The Answer is the Rancher and the Secret is in the Sweat

What follows is a simple summary in outline form, and then four short essays explaining the same concepts, each from a slightly different point of view. Enjoy.

The simple answer is this. A farmer or rancher’s life in a pre-industrial world was one of hard work, reliance on the rhythms of nature, and a deep connection to the land. Their lives were woven into the fabric of their communities, and they played a foundational role in the sustenance and economy of their societies.

Now that you have a simple summary, allow me to break it down point by point. Here is a quick outline to give you an idea of where I am headed.

Daily Life

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter

Labor Intensive
Knowledge and Skills
Reliance on Nature
Economic Structure
Livestock
Tools
Community
Market Days
Threats
Education
Cultural and Religious Significance

Daily Life: Life revolved around the seasonal cycles of the crops or livestock.

Spring: Farmers prepared the soil and sowed seeds. This was a busy period, ensuring that fields were ready and that seeds were sown at the correct time.

Summer: Tasks included tending to growing crops, weeding, and, in some cases, early harvesting. For ranchers, this might be a time of moving livestock to different pastures.

Fall: Harvest season was the busiest time. All available hands, including children, would help collect, thresh, and store the crops. It was also a time to slaughter some animals for meat preservation for the winter.

Winter: Maintenance tasks, repairing tools, tending to stored crops and preserved food, and preparing for the upcoming spring. Livestock needed care, ensuring they had enough feed and were sheltered from the harsh weather.

Labor Intensive: Without modern machinery, all tasks were done by hand or with the help of simple tools and draft animals. This meant that farming and ranching required physical strength and stamina.

Knowledge and Skills: Farmers and ranchers had to possess a deep knowledge of the land, weather patterns, and natural indicators. They needed to know when it was best to plant and harvest, how to rotate crops to prevent soil depletion, and how to deal with pests.

Reliance on Nature: Weather played a huge role in the success or failure of a harvest. A bad season could lead to famine and hardship. As a result, various cultural and religious practices revolved around harvests and prayers for good weather and crop yields.

Economic Structure: Most farmers in a pre-industrial society practiced subsistence farming, where they grew enough food to feed their family and a little extra for trade or sale. Large feudal estates also existed where serfs or peasants worked the land for a noble or landowner.

Livestock: Ranchers or pastoralists had to know how to breed and care for animals. They’d need skills in everything from birthing livestock to shearing sheep to treating diseases.

Tools: The tools available were basic. Plows, often pulled by oxen or horses, wooden or metal hand-tools like hoes, scythes for harvesting, and basic machinery like grindstones for processing grains.

Community: Farming and ranching communities were often tight-knit. They would come together for mutual assistance during harvests or times of need. Barn raisings, where neighbors would assemble to help construct a new barn, are classic examples of this communal spirit.

Market Days: Many farmers took their surplus goods to local markets, trading for goods they couldn’t produce themselves. This was a vital source of income and resources.

Threats: Beyond the weather, farmers had to worry about pests, diseases, bandits or raiders, and sometimes warfare which could see their lands become battlegrounds or be pillaged by armies.

Education: While some farmers and ranchers might be literate and numerate, formal education was less common, especially in remote areas. Knowledge was often passed down orally through generations.

Cultural and Religious Significance: In many pre-industrial cultures, the Earth and its fertility had strong religious connotations. Festivals celebrating planting or harvest, rites to ensure fertility and rituals to placate or thank gods or nature spirits were common.

Life on the Land: The Daily Rhythms and Realities of Pre-Industrial Farming and Ranching

The pre-industrial world offers a glimpse into a life deeply intertwined with the rhythms of nature, a contrast to today’s mechanized and often detached agricultural systems. Central to this bygone era were the farmers and ranchers, whose daily lives oscillated with the changing seasons and who bore witness to the intricate dance between humans and their environment. For these individuals, the sun wasn’t just a celestial body; it was a clock, dictating their daily routines, illuminating their toils, and guiding the ebb and flow of their livelihoods. Every morning heralded a new chapter of tasks, and every season, a unique set of challenges and rewards.

During spring, the world woke up from its winter slumber. The ground thawed, rivers swelled, and the horizon stretched wide and hopeful. Farmers, shaking off the inertia of the colder months, ventured out to till and prepare the soil. Seeds, carefully chosen and stored from the previous harvest, were sown with hopes of good yield. The land was alive with promise but also with the weight of expectations. Every patch of soil turned, and every seed sown was a gamble against unpredictable weather and potential pests. For ranchers, spring meant birthing seasons. Young animals took their first steps, and herders watched diligently, ensuring that both mother and offspring were healthy.

