Kim Berry Blog

Eating for Health

2007-05-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

In 1992 my brother visited for a week, stating that he would do all the shopping and cooking. He had become a vegetarian. He fixed veggie burritos, veggie stir-fry, sandwiches, soups, and such. He also gave me John Robbins "Diet for a New America" book and video. From that week it was easy to drop meat, except occasional fish, for the past 15 years. But from a heath perspective, dairy might be even more harmful, and I've found it hard to give up, e.g., pizza and Mexican food.

In 1999 my vegetarian friend and co-worker Mark Blackburn introduced me to "Raw/Living Food Diet." My initial reaction was skeptical. Why should cooking make a difference? But he explained about how heat above 112F kills enzymes. An apple still contains living cells until it is heated, for example. He cited that white blood count rises after eating cooked foods but not after eating raw foods: Cooked food is toxic, but we have developed an immune response to it - similar to people in Mexico drinking polluted water with no apparent effect.

Going 100% raw is not realistic for most people. Still I've made changes: I start each day with a smoothie, something like:

raw almonds / flax seeds
orange / grapefruit / apple / banana / pinapple

frozen blueberries and strawberries

raw cacao powder & green powder

Recently I stumbled on David Wolfe [profile article]videos on YouTube (in playlist link below), which inspired me to expand on the raw foods that I eat. (David has a law degree, but rather than using it to be dishonest, he is getting rich off his books, lectures, and travel tours - e.g., video in Peru.)

In this article Wolfe cites the many reasons to be a raw food vegetarian.

About three years ago we attended a presentation by the Boutenko Family, that had all reversed significant health issues when they switched to raw food. In this YouTube video (part2) Victoria explains how after several years she discovered the importance of greens (chlorophyl).

June update: We purchased an Excalibur Dehydrator. I was able to pick it up since they are manufactured here in Sacramento. Click on the image to see a large photo of our first batch of plums, kiwi, strawberry, apple, mango, and yam.

REFERENCES

eBooks at Diet-in-Practice

Living and Raw Foods: Good FAQ, articles, recipies

Raw Foods News - good links from homepage

Sacramento Raw Food Organization

YouTube Playlist - Health and Nutrition

YouTube Playlist - Animal Abuse - a reason to be Vegetarian

Information about Young Coconuts

Paul Nison website - recipies and information

Impending Peak Oil Collapse

2007-03-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

(Click on the image to see full size)

It's possible that a nuclear war or the bird flu pandemic may occur. The U.S. economy might unravel due to trade and budget deficits. But, in my view, the "red pill" is internalizing that Peak Oil will occur, and likely within the next several years.

Soon global supply will not keep pace with global demand - at any price. If oil goes to $200 per barrel the U.S. will be transferring a huge percentage if its wealth to the middle east to keep our country functioning.

Every other day read the news at Life After the Oil Crash website - and explore the other pages. Watch the trailer for A Crude Awakening - The Oil Crash and videos Peak Oil LocalFutures.Org, Crude Impact: Proof of Peak Oil, Matt Simmons $300 Barrel, Imposed by Nature, The End of Suburbia, and Peak Oil. Explore the links at Wikipedia Peak Oil. Read the essays at dieoff.org.

The goverment chases imaginary solutions such as hydrogen. But this is not a source of energy.

Sorry, there is no solution. Have a nice day.

Homebrew Beer and Craft Beer Recommendations

2007-03-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

Home Brewing

I was first introduced to homebrew beer by co-worker Howard Calkin in 1995. In 2006 I purchased a Mr. Beer for $35, and ordered some IPA Recipies. By doubling up the hops I have been able to turn out some good quality beer at home. The most recent was American Devil Brew Pack, and currently brewing is Bombay Bliss IPA. I have dry-hopped to give it the Imperial IPA touch. Ideas on which hops to use are here.

Leave it to the Professionals

Around 2004 I sampled the Stone IPA and Stone Arrogant Bastard at a Beverages & More tasting. Since then I've developed a taste for strongly hopped brews "Imperial IPA". In addition to Stone, my favorites include:

As well as the Stone brews mentioned above.

JUNE 2008 UPDATE: I've found a new favorite beer. It captures the fresh hoppiness that I strive for in home brew: Racer 5 by Bear Republic.

If you prefer other styles of beer, http://www.ratebeer.com/ is a great site to find the top in each category. (Racer 5 is rated 98.)