Guest guest Posted October 12, 2000 Report Share Posted October 12, 2000 I think I might have just sent in an entire digest. Sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused. It was an accident. Ernie said: > I also practice caloric restriction, meaning I won't eat empty >calories (junk food) or eat more than a 600 calorie meal. I drink lots of water. Practice breathing exercises and do a lot of walking daily. I don't reward myself with food or " stuff. " >I don't support a consumer mentality as a part of my own I'd like to hear if you have any more insights on this Ernie. What motivates you to be like this? What are the ethical considerations behind it and how do they relate to veganism? Did you think of this lifestyle yourself ? I used to suffer from an eating disorder (bulimia nervosa) for many (10) years and have only recently found my way out of it. I still have a tendency to over-indulge. It's strange how I can easily control one aspect of my eating (being vegan- I've never 'cheated') yet I have trouble with portion control and use food as an emotional crutch. I have decided to give up 'empty calories' too but I still occasionally slip up. I would also like to point out that I am vegan for ethical, rather than health/weight reasons. Is it unethical (for you) to eat too much or to eat junk food? Why? Why do you count the calories of your food? Is that necessary? I have always found that it causes an obsession with what you consume. I know you're against the 'consumer mentality' but what exactly do you mean? Taking more than you need? How do you justify to yourself that you live in a 1st world country (I'm assuming) and have access to technology etc? You can email me privately if it's too OT. I think it does relate to veganism in some ways. AV PS I hope you don't think I'm being critical. I'm not at all. You just sparked off a train of thought in my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2000 Report Share Posted October 12, 2000 > I'd like to hear if you have any more insights on this Ernie. > What motivates you to be like this? What are the ethical > considerations behind it and how do they relate to > veganism? Did you think of this lifestyle yourself ? Like you and many others, my choice of veganism is an ethical choice. I believe I should make that point clear. I don't want to be sidetracked on the issue of one diet over others as a health issue. Veganism is an ethical lifestyle choice for me, period! Therefore that decision nullifies all other considerations for the sake of argument. People would argue I limit my health options by being vegan. I reply that this is my choice and I accept all risks. On the other hand, I do make other choices for reasons of health in additon to my practice of veganism. If I drink at least 1/2 ounce of filtered or clean spring water for every pound of lean body weight: I am 6'2 " large bone structured 200 lb and require at least 100 ounces of water in addition to all other fluids consumed (juice, tea, etc.), the water reduces hunger, thirst, and keeps the lung histamine reaction down, reduces the buildup to toxins, etc. I believe that water is the " fountain of youthfulness " and the cure for most disease. I've seen some people consume about 2500 to 3500 calories at a single meal. Of course, these people do not look too healthy. Binge eating is stressful to the body. I try to keep my meals at about 300 to 350 calories but never over 600. Of course I eat five to six small meals a day...actually snacks of salads, fresh veggies, fruits, etc. I'm never hungry and never feel a need to binge or eat junk food. My total dietary practice is primarily ethical: veganism and caloric restriction. An austere lifestyle is guided by the practice of simplicity. I joined a sufi community in the 1970s. The community is still on the same site: the first Shaker settlement and HQ in the US, in New Lebanon, New York. We were told that our community was the fulfillment of an old Shaker prophecy that we were to be the new Shakers, practicing simplicity in the new millenium. If feel that simplicity is an extension of my vegan lifestyle and a completion of the ethical message of veganism. > to eat too much or to eat junk food? Why? Why do you count > the calories of your food? Is that necessary? I have always > found that it causes an obsession with what you consume. I don't keep count but this is the way it works out from observation and description when I am asked. > I know you're against the 'consumer mentality' but what > exactly do you mean? Taking more than you need? How > do you justify to yourself that you live in a 1st world country > (I'm assuming) and have access to technology etc? You > can email me privately if it's too OT. I think it does relate to > veganism in some ways. As I said above, simplicity is an extension of veganism. Resources are limited, thus it seems wrong not to restrict one's consumption. Everything I