and rain, and I was waiting for a rainbow. Just breaking over the hill past Graham where the whole world is spread out in front of you, there was the rainbow, and just then, the "Oh, no, here it is."
I lasted until we got to the house, I started the dishes, then I lay down, then it hit and lasted all night. I ate nothing for twenty-four hours, then two bananas Sunday night and a handful of dried apple slices, then toast this morning, and I'm hoping to hold out today without eating anything much.
The only good thing about illness is that it takes me out of the race. It's time to just stop.
So much for my big three days off. But Pearl got a lot of painting done.
I've been waiting for the axe to fall on me, thought I'd escaped, until Saturday. I cleaned house, drove Pearl down to Eatonville to help paint, and it was a beautiful day with sunshine and rain, and I was waiting for a rainbow. Just breaking over the hill past Graham where the whole world is spread out in front of you, there was the rainbow, and just then, the "Oh, no, here it is."
I lasted until we got to the house, I started the dishes, then I lay down, then it hit and lasted all night. I ate nothing for twenty-four hours, then two bananas Sunday night and a handful of dried apple slices, then toast this morning, and I'm hoping to hold out today without eating anything much.
The only good thing about illness is that it takes me out of the race. It's time to just stop.
So much for my big three days off. But Pearl got a lot of painting done.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Risks And Benefits Of Eating Food From Animals
Based on my learning from the eCornell class on Plant-Based Nutrition, as well as The China Study and other books, here is a summary of the risks of a diet filled with meat and poultry, fish, eggs, milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products:
Risks:
X heart disease, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, hypertension and angina
X cerebral vascular accidents, i.e. strokes, including possible dementia, loss of motor function and loss of ability to swallow foods of normal texture or speak clearly or remember words
X osteoporosis, due to the creation of an acidic balance in the body which causes the body to draw calcium from bones as a chemical buffer to the cells of the body
X cancer, due to the creation of free radicals from animal products, which increase the risk of activating pre-cancerous conditions
X diabetes mellitis; both adult onset, and juvenile which can be caused by drinking cow's milk too early and creating antibodies which attack the pancreas
X diabetic neuropathy, organ deterioration, loss of sight and limbs
X constipation and diverticulosis
X malnutrition from failing to eat a full complement of fruits and vegetables and whole grains [because the stomach was too full of spaghetti or macaroni and cheese or burgers or fish and chips, etc]
X obesity
X lack of mental clarity
X emotional complacency.
Whew!
These are the benefits I have discovered from experiencing the freedom to eat any foods I desire, including animal products.
Benefits:
O liberty [You know what Baha'u'llah says about liberty.]
O fellowship with others also eating animal products
O feeling included in a group
O flexibility
O self-indulgence and lack of discipline
O the ability to treat stress by eating food
O convenience
O conformity with others
O lack of the necessity of changing habits, which is difficult
O pleasure from the taste of the food
So, there it is.
Risks:
X heart disease, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, hypertension and angina
X cerebral vascular accidents, i.e. strokes, including possible dementia, loss of motor function and loss of ability to swallow foods of normal texture or speak clearly or remember words
X osteoporosis, due to the creation of an acidic balance in the body which causes the body to draw calcium from bones as a chemical buffer to the cells of the body
X cancer, due to the creation of free radicals from animal products, which increase the risk of activating pre-cancerous conditions
X diabetes mellitis; both adult onset, and juvenile which can be caused by drinking cow's milk too early and creating antibodies which attack the pancreas
X diabetic neuropathy, organ deterioration, loss of sight and limbs
X constipation and diverticulosis
X malnutrition from failing to eat a full complement of fruits and vegetables and whole grains [because the stomach was too full of spaghetti or macaroni and cheese or burgers or fish and chips, etc]
X obesity
X lack of mental clarity
X emotional complacency.
Whew!
These are the benefits I have discovered from experiencing the freedom to eat any foods I desire, including animal products.
Benefits:
O liberty [You know what Baha'u'llah says about liberty.]
O fellowship with others also eating animal products
O feeling included in a group
O flexibility
O self-indulgence and lack of discipline
O the ability to treat stress by eating food
O convenience
O conformity with others
O lack of the necessity of changing habits, which is difficult
O pleasure from the taste of the food
So, there it is.
Good News For Baha'is
In the Baha'i Faith there are virtually no restrictions on diet, other than not harvesting carrion from the roadside and digging into it, the avoidance of which I imagine would trouble few people. However, one of the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the harmony of science and religion. So, when I read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, which is the best-researched book on nutrition I have ever found, I wanted to share the news about the health of plant-based whole foods with everyone I know, Baha'i or not. What we eat is of course up to the individual conscience; however we ought to be paying attention when we find a scientific source of information [as opposed to a popular fad] so fundamental and groundbreaking. Read The China Study. Read The China Study. Read The China Study. It may save your life.
