How I Became a Vegetarian
I have been a vegetarian now for some 22 years. A personal choice for me and one that has served me well. I am not out to convert the world to a vegetarian lifestyle, in fact I believe that many people thrive on a meat (carnivore) diet. In fact, I encourage my kids to eat meat, and having worked in the restaurant business for some 10 years, one of my favorite pastimes is cooking steaks, kabobs, burgers and chicken for family and friends on the barbecue. Yin-yang theory holds the view that some people thrive on meat eating according to their ancestral traditions. I do eat dairy products including eggs. Vegetarians who do not include dairy must have much more focus on balancing their diet, and I think can tend towards deficiencies if not very careful.
In my early twenties, I developed a severe case of gastritis. Not knowing how to treat it as I do now, I went to the hospital emergency room more that once, swallowed the Barium and stood in front of an x-ray machine, only to be told I suffered with severe gastritis, not an ulcer and not to worry to much. A lot of help that was. Back then, I did not make the connection between severe gastritis, Hemorrhoid episodes and the link to Candida. In desperation I went to a natural practitioner. He was pretty helpful, but also gave me a couple of books for suggested reading. One of the most influential books I have ever read was 'The Essene Gospel of Peace' which chronicles a period in the life of Jesus Christ not found in the Bible Scriptures. In this book, Jesus appears to a whole group of sick and dying on the bank of a river. He starts by saying, "Listen to me and I will tell you all how to cure your ills." He goes on to tell everyone in a sermon-on-the-mount style of speaking that all should fast seven days and nights to cure all their ills. Several prayers are here as well as dietary recommendations that are being borne out today as sound practices for health. Doing a search for the title on line will probably lead you to the Biogenic Society that publishes and sells the book and others at non-profit prices. I bought my last copy for $1. I have had many over the years but they have a tendency to wander off. I highly recommend the reading for anyone wanting to get a grip on their health issues.
So after reading this amazing book, I took a week off from work, jumped on my motorcycle and rode a few hundred miles into the Colorado Mountains. I found a wilderness area where I camped, fasted and prayed for a week. I had to do something to address my terrible suffering with stomach issues. I emerged one week later as a vegetarian, and confident that I had the ability to solve my own health issues. These days, I go out of my way to avoid much discussion on the virtues of being a vegetarian, except that I love it and rarely miss meat. More often that not someone wants to raise the issue at the Thanksgiving dinner table and my short pat answer is that it is a personal preference for me, and I run better on 'unleaded.' My gastric issues did improve with a vegetarian diet, and yearly health check-ups come back normal for blood pressure and everything else. Not bad for just having turned 50. Please check out The International Biogenic Society if you are so inclined. I support everything they stand for and support.
Please feel free to contact me at service@westernherbal.com or visit our website at www.westernherbal.com for information on Health or if you suffer with Gout symptoms, Hemorrhoids, poor digestion or colon problems.
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