Thursday, February 12, 2009

Health

We are, once again, recovering from a virus. It's funny, I somehow always figured that we get colds and flus and such in winter becuase it's so cold--and that makes us more susceptible. But it really hasn't been cold here this winter. So why've we all been sick so much?
On another note, I've been reading "The China Study" , by T. Colin Campbell. This book was recommended by our pediatrician and does a good job of advocating for a whole-foods plant-based diet--basically, the less animal products the better, especially dairy. So here's my take on it: we don't have to become vegan, but really should focus on eating mostly fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Hmm, where have I heard that before?

6 comments:

Maile said...

My mom and brother both read The China Study. Now my mom is vegetarian and my brother is vegan, so I've been a little scared to read it. :) I feel like we don't eat that much meat, but there are some dishes I love that contain meat that just wouldn't work well with meat substitutes. And I really love cheese. But I agree with you - we are trying to at least get more fruits and vegetables in our diet.

Kelley said...

A couple years ago we did a modified raw foods diet. I loved how I felt on it, but had to stop because it was too expensive for us at the time. This is why I am chomping at the bit to get a garden in this year so I can have produce without having to pay out the nose for it. I think I'd better read that book. I've read parts, but it sounds like I'd better go more in depth this time. Thanks for the recommendation, and I hope you all get and stay well.

Kelly said...

This has been a terrible year for sickness for us too - I hope you guys feel better soon.

This sounds like a great book, I'm gonna have to check it out - thanks for the recommendation!

Kelly

3 for school said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
3 for school said...

Not to be disagreeable, but meat has its place. We have been fortunate to have organic meat this year---a friend raised the cow---and it has made a huge difference! I've always tried to cut down on how much red meat we have, but having grass-fed beef has made a huge difference to both me and my daughter. I have recently suspected she may be iron poor, and I know I have been clinically anemic in the recent past. That in spite of the vegetables and supplements I have taken. Organic meat is easily assimilated by our bodies. All five of us have been healthier this year than in recent years, and I credit the meat we have been eating to a large degree.

Paula said...

The comment about organic meat definitely has some merit, and I can see a place for small amounts of meat or other animal products in the diet. It do think thought that both animal products and any refined foods should make up only a small part of our diets. As for organics, I think the higher up the food chain your go the more difference they will make, as pesticides and other chemical residues will be more concentrated.