Title: Food for the traveler
what to eat and why
Author: Dora C. C. L. Roper
Release date: November 12, 2008 [eBook #27245]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Bryan Ness, Tamise Totterdell and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
by
Dora C. C. L. Roper, D.O.
R. S. KITCHENER, PRINTER, OAKLAND, CAL.
1916
Copyrighted 1916
by
DORA C. C. L. ROPER
All Rights Reserved
Man is composed of what he has assimilated from his spiritual, mental and physical food
These pages are dedicated to those who are seeking light on the question of rational living and to all who are suffering from the effects of wrong living. Thought along this line expresses growth and progress, and with it comes knowledge. Common sense and judgment, following a natural instinct, will go a long way toward attaining better health. But those who, through the constant use of cooked, or highly spiced and fermented food, have lost their natural instincts and intuitions, will find the study of the science of dietetical chemistry of inestimable value toward a better understanding of natural laws, and be enabled to make the selections and combinations of foods more suitable to their temperament.
Before the question as to meat eating and vegetarianism can be solved, we must consider the first principle of nature, which is the law of self preservation. Thereafter we may be able to think and strive to save the lives of animals, now cruelly sacrificed largely for the sense gratification of man. The artificial preparation of food is a fine art, and no doubt has helped much toward the development of our central nervous system.
The ordinary mixed diet with the addition of meat two or three times per week is the safest method for most people who are compelled to work eight, ten, or twelve hours out of every twenty-four and have to deprive themselves of the proper amount of fresh air, sunshine and physical exercise, which brings all the muscles and organs of the body into proper action.
Inharmony, disease, and misfortune are largely caused by living a life contrary to the laws of nature.
The fulfillment of high ideals must be accompanied by common sense and judgment, so it becomes an evolution instead of revolution. The evolving of man from the stage of a jelly fish to a being possessed of a bony framework in an upright position by the eating of animals has developed a higher self. After having reached this stage of evolution the nature of some people has become so highly sensitized that meat, as a food, becomes repugnant to them. What they need is a stepping stone. The very food which has produced this state of over refinement or destruction must be used for construction and minimized by degrees.
In examining the claims of the disciples of vegetarianism it is well to consider those nations whose constitution and customs of work and education resemble our own. And in doing so we find that while nearly all European nations, as well as many of the Orient, practice moderation in meat eating, still they are for the most part only "near vegetarians," and therefore should not be used as examples in an argument for vegetarianism.
It is possible for normal individuals under fairly normal conditions of life to nourish perfectly their bodies on a vegetarian diet, provided they are willing to live mainly on sun-kissed foods instead of on a mass of sloppily-cooked, devitalized, starchy vegetables, and soft nitrogenous foods that burden the digestive organs and produce obesity and slow consumption.
I hope that the menus on the following pages will be a help to all who seek simplicity from a standpoint of health as well as economy.
Note: For preparation of foods, consult Scientific Feeding.
Some people think that we become like the food we eat. This is true when the vibrations of what we eat are stronger than the vibrations in our bodies. All food consumed has a vibration of its own and unless the vital force within can change the rate of vibration of the food eaten and tune it to the vibration of the body itself, one cannot become nourished, or in other words "he becomes like the food he eats." There is but one force or energy in the body, which is life or "spirit." Under normal conditions this force has in itself all the power to harmonize with the vibrations of the foods taken into the body. Provided there is a demand for food in the form of true hunger.
Natural diet, deep rhythmic breathing with corresponding exercises awaken latent talents within us and rapid mental and spiritual unfoldment takes place. Inharmony, disease and pain are caused by living a life contrary to the laws of God and Nature.
Adopting a vegetarian diet should be done with great care, and not in a hurry, especially when the person is not in perfect health.
The best time to begin is the Spring. People who have lived on excessive meat should cut it down to two and three times per week, substituting cured meat and fish part of the time.
