You Are WHAT You Eat

[Eddie]

Added to OP.

raw foodists eat mostly organic food, which is 80% to 300% more nutritionally dense - loaded with available electrons/energy. As your body learns to absorb this additional nutrition and energy you'll be less hungry, getting more energy from what you do eat, and eat less. This ultimately can reduce your food costs, as well as your health care costs, far below what is was when you were eating empty calories filled with the acidic toxins.

http://www.rawfoodlife.com/Articles___Re...l_food.htm
Published in the JOURNAL OF APPLIED NUTRITION, VOL 45-1, 1993, © International Academy of Nutrition & Preventive Medicine

I see figures such as that bandied about on the internet, and they strike me as quackery (unlike, I would guess, most people on this discussion board, I've actually done some laboratory analysis of foodstuffs for nutritional content). The "International academy of Nutrition & Preventive Medicine" has a high-sounding name, but it's not accepted as legitimate by those few mainstream nutritionists who even bother paying attention to it.

[BrownEye]

What did you actually test? And how did you test?

I first noticed a difference testing with kinesiology. I went through my kitchen to see what kind of differences occured with which foods. I found a double in strength when I tested holding Chia seeds. After that I got on the computer and looked around to see if anyone else had done the same thing and this is all I found.....https://www.securedcontent.net/conscious/Articles/Hemp%20Seed%20Compared.pdf

[Fallen Destiny]

If you can't pronounce or define what the ingredients of something you are eating are.. you shouldn't eat them.

[Monica]

I see figures such as that bandied about on the internet, and they strike me as quackery (unlike, I would guess, most people on this discussion board, I've actually done some laboratory analysis of foodstuffs for nutritional content).

Have you ever compared organically-grown produce with commercially-grown produce?

I have seen data from the USDA showing that commercially-grown foods are mere shadows of their former selves. The most striking example given was that one would have to consume 75 bowls of today's spinach to equal the iron content of a single bowl of circa-1948 spinach.

Not to mention the loss of micronutrients, which the mainstream doesn't even seem to care about.

This data came from comparing old USDA documents to current ones. Of course there's no way, short of going back in time, to actually test 1948 produce!

The "International academy of Nutrition & Preventive Medicine" has a high-sounding name, but it's not accepted as legitimate by those few mainstream nutritionists who even bother paying attention to it.

Well, I guess it all depends on which paradigm one chooses to accept. Personally, I trust the natural/alternative/holistic community waaaaaaaaay more than the mainstream medical community. No question.

[Eddie]

I have seen data from the USDA showing that commercially-grown foods are mere shadows of their former selves. The most striking example given was that one would have to consume 75 bowls of today's spinach to equal the iron content of a single bowl of circa-1948 spinach.

OK. Where is it? Source? (By the way, I work for the USDA).

[Fallen Destiny]

Eddie, have you tried raw milk?

I cannot stand milk...any kind of milk, in any condition, from any animal. My mother tells me that I wouldn't even drink it when I was a baby. I had to take calcium pills as a child, because I wouldn't drink milk.

The aroma of milk nauseates me....always has.

My natural inclination is to a hunter-gatherer type of diet. I actively forage outdoors for all kinds of wild edible plants; I have done this since I was a small child. I can find stuff to eat almost anywhere; many people would be surprised to learn what is growing in their yard, that is edible.

I was also an extremely avid hunter and fisherman for most of my life. I don't do much of that anymore, but I still eat meat and fish.

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Hmmm....by 'lots' do you mean enough for a main course?

Why, yes, in some cases. I, until recently, had a drawer in my desk at work where I kept:
raw pumpkin seeds
raw cashews
raw almonds
assorted unsulphured dried fruits (no avocados, though )

I eat more of that sort of stuff in a week, than the average American eats in a year. And a green smoothie for breakfast most days.

Actually, come to think of it, I eat almost no processed food except for buns for hamburgers or barbecue when I eat out.

YOU SIR, are pretty awesome.

[Eddie]

Well, I guess it all depends on which paradigm one chooses to accept. Personally, I trust the natural/alternative/holistic community waaaaaaaaay more than the mainstream medical community. No question.

