Library of Blogress: Healthy Living Information

It is the enjoyment of food, “eating with appetite,” which makes the salivary glands, and the glands that furnish the gastric and other digestive juices, pour forth their liquids in copious quantities. Under no other circumstances are these digestive liquids, necessary to proper digestion, furnished in the proper quantities or in proper strength. Therefore any one can clearly see the terrible sin of eating without appetite. The food is washed down into the stomach by coffee and other abominable liquids, and, in a haphazard way, the stomach may try to digest it. But there is no “vim” to its efforts. It is a grim duty performed against protest. Should one wonder that he suffers from indigestion under such circumstances? Read the rest of this entry »

There are occasions even when an alcohol fiend enjoys an exaltation of spirits which is the semblance of the exhilaration that often comes to those in a high degree of physical health, but the person who performs his “duty” of eating three times per day,” whether he needs it or not,” year after year, never, on any occasion, has his pulse quickened by such an influence. Every organ of his body usually loses its acute power of sensation to a similar degree with the stomach. This poor, abused organ is compelled to work against its will continually. Never at any time, under these circumstances, is it prepared to digest the “mess” that is dumped into it. Can you blame this organ for failing in its duty? Can you blame it if the food gives no strength? You may eat and eat, try every conceivable tonic on earth, go from one physician to another searching for a remedy to cure your trouble under such circumstances and your efforts will be of no avail.

If one would use his brains a trifle, and obey the natural instincts of his body, as does the dog and all other lower animals, the stomach would be allowed to rest until it cries out for the privilege of working. Then it is ready to work, to digest. It has all the digestive juices prepared in advance and the food is attacked by these juices immediately upon its entrance to the stomach, and is quickly dissolved, or reduced to that condition necessary for its absorption by the various glands with which it comes in contact during passage through the alimentary canal. The existence of an appetite for food indicates not only that the food is needed by the body, but also that the digestive organs are ready to receive it.

The Puritanical theory that all pleasures were evil in character, has probably done much to assist the human race towards the “mire” of physical degeneracy. There is no natural pleasure, or natural appetite, or natural desire that was not created for a particular health- giving purpose, the following of which will add strength to the body; and the sin, the evil, lies not in commission but in omission. Cultivate Nature, natural appetites, natural desires; develop that delicacy of intuition which will enable you to interpret and follow their dictates as nearly as it lies in your power, and you will be a stronger and nobler specimen of manhood or womanhood because of this.

“Taste has been considered the lowest, in usefulness, of all the senses. On the contrary, if properly understood, taste is the most important of all the faculties man possesses. Upon an examination, that anyone can make for himself, it is revealed that taste is the faithful sentinel of the stomach, of the tissues and of the brain, whose guidance and warning, if heeded, will give heretofore unknown enjoyment to eating, and at the same time insure perfect health and the maximum of strength.”–Horace Fletcher.

How many human beings eat their meals because it is meal time! They have no desire for food, absolutely no appetite, but they feel that it is their duty to eat.

Poor fools!

Duty, indeed! Why, friends, every mouthful of food swallowed without appetite is an outrage committed against the stomach: an outrage so fearful that every organ of the body is dulled and deadened by it. And those very persons who abuse themselves in this way are often the loudest in their condemnations of intemperance-alcoholic intemperance.

If the real facts were known, these sinners against the appetite, against the stomach, are the victims of an intemperance that is far more destructive in its character than those who indulge in alcoholic liquors.

Strength For Living by Bernarr MacFadden

The beauty and glory of superb physical health are within the reach of all who are willing to strive for such glorious rewards.

Man is what foods make him. Eat to enjoy, not merely to fill your stomach.'’ Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”
–Prof. L. H Anderson.

Some “Eat to live”; others “Live to eat,” but if you so live that the highest and most intense enjoyment can be secured from eating that superb health which at times thrills every nerve with surplus power will be your ever-present possession.

Preface
Strength! How we all yearn for this grand power!

No matter how much strength may be possessed one always desires more. It is like money. You can never secure enough. No matter what may be your desires or ambitions; no matter what may be your occupation, strength is an actual necessity in order to accomplish anything of value in life.

From as far back as history dates the tendency of humanity to worship strength is noted. This inclination has not decreased to any extent even today. We all love and admire strength. Our heroes are all strong. We like to imagine them with all the vigor and beauty of body which every perfect human being should possess.

The normal condition of every human body is one of strength. Every infant which has vitality enough to be born and live, has sufficient vitality to grow into a vigorous man or woman. Where it is otherwise, the weakness and disease have been caused by unnatural conditions. In every case weakness is brought about by failing to observe the laws of nature, which demand the use of every part of the muscular organism, and a regular supply of nourishing foods.

Though the building of any great degree of strength is impossible without using it regularly as acquired, the influence of diet is very great. It requires but little intelligence for one to understand how greatly foods can influence the condition of the body. In order to build strength you must have strengthening and nourishing foods, and these foods must be eaten as nature demands; otherwise there is but little possibility of one gaining the desired physical power and beauty. Read the rest of this entry »