Critical thinking in food choices

June 22, 2007

Erin,

Though thinly veiled, this is obviously about me. Next time, just step up

and say what's on your mind, that would make the communication cleaner.

I have repeatedly suggested to people specific experiments they can conduct

by themselves to gain precisely the visceral learning you describe. Have

you? I don't recall so ...

Perhaps some would like to learn from those who have actually helped other

people restore their health and/or who have a foundation of knowledge in the

sciences, etc. Perhaps some are seeking genuinely optimal health, really

high-performance living. Perhaps they would like to avoid setbacks, and so

forth. In all of these cases, diddling around with this way and that way

will not serve their purposes and may actually hinder their forward

progress.

So here is my suggestion to you ... trust everyone on the list to fend for

themselves. They will fend for themselves anyway, whether you trust them or

not. But if you trust them, then you can relieve yourself of any perceived

need to protect them.

As for lab and population studies, if you had a background in research

methods and the underlying math, you'd take a more distant view of these as

a resource for those on this path. I realize you often point to (i.e.,

provide links to) articles about studies. However, I do not recall an

instance where you gave evidence that you actually read the study itself

(the peer-reviewed, published journal article). But perhaps I missed that

.... There is a world of difference, what appears in the popular press about

studies often bears little resemblance to what the researchers actually

publish.

Finally, I encourage people to connect with other aspects of their

awareness, beyond cognition. The knowing is within us all. We require no

studies of any kind in order to create and sustain our health and vitality.

Rather, we need to reconnect with ourselves, as I've offered about thirst,

hunger, satiation, and so forth. I don't recall your offering anything of

comparable value ... but again, I may have missed it.

Best to all,

Elchanan

_____

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

Erin

Friday, June 22, 2007 4:45 AM

rawfood

[Raw Food] critical thinking in food choices

I am a little surprised at the reactivity and instant acceptance I've

noticed in some here when told, with little explanation, that a certain

foodstuff is bad for you. This despite years of using these ingredients and

dozens of studies in peer-reviewed journals showing the opposite.

Now, I'm not saying these alternative views are wrong (not saying they are

right either). What I am advocating, however, is to not take them as gospel

just for having been written on this forum. Keep an open mind, run the

experiments, read all opposing views, evaluate their level of support and

logic/intuitiveness. Most experiments, even if not converted into lifelong

practice, are harmless. Many are supremely beneficial and necessary

constructs to overcome habitual mindsets. There are, of course, exceptions;

think of the film Supersize Me, where a simple 30-days wreaked havoc on the

documentarian's health.

Weigh the results of your visceral evidence (your personal " one rat " study)

with the findings of the lab and population studies. Perhaps you'll discover

a " middle path " where the dose is not poisonous, where hormesis takes

precedence, etc.. Recall also that high blood pressure is not called the

" silent killer " for nothing. We do not always realize, without objective

measure, that our feelings of wellbeing belies an unhealthy reality (as

evidenced by future mortality and morbidity).

-Erin

June 22, 2007

Well put, Caron!

Elchanan

_____

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

Caron

Friday, June 22, 2007 5:53 AM

rawfood

Re: [Raw Food] critical thinking in food choices

That's all well and good, but a line needs to be drawn somewhere. Do we all

feel the need to go sail around the world to prove it's definitely not flat?

I'm happy to trust that one to those who know how to sail, and have already

proven it. I have more important things to do with my time, and I'm not

going to go and eat something I'm told is poison just to prove it is - I

have better things to do with my body than deliberately inflict pain or

discomfort on myself. I have enough of that in day to day living. I do

test as much as possible, and take note of results I come across by

accident, but in cases, for example, where I have had heartburn from eating

onions in the past, I don't feel the need to follow strict experimental

proceedure as described, and go and get it again, just to prove that it

works.

Caron

June 22, 2007

Bet that song was about you too.

I figure myself to be a pretty straight shooter, don't you worry.

You're not the only one who offers up weak evidence in the raw foods

community for shunning certain foods. My fascination was with how

willingly people are (and not just in this group) to suddenly turn

a complete 180 on such statements. So, the message was more about

or rather to, them, I suppose. Anyway, to each his/her own. But

my offering up advice to think critically and for yourself and with

the totally of the data, both experiential and scientific, is no less

worthy of airing than your listen-to-your-body advice. And certainly,

we both have the right to suggest it!

-Erin

http://www.zenpawn.com/vegblog

rawfood , " Elchanan " <Elchanan wrote:

>

> Erin,

>

> Though thinly veiled, this is obviously about me. Next time, just

step up

> and say what's on your mind, that would make the communication

cleaner.

June 22, 2007

Dr. Ann Wigmore always said to be your own doctor.

Of course raw onion may give you heartburn.

That is not to say it is poison to everyone.

No one person has all the answers. It is never that easy.

So I would urge people NOT to choose just one healer

to follow at any cost just due to common sense alone.

P.S. Garlic has natural pain-relieving abilities....

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news,

photos & more.

June 23, 2007

Hi Erica,

Hippocrates encouraged us all to become our own doctor, Ann W was merely

borrowing.

Have you ever known a single person who ate raw onion, by itself and on an

empty stomach, and did NOT experience noticeable discomfort?

As with garlic, we bury the onion in a larger recipe, we pickle it, we do

anything we can to get it down. What we are enjoying is NOT the onion!!

Elchanan

_____

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

School Of Rawk

Friday, June 22, 2007 2:48 PM

rawfood

[Raw Food] Re: critical thinking in food choices

Dr. Ann Wigmore always said to be your own doctor. Of course raw onion may

give you heartburn. That is not to say it is poison to everyone. No one

person has all the answers. It is never that easy. So I would urge people

NOT to choose just one healer to follow at any cost just due to common sense

alone. P.S. Garlic has natural pain-relieving abilities....

June 25, 2007

Certainly everyone has the 'right' to suggest anything they want. However, I am

curious Erin why you seem to think there are so many of us who seem to blindly

listen to someone? Do you know if we have done our own research? You doubt we

are capable of thinking? Perhaps I misread what you said but (to me anyway) it

came across as if we are a bunch of blind and dumb mindlessly listening to

someone with no verification. For those who have actually taken some of the

advice given to them have been very pleased with the results. That speaks

volumes to me. I don't mean to come across harshly to you it is jsut your

comments seemed a little insulting.

Erin <truepatriot wrote: Bet that song was about you

too.