I do too, and I eat holistically myself. That's not the point.

Plants have normal ranges of contents for various elements in their cells. If the content of a certain nutrient falls below a certain point, the plant will not be able to function, as normal cell growth and metabolism will be arrested. The content cannot go above a certain point, because of genetic limitation within the plant. These ranges of nutrient contents are usually within a few percentage points; ranges for sugars are somewhat higher.

To claim that modern spinach has 1/75th the iron content of spinach grown 63 years ago strikes me as not credible; spinach that is severely iron deficient will appear chlorotic (as will other vegetation), and I have never seen chlorotic spinach in the market. It would not be salable.

[Monica]

OK. Where is it? Source? (By the way, I work for the USDA).

I knew you were going to ask that next!

This was about 15+ years ago. The documents are packed away in a box someplace, along with all that other stuff. (I know, that sounds lame, sorry! But I really do remember seeing the references, honest!)

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Plants have normal ranges of contents for various elements in their cells. If the content of a certain nutrient falls below a certain point, the plant will not be able to function, as normal cell growth and metabolism will be arrested. The content cannot go above a certain point, because of genetic limitation within the plant. These ranges of nutrient contents are usually within a few percentage points; ranges for sugars are somewhat higher.

To claim that modern spinach has 1/75th the iron content of spinach grown 63 years ago strikes me as not credible; spinach that is severely iron deficient will appear chlorotic (as will other vegetation), and I have never seen chlorotic spinach in the market. It would not be salable.

Respectfully (and I DO respect your knowledge), I don't accept this. It reminds me of when MDs say that the colon is designed to eliminate toxins and thus cannot become toxic, or that the body regulates its own pH and thus organs and tissues cannot be outside normal pH ranges.

But beyond that, I readily admit I am out of my league. I cannot debate this with you, since you have credentials that I do not, as well as access to data that I do not. I was simply sharing info I had encountered, and which I accept as true. I don't need data to tell me that my organically-grown, fresh garden produce is superior to the supermarket produce. It is obvious to me. There is no question.

[BrownEye]

It reminds me of when MDs say that the colon is designed to eliminate toxins and thus cannot become toxic, or that the body regulates its own pH and thus organs and tissues cannot be outside normal pH ranges.

I trolled someone on another forum about B12. They tried to tell me that animals were the only way we get B12 and that it was impossible to absorb B12 from the colon where it is generated. I guess they just were not aware of how a healthy colon functions?

[Monica]

I trolled someone on another forum about B12. They tried to tell me that animals were the only way we get B12 and that it was impossible to absorb B12 from the colon where it is generated. I guess they just were not aware of how a healthy colon functions?

They will give you the standard, 'official' response. And we know that the official response is rarely accurate, in the case of diet/health.

---

I am moving to where the food is.

I think you should trust your guidance, to be where you are are guided to be.

But, did you know that the food can also come to you? to where you are at?

Moving isn't feasible for us, so we are bringing the food to us. We have a verrrrrrrrrrrry tiny yard. At first, I thought we had room for only about 5 fruit trees, max. So we planted them. But then I learned about permaculture. Did you know that if people became vegetarians, and planted food crops instead of green lawns, the planet could sustain 100 times more people? (maybe more)

So, following principles of permaculture, I have just realized I can fit a LOT more fruit trees on our tiny property!

If all the fruit trees are even mildly productive, we will have fruit coming out our ears! I will have to run our dehydrator 24/7! And I'll probably still have plenty left over for the neighbors!

Moving to a tropical island is wonderful, if it's feasible for you. But there is a lot you can do with the land you're already on. I continue to be amazed at how much we can do with this tiny piece of land.

[Eddie]

Moving isn't feasible for us, so we are bringing the food to us. We have a verrrrrrrrrrrry tiny yard. At first, I thought we had room for only about 5 fruit trees, max. So we planted them. But then I learned about permaculture. Did you know that if people became vegetarians, and planted food crops instead of green lawns, the planet could sustain 100 times more people? (maybe more)

So, following principles of permaculture, I have just realized I can fit a LOT more fruit trees on our tiny property!