Then came the summer. Fields turned into a sea of green, waving under the persistent sun. While crops reached for the sky, farmers were bent double, weeding and ensuring the plants had enough space and nutrients to thrive. Irrigation, where implemented, required careful management. Ranchers moved their livestock to fresh pastures, ensuring they had ample food and were shielded from the searing heat. Summer was also a time of vigilance, as the threats of pests, from locusts to wolves, became all too real.

As the days began to shorten, autumn heralded the onset of harvest. This was the crescendo of a farmer’s yearly symphony, a time when all hands—old and young, men and women—came together in a collective push. Grains, fruits, and vegetables were picked, threshed, and stored. The golds, ambers, and reds of harvest painted a scene of abundance, but behind it was the unrelenting toil of hands, the sweat of brows, and the fatigue of bodies. Ranchers faced their own harvest of sorts, selecting which animals would be sold or slaughtered for winter provisions.

Winter, often considered a period of rest, was far from a dormant time. While the fields lay fallow, farmers repaired tools, planned for the coming year, and protected their stored produce from rot and pests. Livestock required special attention; they needed shelter from harsh weather and had to be fed from the stored fodder. Amidst these chores, winter also provided an opportunity for families to come together, to share stories, to mend clothes, and to engage in social and community activities.

But beyond the seasonal tasks, the pre-industrial farmer and rancher lived a life deeply woven into the fabric of their community. Markets, fairs, and community gatherings were vital social and economic fixtures. These events were not just about trading goods; they were occasions to exchange news, share innovations in farming techniques, and establish matrimonial alliances.

Furthermore, the spiritual and cultural dimensions of farming and ranching were profound. The land wasn’t just soil; it was an ancestral legacy, a living entity. Many cultures revered deities of harvest, rain, and fertility, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between people and the environment. Festivals marked the planting and harvesting seasons, and rituals sought blessings for bountiful yields.

In essence, the life of a farmer or rancher in the pre-industrial era was a testament to the resilience, innovation, and adaptability of human societies. Their existence, tethered to the land and animals, might seem worlds away from today’s automated and globalized agricultural practices. Yet, their stories, struggles, and successes offer enduring lessons about sustainability, community, and our timeless bond with nature.

The Essence of Agrarian Life in a Pre-Industrial World

Amidst the backdrop of an era defined by simplicity and harmony with the environment, farmers and ranchers stood as the pillars of pre-industrial societies. Their toils shaped the cultural, economic, and social landscapes of their communities. Delving deeper into the facets of their lives unveils the beauty and challenges of an agrarian existence, starkly contrasting the conveniences and detachment of the modern age.

At the very heart of this existence was an unwavering work ethic. The sun’s first rays often found the farmer already in the fields or the rancher tending to his livestock. Days stretched long, marked by a multitude of tasks that demanded not just effort but also knowledge passed down through generations. From preparing the soil and selecting the right seeds to understanding the migratory patterns of herds, every decision bore consequences that could spell the difference between abundance and scarcity.

The absence of industrial machinery and technology meant that the land and its beasts demanded human touch at every turn. Plows were drawn by strong oxen, with the farmer guiding them, feeling the texture of the earth underfoot. Harvesting crops wasn’t done by vast machines but by hands that recognized the right moment for picking. Similarly, ranchers relied on their instincts and observations, herding cattle or sheep with the assistance of trained dogs and horses. These actions did not just require physical strength; they necessitated a deep understanding of and respect for the natural processes. It was a dance between man, beast, and land.

The intensive labor that dominated their lives also shaped their physicality. Calloused hands, sunburnt skin, and muscular frames were common badges of their profession. But beyond the external, their spirits were forged in the furnace of perseverance, patience, and resilience. When droughts parched the land or pests threatened to decimate crops, it was their indomitable spirit that sought solutions, innovated with natural remedies, or simply hoped and prayed for better times.

This profound connection to the land wasn’t just a matter of livelihood; it was a bond of reverence. The soil wasn’t inert; it was alive, nurturing, and, in many ways, sacred. Many pre-industrial societies held rituals and ceremonies to honor the land and seek its blessings. Planting and harvesting weren’t just agricultural events but were accompanied by communal celebrations, songs, and dances. This spiritual dimension enriched the agrarian life, embedding a sense of purpose and gratitude in daily routines.

