Back to Basics: One Cause of Optimal Health and Vitality (WAS: How we add weight: what's healthful, what's not)

[Guest guest]

Hi Harsha,

 

Yes, I understand, and thanks! In working with people individually, we do

vary the program DETAILS based upon where each person is at any given point

along his/her journey. But, the program FUNDAMENTALS never change.

 

A constructive analogy from the world of competitive sports may be useful,

just for a bit of clarity. Whenever any sports team or any individual

athlete is underperforming, every coach I have ever known or heard of, or

that anyone I've ever asked has ever known or heard of, says exactly the

same thing: " Back to basics. " (Of course, some may speak a bit more or less

delicately to their players than may others. :)

 

In other words, experienced coaches, and particularly winning coaches, know,

without hesitation or reservation, that when each player does his/her job

consistently and well, the team wins. They don't reach for fancy plays and

tricks ... oh, perhaps once in awhile to catch an opponent off guard. But in

the main, they emphasize basics, basics, basics ... execution with

consistency.

 

So yes, I am indeed affirming that one basic program ... high water-content

foods, with sweet fruits as the base; substantial, regular physical

activity; consistent sunshine and fresh air; consistent and adequate rest

(sleep and otherwise); and so forth ... provides all the basics and indeed

causes health for all members of our species, without exception. And I can

only say to you, and to others, that your potential likes beyond anywhere

you have yet gone. Whether you choose to reach beyond what you have ever

known or experienced, to reach for the VERY best you can be, 24 x 7 x 365,

is a matter of choice, each person's prerogative. But where that best is

found is inherent in Nature's design, we cannot change this, we can only

demonstrate it.

 

Perhaps we shall, at this juncture, agree to disagree on this central point:

I hold forth that the same basic practices and choices, properly applied and

consistently executed, do indeed cause AND SUSTAIN health in every human.

You, and perhaps others, may differ in this regard, which I fully understand

and warmly embrace.

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

_____

 

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

Harsha

Sunday, September 23, 2007 12:53 PM

rawfood

Re: [Raw Food] How we add weight: what's healthful, what's not (

WAS: Is it possible to gain weight on raw food?)

 

 

Thanks for your long and detailed answer Elchanan. Of course, I agree with

much of what you say. It is well known that over the long run, CRON

(Caloric Restriction Optimal Nutrition) is diet best suited for health and

longevity. Fasting can be part of it if one has the inclination and the

constitution. Certainly the nutritional excellence of raw plant foods is

undeniable. Whole foods in their natural state are best and very few will

argue with that.

 

I am not disagreeing with you Elchanan but only suggesting that one size

does not fit all perfectly for a variety of reasons. It is my view that

just like fasting, a moderately high raw plant fat diet based on avocados,

seeds, nuts etc. may be be useful and healing during certain phases of

life. It is only through having the confidence to experiment with different

foods does one learn. A food which is very good for one person at one stage

of life may not be so for another person.

 

If there is room for flexibility in our thinking then we can remain open to

not only learning further but also being less judgmental and perhaps more

compassionate. I am not speaking about you Elchanan as you seem to me to be

very decent and compassionate person with good vibes who helps others.

 

Ultimately, we all have to meditate on the nature of consumption. We are

consuming not only foods but also thoughts, ideas, information, and

emotions. These influence us in subtle ways as well. Well, we all do the

best we can :-)

 

May all beings be free from sorrow Namaste and love to all Harsha