I have a bunch of young fruit trees, and last spring, I discovered a plant of rocket (one of the brassicas, or mustards) growing vigorously under one of my pears. Instead of weeding it out, I just let it grow, and then began harvesting it periodically for use in green smoothies. Whenever I mowed the yard, I'd be careful to mow around the delicious "weed".

So, there's an idea for you. Clean-cultivate around the base of your tree out to the drip line (which you should be doing anyway, is it kills the overwintering larvae of codling moths and oriental fruit moths), and, when you have worked the soil up enough to make a fine seed bed, sprinkle a little rocket seed on the soil . The seed is very fine and doesn't need to be buried. Try to do this as early in the spring as the soil can be worked, as rocket likes cool temperatures for germination. It's a very thrifty plant and doesn't usually require fertilization, although it will respond to it. As a bonus, if you let it reseed, you will have it forever (it is, after all, a weed). It's useful both raw and cooked; I prefer raw, pureed into a smoothie, as this makes maximum use of its vitamins and other beneficial compounds, especially phenolic and polyphenolic antioxidants....of which this underappreciated plant is one of nature's best sources.

You can get seed for rocket from the Territorial seed company, and many other nurseries which specialize in heirloom seeds. It's a great permaculture option.

Green smoothie recipe:
1 blender full of rocket or similar brassica (it takes a lot; cram it down in there)
10-12 ounces of grapefruit or pineapple juice
2 bananas

Put the greens and juice into the blender, cover, and puree on "liquefy" for about 30 seconds. Stop, remove the cover, and add the peeled bananas. Replace the cover and puree for another 90 seconds to two minutes, until all ingredients are finely pureed. Makes about 40 ounces of smoothie.

This works not only for rocket, but also for Mizpoona, Kyoto Mizuna, Tah Tsai, Kale, and other leafy tender brassicas.

Time to go make mine!

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Oh, and here's another idea. If there are no local ordinances against it where you live, consider keeping some chickens, and letting them run under your trees. They love to pounce on insects, and do a good job of keeping plum curculios and other fruit pests under control (note that they will eat all the rocket, too, so that's an either-or situation).

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YOU SIR, are pretty awesome.

We moved into a new house a couple of years ago, and there is a little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) in the front yard. I'd read somewhere that the leaves of this species are edible in the Spring when they are young and tender, so last Spring, I tried some. They are not only edible, they are delicious!

My neighbors must have thought I was crazy, standing out in the yard, eating leaves off the tree like some goat.....

[fairyfarmgirl]

I think you should trust your guidance, to be where you are are guided to be.

But, did you know that the food can also come to you? to where you are at?

Moving isn't feasible for us, so we are bringing the food to us. We have a verrrrrrrrrrrry tiny yard. At first, I thought we had room for only about 5 fruit trees, max. So we planted them. But then I learned about permaculture. Did you know that if people became vegetarians, and planted food crops instead of green lawns, the planet could sustain 100 times more people? (maybe more)

So, following principles of permaculture, I have just realized I can fit a LOT more fruit trees on our tiny property!

If all the fruit trees are even mildly productive, we will have fruit coming out our ears! I will have to run our dehydrator 24/7! And I'll probably still have plenty left over for the neighbors!

Moving to a tropical island is wonderful, if it's feasible for you. But there is a lot you can do with the land you're already on. I continue to be amazed at how much we can do with this tiny piece of land.

Good Greetings All:


For the last 5 years I have been learning about Permaculture, Anastasia/datcha movement and the Ancient Wisdom of Plant Guilds and tree guild
These 3 approaches when applied to a small plot of land and to every possible surface that can be cultivated through raised beds (such as roofs and vertical gardens) less than 1/8 of an acre in a 4 season climate can indeed produce enough food to subsist on for the whole year. It is not how much one plants--- instead it is what one plants and how one organizes the plants. Plants have friendships just like personality types do.

So for instance: A guild for an Apple Tree would go something like this:

Two apple trees are required for cultivation-- of two different varieties. Such as a Macitosh with a Pipin etc. Check with an heirloom nursery for more detailed instructions.