Moreover, the farmer and rancher’s role extended beyond their fields and pastures. They were the lifeblood of their communities. Markets bustled with their produce, providing food and raw materials essential for survival and trade. Their successes and failures didn’t just affect their families but rippled through entire societies, impacting food prices, trade balances, and even the political stability of regions.

The communal nature of pre-industrial societies also meant that collective efforts were common. Whether it was joining hands for harvest, building barns, or defending against external threats, the interconnectedness of their lives fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual responsibility. In this environment, values like trust, generosity, and shared knowledge were not just ideals but survival tools.

The pre-industrial farmer and rancher’s life, though marred by challenges and uncertainties, was a testament to human capability, adaptability, and the profound relationship we once shared with the environment. The rhythms of nature dictated their calendars, and their hands bore the stories of seasons past and hopes for the future. Their legacy isn’t just in the fields they cultivated or the animals they reared but in the timeless lessons they offer about sustainability, community, and respect for the natural world. As modern societies grapple with environmental crises and detachment from nature, revisiting and understanding this age-old bond becomes not just an exercise in nostalgia but a blueprint for a harmonious future.

The Arduous Reality of Farming and Ranching in a Pre-Industrial World

In the annals of human history, the epoch of pre-industrialization presents a stark contrast to our present-day realities, especially when viewed through the prism of agriculture. Today, as colossal machines glide effortlessly across vast expanses, sowing and reaping in quantities previously unimaginable, it’s easy to overlook the arduous, hands-on approach that once defined the world of farming and ranching. The farmers and ranchers of yesteryears were more than mere cultivators; they were the heart and muscle of entire societies, maintaining a visceral bond with the land and its creatures.

For these agricultural pioneers, every sunrise heralded a day filled with labor-intensive tasks. The land was not merely a passive canvas awaiting the touch of machinery; it demanded personal attention and tireless effort. Plowing fields was a collaborative endeavor between man and beast, where wooden plows, guided by human hands, were drawn by horses or oxen. These animals, vital cogs in the agricultural wheel, were central to working the land and indicators of a farmer’s wealth and status.

Seeding the fields, too, was a hands-on task. Each seed was meticulously placed, often after considering the soil’s nature, the sun’s alignment, and the local lore that encapsulated centuries of agricultural wisdom. As the crops grew, they required regular tending – from weeding and pest control to ensuring proper irrigation, tasks that necessitated keen observation and constant physical labor.

Harvesting, a particularly labor-intensive phase, was a race against time, reliant on the collective might of communities. Neighbors, family members, and sometimes entire villages would unite, their synchronized efforts aimed at collecting crops at their prime. The physical demands of bending, cutting, threshing, and storing were exhaustive yet vital. Each grain saved was a step away from potential famine, and every harvested field was a testament to human resilience.

Ranchers, too, led lives of ceaseless activity. Herding, feeding, and caring for animals required physical strength and an in-depth understanding of animal behavior. Whether it was leading cattle to new pastures, ensuring access to clean water, or managing births and health issues, a rancher’s life was an intricate ballet of responsibility and vigilance.

While rudimentary by modern standards, the tools that assisted these early agriculturalists were ingeniously designed for efficiency and durability. Crafted from locally available materials like wood, stone, and later, metal, they were often hand-made and bore the unique signature of individual craftsmanship. While they simplified tasks, they still demanded significant human effort, making skill and endurance essential attributes of every farmer and rancher.

But this physically demanding life had its silver linings. The tangible connection between effort and yield fostered a profound appreciation for nature’s bounties. The land wasn’t a mere resource; it was a living, breathing entity deserving respect and gratitude. This relationship was often ritualized, with many cultures celebrating agricultural festivals, marking sowing, reaping, and times of abundance, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.

Furthermore, the relentless demands of pre-industrial farming and ranching also shaped societal structures. Communities were tightly knit, bound together by mutual dependencies. Shared responsibilities and collective efforts, from barn raisings to communal harvests, were not just economic necessities but also social events, fostering camaraderie and reinforcing social bonds.

In retrospect, the agricultural practices of the pre-industrial era, underscored by physical exertion and a profound connection with nature, offer a humbling reflection on human adaptability and endurance. While modern technology has undeniably brought efficiency and scale to farming, the wisdom, tenacity, and spirit of those early cultivators and herders remain an inspiring testament to humanity’s age-old relationship with the land. The sweat of their brows and the strength of their backs laid the foundation for the agricultural marvels we witness today.

