Eating VEGAN - Is It Really Healthy?

A vegan lunch - an impossibility for some, a great joy for others.

Interesting - Albert Einstein

Already decades ago Albert Einstein said:

"Nothing will increase people's health and the chance of survival on earth as much as the move to a vegetarian diet."

These are actually amazing words spoken at a time when little was known about the connections and effects of diet on our health, the environment, the climate and world hunger, as well as animal and human rights. Perhaps Mr. Einstein would even use the word vegan ’today.

Nowadays, vegan diet no longer means ascetic practice of real renunciation, but can and should mean enjoyment and joy - thanks to a large culinary offer, because no food is healthy if we do not enjoy it.

Cons of Meat Consumption

The consumption of animal products, such as milk, cheese and eggs, can unfortunately have serious global disadvantages. These include:

• Diseases such as cancer, heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's, dementia and stroke. (Here at the Sonnmatt Health Center, we experience how these diseases can be partially cured and how they can be prevented ¨)

• Keeping animals can sometimes be excruciating for animals and promote disease.

• Many meat lovers would make adjustments when they saw the animals being kept and slaughtered. This sometimes happens without stunning the animals.

• In order for the animals to develop enough fat, they have to be fed generously. It is said that 50% of the world's grain harvest and around 90% of the world's soy harvest are used for fattening animals worldwide. When we think of the many starving children and adults, one becomes uncomfortable.

• With more than 50%, livestock husbandry is the largest cause of climate-damaging greenhouse gases!

• The production of 1 kg of meat consumes up to 16 kg of plants and over 10 tons of water. The progressive destruction of the environment through deforestation of the rainforest for fodder plants, flooding the earth with large amounts of liquid manure, all of this also pollutes our drinking water!

• Worldwide around 39 million tons of animals caught in the sea are thrown back into the sea as "bycatch", dead or injured. These include whales, sea birds, sharks, seals and sea turtles.

If these so-called facts are correct, then we as a whole of humanity are challenged. Our tastes are much easier to change and adapt in less time than we could repair the damage in nature.

Of course, if you have your own garden, you always have an advantage. How nice it is to harvest fruits and vegetables from it. Wonderful!

But even with a vegan diet, there are some important facts to consider.

7 Rules For A Healthy Vegan Diet

1. The vegan diet should be as varied as possible.

2. Vitamin B12 should be taken as a dietary supplement. In winter, our health can also be supported with vitamin D (D2 or D3 vegan origin).

3. In order to optimize iron absorption, beverages or foods containing vitamin C can be taken with meals.

4. Avoid refined sugar and white flour. Children in particular like sweets, which usually do more harm than good.

5. Fats are important and can be obtained from whole foods like seeds and nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids are easily obtained from freshly ground flaxseed.

6. All foods that have been industrially processed (e.g. vegetable oils, spreadable fats, refined sugar) should be consumed rarely or not at all.

7. Fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grain products are preferred. They form the foundation of a healthy vegan diet.

‘CHINA Study’ by Prof. Dr. Campbell

Similar to Dr. Michael Greger in his book “How Not To Die” (“How not to die”) is proven by scientific studies that a vegan diet is the right direction for our health. Those who want long-term quality of life have better prospects with this lifestyle.

The animal industry and its political representatives are of course in no way interested in sacrificing their financial benefits for the health of the population. The EU alone spends more than 50 billion euros annually on subsidies for the agricultural industry, most of which goes to the animal industry.

Regarding STRAWBERRY, I feel urged to add something that has become important to me:

The strawberry can have about 400 diseases. Logically, this means that if it is planted for sale and profit, it has to be sprayed with a wide variety of anti-disease toxins. In the US, for example, the strawberry is officially considered the most poisonous fruit. Of course, this only applies if it does not come from your own garden, because from there it would be one of the healthiest.

What we see in the picture and what we appreciate so much about the strawberry is the ovary. The seeds are actually the fruits. Nice that the ovary tastes so good !!

Challenge For Parents

This topic is particularly important for parents, as they want to give their children the best possible start in life through a healthy diet. As parents and grandparents, we are challenged to assume one of the most important responsibilities in the field of education, namely to learn about healthy eating and to acquire scientifically sound knowledge.

Professor Campbell says:

“The first month can be a challenge, but after that it becomes a lot easier. And for many of you it will be a real treat.

I know it's hard to believe before you've experienced it, but your sense of taste changes when you only eat plant-based foods.

The bottom line is that you will be able to enjoy plant-based foods with great joy and great satisfaction, even though the transition phase can be a psychological and practical challenge. It takes time and a little effort. You may not get any support from your friends and family. But the health benefits are nothing short of a miracle. And you will be surprised how easy it is once you develop new habits. "

Our ladies love it when we men support them in the kitchen. And if we value their commitment to our health, then quality of life will increase.