Plant the Apple tree (if you need fruit in the first year plant dwarf apple trees), around the base of the apple tree plant a ring of Chives or small onions in a raised bed) around that ring plant strawberries in a raised bed. And around that plant more chives, small onions--- and then place a small walking path--- then plant a another apple tree. This time plant chives around this apple tree in a raised bed followed by Roses, followed by lillies (the bulbs are delicious and the flowers edible and the beauty inspiring, followed by more chives or small onions and finally strawberries. Tbhe flowers of the rose are highly nutritious, beautiful, and antimicrobrial. As well as the rose hips are highly nutritious as well and can be preserved in the full nutritional value by naturally pickling (no vinager required). Drying them destroys all the nutriments but the dried rose hips will still taste good as a tea...

For a highly nutritious famine food collect berries and encase them in rendered lard with dried powdered protein. Store in a glass jar or rawhide bag in a cool dark place or bury in a root cellar) This type of famine food will preserve for over 20 years. It is called Pemmican

I routinely allow volunteers to stay: some excellent volunteers to encourage taking root are dandelions (the whole plant is edible and nutritious), yellow docketo (the root is highly nutritious and very high in iron, Cattails, raspberries, blackberries, and the full range of clovers. There are others that are highly nutritious but for the sake of the common USA front lawn--- it is a foragers feast...

Potatoes are excellent to grown in a small space are are excellent food for starch and vitamin c as well as a source of vitamin B12 (its all in the dirt)... The amazing thing about potatoes is one can get almost 50lbs from one eye that grows into a plant. Just keep burying the bottom most leaves and you will foster more potatoes! Yum!

Climbing vegetable plants can be on a north or southeast wall of a a house along a trellis. A trellis can be made from an old bed spring, wire fencing, anything with lots of little openings for the plant tendrils to grip around. This is also a good method for blackberries and raspberries--- trellis them to cultivate larger berries from the original volunteers--- blackberries and raspberries send out runners that then root to the ground this is how the plant creates a thicket for itself. The idea for the plant is it will protect the core root stock... but in a cultivating environment where the gardener is protecting the root stock it is unnecessary to allow the plant to become a thicket (impossible to harvest all the berries from as well). These plants can also be used medicinally--- blackberry root and rapberry leaves for instance.

cool video on vertical urban gardening

Nature wishes us to be successful and when we are harmoniously cultivating food producing forests EA(rth) is very receptive. She is most gentle and very sensitive to all forms of LOVE. LOVE is truly a science of Light.

I was recently reading a book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder who was well known in Missori for her gardens during the Mid-20th Century--- she used every inch of her garden and to avoid weeding she planted potatoes between her rows... Such wisdom to be gleaned from our Grandmothers and Great-Grandmothers and the Ancient Ones with the Fairies.

Bright Blessings--

fairyfarmgirl

[Eddie]

FFG- one comment about heirloom fruit trees - I found out the hard way, that most heirloom apple varieties are highly susceptible to all of the common apple diseases, and especially fireblight. I planted a small orchard of them and lost most trees to fireblight.

For those who live in the southeast or midwest, heirloom trees generally are not a good choice except at elevations above 2200 feet (i.e., the Blue Ridge or Appalachians).

I'm currently raising two varieties of modern disease-resistant apples, Williams Pride and Enterprise. Even these are not as disease-resistant as their breeders claim, but they are sufficiently tolerant of fireblight that I won't lose the trees to it. These are pretty easy to grow, as apples go, and are good choices for novice growers. They still need regular spraying for insect pests.

Among older, heirloom varieties, Golden Delicious is the most successful in my experience. It is moderately tolerant of fireblight, an excellent pollenizer for other varieties, and produces delicious and versatile fruit.

[fairyfarmgirl]

I live in a cold climate. And have had good luck with heirloom varieties---especially hard winter apple varieties. This is where companion planting really is important. Agreed, disease is a problem when planting in a small yard surrounded by incompatible trees such as cedar and walnut and almond... etc. Although Apples do love a lot of the hardwoods and at my folk's house in the cedar hedge are hard winter apples growing in the hedge very happily (the birds planted the apples). They are a hard yellow apple very delicious!

I really like the dwarf apple trees...

I wish you well!

--fairyfarmgirl