6 FOOD IDEAS FOR 13. More Enjoyment Less Suffering DAVID L. KAGAN. Friday, January 4, 13

Transcription

1 6 FOOD IDEAS FOR 13 More Enjoyment Less Suffering DAVID L. KAGAN

2 Why Are You Here? Seems like the perfect time of year for this subject. Hopefully, we can all have fun, meet someone new, and learn something we can use going forward. I am not a doctor or a scientist, but have experience in cooking, and healing. Please ask questions anytime. No need to take notes, me for the datadump. david@kagan.co

3 My Story I grew up on fast food and violence. My reaction to difficulty was to fight or run. I had every childhood illness you can imagine. At 18, I sought answers, made gradual changes over the years, and enjoy better results. My journey brings me understanding and joy in helping others. I still have difficulties, but I m grateful. I like philosopher/author Daniel Dennet s words: The Secret to happiness is to find something more important that you are and dedicate your life to it.

4 The Power Of Food When I m not eating, I m thinking about eating, or shopping, cooking, buying a cookbook a new gadget for my kitchen. Are you a foodie? What s your favorite food? Here on Earth we turn food into life, and food is central to our lives. At church, school, the beach, the bank, even at trade shows, we are all about the food. Food is very powerful in today s world, where convenience, technology and profits trump health and balance.

5 Nobody Agrees On Food History teaches that many world powers fe# right a$er consumption of sugar rose to a#-time highs. We are free to eat anything, but it s very difficult to make sane choices. There is evidence that eating less, naturally, and plantbased can lead to a longer and happier life. It also leads to peace, less suffering, and a cleaner world. Everything does change. But it will take time before we see the damage we have done with our choices. The Farm Bill? This too shall pass.

6 Reserve a Table At Home When I took Driver s Ed. 32 years ago, I was taught to drive defensively. This involved anticipating dangers, and always leaving an out. This works well with eating. Restaurant meals are generally very low quality, with too much salt, sugar, oil, butter, meat, chemicals and germs. We eat too much, and too late in the day, and we don t take a nice walk afterwards. Then we pay a price. 1. Cook your own meals for health, wealth, to be more self-sufficient, for fun and to teach the kids

7 Eat Meals at Home Notes When we cook our own meals, we appreciate what goes into them more, and we tend to get more out of them We can control the ingredients, as well as get better service and eat when we want and more comforably When we do go out, choose higher quality restaurants and skip heavy sauces, appetizers, alcohol and desserts Lots more resources at

8 Animals Are Companions Plants are building blocks. We are not meant to eat much animal foods. You can tell by comparing our teeth, fingernails, intestines, etc. When we do, we introduce all kinds of toxins, disease and stress. Poor countries where people eat mainly grain and vegetables have virtually no heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. Eat a well-balanced plant-based diet, with occasional organic animal products for fun, used with care and prayer.

9 Plant Based Diet Notes Plant-based diets are all the rage right now, for good reason. They save money, help the environment, and cause fewer acute and chronic illnessness Choosing organic meats, eggs and dairy foods is a wise choice, as they have fewer pesticides, hormones, additives, etc., and promote less animal suffering More online at

10 The Human Diet The good news is that plant-based foods can be inexpensive, beautiful, healthy and TASTE GREAT! The other good news is that there are thousands of vegetarian/vegan cookbooks, online recipes and cooking classes available in your area. I m here too!! 3. A balanced plant-based diet consists of whole grains, well-cooked land and sea vegetables, some raw vegetables and fruits, beans and bean products, nuts and seeds, oils and condiments.

11 What to Eat Notes Have brown rice daily, and millet, barley, quinoa and oats often. Also enjoy spelt, wheat berries, amaranthe, teff, buckwheat and corn. Tortillas and sourdough rule Cauliflower, broccoli, winter squash, onions, carrots and green cabbage are great, as are radishes and turnips Sea veggies, sea salt, miso and sesame seeds rock Sesame, safflower, olive and sunflower oils are best, and for beverages, room temp water and kukicha twig tea

12 Our Universe, Our Hood Snow! Evidence that we are living in winter. The seasons change, and so must our eating. Supermarkets are not working. Kiwis don t grow here. Yin is not yang. Eat seasonal for better health and fewer illnesses. Also adjust when moving, aging, changing careers, etc. Pro athletes need to eat more/heartier than bank tellers. 4. Eat a seasonal diet. In the winter, longer cooking times, more salt, soups, root vegetables and some fish keep us healthy and satisfied.

13 Energetics Notes Make your own soup throughout the year, richer and more often in cold weather, but watch sodium Limit raw fruits to summer, raw veggies to spring through fall, and avoid tropical foods in the northeast Cook things to yangize them, and note that sushi is animal food as yin as possible for balance (Japan=smart) Learn more about the energetics of food (and life!) online or by reading a book on Macrobiotics

14 Habits Around Food Most Americans don t care about the quality of their food, eat an enormous quantity of food, ignoring yin and yang. But that s not all. We don t chew, we don t sit, we eat too late, we skip meals, we eat unconsciously, and as a result many of us are obese, yet undernourished, and unsatisfied with our meals. So we snack. And health problems are rampant 5. Sit for regular meals and light conversation. Be present, chew well, don t eat late, eat a pickle!

15 Eating Habits Notes Eating less and chewing more seems obvious, but it really works. Shut off the TV and appreciate your food, and you will actually have better nutrition and digestion. Try it! Eating late is very bad for the liver, and is a major cause of mood and digestive issues Denny Waxman has a great book called The Great Life Diet, see if you can find it on Amazon. His tips work!

16 We Eat Ideas Too Food is key. It gives us life. But we also eat ideas. If we watch the news, or violent television/movies/video games, and argue at dinner, we get tighten, limiting our circulation. No good. Hang loose! 6. Treasure peace. Meditate, be kind to strangers, family, animals, and the Earth. See the best in yourself and others, and forgive easily. Take nature walks. Enjoy plants and natural objects, and wear organic clothing. Get plenty of sleep.

17 Lifestyle Notes We nourish ourselves with ideas and thought, when it s positive. The nightly news and violence cause damage With more peace in our bodies, we can help create more peace in our homes, communities, and on Earth. Read The World Peace Diet, by Will Tuttle, PhD. Remember when relationships, hobbies, dancing, and music were pursuits? Facebook and Twitter are winning Do a daily body rub, and enjoy massage or chiropractic

18 6 Eating Ideas Repeated 1. Cook your own meals and eat quality meals out 2. Eat a well-balanced plant-based diet 3. Organic, boiled grains, sea vegetables, etc. 4. Eat seasonal, local and for your age and lifestyle 5. Improve your eating habits, especially chew! 6. Be peaceful and light in body, mind and spirit

19 Questions & Resources Please see my blog, top 10 list, recipes and links at me anytime at Thank you so much!! Have a wonderful 2013 and hope to see you soon...