Benefits Of A Vegan Diet (Oxford)

A study by Oxford University from 2016 clearly shows the enormous advantages of a vegan diet:

• A worldwide vegan diet would mean that a total of 8.1 million people could be saved from death every year.

• With a completely vegan lifestyle for all of humanity, enormous costs could be saved every year: over 1 trillion dollars for saved health costs and around 570 billion dollars for environmental costs.

• Greenhouse gas emissions could also be prevented by up to 70% per year.

Hot questions: How is it that various health organizations such as the D.G.E (German Society for Nutrition) advise against a vegan diet? Or when did you see a press article or a TV discussion where this topic was approached scientifically or where it was discussed at all?

You can find out more at www.cowspiracy.com.

"Health is not everything, but without health everything is nothing." Arthur Schopenhauer

Thoughts from “VEGAN - The Healthiest Diet - and its effects on the climate, the environment, animal and human rights” by Dr. med Henrich ProVegan Foundation - www.ProVegan.info

Three Things We Need

One might think money must be one of them, right? But we’re not talking about external, but internal values. These three things are more important than anything else because they can produce everything else we need!!

Understanding Cause and Effect

Our post-modern lifestyle does not lend itself to reflection. As we unlearn the art of reflecting on our daily lives, we see less and less behind the curtain. Who really thinks about the reasons why we do certain things and don’t do others? Who knows his or her true motives?

There are various levels of understanding. What we see and experience is the top level. The background, motives and reasoning for what happens are below the surface and can also be divided into separate levels.

Example:  A child is crying. Why? He is crying because his little brother got something and he didn’t. Envy. What causes envy? This question leads to the next level, a bit deeper. When children don’t feel loved, that is, when they feel disadvantaged. Envy and jealousy are an automatic reaction, a visible effect, which also has a deeper cause.

The next question: What is the deeper cause of this jealousy? As we have discussed in earlier blogs, children don’t feel loved when their love tanks are insufficiently filled. When this situation becomes chronic, patterns in behavior are formed. But there are also reasons why children’s love tanks don’t get filled. Perhaps it is because their mothers’ love tanks are running low and they don’t have the resources with which to fill their children’s needs. So the next question would be: How can one make up for the deficit in one’s own love tank when the cause for this deficit lies in one’s own childhood? Is there a remedy for people who didn’t receive enough love from their parents (even though they may have done their best and might not even be aware of a problem)?

In the past, parents didn’t know anything about the Five Love Languages (BLOG) as it is possible to know today. So it’s no wonder __ . And the questions go on.

The three most important things a person needs to develop a high level of quality of life are all located in the deeper levels of consciousness. Because these levels are so deep, they are the basis for and strongly influence the development of all higher levels.

Sometimes it’s good to take time to think about life and what is actually going on in my own life. Why do I work and play so hard that my health is compromised? How much sense does that make? What is important in life? These are questions we want to consider in this blog.

Let’s begin with

1. Humility

Definition & Effect

Wiki: “The term "humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas, a noun related to the adjective humilis, which may be translated as "humble", but also as "grounded", or "from the earth", since it derives from humus (earth).

The word "humble" may be related to feudal England where the lowest cuts of meat, or 'umbles', that is to say whatever was left over when the upper classes had taken their parts, were provided to the lowest class of citizen. The term 'humble pie,' meaning to exist in a lowly station, may derive from this definition.“

Humble people recognize and freely accept the fact that some things are higher and unreachable for them. They do not consider themselves to be the standard by which all others are measured. They realize they are not gods.

There is a notable difference between an inner attitude of humility as opposed to the outward expression thereof, which could simply be a deceptive façade. Ideally, these two would coincide. However, appearances can be deceiving. A person who appears to be humble could actually be proud inside: the exhibition of humility is a sure indication of pride. On the other hand, a truly humble person may appear proud in the eyes of others.

Because our loving God does not force us to obey, His ability to save humanity is dependent on each individual’s choice, either for humility or pride. Only the path of humility leads to God and His eternal kingdom, thus making it an extremely important virtue for Christians.

In his book, The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm explains humility as an emotional attitude, governed by reason and objectivity, which is needed in order to overcome one’s own selfishness. (See BLOG on Narcissism.)

In German, the word ‘humility’ is closely related to the word ‘courage’. It is the courage to serve others, the courage to be different, the courage to submit to higher, divine principles. It is diametrically opposed to pride.

Humble people cause fewer problems than the proud; they have a natural ability to deal constructively with conflicts. Humility is fertile soil for the development of emotional intelligence (BLOG).

Maybe you have felt it too: a breathtaking panorama in nature gave you a sense of humility. How could such sensational complexity in the macro- and microcosms have developed by chance? What laws had to work together in order to produce such wonders? WOW !! That is leading us to the next topic: TRUTH.