I have been reading with great enjoyment the book Memories of Nine Years in 'Akka by Dr. Youness Afroukhteh, about the time he spent in the service of 'Abdu'l-Baha about the turn of the last century. On page 273 begins a section, "The Master on Health" in which the author describes 'Abdu'l-Baha's diet and teachings on health. To quote:
"The harmful effects of eating meat and the benefits of vegetarianism were made clear by the Master; He offered a variety of natural, physical and rational proofs. He would explicitly show how the human body was predisposed toward the digestion of fruits, grains and vegetables, and that eating meat was a habit that had afflicted man over the course of time and generated dependence on the consumption of animal products. In fact, it was man's need and dependency that had prevented God's Manifestations from officially forbidding its use.
"The Master Himself rarely ate animal products. One of the English friends had asked me to present a question to 'Abdu'l-Baha about the Society of Vegetarians, and to advise him of the Master's response. 'Abdu'l-Baha replied, 'The truth is that it is not befitting for man to be carnivorous. However, man has accustomed himself to such a life and now it has become routine and acceptable. That is why its prohibition is not advisable at present.' "
In Note # 175 of the same book, it states: "Compare other statements by the Master, e.g., ' . . . the food of man is cereals and fruit . . . he is not in need of meat, nor is he obliged to eat it. Even without eating meat he would live with the utmost vigour and energy.' 'Meat is nourishing and containeth the elements of herbs, seed and fruits; therefore sometimes it is essential for the sick and for the rehabilitation of health. There is no objection in the Law of God to the eating of meat if it is required' (From Tablets to individual believers, in Health and Healing, compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)."
This is presented to the readers in this spirit: whoever wishes may apply the principles of a whole-foods, plant-based diet, to benefit their own health. However, even the Manifestations of God have applied no force in the issue of whether to eat animal products. So, there it is.
I have been reading with great enjoyment the book Memories of Nine Years in 'Akka by Dr. Youness Afroukhteh, about the time he spent in the service of 'Abdu'l-Baha about the turn of the last century. On page 273 begins a section, "The Master on Health" in which the author describes 'Abdu'l-Baha's diet and teachings on health. To quote:
"The harmful effects of eating meat and the benefits of vegetarianism were made clear by the Master; He offered a variety of natural, physical and rational proofs. He would explicitly show how the human body was predisposed toward the digestion of fruits, grains and vegetables, and that eating meat was a habit that had afflicted man over the course of time and generated dependence on the consumption of animal products. In fact, it was man's need and dependency that had prevented God's Manifestations from officially forbidding its use.
"The Master Himself rarely ate animal products. One of the English friends had asked me to present a question to 'Abdu'l-Baha about the Society of Vegetarians, and to advise him of the Master's response. 'Abdu'l-Baha replied, 'The truth is that it is not befitting for man to be carnivorous. However, man has accustomed himself to such a life and now it has become routine and acceptable. That is why its prohibition is not advisable at present.' "
In Note # 175 of the same book, it states: "Compare other statements by the Master, e.g., ' . . . the food of man is cereals and fruit . . . he is not in need of meat, nor is he obliged to eat it. Even without eating meat he would live with the utmost vigour and energy.' 'Meat is nourishing and containeth the elements of herbs, seed and fruits; therefore sometimes it is essential for the sick and for the rehabilitation of health. There is no objection in the Law of God to the eating of meat if it is required' (From Tablets to individual believers, in Health and Healing, compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)."
This is presented to the readers in this spirit: whoever wishes may apply the principles of a whole-foods, plant-based diet, to benefit their own health. However, even the Manifestations of God have applied no force in the issue of whether to eat animal products. So, there it is.
Happy Ridvan!!!
Arlene's Ridvan Message
Good morning, everyone. One year ago I attended the observance of Ridvan at my friends Jay and Kristina's home and came home resolving to adopt a whole-foods, plant-based diet. I remain completely convinced that this is the only and best way to maintain physical and mental health. Every conviction requires two parts: belief, and obedience. In obedience, I have failed.
So, how did my year go? I came home wondering, if I stop eating meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt and ice cream, what on earth was I going to eat? No more grilled cheese or quesadillas or stew or hamburgers or pizza or cheese and crackers or . . . omigosh. I literally was terrified. For two weeks I ate stir-fry with beans or tofu; then I ate lentils. Then I obtained a terrifically expensive set of pressure cookers [Kuhn-Rikon, the best in the world] and learned to soak beans overnight, then cook them in ten minutes in the pressure cooker. I steamed roots and ate a lot at Ruby Tuesday, Thai food, and the dreaded veggie burger.
