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constipation; and for consumptives, and for those who have inflamed,
irritated stomachs, it is better than any drug. As a food it is better than
any oil coming secondhand from animals.
It would be well for us to do less cooking and to eat more fruit
in its natural state. Let us teach the people to eat freely of the fresh
grapes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and all other kinds of fruit that
can be obtained. Let these be prepared for winter use by canning,
using glass, as far as possible, instead of tin.
Concerning flesh meat, we should educate the people to let it alone.
Its use is contrary to the best development of the physical, mental, and
moral powers. And we should bear a clear testimony against the use
of tea and coffee. It is also well to discard rich desserts. Milk, eggs,
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and butter should not be classed with flesh meat. In some cases the
use of eggs is beneficial. The time has not come to say that the use of
milk and eggs should be wholly discarded. There are poor families
whose diet consists largely of bread and milk. They have little fruit
and cannot afford to purchase the nut foods. In teaching health reform,
as in all other gospel work, we are to meet the people where they are.
Until we can teach them how to prepare health reform foods that are
palatable, nourishing, and yet inexpensive, we are not at liberty to
present the most advanced propositions regarding health reform diet.
Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how
to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the
time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk,
cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion
to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when,
because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation
will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.
God will give His people ability and tact to prepare wholesome
food without these things. Let our people discard all unwholesome
recipes. Let them learn how to live healthfully, teaching to others what
they have learned. Let them impart this knowledge as they would
Bible instruction. Let them teach the people to preserve the health and
increase the strength by avoiding the large amount of cooking that has
filled the world with chronic invalids. By precept and example make
it plain that the food which God gave Adam in his sinless state is the
best for man’s use as he seeks to regain that sinless state.
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