The Intuitive Agriculturists: Farming and Ranching in a Pre-Industrial World

When we envision the pre-industrial farmer or rancher, it’s easy to focus on the evident physical toil that marked their daily existence. However, beneath the sun-hardened exteriors and weathered hands lay a reservoir of wisdom, intuition, and knowledge, accumulated over generations and born from an intimate bond with nature. In an era devoid of advanced meteorological predictions, chemical fertilizers, and pest control solutions, these early agriculturists relied on an intricate understanding of the natural world to guide their practices.

The knowledge base of a pre-industrial farmer was vast and varied. Without the aid of modern soil testing equipment, they developed an intuitive understanding of soil types, qualities, and needs. By merely touching the soil, observing its color, and noting the kind of weeds it supported, a farmer could gauge its fertility and decide what crops would thrive best in it. This ability wasn’t a mystical gift but a skill honed over years of experience and passed down through generations.

Weather patterns, vital to agriculture, were predicted not through apps or news bulletins but by observing nature’s cues. The behavior of animals, the pattern of bird migrations, the appearance of certain insects, and even the color of sunsets served as natural almanacs, foretelling rain, drought, or frost. A shift in the direction of the wind, the formation of clouds, or the ring around the moon – these were all signs that informed the farmer’s decisions.

Given the absence of synthetic fertilizers, crop rotation was an essential practice to maintain soil health and fertility. Farmers understood that different crops took different nutrients from the soil and, conversely, that certain crops, like legumes, could replenish those nutrients. By rotating crops, they ensured varied produce and staved off soil exhaustion. Such practices, which modern agriculture is now revisiting in the name of sustainability, were standard in the pre-industrial era out of sheer necessity.

Pest control was another area where deep knowledge and observation came into play. Without the arsenal of chemical pesticides available today, farmers had to be innovative. They observed the relationships between various plants and insects. Some plants were found to repel pests naturally, leading to early versions of companion planting. Others attracted beneficial insects that preyed on pests. Instead of seeing their fields as mono-cropped entities, farmers of yore often viewed them as ecosystems where balance had to be maintained.

Understanding animal behavior, breeding patterns, and dietary needs was paramount for ranchers. They could identify changes in animal behavior that indicated weather shifts, potential threats, or health issues. This understanding allowed them to make informed decisions about grazing patterns, shelter, and breeding.

It’s crucial to understand that this deep-rooted knowledge wasn’t just a matter of choice but of survival. A failed crop or a diseased herd had dire consequences in a world without the safety nets of insurance or global trade to buffer against local food shortages.

Community played an essential role in this knowledge-sharing ecosystem. Elders, with their wealth of experience, were invaluable repositories of information. Seasonal gatherings, markets, and festivals served as hubs for exchanging insights, techniques, and innovations.

The life of a farmer or rancher in the pre-industrial world was a harmonious blend of hard work and deep wisdom. While seemingly rudimentary, their practices were sustainably sophisticated, rooted in a profound understanding of nature’s rhythms and requirements. As the world grapples with the challenges posed by modern industrial agriculture – from soil degradation to loss of biodiversity – there’s much to learn from the wisdom of these early custodians of the land. They remind us that successful agriculture is as much about respecting nature’s intricacies as it is about reaping its bounties.

Maggie White Video

Fasting, Longevity, and Workaholism.

Hi, my name is Michael and I’m a workaholic…LoL

I really do enjoy working 7 days a week, however, that can get exhausting; not just physically, but also emotionally. So I’ve been trying something a little different. Working 7 days a week, but then taking a 4-day break once a month. I may eventually try to focus my work attention a little more to get to the point where I can do that twice a month. Work 10 days on and then 4 days off.

This time around; on this 4-day break, I decided to fast. Just water for 72 hours. Woooooof. Knocked me the hell out. But now that I am 64 hours into it I am feeling much better and well cleansed. My skin looks wonderful and what little inflammation I had has reset back to what it should be.

I may even consider doing this once a month. Ironically if I did it would save me at least 10% on my monthly food bill. Not a bad savings in times like this. And as a benefit, it is well known in the scientific and medical community/literature that a 72-hour fast or prolonged fasting can lead to regeneration of the cells of your immune system. Imagine; resetting your immune system so that it can fight a better fight leading to better health and ultimately greater longevity.

I decided on 72 hours because I’ve gone much longer before. That and I had 4 days off to deal with the yucky feelings. My understanding is that those yucky feelings(keto flu) are a result of the body catabolizing its own, what we call stored fats. I imagine this is where the body stores a lot of the toxins that it can’t process now for processing later should we choose to do something beneficial like fasting. Which likely would have been a default thing that we have lost in time because of this world of plenty we have been enjoying for decades.

