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Chapter 5—The Food on Our Tables
Tracing Intemperance to Their Own Tables
—Many moth-
ers who deplore the intemperance that exists everywhere, do not
look deep enough to see the cause. Too often it may be traced
to the home table. Many a mother, even among those who pro-
fess to be Christians, is daily setting before her household rich and
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highly seasoned food, which tempts the appetite and encourages
overeating.—
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 75, 76
.
After a time, through continued indulgence, the digestive organs
become weakened, and the food taken does not satisfy the appetite.
Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a craving for more
stimulating food. Tea, coffee, and flesh meats produce an immediate
effect. Under the influence of these poisons the nervous system is
excited, and, in some cases, for the time being, the intellect seems to
be invigorated and the imagination to be more vivid. Because these
stimulants produce for the time being such agreeable results, many
conclude that they really need them and continue their use....
The appetite is educated to crave something stronger which will
have a tendency to keep up and increase the agreeable excitement,
until indulgence becomes habit, and there is a continual craving for
stronger stimulus, as tobacco, wines, and liquors.—
Testimonies for
the Church 3:487, 488
.
Healthful Food, Simply Prepared
—Every mother should care-
fully guard her table, and allow nothing to come upon it which will
have the slightest tendency to lay the foundation of intemperate
habits. Food should be prepared in as simple a manner as possible,
free from condiments and spices, and even from an undue amount
of salt.
You who have at heart the good of your children, and who would
see them come up with unperverted tastes and appetites, must perse-
veringly urge your way against popular sentiments and practices. If
you would have them prepared to be useful on earth and to obtain
the eternal reward in the kingdom of glory, you must teach them
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