Some recent studies have been brought to light in the media and they make me think, “Duh!” Studies such as “diet may improve sleep,” “diet may be linked to ADHD,” “food additives linked to autism,” the list literally goes on and on. Why is this new news? Have we gotten so far from understanding the connection between what we put into our bodies and what we output that we NEED a scientific study to explain it to us?
I’ll use this as an opportunity to tout a book I refer to frequently, to which I rely on constantly, and to which I owe quite a bit of my understanding about mind/body/food connection: Food and Healing by Annemarie Colbin.
Read Food and Healing. This book has been in print since the ’80’s but was recently updated for its 10th anniversary. Hubs and occasionally ride the vegan train, but we do it more for health reasons than anything. Food and Healing put all of the ideas I have about health, living, and eating into words. Sensible, interesting words. The book is not about veganism. It’s about maintaining balance in the body. Having a balanced body promotes a balanced life, and vice-versa. I will say that having an open mind about non-American philosophies is helpful in reading about what Colbin calls “the whole food health supportive” diet. She discusses the Standard American Diet (SAD) and how it matches up to her theories of health. It ain’t pretty, folks.
What I liked most is that this is a well-researched and well-written book. It isn’t a fad diet. In fact, it isn’t about a diet at all. It’s about using food to support health and, therefore, one’s purpose in life. (Good luck in figuring out what your purpose is, though. She doesn’t discuss that!) I was just blown away by how much sense Colbin makes. Her way of maintaining and reaching optimal health is ultimately how I would like to cook, eat, and live.
I’ve been hearing a bit about a film entitled Food Matters lately that seems to be along these lines. I hope to view it soon. Has anyone seen it?
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