It may take months, or even years to educate the cells of the stomach to act upon nuts, legumes, and other heavy protein foods, so as to be properly nourished. An individual with great adaptability may make this change without much discomfort, but many people who desire to leave off meat, do so because they are already sick from wrong eating. If they feel benefited by the change for a while it is generally because their system is eliminating the toxins which are the result of excessive meat eating. After this has taken place, the body requires food, properly combined and proportioned, or else nerve starvation and obesity are the result.
To those who for various reasons desire to adopt a vegetarian diet I would say, do not substitute bread and vegetables for meat. Do not spend your energy making new and complex dishes as advocated in fashionable vegetarian cook books. Compounds containing several soft proteins such as beans, nuts, eggs and cream, besides starches, are a burden to the liver and alimentary canal and lay the foundation for new diseases.
If cooked foods are required, study carefully the preparation of nutritious soups, well boiled cereals, salads, and add as many raw foods as possible.
Exercise more in the open air, live and work in sunny well ventilated rooms, retire early and live as close to nature as you can.
I hope that the following pages may serve as a stepping stone for all who desire to eat less meat, as well as for those who wish to become vegetarians.
In adopting a raw food diet, or in reducing heat-giving elements, such as artificial sugars and hot drinks, it is important to apply more external heat to the body for a while, or else have the morning meal served in a sunny room. Plenty of outdoor exercise is necessary to properly utilize a vegetarian diet.
It is important that the diet should contain the proper amount of protein, starches and fats, suitable to the individual needs. Age, weight, height, occupation, season and climate must all be considered. Numerous and careful researches regarding food requirements made during the last fifty years have led to the realization that the majority of civilized men and women consume from two to three times the amount of food necessary.
Many people at the ages of sixty and seventy still lead an active life, while others retire from activity at forty-five or fifty. Therefore, the food should conform to the person's mental and physical requirements. If the teeth are poor and the digestive powers weak, the food should be light, consisting mainly of well cooked cereals, baked potatoes, rice, cooked greens, a small amount of meat, raw fruits and raw greens in combination with fatty foods, as salads, milk and buttermilk, toasted breads and soups.
The total fuel requirement depends upon whether the individual leads a quiet or active existence. For a person who lives mainly indoors, and makes little use of the muscles of the arms, shoulders and trunk, 1000 to 1200 calories is sufficient for twenty-four hours. If more food is eaten than the body requires, the excess will manifest itself by the development of chronic ailments and obesity, or feeble-mindedness.
The morning and evening meals should consist of fluid and semi-fluid foods, or of toasted breads and salads. Meats, eggs (except the yolks), cheese, beans, peas and nuts should be eaten only during the middle of the day in small quantities. One can cut down his amount of food greatly by thoroughly chewing each morsel. The demand for protein at this period is small, while the amount of fat should be increased.
This question is often asked. It depends entirely on the quality and combination of food which is eaten.
A diet consisting of a variety of solids and vegetables with excessive fluids gives the stomach nothing to do; the contents pass at once into the intestines. Such mixtures are ingested instead of being digested; they cannot be fully utilized because stimulation upon the drainage of the body is lacking.
If dry foods are eaten, such as sandwiches, rice, macaroni, potatoes or dry cereals, without the addition of fruits, vegetables or soups, a small amount of liquid should be taken. Such simple foods do not form a perfect meal, therefore milk or broths are preferable to water. Water is best taken from five to fifteen minutes before the meal or from one to two hours after meals.
Note: These pages are not a perfected plan of right eating to be slavishly followed. Each man is a law unto himself, and with a little self-study and practical application this book may be worth its weight in gold to the true student of natural laws.
The harmony and inharmony between the different foods as mentioned above are only stated in a general way. Certain combinations are absolutely harmful to every individual, others are either harmful to certain temperaments, or, to mix them means a waste in the animal economy of the body.
People who feel the need of laxative foods during the spring season will find here a number of suitable breakfast menus to choose from:
People who have difficulty in digesting eggs will find it more agreeable to eat the yolks and whites at different times of the day; the former prepared in salad dressing or boiled custards; the latter in the form of baked eggs with lemon and green vegetables.
