You might already be aware of this fact, but everyone who follows a diet and/or a lifestyle that is not the “norm” is called a fanatic or an extremist by someone at some time. This is, as they say, par-for-the-course. Perhaps, it’s just human nature, sometimes it is just ignorance, often it is nothing more than a means of suppressing conviction. But, the fact remains that dietary reform almost always attracts the fanatic/extremist label from some quarter.
Do not become discouraged, therefore, when they hung this label on you
They could hung it on your loved ones too, but always respond with a smile. Sometimes people react in this way only because they do not know what you know. When they do know what you know, they will probably do as you do.
Does this not mean that you should help your “accusers” to know what you know? As such, you should kindly, tactfully, patiently work at informing them. If you do, they too will take a step for better health. Furthermore, they will one day thank you for our patience and gentle guidance.
What we eat and what we do is our choice in life. So, helping others to feel comfortable with their choices, and with ours, is our privilege in life.
Reform is always progressive
So always put on a healthy dose of patience and tolerance, and try and meet everyone where they are. Give others time to progress. This is just as we had to make allowance for ourselves when our own convictions demanded changes that we were not quite ready to make.
More often than not, the very ones who call you a fanatic will be those who are literally eating themselves to death, or drugging themselves to death. At such times you will be sorely tempted to confront them impatiently with all the scientific facts. But, in truth, we need to feel very sorry for people who are intent on depriving themselves of the rewards of a healthful lifestyle and diet. By keeping this thought in mind, you can turn your feelings of impatience into feelings of deep sympathy and kindness and, with such feelings, you will be well equipped to help your “accusers.”
Always remember that genuine kindness and genuine concern will often do in a moment what argument and scientific fact will fail to do in a lifetime.
Constipated? Try Pineapples
Avoiding Extremes
Many extremists discard certain unwholesome foods. In addition, they don’t clearly understand the principles of health.
Another class, in their desire to set a right example, go to the opposite extreme. Some are unable to obtain the most desirable foods, and, instead of using such things as would best supply the lack, they adopt an impoverished diet. Their food does not supply the elements needed to make good blood. Their health suffers and their example tells against, rather than in favor of, reform in diet.
Others think that since health requires a simple diet, there need be little care in the selection or the preparation of food. Some restrict themselves to a very meager diet, not having sufficient variety to supply the needs of the system, and they suffer in consequence.
Fanatics on the other hand, stick to one logo. Also, they gave up shampoo because a homemade apple cider vinegar rinse is so much better for your hair and the environment.
The principles of reform
Those who understand the laws of health and who follow principle, will shun the extremes, both of indulgence and of restriction. They choose their diet not for the mere gratification of appetite, but for the upbuilding of the body. They seek to preserve every power in the best condition. The appetite is under the control of reason and conscience, and they have a healthy of body and mind. While they do not urge their views offensively upon others, their example is a testimony in favor of right principles. These persons have a wide influence for good.
There is real common sense in dietetic reform
The diet reform should be progressive. As disease in animals increases, the use of flesh foods, milk and eggs will become more and more unsafe. You should make to supply your place with other things that are healthful and inexpensive. In this light, people everywhere should learn how to cook without flesh foods, milk and eggs, so far as possible, and yet have their food wholesome and palatable.
The practice of eating but two meals a day is generally found a benefit to health; yet under some circumstances persons may require a third meal. This should, however, if taken at all, be very light, and of food most easily digested. Wholewheat crackers – the English biscuit – or zwieback, and fruit, or cereal coffee, are the foods best suited for the evening meal.
This is what we call body-spoil at its absolute best
An impoverished diet produces poverty of the blood
Do not think that your food will injure you; do not think about it at all. Eat according to your best judgment; and be at rest.
Because principle requires us to discard those things that irritate the stomach and impair health, we should remember that an impoverished diet produces poverty of the blood. Cases of disease most difficult to cure result from this cause. The system is not sufficiently nourished, and dyspepsia and general debility are the result. Those who use such a diet are not always compelled by poverty to do so, but they choose it through ignorance or negligence, or to carry out their erroneous ideas of reform.
To care for the body by providing for it food that is tasty and strengthening is one of the first duties of the householder. It is far better to have less expensive clothing and furniture than to stint the supply of food.
Tips for extremists
Carefully consider your diet. Study from cause to effect. Cultivate self-control. Keep appetite under the control of reason. Never abuse the stomach by overeating, but do not deprive yourself of the wholesome, palatable food that health demands.
Health reform is based upon principles that are broad and far-reaching, and we should not belittle it by narrow views and practices. But no one should permit opposition or ridicule, or a desire to please or influence others, to turn him from true principles, or cause him lightly to regard them. Those follow these principles will be firm and decided in standing for the right; yet in all their associations they will manifest a generous spirit and true moderation.
No more lazy mornings
[Tweet “Fanatic Or Extremist – Who Should You Reform? liferetreat @liferetreat_”]