So I imagine the reason we begin feeling better after a few days is that our body has had a chance to clear out the toxins that were stored up for later processing which is accomplished through the act of fasting.

P.S. I’ve been doing a 12/12 feeding schedule for quite some time now. That seems to offer the best benefits overall. Metabolic and other health concerns arise when going above or below the 12-hour feeding window.

I know I’ve spoken to you guys a lot about eating certain ways and how important it is, but I really want you guys to know that longevity of years is and should be the ultimate goal. But even more with a body that looks and feels no more than 24.

We’ve been given by right of birth a gift of a potential 120 years of time that we are miserably failing to attain, and why anyone wouldn’t want to live to 120 years or more is beyond me. Especially if we could do it with a body that is functionally 24 years of age.

I do want to and plan to live to 120. I do realize that I am likely going to have to bury a lot of people I love that don’t want to live a lifestyle that lends towards that end, but I, at this point, cannot see it any other way. I want to fully appreciate the gift we have all been given. Why shouldn’t we?

I am going to try. Why not try it with me?

Accelerate your stem cell production in three ways

In 2006, Nobel Prize winners, Kazutoshi Takahashi and Shinya Yamanak, turned the world upside down when they found that skin cells could be reprogrammed and become ‘induced’ pluripotent stem cells. Somatic stem cells are undifferentiated. They are cells found throughout the body that are ready to go at any time. If a name were needed you could call them, “Johnny on the Spot.” They are always ready to be called into service in whatever way the body needs. One purpose they serve is that they replenish any of our senescent(old) cells that have reached the end of their useful life.

Stem cells are located in various locations throughout the body but multiply more readily in the protected environment of our bones marrow, our brain, and our gut. Our three innermost parts. Research shows that stem cells thrive in certain environments and the loss of their power of division and growth occurs when the environment is not favorable. What follows is how stem cells grow and thrive due to several internal and external influences.

1. Caloric Restriction Increases Stem Cell Proliferation

Studies have shown that the number of circulating stem cells in the blood increases with caloric restriction. Additionally, the lifespan of the organs is lengthened. Intermittent fasting or a fasting-mimicking diet is a good way to induce stem cell production and increase the overall functionality of cells. It is these stem cells that are the building materials for our temple.

Chronic inflammation and metabolic problems occur when too many building materials end up in our systems. Studies show that reducing glucose input increases stem cell longevity.

Plain and simple reducing circulating glucose is precisely what the body needs to optimally produce quality stem cells. Foods that are processed or concentrated in any way outside of the body are the biggest culprit.

2. Reduce Triglycerides

The most common causes of high triglycerides are obesity and poorly controlled diabetes. People with high triglycerides are more likely to gain weight, resulting in metabolic syndrome. Additionally, stem cells don’t grow as well in bodies that have high triglycerides.

Some might suggest taking MORE high-quality omega-3 fatty acids to balance out triglycerides and help stem cell growth. I would suggest removing the offending source of the increase returning the body to balance and homeostasis rather than just putting in MORE. Both can be done, but one option is free and I have reservations with the other in that excess is not always better. That doesn’t mean though that there isn’t a place and time where some wisely administered supplements could result in a beneficial end towards whole-body homeostasis.

3. Exercise Boosts Stem Cell Activity

Using our body’s systems results in the proliferation of stem cells by simple means of use. One out, one in. Burn out one stem cell so that the newest one in line can brightly shine. Aerobic exercise in particular aids in this process especially when it comes to stem cells becoming bone instead of fat. When used our muscles activate stem cells as well. These are called mesenchymal stem cells and they are activated by exercise being made available to form new muscle and bone. I would always advise exercising caution in how you go about incorporating any new kind of exercise program. Especially if there are free weights and machines since they end up producing a bit more stress on the overall human creature.

Scribe(author) – Michael J. Loomis | Editor at Chew Digest

What Disease?

I will proclaim that there is no such thing as disease from this day forward. That is not to say that there aren’t disorders of function(disfunction) within the human experience. Indeed there is, and we have all experienced disorders to one degree or another.

In other words, I am going to do my best to remove the term disease from my linguistic arsenal because I believe it to be problematic. Problematic in that it allows for a continued building up of ideas and language that takes us further away from the truth of what disease truly is. An advanced state of aging. A problem resulting from our body lacking the vital energies needed to repair or replace the components that we are wearing out. To say it another way, we are using up our body’s resources faster than we can renew them.