consume is at the expense of something else. I love plants too. I believe I can " commune " or communicate with plants in my own way. I am a gardener, as well. I practice Zoroastrian gardening or tending plants in a non-violent manner. Thus I can eat their fruits without destroying them. You can't eat meat without killing an animal but you can eat from a plant without killing it. If you care and tend your plants, you can and do improve their quality of life... It's a long story but this is the simple substance of it. > > AV > > PS I hope you don't think I'm being critical. I'm not at all. You > just sparked off a train of thought in my head. No criticism taken. Thanks for asking. But critical discussion is OK if not meant too personally. Ernie PS: I also exercise and practice Qigong, Tai Chi and a variety of deep breathing exercises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2000 Report Share Posted October 13, 2000 I am finding a need to respond to this email.....I also, have had eating disorders since I was very young, and the vegan lifestyle has nothing to do with weight, but omiting sugar as a vegan, helps keep the carb cravings down. The vegan lifestyle being a compassionate one can apply to ourselves. Why would we overeat vegan food, and hurt our bodies?? Just a thought. I am not by any means immune to overeating, but being vegan helps me remember why we eat.... duncan [duncan] Thursday, October 12, 2000 1:28 AM empty calories I think I might have just sent in an entire digest. Sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused. It was an accident. Ernie said: > I also practice caloric restriction, meaning I won't eat empty >calories (junk food) or eat more than a 600 calorie meal. I drink lots of water. Practice breathing exercises and do a lot of walking daily. I don't reward myself with food or " stuff. " >I don't support a consumer mentality as a part of my own I'd like to hear if you have any more insights on this Ernie. What motivates you to be like this? What are the ethical considerations behind it and how do they relate to veganism? Did you think of this lifestyle yourself ? I used to suffer from an eating disorder (bulimia nervosa) for many (10) years and have only recently found my way out of it. I still have a tendency to over-indulge. It's strange how I can easily control one aspect of my eating (being vegan- I've never 'cheated') yet I have trouble with portion control and use food as an emotional crutch. I have decided to give up 'empty calories' too but I still occasionally slip up. I would also like to point out that I am vegan for ethical, rather than health/weight reasons. Is it unethical (for you) to eat too much or to eat junk food? Why? Why do you count the calories of your food? Is that necessary? I have always found that it causes an obsession with what you consume. I know you're against the 'consumer mentality' but what exactly do you mean? Taking more than you need? How do you justify to yourself that you live in a 1st world country (I'm assuming) and have access to technology etc? You can email me privately if it's too OT. I think it does relate to veganism in some ways. AV PS I hope you don't think I'm being critical. I'm not at all. You just sparked off a train of thought in my head. eGroups Sponsor Post message: Subscribe: - Un: - List owner: -owner Shortcut URL to this page: /community/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2000 Report Share Posted October 13, 2000 , " Jennifer Forbes " <missjforbz@n...> wrote: > ... but omiting sugar as a vegan, helps keep the carb > cravings down. This point is key. Sugar (refined white)is a poison. Many people who become vegan later in life substitute their craving for " heavy/hot " meat (what is described as Yang in Chinese medicine) with sugar and starch. That's the worst thing you can do. You must avoid sugars and starches (refined carbohydrates). One of the best dietary guides I can offer is CHINESE HEALTH AND HEALING by Daniel Reid. You can find the hardbound volume on sale at Barnes and Noble for as little as $4.00... I've seen it for $1 at Buck-a-Book. I buy as many copies I can find and give them away. While it does describe meats in the diet, it does say that veganism is the ideal and most healthy diet. It shows what foods you can substitute for meat and explains how to balance the diet and modify for seasonal changes or to curb cravings. My suggestion is to not deviate too much from the way your body is conditioned to experience food taste and texture. But you should know what fruits and vegetables have the same dietary values of the foods you wish to avoid. Other suggestions may be to avoid or restrict food from the nightshade family. The typical western diet is horrible for maintaining good health. But it can be modified without seeming too different from that which you have been conditioned to experience. Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.