please understand...-Vegetarian foods

[Guest guest]

JGD,

 

 

During the Dallas Guru Poornima celebrations (Q & A Session), Vamsiji

(from Appaji's parivaram) has given an excellent description of what

constitutes vegetarian and what foods are acceptable and what are not

acceptable. I don't know if the transcript of that entire session in

available online somewhere...if not and you still want to know, shoot

me an email. I will try to put pieces together from what I have and

answer you the best I can.

 

SGD,

Hari

 

On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 8:42 AM, Dattatreya Hare

Krishna<oneinfinitezero wrote:

>

>

> The gist of the earlier email is " do your best as to your level of ability "

> and continue to pray. Please do not send me questions on whether specific

> foods are acceptable or not - just spend some time and think for yourselves

> and determine your own boundaries. It is *your* active sadhana to look out

> for yourselves and your personal spiritual beliefs. Your efforts will be

> noted by Him in the end. Your life, your beliefs, your choice, your risk(s),

> your karma.

>

> In some cases, its not a matter of belief or god's forgiveness - nature

> doesn't forgive - it keeps its accounts quite well. It is no accident that

> there is a prevalance of cancer and other strange problems in the

> westernized/modernized world. Many of the dietary practices, especially in

> the south indian diet, are designed from an ayurvedic perspective. To give

> you a sampling: Food is served on plantain leaves (from which the process of

> respiration is still ongoing, even as you eat the food, ...the green color

> is still there, implying that the leaf is giving off prana (which is apana

> to the plant) which is in-turn absorbed by the food), the meal usually

> consists of pappu (protein) or sambar (also protein), rasam (an herbal tea

> like soup that aids digestion), perugu (for providing needed probiotic

> enzymes), and some kind of sweet prasadam (carbohydrate) along with rice

> (staple carbohydrate). Eaten in the proper quantities, this is a filling and

> complete meal. The leaves and herbs used in the cooking process are useful

> in ridding the body of parasites as well as cleansing the entire digestive

> tract. The order of eating the food supports digestion and proper nutrient

> uptake.

>

> There is a lot of science behind the rituals of any vedic practice.

>

> The idea that vegetarians don't get enough protein is absolute nonsense. The

> amount of protein actually needed in any given meal is between 30-40 grams,

> only serious weightlifters and body-builders need 50 grams or more; the

> amount that is not absorbed usually comes out as waste. A glass of whole

> milk provides about 10 grams of protein. Beyond the basic amount, protein

> only gives you gas and creates a host of other problems. Too much protein is

> actually quite harmful. Your problems are not because you aren't getting

> enough protein, its because you are eating too much junk. Modern

> manufacturing methods use of all kinds of unnatural fillers and

> preservatives and cost-effective ingredients (e.g., high fructose corn

> syrup!). Eat moderately, high vegetable/fruit content, drink lots of water,

> and you'll see your outlook improve dramatically. You will also find that

> your natural apetite returns to normal levels (at proper times that are

> right for your

> body) and your blood sugar levels stabilize when you observe the holiness of

> the practice of eating food. The modern problem has nothing to do with

> protein insufficiency - the modern problem is obesity. After you eat, you

> should feel light, refreshed, and ready to go.

>

> Consider how much food you take in, and the amount of work that you produce

> - is there some kind of equilibrium? Do you work nearly as much as you eat?

> Consider for just a moment how much work you actually do in the span of a

> day. If you listen to your body carefully, read its signals, it will tell

> you when you've had enough, and your day will be that much more light,

> productive, fresh, and problem-free. If you eat too much, your head will

> hurt, especially if you eat too much sugary foods; later, you will

> experience depression, or some other problem. If you eat 'just right' your

> head will feel light and happy.

>

> By following the yogic diet, your mental state will naturally reset to the

> satvic state and your perception of things and life will become clearer and

> simpler. The beauty of life will begin to unfold before you.

>

> Eating food is also like a puja. It is a communion between the mind and the

> body: the mind is fully listening to the body's messages. This is why it is

> recommended to eat silently if possible. At the very least, talk about

> things/subjects that are good natured (e.g., Swamiji). Don't eat and think

> about problems and worries and garbage. Eat happily.

>

>