Learn by experience to select the kinds of food which yield nourishment and avoid those which disagree.
Drink sufficient pure natural water between your meals. There is danger in over-drinking as well as in under-drinking.
All who are in the habit of eating more than their systems require and especially those who indulge in large amounts of bread at dinner, would do well to begin their meal with a soup. Legume and cream soups will furnish a satisfactory meal by themselves. Take toast or sun-dried bread at the end of the meal, with black coffee or postum.
For those who require a liberal amount of food, add cream cheese, cottage cheese, Swiss cheese, fish, lamb chops, meat cakes, eggs, egg-toast, legume soups, etc. Apples, tomatoes and prunes combine well with many of the above mentioned foods.
For people of a bilious temperament eggs should not be mixed with milk or sweet foods at the same meal. Tomatoes, tart apples or green leaves, raw or cooked, are anti-bilious foods.
If certain foods do not agree, or produce indigestion, study their combination and preparation carefully, also the proportion and time of the day when most suitable. If this does not prove satisfactory leave them alone.
Laxative foods: Fruit juices, plums, tomatoes, apples, pears, grapes, figs, fruit-soups, fruit-gruels, raisins, gelatines, corn, oats, spinach, oranges, carrots, parsnips, bran, oil, butter, cream, olives, yolks of eggs, pecans, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cucumbers, onions, greens, butter sauces.
Constipating Foods: Skim-milk, liquid foods, fine flour bread, potatoes, tapioca, white of eggs, gluten, mush, cheese made from skim-milk.
Proper growth and activity of the brain and nervous system are promoted by a healthy flow of blood. Pure air and sufficient food properly combined and proportioned are essential. Choose more of the lighter forms of protein and starchy foods, as fish, eggs, almonds, green peas, bacon, a moderate amount of lamb and beef, rice, sago, wheat, and vegetable gelatines. Foods rich in minerals are celery, apples, tomatoes, greens, oranges, and practically all the fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the small berries. Melons and starchy vegetables in large quantities are suitable for muscular workers. Use as little as possible of so-called pure chemical substances, such as refined sugar and flour.
Avoid poisonous beverages, tobacco and all forms of drugs. Sleep at least nine hours in a well ventilated room, facing east or south. Avoid constipation. Combine mental work with moderate amounts of useful and enjoyable exercise and physical work. Protect the eyes from strong artificial light. Keep the feet warm. Relax before and after meals. A certain amount of manual labor is absolutely necessary for the brain-worker. It favors deep breathing and creates a demand for more air and water, and thus improves digestion, oxidation and nutrition. The body poisons are carried off quicker and nervous headaches and despondency are avoided. Short walks out of doors before retiring are very beneficial for people who suffer with cold hands and feet.
Dress by an open fire or in a sunny room. A chill before breakfast produces indigestion and a desire for unnecessary hot foods. Never sleep by night lamps or any other artificial light. They are injurious to the eyes and absorb oxygen.
Avoid fresh breads, inferior cakes and pastry. Do not eat unless you are hungry. Do not over-indulge in athletic or any other kind of exercise. Remember that natural feeding, pure air and sufficient sleep call for natural breathing and natural exercise. Unnatural feeding and late hours create disease or nervousness.
All who leave the land of their birth should make themselves acquainted with the art of living and the peculiarities of the new country in which they intend to live.
To depart entirely from their old customs and habits is as dangerous as to neglect the study of the new environment or the failure to adopt necessary changes.
In some portions of the United States the climatic conditions are very changeable; we have extreme heat and cold, an excess of rain with wind storms and dryness alternating within a short time. West of the Rocky Mountains we have a mild sea air. In the Southern States and near the Pacific Coast we have low districts where malaria and catarrhal conditions are easily acquired.
Tropical fruits and vegetables which are looked upon as luxuries in Northern Europe are necessary articles of food in the country where they grow, therefore the stranger should make himself acquainted with such foods, and by degrees learn to eat them.