In short, I learned to cook. If I stayed in my home and cooked, and if I shopped at the Natural Foods section at Fred Meyers and the produce stands, and lived in a stress-free vacuum [that would be too dusty for me], I would have no problems staying with a plant-based, whole-foods diet.
The one major thing I have learned in this year, especially from taking a college Nutrition program online from eCornell, is that I do not need to eat any foods from animals to be completely healthy and happy.
However, in practice I strayed away. I kept craving burgers. Not because there is anything nutritional in them that I need, but because I missed the taste, the texture, the rush of the first bite, the warmth of the sandwich, and the perception that someone besides me was cooking for me [even poorly paid stressed out teenagers] and it relieved my anxiety with a burst of pleasure to the brain.
I missed the fellowship of partaking of whatever foods were provided in social gatherings. I missed the flexibility of eating whatever was available in convenience food restaurants or wherever I was passing by when hungry. I hated to draw a line in the sand: I am this but not that. Labeling myself a vegetarian or a vegan.
So, this is how I am one year later: call me a Selective Eater. Sometimes I select what is healthy and sometimes I don't.
Happy Ridvan.
Good morning, everyone. One year ago I attended the observance of Ridvan at my friends Jay and Kristina's home and came home resolving to adopt a whole-foods, plant-based diet. I remain completely convinced that this is the only and best way to maintain physical and mental health. Every conviction requires two parts: belief, and obedience. In obedience, I have failed.
So, how did my year go? I came home wondering, if I stop eating meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt and ice cream, what on earth was I going to eat? No more grilled cheese or quesadillas or stew or hamburgers or pizza or cheese and crackers or . . . omigosh. I literally was terrified. For two weeks I ate stir-fry with beans or tofu; then I ate lentils. Then I obtained a terrifically expensive set of pressure cookers [Kuhn-Rikon, the best in the world] and learned to soak beans overnight, then cook them in ten minutes in the pressure cooker. I steamed roots and ate a lot at Ruby Tuesday, Thai food, and the dreaded veggie burger.
In short, I learned to cook. If I stayed in my home and cooked, and if I shopped at the Natural Foods section at Fred Meyers and the produce stands, and lived in a stress-free vacuum [that would be too dusty for me], I would have no problems staying with a plant-based, whole-foods diet.
The one major thing I have learned in this year, especially from taking a college Nutrition program online from eCornell, is that I do not need to eat any foods from animals to be completely healthy and happy.
However, in practice I strayed away. I kept craving burgers. Not because there is anything nutritional in them that I need, but because I missed the taste, the texture, the rush of the first bite, the warmth of the sandwich, and the perception that someone besides me was cooking for me [even poorly paid stressed out teenagers] and it relieved my anxiety with a burst of pleasure to the brain.
I missed the fellowship of partaking of whatever foods were provided in social gatherings. I missed the flexibility of eating whatever was available in convenience food restaurants or wherever I was passing by when hungry. I hated to draw a line in the sand: I am this but not that. Labeling myself a vegetarian or a vegan.
So, this is how I am one year later: call me a Selective Eater. Sometimes I select what is healthy and sometimes I don't.
Happy Ridvan.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Human Resources
There is an analogy I have heard, though I can't find it to hand, which 'Abdu'l-Baha relates about the training of horses; that through causing horses to run, day by day they progress from slow and flabby to strong and swift. Though they may not enjoy the arduous training, the result is a stable of well-trained steeds, suited for whatever task they are called on to perform. Thus, the Master informs us, the Baha'is should be willing to arduously train, to strain every nerve to become swift and strong in teaching the Cause. Thus, in my words, while we are out and about teaching the Cause, we are training up human racehorses.
What's The Buzz?
Yesterday evening, late after work I was cruising to Eatonville, listening to music and getting in the groove, when suddenly I sensed something alive and struggling in my lap. I jumped and let out a little scream, then realized I had set my phone on vibrate, which I never do, and it was buzzing in my pocket.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My Farcical Attempts At A New Language
I took a Farsi class this morning. For the other students, this was their eighth lesson or so. The other students ranged between about 8 or 9 and 14, but I am the baby of the class. We arrived 15 minutes late, as I'm not familiar with Burien and it is about 30 miles from Tacoma, and they were studying the alphabet. I had thought there were about 4 forms of each letter, but Saeid is teaching two: capital and small case.