2. Truth

Do you love the truth? There is great benefit in loving truth, but the challenges are also many, not only to discover truth, but also to deal wisely therewith.

Today, in the era of fake news, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between truth and deception. Advertising is a prime example.

Example: Advertising

The goal of advertising is to create positive feelings in us, which will lead to the purchase of a product. Depth psychology does a fantastic job in this area. It helps businesses to get their products in the hands of the people. This is the basis for our consumer society.

In order not to become a victim of this system, we must have an alert spirit of discernment, and a love for truth. These are tools, which will help us, as far as possible, to recognize realities behind any given subject. As stated, this is not an easy task. It is much easier to go with the flow of culture and place our faith entirely in the system, or at least to accept it well enough to find one’s way through the maze of life with no major controversies.

FAKE NEWS dulls our sensibility to truth. We are used to being lied to. There is almost nothing left on which we can depend. In spite of this sad situation, life goes on. In this way, we don’t realize how this constant barrage of deception lulls us to sleep, and our mental, physical and emotional health is compromised.

Example: Nutrition

In the case of nutrition, we usually don’t get the bill until 15 – 30 years later: heart attack, osteoporosis and/or cancer are often the result of a lack of interest in the truth about healthy nutrition. Many people, for example, still believe the advertising industry’s fairytale that cows’ milk is healthy and that “Every body needs milk!” Huge deception! The only thing cows’ milk is really healthy for is calves. For people however, especially in the quantities generally consumed, it is not good. Check out this LINK on the Causes of Osteoporosis.

Business and Politics

People who want to find out the truth in our postmodern world meet with extreme challenges. Neither the world of business nor that of politics is interested in strengthening our frontal lobes or encouraging deep thoughts and critical thinking. This would cause huge financial losses and uncomfortable political changes.  (FRONTAL LOBE)

The situation is not equally tragic in every nation, but the question remains: Why in many countries is truth systematically thwarted, thereby torpedoing any basic attempts at solving existing problems? The truth can make us free!

Appeal

As long as children are still unspoiled, they love truth. Why shouldn’t we hold on to that trait? Is it because it costs too much? Could it cost us a bit of dignity, money or maybe our reputations? On the other hand, what could we gain if we were to consciously strive for the truth? It could lead to healthier self-esteem, authenticity and credibility, a true sense of brotherhood in society, justice, order and an amazing quality of life.

Every person in his or her own sphere, in favor of truth, seeking real solutions!

Are you in?

3. Love

A Letter from ALBERT Einstein to His Daughter Lieserl

Although there are justifiable doubts that the following letter was actually penned by Einstein, there is still a certain geniality concealed within. I believe it is worth contemplation.

Here are some excerpts from the original letter:

"When I proposed the theory of relativity, very few understood me, and what I will reveal now to transmit to mankind will also collide with the misunderstanding and prejudice in the world.”

“There is an extremely powerful force that, so far, science has not found a formal explanation for. It is a force that includes and governs all others, and is even behind any phenomenon operating in the universe and has not yet been identified by us. This universal force is LOVE.”

“When scientists looked for a unified theory of the universe they forgot the most powerful unseen force.”  

“Love is Light; it enlightens those who give and receive it. Love is gravity, because it makes some people feel attracted to others. Love is power, because it multiplies the best we have, and allows humanity not to be extinguished in their blind selfishness. Love unfolds and reveals. For love we live and die.”

“God is Love”

“This force explains everything and gives meaning to life. This is the variable that we have ignored for too long, maybe because we are afraid of love because it is the only energy in the universe that man has not learned to drive at will.”

“If we want our species to survive, if we are to find meaning in life, if we want to save the world and every sentient being that inhabits it, love is the one and only answer.”

“Perhaps we are not yet ready to make a bomb of love, a device powerful enough to entirely destroy the hate, selfishness and greed that devastate the planet.”

“However, each individual carries within them a small but powerful generator of love whose energy is waiting to be released.” (Every mother knows how their children strive to receive this love and appreciation. They will do anything to get it. - Comment by Ernst)

“When we learn to give and receive this universal energy, dear Lieserl, we will have affirmed that love conquers all, is able to transcend everything and anything, because love is the quintessence of life.

Your father,

Albert Einstein.”

These brilliant thoughts point to a phenomenon, which is largely neglected in the world today. We have no time for the most important ingredient in life – true love. We are unwilling to invest our time and energy in it. Thus, we miss out on the amazing potential that lies therein. This is the one ingredient that would make life truly worth living.

Whoever has taken the opportunity to get to know CHRIST personally, has found the source of TRUE LOVE. It is amazing to see the dimensions that JESUS is showing us human in HIM going to the cross for you and me !!

Dear Reader, will you rise above the average and choose a more abundant life?

LOVE for the sake of LOVE. He who understands and lives this principle will get more out of life. BLOG