|
|
MINI-REVIEWS
OF RAW & RELATED BOOKS/NEWSLETTERS
by Tom Billings
Below are mini-reviews of books and newsletters, previously
published in the SF-LiFE newsletter (SF-LiFE = San Francisco Living Foods Enthusiasts),
and on Internet.
Living Water by Olof Alexandersson Living Energies by Callum
Coats
These two books discuss Viktor Schauberger, an Austrian
naturalist and inventor, who lived earlier this century (he died in the 1950's).
Schauberger was renowned for his (often amazing) work with water and natural energies. The
book "Living Water" is centered more on Schauberger the man, while "Living
Energies" is more concerned with his discoveries and theories.
Schauberger studied motion and energy, and regarded water and
the earth as being alive. His work centered on using or working with established, natural
energy patterns. Portions of his work resemble a cross between the metaphysics of Eastern
religions, and conventional physics (mechanics). Very interesting!
"Beyond Health", from Raymond Francis, San Rafael,
California
The library recently subscribed to the newsletter
"Beyond Health", which is put out by Raymond Francis (who spoke at an SF-LiFE
potluck earlier this year). Note: the library also subscribes to a different newsletter
with a similar name, "Health & Beyond", the excellent newsletter put out by
Chet Day.
Getting back to "Beyond Health" by Raymond Francis:
it is bi-monthly, 8 pages. It includes health news, questions/answers by Raymond Francis,
product announcements, and article(s). The latest issue (September/October 1997) has an
article on sunlight and health. The newsletter has a nice layout, and is attractive. Check
it out!
Donated by members: "R.E.A.L. News" (Raw Energy and
Alternative Lifestyle News), a quarterly newsletter from Australia. The library has one
sample issue (Spring 1997, issue 3). The issue has a theme - pesticide use (2 long
articles), and genetic engineering. The issue includes a short article of mine (Tom
Billings), that was taken from an old post on the veg-raw e-mail list. There is also an
interesting article on "Animal Products in the Raw Food Diet" that discusses the
consumption of insects. If you are interested in natural hygiene or fruitarianism, the
newsletter is definitely worth checking out.
Donated by members: "Health Science", the
bi-monthly magazine of the ANHS (American Natural Hygiene Society, Tampa, Florida). This
is an attractive, glossy, very professional looking magazine. The major limitation of the
magazine, in my opinion, is that the selection of authors featured in the magazine,
appears to be somewhat limited. It also seems to be exclusively pro-vegan, whereas natural
hygiene can include some animal products (e.g., see the writings of Tilden).
Donated to the library: "Fruitarian Network News",
September 1997 (issue #39). This newsletter has a fruitarian/natural hygiene focus, and
includes articles on babies (an extract from Herbert Shelton's book, "Superior
Nutrition"), protein requirements, supplements, and other topics. There is also a
reprint of my (Tom Billings) Internet article, "Staying on Raw Foods". The
Fruitarian Network is based in Australia. We also received the June 1997 issue (#38),
which has part 2 of an interesting interview with Dr. Alec Burton, the well-known
Australian hygienist. In the interview, Dr. Burton lists some contra-indications for raw
vegan diets.
Donated to the library: R.E.A.L News, Summer 1997, Issue 4.
This issue features an interesting article on natural
pregnancy and childbirth (part 1 of 2 - highly recommended!), an article on enzymes, and 3
articles by me (Tom Billings), including one titled "Are You A Toxic
Fruitarian?", which is an edited version of an article I wrote for Internet in Spring
of 1996. (The latter article may be controversial, as it discusses how fruitarianism can
descend into obsession - similar to the recent article, "Health Food Junkie",
published in the December 1997 SF-LiFE newsletter.)
Donated to the library: "The Natural Hygiene
Handbook", from the American Natural Hygiene Society (ANHS).
This small book provides a concise overview of natural
hygiene, as promoted by the ANHS. The book covers diet, exercise, sleep, fasting, and
other relevant subjects. Coverage of the topics is often brief, but the essentials are
presented. The book takes a common sense approach to many topics, and does not fall into
the trap of worshipping Herbert Shelton (a trap that some hygienists fall into).
Recommended!
"Fruits of Warm Climates", by Julia F. Morton
An alternative title for this book would be something like
'Encyclopedia of Fruits of Tropical, Semi-Tropical, and Sub-Tropical Climates'. This is
the ultimate fruit book, providing extensive information on common and uncommon fruits of
warm climates. This book was a labor of love by its author, the world-renowned Botanist,
Julia F. Morton, who was with the University of Miami, in Florida. Unfortunately, Dr.
Morton passed away in September 1996 from the after-effects of an auto accident.
The book provides the following information: origin,
varieties, climate, propagation, culture, harvesting, storage quality, pests and diseases,
food uses, and medicinal uses; for a wide variety of fruits. Some examples: durian,
chupa-chupa, rollinia, strawberry tree (in my opinion, the best tasting fruit on earth!),
as well as better-known fruits: citrus, dates, bananas, mangos, papayas, etc. This book is
highly recommended to those interested in fruit!
"Super Smoothies", by Candia Lea Cole
A smoothie recipe book from the author of "Not
Milk...Nut Milks". This book is organized like her nut milk book: part 1 provides an
introduction - motivation, part 2 discusses ingredients, while part 3 provides a large
number of smoothie recipes. As is, some of the recipes include cooked ingredients, so
would be considered transitional foods. However, as there are easy raw substitutes, most
of the "transitional" recipes can be made 100% raw if desired. For example, many
recipes call for soymilk or rice milk - simply substitute raw almond milk. Of course, many
recipes are 100% raw as is. A few examples: a smoothie made with prickly pears and apples,
a transitional smoothie made with baked sweet potato and raw banana, and a smoothie made
with frozen bananas, pecans, flaxseed, and maple syrup. If you enjoy smoothies, you will
find the book of interest.
"Cereal Grass: Nature's Greatest Health Gift",
edited by Ronald L. Seibold
A discussion of green foods, in this case cereal grasses, and
health. Primary emphasis is on freeze-dried cereal grasses harvested at the jointing stage
- the time when the grass begins to form a stem. Nutrients are reported to be at their
peak around this time. This is different from the normal emphasis in living foods on young
(5-7 days) wheatgrass which is used fresh rather than freeze-dried.
The book provides extensive information on the uses of
chlorophyll, including its use as therapy in illness, for blood regeneration, and in the
prevention of disease. The nutritional composition of freeze-dried grasses is discussed at
length. If you are interested in processed green foods, this book is worth investigating.
"Aloe Vera", by Diane Gage
A small book that provides important information on how aloe
vera is processed, and its use in skin care and as an herbal medicine. The use of aloe in
the treatment of burns, and in dentistry, is discussed. Aloe is frequently used in
Ayurveda, and it is now being used at the Hippocrates Institute. If you use aloe, you will
likely find the information in this book, to be of use. |