When we came in, each student was writing a different letter in turn. After the break, where Saeid wrote the alphabet for me in the book I bought in Vancouver [Let's Learn Farsi, by Farshid Eghba] in beautiful penmanship, the class worked to memorize a prayer. The teacher had each student recite the prayer, word by word, then wrote the prayer in their notebook [in Farsi, of course.]
The class ended with a game in which Saeid wrote a letter on each student's back, with his finger, and had the student identify and write the letter on the blackboard.
I had my translator help me memorize the prayer [of which I can say about the first four words] and learn to pronounce them, as I drove from Burien to Puyallup. "Faghrr." I still have a sore throat learning to say the word. "Powerty," said Enayat. "If I can say faghrr, you can learn to say poverty," I said.
Then we looked in Walmart, Lowe's, and drove to Eatonville and argued--I mean, consulted--about the placement of the sink, stove and cabinets in the new kitchen. This time I am insisting on being consulted and included in the plans, which is difficult. Enayat gets into the flow of things and starts just making unilateral decisions; then he tries to invalidate my concerns. I did a good job of asserting my point of view while staying quiet about it.
I stopped by Northwest Trek, where I've learned that one can pick up a pass and walk the trails for free, while the park is open. So that was fun. That was it for my big day off.
When we came in, each student was writing a different letter in turn. After the break, where Saeid wrote the alphabet for me in the book I bought in Vancouver [Let's Learn Farsi, by Farshid Eghba] in beautiful penmanship, the class worked to memorize a prayer. The teacher had each student recite the prayer, word by word, then wrote the prayer in their notebook [in Farsi, of course.]
The class ended with a game in which Saeid wrote a letter on each student's back, with his finger, and had the student identify and write the letter on the blackboard.
I had my translator help me memorize the prayer [of which I can say about the first four words] and learn to pronounce them, as I drove from Burien to Puyallup. "Faghrr." I still have a sore throat learning to say the word. "Powerty," said Enayat. "If I can say faghrr, you can learn to say poverty," I said.
Then we looked in Walmart, Lowe's, and drove to Eatonville and argued--I mean, consulted--about the placement of the sink, stove and cabinets in the new kitchen. This time I am insisting on being consulted and included in the plans, which is difficult. Enayat gets into the flow of things and starts just making unilateral decisions; then he tries to invalidate my concerns. I did a good job of asserting my point of view while staying quiet about it.
I stopped by Northwest Trek, where I've learned that one can pick up a pass and walk the trails for free, while the park is open. So that was fun. That was it for my big day off.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Faith, or ???
My husband thinks I have a lot of faith because of what I will go through to get to Feast. I got my taxes done, spent 2 hours in Lowe's shopping for kitchen stuff, deposited my check in the bank, and brought paint and etc. to Eatonville.
Enayat decided he wanted to come to Feast with me in NE Tacoma, so by the time we left, there was no time to eat. Here's my route:
North on Meridian [Hwy 161]; West on 176th; North on Canyon; West/North on Pioneer; cross River Road and get on I-5 South to get onto Hwy 705 and take 509 across the tideflats, then up the hill to NE Tacoma. [I didn't listen to the little voice that said, try to get over to 509 some other way.] That is what happened, BUT.
Unknown to me there was a Black Eyed Peas concert at the Tacoma Dome, so the instant we got onto the freeway, blam, we were stopped in stop-and-go traffic for 1 1/2 hours just to get past the Tacoma Dome. While Enayat snoozed [never miss an opportunity to sleep] I held devotions in the car. I recited every quotation I could think of, several prayers, several songs, several songs that were prayers. All the time, inching forward.
Whenever I left a gap for some car to come onto the freeway or get in line for the Tacoma Dome, some other car nosed into it, so I stopped being generous and letting people in.
We did get to the Feast in time for the social portion, lots of good stories and laughter and fellowship. The real reason I will go through hellandhighwater to get to Feast is for the fellowship. I'm almost starting to be grateful for these types of tests. Almost.
There is some reason God wanted us to spend and hour and a half by the Dome saying prayers; someday maybe I'll find out what it is.
Enayat decided he wanted to come to Feast with me in NE Tacoma, so by the time we left, there was no time to eat. Here's my route:
North on Meridian [Hwy 161]; West on 176th; North on Canyon; West/North on Pioneer; cross River Road and get on I-5 South to get onto Hwy 705 and take 509 across the tideflats, then up the hill to NE Tacoma. [I didn't listen to the little voice that said, try to get over to 509 some other way.] That is what happened, BUT.
