Dietary Guidelines & Saturated Fat truths

...as compared to the Western civilization and their diets.


http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/475-principles-of-healthy-diets.html#guidelines

Dietary Guidelines

1. Eat whole, unprocessed foods.
2. Eat beef, lamb, game, organ meats, poultry and eggs from pasture-fed animals.
3. Eat wild fish (not farm-raised) and shellfish from unpolluted waters.
4. Eat full-fat milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as raw milk, whole yogurt, kefir, cultured butter, whole raw cheeses and fresh and sour cream. (Imported cheeses that say "milk" or "fresh milk" on the label are raw.)
5. Use animal fats, especially butter, liberally.
6. Use traditional vegetable oils only--extra virgin olive oil, expeller-expressed sesame oil, small amounts of expeller-expressed flax oil, and the tropical oils--coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil.
7. Take cod liver oil regularly to provide at least 10,000 IU vitamin A and 1,000 IU vitamin D per day.
8. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables--preferably organic--in salads and soups, or lightly steamed with butter.
9. Use whole grains, legumes and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors and other anti-nutrients.
10. Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
11. Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb and fish and use liberally in soups, stews, gravies and sauces.
12. Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
13. Use unrefined salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
14. Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and a small amount of expeller-expressed flax oil.
15. Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, date sugar, dehydrated cane sugar juice (sold as Rapadura) and stevia powder.
16. Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
17. Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
18. Use only natural, food-based supplements.
19. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
20. Think positive thoughts and practice forgiveness.

Some of these seem pretty close to common sense for me. I love at the end of the guidelines how we need sleep, exercise, and natural light. Isn't that what we've been told for years to do? And apparently thinking positive thoughts and practicing forgiveness is important to our dietary needs as well. I guess being Mormon pays off!

All of these things were discovered in the early 1930's by Dr. Weston A. Price, a dentist who was at the time studying the affects of diets on the structure and health of teeth. We traveled to many different places where the western civilization hadn't reached them in their diets. These places included villages in Switzerland, Gaelic communities in the Outer Hebrides, indigenous peoples of North and South America, Melanesian and Polynesian South Sea Islanders, African tribes, Australian Aborigines and New Zealand Maori. He found that these people followed the guidelines listed above and because of it, had healthy arches and crowns, were more emotional intact, were physically fit, and had better immunity. 

(http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/475-principles-of-healthy-diets.html)

Can you imagine? In this article and on this website, it claims all of these things and has the studies to back them up. The marketing industry has fed us lies in order to make money. I understand we all have to some how, but it is our own responsibility to take care of our bodies. They are gifts from our Father in Heaven.

As I read on, I discovered that studies showed that cholesterol and saturated fats are not the ones to blame for heart disease and coronary disease. In fact, saturated fats were very essential to the health in our cell membranes. A very large percent of our brain is made up of saturated fats. And the only place to find saturated fats with the nutrients needed are in animal fats. The blame for coronary and heart diseases should be turned to trans fats. So for all of you out there that believe eating margarine as opposed butter is a better health choice, I suggest reading these articles and to discover for yourself. 

(http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/475-principles-of-healthy-diets.html#saturated)

It's fascinating, really, what a little research can do for you. Becoming aware of the nutritional needs of your own body can help that weight loss problem. In my own life, I am trying to avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates and trans fats. I try to eat eggs, whole grain toast, and/or fruit for breakfast and avoid cereals, pancakes, donuts, and other excessive sugary items. It's hard. It's difficult to keep on track, but I've got to learn one step at a time.

Agriculture is my major. What's yours?

This is part of a paper I wrote for a scholarship.

Declaring a major never went easy for me. I had so many possibilities and yet I had to narrow it down to just one. That one major would majorly affect the rest of my career in the future and I wanted to enjoy what I had coming. I trust in the Lord to keep me happy and safe, but the responsibility still rests with me in what path I follow.

Growing up, I got involved in the 4-H program at nine years old. What started out as a small poultry project, turned into a way of life for my family and me. Our livestock become our family and to understand our family, we witnessed the toll agriculture takes on the human body. Our goats were able to produce fresh milk that we could turn into so many different products and give us the satisfaction of knowing we did it ourselves. Our chickens gave us fresh eggs that are so many levels above eggs in the cardboard boxes down the street. Our rabbits gave us manure to place in our vegetable garden, which gave us the opportunity to be self reliant for the dinner table. On top of farm life, the domestic pets within the house provided an unconditional love and support every day. Seeing any of them in pain broke my heart since they constantly healed mine every other day.

I cannot describe the thousands of life lessons my animals have taught me growing up, but I do know there was a change that took place, and I believe it was for the better. As I imagine the animal products in the market today I think back to the spirits that gave them to us. I think back to that chemistry class and see how the enzymes and lipids are so important to our health. I want to end animal cruelty and embrace the most efficient and effective way to become healthier by beginning with the basics. For the first time in history, our nation is overweight and starving at the same time. Being educated in nutrition and agriculture can change that.