A child should have his face and hands washed before and after each meal. He should not be allowed to carry foodstuffs and candy about the house, or touch carpets and furniture with sticky and greasy fingers. If he requires food between meals, give him four or five meals per day, but have him eat his food in the proper place.
The breeding of flies, mosquitoes and other disease carriers is greatly favored by allowing children to eat at any and all times without napkins, or special preservation of their dress, or without cleaning their hands before and after eating, or before and after playing with animals and pets.
The American child is given too much consideration at the table. There is a great difference between the saying "I don't like a certain food" and "I don't want it," because there are things which taste better.
To leave one's plate half full of foodstuffs and ask for, or accept, other food is customary, but before the law of our Creator it is unclean and disrespectful, wasteful and dangerous.
The physiological laws of our bodies are based on very economical plans: nature utilizes everything and wastes nothing. Cooked foodstuffs, whether they are wasted within our bodies by over-indulgence, or in the garbage can, create decomposition and germs.
Legumes are a very important food for young children, and their use should begin during the second year. They are easily digested if prepared in the form of soups and purees, and combined as directed in the different menus. They should not be given at night.
Mothers of girls should think it more important to furnish healthful exercise, wholesome food and restful sleep during the years of budding womanhood, than to worry about lessons in music and art, or a business education. All these can be taken up with much greater benefit after maturity. Arrested development of the organs of reproduction will lay the foundation for many years of unhappiness and suffering.
Many parents are impressed with the idea that their children require a large amount of sweets, in order to make them grow. We cannot force nature without paying the penalty. At maturity, we reap what has been sown for us, or what we have sown for ourselves.
CONTENTS: Wet or Dry? The alcohol we take, the alcohol we make.
Treatment of chronic alcoholism. Preventative treatment. Mineral starvation.
Price 15 Cents
The Key to successful treatment of chronic, so-called incurable diseases.
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EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS AND LETTERS
Your book, "The Epicure of Medicine," is worth its weight in gold.
DR. F. SCHURMANN, Honolulu, T. H. (The Schurmann Institute).
A knowledge based on such experience is worthy of the profoundest consideration. This accounts for the sincerity of the mode of writing.
DR. AXEL EMIL GIBSON, Los Angeles, Cal.
The book is interesting and has value. The author's account of her own struggles with disease leads one to wonder how she could be alive and able to write a book. Few such struggles have ever been recorded. It is interesting to follow the author in her account of the combats she has had with the disease. There are many new and strange teachings in the book of which we shall express no opinion.
THE THERAPEUTIC RECORD, Louisville, Ky.
The study of the book shows that the author, like many American physicians, is not a staunch believer in "drug cures," but considers that spiritual, mental and physical healing applied in the natural way are the only means to produce chemical changes within our bodies.
PRACTICAL MEDICINE, Delhi, India.
After a careful reading and understanding of DR. ROPER'S new work, I can heartily endorse her efforts to bring the right style of living before the people. Such a work as this seems a blessing to humanity.
MRS. LOTTIE HALL, Pres. of Lincoln School Mothers' Club, Berkeley.
The only cook book which I have seen, which gives the proper chemical combinations for each meal of the day.
MRS. ESTHER TALBOTT, Oakland, Cal.
Your book deserves to be circulated by the millions. Our club would consider it a favor if you could give us a lecture and demonstration on nutritious soups.
MRS. IDA HOUGHTALING, Berkeley, Cal.
"Scientific Feeding" is an open door to health. After being under the care and supervision of DR. ROPER for two months I feel confident that she has knowledge which leads to health through right living.
MISS ELISABETH JEWETT, Kindergarten Director, Cleveland, O.
Your book is a regular gold mine. I particularly like the chapter, "Study of Food." A copy should be in every school library.
ELEANOR MERROW (Public School Teacher for Ten Years).
DR. DORA C. C. L. ROPER
DIETETIC EXPERT
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R. F. D. 1, Box 188, Oakland, Cal.
Courses in Dietetic Chemistry given to nurses; in classes and by
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