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Book
Review:
Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss
by Mike
"Back to Eden" was written in the 30's,40's and 50's, and
the viewpoint from that era is by necessity imperfect in several places in its 900 or so
pages, so be sure to get the "new revised edition" (its somewhat updated and
annotated and leaves the original text undisturbed) (its only 14 bucks for the large
print, soft bound version)
Kloss was a devout Christian; his viewpoint and his experience is
firmly grounded ON (not in)his theology (works for me) but to many this tends to erode
rather than enforce his scientific fervor and credibility. Give him a break if you need
to!
Kloss is not as mindful as current vegans of eating raw and live,
though he is definitely right up your alley. He does confirm (among many other food
issues) the fact that nutritional value is lost when food is over cooked, or is not fresh
or directly from the source. He gives tons of real world examples. He does not hesitate to
upset the apple cart, so to speak, regardless of what industry he might affect by doing
so.
Kloss was an integral part of some of the major nutritional advances
in US governmental food regulations in the 1930's, ie, requiring that depleted processed
breads and flours be enriched and fortified.
He appears to be a true, wonderful fanatic- devoid of the
capitalistic gene. ( no such luck in my case) He was for real and his sources and
experiences are universally firsthand (he did his own homework, research, and treated the
sick himself). I have no doubt of his integrity and capability, hence my high
recommendation of his literary work. Also, his aged viewpoint is magnificently ignorant of
current true science. Further, his empirical research is untainted by today's brainwashing
by the pharmaceutical industry of the masses that synthetic pills cure all ills. (pills
dont really CURE anything do they?) (I'm trying hard to think of an exception here) (there
has to be one or two exceptions) The fact that this man was far ahead of his time in many
respects, and modern, real biochemistry supports his leading edge and first hand
experience again and again is just a bonus- the main thing his book did for me was help
point out the difference between what I have TRAINED my body and mind to crave (sugar,
salt, fat, caffiene, basically a quick buzz) and what my body and mind NEEDS ( protein,
carbs, vitamins, water, fresh air, rest and exercise). No amount of well intentioned
preaching would have helped me; essentially Kloss, from his grave, hit me right between
the eyes, and he did so in an persuasive and irrefutable way. Within days of just doing a
couple of really basic things (oatmeal twice a day, and at least a half gallon of pure
water a day) (dont drink anything during or shortly after meals) I could tell a definite,
undeniable improvement in energy, attitude and even my sense of smell. My skin's texture
and clarity improved in five days and stayed that way until I slacked off <smile>.
Not many things in my life have had such a clear and definite effect. I am not easily
impressed and always the type to look for the scam. No scam here.
( This is on a more personal note) I have always felt that bacteria
and germs were the true enemy to human health- I came across Kloss' explanation of how
germs surround us all, always, and are not the true culprit. (um, this doesnt mean I am
going to start licking doorknobs) (ewwww) The real problem in human health issues as I see
now is to strenghten the body's ability to purify itself through its lungs, skin, kidneys
and intestines. NONE of these organs cleanse effectively without lots of water and a
proper diet! Apparently the body is nearly impervious to "natural germs" when
it's purifying system works properly AND has sufficient water to provide a solvent to
carry waste products out of the body. ( in scientific terms, water is a VERY corrosive
solvent) In ONE MOMENT, I permanently lost my slightly neurotic fear of germs and such,
and simultaneously understood EXACTLY why a shower makes one feel good, why sweat smells,
and most importantly, I somehow understood on a gut-biological level, that water was one
primary component (the primary component?) that I had ignored the significance of for-
well, for my whole adult life. I called my parents up recently to applaud them for not
allowing me to drink while eating as a kid- they couldnt remember any such thing, and
drink with THEIR meals now! The point here is that I, my ever so old fashioned and
unchangeable parents, and probably about a half-billion other humans have fallen from
recognizing what our bodies need in a big way. I am certain that advertising, chemical
additives, and the seducing of our bodies by "the quick buzz" of sugar and
caffiene and suchlike has taken its toll ON OUR MINDS, and our own irrational cravings for
the easy and quick "meal" are overwhelming our bodies natural instinct, the
chemicals themselves becoming controllers of our eating habits in a world where real
effort must be made in order to get a real meal out of your local convenience store. So!
Read the book! Take charge!
I have only quoted from the Bible about five times in my life, but
this seems apropos here (sorry, dont have the chapter and verse thing (probably proverbs)
"As a dog returns to his vomit, so does a man return to his
sinful ways" (in MY opinion, sinful ways means self destructive ways or destructive
of good ways)
Mike
Navigator@hwy97.net |