And so in some sense, the word disease becomes an expensive paywall that prevents us from understanding what is really going on. And this disease is simply the first paywall or locked door that keeps us from really understanding what is really going on. Once you are convinced that you have a disease and you have gone through that door, it is further separated out into many other doorways and dim passages by which the initial problem becomes even more confused, obscured, blurred, and specialized into other, even scarier sounding disorders and diseases that become even more difficult to understand. This then ultimately leads us down the road to needing a doctor to guide us as blind people through the perilous straights of murky medical terminology. By the time the common man gets to this point they don’t know what to do. And in many cases, their doctor’s primary care doctors know little more. From this point, specialists who hold the keys of knowledge hidden behind the doors of specialties and specific diagnoses aren’t really able to help us better understand what is going on simply because they lack the time or skills needed to easily teach us in plain language what is really going on within our body. And thus we simply trust them in their decision-making processes that landed us in their care in the first place. And once most people get to this point there is little they can do other than say okay, submitting ourselves to a course of treatment that isn’t necessarily going to get us back to a state of homeostasis. To a place of normalcy where our body can once again be in its default state of organic and biological flow where everything is working with ease.

And this then leads us back to life…

There is only life and life exists regardless of our consciousness of it. We get to participate in it for a period of time. A span. A spectrum of existence that begins with what we humans call birth, and that existence has a temporal ending that we call death. Metaphorically speaking, we are simply an act if you will. A scene in a movie or play that makes up the whole of our individual lives. Our act or scene is a story that has many stages in between its temporal beginning and end. One story; yet two natures. One that is physical and the other that is spiritual. One is the story of our physical body and the other is that which we call our consciousness. Yet, both are a part of the same individual story that makes up each individual human life. And it is all an animated existence powered by electrical energy.

Our physical body is an organic, carbon-based life form that has been drawn up, gathered together, animated, and electrified as a utilitarian, beneficial, and necessary part of life here on Earth. We are here for a reason. In some sense acting as a counterbalance to another factor that exists within the realm of life on Earth.

So where does disease fit into all of this talk of man’s nature? What if I told you that disease is simply a metaphor for aging that has been used as a marketing tool in some sense? Well, that’s exactly what it is. The marketing of an idea that at the very least implies that there is something going on in our body that is out of our control that needs some form of external input, whether by ourselves or the hands of another.

So let’s remove the word disease from our common use of language and call it what it is then. Simply aging.

Beginning somewhere between conception and birth, aging has been defined as a steady decline or reduction of physiological function that leads to increased susceptibility to diseases that will ultimately end in biological death.

Beginning –> Aging –> Disease –> Death/End

When compared to other mammals, humans have what appears on the surface to be a longer lifespan. Approximately 120 years according to what humans have defined as a solar year consisting of 365 1/4 days.

Sidenote: I would like to argue that all mammals within their individual context from their own perspective experience the same amount of perceptible time known as a lifespan regardless of how humans define time. The idea that a day to a human would be something like a week to a dog, as an example. This might explain why a dog is so happy to see its human that has been gone on a two-week vacation. To us humans, it has only been two weeks, but to that dog, perhaps, it has been something akin to us having been gone for almost 2 months time.

Standard evolutionary models of aging are explained as the full potential of our body’s ability to repair or replace cells that would allow for continued existence. The idea is that over time, what we call natural selection, through a process called senescence, or the deterioration of age, begins to exert less effort in the removal of our spent cells. Our body loses its will to take out the trash, if you will.

This brings me back to the state that we have classically called disease. And this is the basis by which I would like to suggest that we stop using this negative, pejorative term for what is simply the process of aging.

What’s Keeping Us From Living Our Fullest Life?

Look at the fangs on this fuzzy fella. He is a gibbon and gibbons are frugivores.

I used to think that the reason we humans have these teeth in our mouth that we call canines is that we were meant to eat meat. Well, this fuzzy fella has some crazy-looking fangs, yet he only eats fruit all day.

I’m not saying that we cannot eat meat, because surely we can and do. But just because we call 4 teeth in our mouth canine teeth and they vaguely look like what a canine has a mouthful of doesn’t mean that meats were to be eaten by us in the amounts we do.

I still plan on continuing my non-animal fare as long as wisdom leads me down that path. It makes the most sense to me from my studies over the last 4.5 years on how the human body works BEST.

Can we eat meat? Sure. Should we eat meat? Not to the extent that most of us do if there is plenty of fresh plant-based/whole-foods are readily available. But hey, if you happened to find yourself lost in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska and the only things the Inuit have to offer is seal, then eat up my friend. It’s better than the other option.