Unknown to me there was a Black Eyed Peas concert at the Tacoma Dome, so the instant we got onto the freeway, blam, we were stopped in stop-and-go traffic for 1 1/2 hours just to get past the Tacoma Dome. While Enayat snoozed [never miss an opportunity to sleep] I held devotions in the car. I recited every quotation I could think of, several prayers, several songs, several songs that were prayers. All the time, inching forward.
Whenever I left a gap for some car to come onto the freeway or get in line for the Tacoma Dome, some other car nosed into it, so I stopped being generous and letting people in.
We did get to the Feast in time for the social portion, lots of good stories and laughter and fellowship. The real reason I will go through hellandhighwater to get to Feast is for the fellowship. I'm almost starting to be grateful for these types of tests. Almost.
There is some reason God wanted us to spend and hour and a half by the Dome saying prayers; someday maybe I'll find out what it is.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Test of Sincerity
"Anonymous" challenged my level of sincerity because I do not support the business of mendicancy. My compassionate nature attracts many people asking for money, and I have had multiple interactions with them over the years.
Sincere people are truly hungry, and they are satisfied with food. The food I've found which travels best is a small jar of peanut butter: it keeps, it contains lots of fat and protein, and very few people are actually allergic to it. Sincere people are usually grateful to receive it when offered.
The vast majority of people asking you for money are insincere. They are running a business. The target is you, and the product is whatever story will put the money into their pockets. It's all profit. And I am weary of listening to their insincere approach, which is what prompted my flippant [but truthful] response which I posted the other day.
I am involved, heart and soul, in an organization not only dedicated to, but guaranteed to change the world by transforming people one heart at a time. And the best part? "No salesman will call on you."
Sincere people are truly hungry, and they are satisfied with food. The food I've found which travels best is a small jar of peanut butter: it keeps, it contains lots of fat and protein, and very few people are actually allergic to it. Sincere people are usually grateful to receive it when offered.
The vast majority of people asking you for money are insincere. They are running a business. The target is you, and the product is whatever story will put the money into their pockets. It's all profit. And I am weary of listening to their insincere approach, which is what prompted my flippant [but truthful] response which I posted the other day.
I am involved, heart and soul, in an organization not only dedicated to, but guaranteed to change the world by transforming people one heart at a time. And the best part? "No salesman will call on you."
Monday, April 5, 2010
This and That
Observations driving around:
"Fibromyalgia? 1-800-555-3456."
No, thanks.
"Born to Fish."
If you were born to fish, you would be one. And, technically, you would have been hatched.
"Can you spare some change?"
Okay, let me get this straight: you want me to pay you for nothing. I think I'll just skip paying you, and continue to get the nothing.
"Fibromyalgia? 1-800-555-3456."
No, thanks.
"Born to Fish."
If you were born to fish, you would be one. And, technically, you would have been hatched.
"Can you spare some change?"
Okay, let me get this straight: you want me to pay you for nothing. I think I'll just skip paying you, and continue to get the nothing.
Pea Soup: A New Take
Pea Soup With Soy Chorizo
In Trader Joe's the other day, picking up some whole wheat lavash bread, I found soy chorizo. I decided to make pea soup with it in the pressure cooker.
one yellow onion, cut up: saute on medium low in pressure cooker in 2 T olive oil until carmelized.
Meanwhile, cut up: one garnet yam, several peeled garlic cloves, two small tomatoes. When onions are carmelized, squeeze out soy chorizo into pot to saute; add rosemary, dill, basil, oregano, cumin. Add diced yam and garlic and tomato.
Add two cups dried peas and about 6 + cups water [I still had to thin the soup later as I don't like the thickness of traditional pea soup. So next time I would add even more water.]
Pressure cook on high for ten minutes and allow pressure to release naturally. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke. The chorizo is a little smoky, salty, and fairly spicy.
I ate this with multigrain bake it yourself baguette.
In Trader Joe's the other day, picking up some whole wheat lavash bread, I found soy chorizo. I decided to make pea soup with it in the pressure cooker.
one yellow onion, cut up: saute on medium low in pressure cooker in 2 T olive oil until carmelized.
Meanwhile, cut up: one garnet yam, several peeled garlic cloves, two small tomatoes. When onions are carmelized, squeeze out soy chorizo into pot to saute; add rosemary, dill, basil, oregano, cumin. Add diced yam and garlic and tomato.
Add two cups dried peas and about 6 + cups water [I still had to thin the soup later as I don't like the thickness of traditional pea soup. So next time I would add even more water.]
Pressure cook on high for ten minutes and allow pressure to release naturally. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke. The chorizo is a little smoky, salty, and fairly spicy.
I ate this with multigrain bake it yourself baguette.
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