The sad part comes to the conclusion that many people live in ignorance of the beauty of agriculture. Milk does not come from the store originally, and neither do the eggs. In fact, the beauty of life and the creations that God has given us play such a crucial part to our survival, and if we rid ourselves of the farm land and knock out small family farms, we’ll lose them forever.

In hopes of having my dream come true by becoming a veterinary technician and educating myself about agriculture, animal science, and nutrition within a bachelor degree, I can make a difference to last a lifetime. I want to change lives through my desires and passions. I want to see this world stay green. I want to see our bodies treated like the temples they are. I want these animals to be cared for correctly. Agriculture is my major. What's yours?

I have finally found what I want to do with my life! ... besides the usual temple marriage and stuff

Slowly but surely, I have been finding more websites that fascinate me. If you look over to my left hand column and see my list of links, you'll see a lot of new ones concerning Real Milk, Nutrition, and farm life. This is becoming a part of me. My passionate side is coming out of hiding and I think I found something to focus on, since my love life is done for the time being (that's a whole other story).

Let's back up a bit, though. For the longest time throughout high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life as far as a career went. I knew I wanted to go to college and I knew I wanted to graduate with at least a Bachelors. I was interested in music for a while, and I can give credit to my wonderful high school choir director for that. I have found that I really don't have a brain for music theory, and as a good friend of mine once told me, I don't want to ruin something so beautiful with the mechanics behind it.

Science is cool. Biology was sort of ruined for me my freshman year due to the teacher. He never actually taught. He didn't even lecture. I did love Physics and Chemistry was alright. I loved math and I aced my AP calculus class my senior year. I wanted to make a difference. What better way than to teach and mold young minds? And what better subject than math since not very many understand it? Once I started looking into it, my desire and passion diminished. I wanted to enjoy my life, not dread it.

Finally, my senior project came around. I had been a part of 4-H ever since I was 9. We had the classic 4-H family farm: various breeds of chickens running around, a full blown rabbit breeding project, and family friendly goats who could have been mistaken as dogs. I loved working with my animals. The thrill of the fair was intoxicating for me, and being able to be responsible for life, and then brag about it, had me hooked. I birthed my own does and had kids running around every spring. Kits (baby bunnies) came along every month and those fluffy little cottonballs were fun to snuggle with. The medical side was fascinating for me; I didn't understand much, but I wanted to. I job shadowed the local vet. I wasn't too thrilled. My research led me to the conclusion that 8 years of dedicating my life to my studies and not being guaranteed a doctorate, and then assuming I did manage to come out on top, I spayed and neutered all day long, was not desirable.

Kids were fun. I enjoyed kids. Their laughter and smiles were able to brighten the darkest day for me. But the rational side of me came out and I told myself "I don't need to spend thousands of dollars to learn about kids, my own family will do that for me one day".

Then, I went to the chiropractor.
And no, I do not want to be a chiropractor.

However, this particular chiropractor is one of those fabulous people who does not buy in to the lies of the marketing industry. He tries to find the truth about nutrition and health and how our bodies are affected by the world around us; money wasn't really a factor in the truth. One thing led to another and he shared several minutes of my appointment of nutrition, dairy products, cholesterol, and where to find true information. On top my my mother's obsession with keeping healthy via fruit, veggies, and whole grains and my brother's obsession with creating new and exciting meals in the kitchen, I could finally fit into my own family.  (hehe)

Here's an example: many people don't know the difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs are things like sugar and white bread. Complex carbs are things like whole grains. Imagine a wood stove. When you put in splinters and newspapers, and light them up, what happens?

They light up really quickly but then go out.

When you put in a seasoned log, and light it up, what happens?

It takes a bit to light up, but then it is slow and steady and lasts for quite a while.

There's an example of energy.

I find it fascinating. I am all about comfort, and if my body is happy, I can feel better about it. Besides, my body is a temple and I must treat it like such.

Here's where I express my excitement about my new found fascination. I'm studying Animal Science right now, but I hope to add an Associate's Degree as a Veterinary Technician to my current study of agriculture and animals and how it affects our health and nutrition.

It's mind blowing, really. And the best part? It's affects EVERYONE.
No, sorry, you're not special.

My dream is to understand and make a difference in animals' and their owners' lives by working as a veterinary technician. I want to be able to teach them about their own health and describe how greatly agriculture affects us all day to day. I want to have a farm of my own at home. I want to be able to be self-reliant with a garden of vegetables, a barn of goat's milk, and a coop of eggs. I want to be able to know the animals around us and help others. I want to breed, raise, and train dogs. I want to own horses and understand more of the nature around us on horseback. And, I want to teach my children about the importance and beauty of animals and agriculture, not just how to earn a quick buck.

There are so many things animals can teach us, and all we have to do is look.

I think one of my goals now is to possibly write here about once a week about something new I have learned, whether it be about real milk, nutrition, agriculture, veterinary medicine, or animals at home. I have to keep myself busy somehow. Maybe this will be like a school journal in a sense. I can blog about what I've learned and how it will affect me today and tomorrow. I will make this summer meaningful, because there is more to life than following the crowd..