If malnourishment were the other option for me I already have a plan in place for how I would go about consuming it. I’d rather be prepared than be caught off guard in that eventuality.

Can we humans fully function on a completely whole-food/plant-based diet alone? I am and I know a lot of other people that are doing it too, and we are all doing just fine. Am I 100% convinced that any one of us vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, or carnivore has it all figured out? No. There may yet be a better answer still.

These days we are living in a world of plenty where we have so many good options that we actually have the luxury to actually choose to do as we like. Something a lot of humans couldn’t have done just 150 short years ago. Many were just trying to maintain health or even simply survive. And sadly many suffered from all manner of malnourishment diseases that have been virtually vanquished in this world of plenty we live in today.

I personally can’t wait for the first person that has figured out how to live more than 120 years with a body that looks, feels, and functions like a healthy 24. It will start with a single person with sight beyond their own short life. A person that understands that there are things that are within our midst, within our grasp, within our power to control. Principles by which we can become the fullness of the life that was intended to be used by the intelligence that saw fit to gather our elements together into a cohesive bundle of energy. A life force bound up in this unique form for a purpose.

Do You Know Squat?

I’ve been practicing it daily now for 3.5 years. I drop down and hold for a 30 count first thing in the morning upon greeting the morning sun.

This after peddling my legs while laying on my back 50 times. 50 leg extensions while holding my legs with my hands behind my knees and then 100 leg curls while on my belly. It’s my way to start the day and get the engines running full steam ahead.

I also do 15 squats at a time, sometimes multiple times per day, while holding on to the kitchen sink. I may do that many times a day, but at least once so that I can do a tremendous amount of squats a year. How can that not do something positive for the body?

At this point in my morning routine, I do a full-body lymphatic where I massage all of my limbs and torso towards the jugular veins in my neck. The purpose of this is to keep all of the intracellular and lymphatic fluids moving in a positive direction, back into general vascular circulation for better overall health. I’ve seen the benefits in my own life. Here is what I’ve noticed.

Overall improved skin/tissue quality which in turn improves color and appearance.

It reduces fluid retention and swelling by moving excess water and metabolic waste from the tissues back into the lymphatic channels where our immune system can do its best work.

I’ve also noticed a better texture across my skin overall along with a reduction in scar tissues. My suspicion is that this makes our body more efficient at healing its injuries and illness related to direct trauma and surgeries.

And of course, possibly the greatest benefit of all, it is incredibly relaxing.

I have a very lofty goal of making it to 120 years of age with a body that looks and feels no more than a healthy, robust 34. But wouldn’t that be fascinating if I got to see my birthday in the year 2116? I would love nothing more than to celebrate my birthday at 144 with a body that looked and felt no more than 24.

I’m simply growing a fully refurbished body. And it is gonna last. This time I’m doing it the right way.

Death was once my master. Now it has become my greatest teacher. A wicked man that I once was, obeying the dictates bearing the fruits of ignorance in my daily life. I had no idea the path I was traveling and where it was going to lead me. But I have repented and now I will not relent. I have found joy in knowing that I am no longer a victim of circumstance or just bad luck because of genetics. That life is not a roll of some celestial dice. That it is not something that is in every way out of my control. But something more comforting, knowing that there is a will in this thing called life that wants us to not only be healthy and wise but also bear much good fruit unto life itself.

We are here for a reason. Life does not waste its force where there is no return on investment. We are here for a purpose and it is my pleasure to serve that greater good even if I don’t yet fully understand the goal. And that is why I am here to serve.

And it all begins with some squats at the beginning of each and every day with the first kiss of the merciful morning sun that brings me life and the motivation to rise to the occasion.

*Thoughts From a Facebook Response-2022/01/30

Some thoughts from a response in a Facebook post.

My body’s disease expression was diagnosed as mycosis fungoides. A cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Regardless of what it is called, I don’t see it being anything different than one simple thing. Advanced aging and failure of the body to properly detox. But not because the body and how it functions was the problem, but my behavior was the thing that was keeping my body from properly detoxifying itself.

Maybe we are all wrong to one degree or another about which foods need to be going into our mouths when we should be looking for another or other factors altogether.

I probably spend way too much time researching/reading/listening to different people that are masters in their respective fields of understanding when it comes to aging and how to minimize the effects of it.

That being said, I’m beginning to see a pattern amongst them all and that is that we are simply spending more time per day eating than we need to be. And that if we could pack enough nutrients into one feeding per day, our body would be much better off than multiple meals and snacks.

One idea I’ve been considering trying is something like eating one of my giant 3-pound salads one day followed by coconut water the rest of the day. 2.5-3 pounds of sweet potatoes the next day + coconut water. And then a huge bowl of vegetable soup on the third day + coconut water. All fruit on the fourth day. Then maybe just a day of liquids. Rinse and repeat.

I think diversity and variety within a plant-based/whole food framework are more important than these disagreements we are all having. Even raw vs. cooked. I think it might likely be healthier to do both on different days to keep our internal micro-organisms guessing rather than us being predictable.

To my animal-eating friends. That is your choice, but there is a LOT of clear data to be found that demonstrates that in the long run, it does more harm than good.

Also, the idea of needing to eat three times a day along with snacks is probably just a dumb idea from the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the need to create human resources that needed to be working all day long.

There really seems to be something about allowing the body to rest as long as possible between feedings but not really something found in extended fasting unless death is looming.

Anyhow…These are just some thoughts.

P.S. And we should all probably be getting a little more direct sunlight on our skin regularly. And the more melanin one has in their skin, the more is needed.

*Fruitarian vs. Centenarian

“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken.”

I’ve been studying human physiology and disease pathology for the last 4.5 years. A part of that study has been dedicated to observing the practices of the longest living people on Earth. Our centenarians. Groups of people that live in these specific five places called Blue Zones.

1. Okinawa, Japan
2. Sardinia, Italy
3. Nicoya, Costa Rica
4. Ikaria, Greece
5. Loma Linda, California.

There are a number of things that they have in common. One of them is a whole-food/plant-based diet. To be a little more specific, people in these so-called Blue Zones typically eat a 95% plant-based diet that’s rich in legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and nuts, all of which can help reduce the risk of death.

Strangely…None of these groups are fruitarians.

In late 2020, I was introduced to a practice called Natural Hygiene. The natural hygiene diet is a system of healthy living whereby moral, physical, and environmental pollution is strictly avoided, and natural, healthy food is chosen in preference over processed foods. The principle is to provide everything the body needs to be healthy and to avoid anything that may hinder health and well-being.

One of the hallmarks of this system, as it is practiced today, is a diet that primarily consists of juicy sweet fruit and gentle leafy greens. Small amounts of nuts and seeds are also on the approved list. This system also tends to focus on a practice called food combining and also the opposite which is mono-meals where only one kind of fruit is eaten until the consumer is full and then rotating through a variety of fruits and gentle leafy greens.

I have been practicing this way of eating for the past year myself and have found it to be very VERY beneficial in its ability to help the body heal and cleanse itself from the inside out. This will always be a part of my dietary practice.

But is eating this way what the human body needs to find its way to its fullest potential of living to 120 years and possibly well beyond to a place above 144 with a body that looks no more than today’s middle age?

I cannot say for sure, because there are no models that exist outside of religious texts that demonstrate this much less suggest this. And those practitioners that have been promoting this way of eating over the last 100-150 years have never themselves accomplished our fullest human longevity potential, much less in large communities. Or even small groups for that matter. Most haven’t even lived any longer than any average Joe that didn’t have any particular practice, but those in the Blue Zones have.

For me, I will continue on looking for better answers, and practicing what I preach. I will be continually pressing into the practices of what I can observe is working in the each and everyday practices of those that also practice what they preach. But I will not be so stubborn as to ignore the proofs that exist in our day in favor of rigid structures of beliefs in contrast to actual evidence of that which actually brings forth fruit.

I will continue to learn, grow and adapt. A wise man I knew once said, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken.” Thanks for the wisdom Chuck(Smith).

Simply Younger

It would seem that I have figured out how to negate the effects of aging in my body.

Or at least the things that made me look and feel older. Aches, pains, freckles, moles, age spots, liver spots, skin tags, etc. Even arthritis it seems. I’m so limber it’s almost comical. I can squat down, bow, touch my head to the ground and stand back up without using my hands, aside from balance.

I don’t think my body will ever look like a seventeen year old again, but that’s what I’m shooting for. I’ve had so much success at this point that it is at least worth shooting for.

I am expecting that Continue reading Simply Younger

Cancer, aging and cellular senescence.

Inducers of Senescence, Toxic Compounds, and Senolytics: The Multiple Faces of Nrf2-Activating Phytochemicals in Cancer Adjuvant Therapy

~Content Source

Normal cells do not divide indefinitely due to a process termed cellular or replicative senescence. Several lines of evidence suggest that replicative senescence evolved to protect higher eukaryotes, particularly mammals, from developing cancer. Senescent cells differ from Continue reading Cancer, aging and cellular senescence.