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Mountain Views NewsSaturday June 29, 2024
CHRISTOPHER Nyerges
[Nyerges is the author of several books including “Self-Sufficient Home” and
“How to Survive Anywhere.” He also leads wilderness classes every weekend.
He can be reached at School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA
90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]
NUGGET
Brown Tabby
Age 2 months
Nugget, brown
marbled tabby, is a
playful sweetheart
who balances his
adventurous spirit
with a love for cuddles. He adores getting kissy-
faced and will happily curl up in your arms when
he’s not busy playing.
Nugget’s affectionate nature makes him the
perfect companion for cozy evenings. Call him a
"Playful Snugglebug!” We prefer our kittens to be
adopted in pairs, unless there is a friendly young
feline at home already. We have other kittens
Nugget can be paired with.
Nugget will come neutered, micro-chipped, totally vaccinated, healthy, and more! He will
be ready for his forever home by late July or early August, but we are taking applications
now to meet him. https://www.lifelineforpets.org/cat-adoption-application.html. Hurry!
SO YOU WANT TO HAVE A VEGETARIAN DIET?
Here are the things you
should consider:
[Nyerges is an ethnobotanist, teacher,
and author. He’s written many books, which can be
viewed at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]
It is widely believed that throughout history,
no societies were strictly vegetarian because
all food had to be obtained very locally, and
it was not possible to get “complete protein”
from the local plants alone. Though historically
correct, that premise is not entirely accurate.
And in today’s world, we can obtain
foods from all over the world at any supermarket
in any town. It is relatively easy today
to be a vegetarian – even a vegan – and
stay healthy.
Let’s start from the beginning. What is a complete
protein? Is it essential for the health of
our bodies that we eat meat? If we eliminate
meat from our diet, what foods should we
eat for optimum health? Are there pitfalls to
avoid if we choose a vegetarian diet?
WHAT IS A COMPLETE PROTEIN?
There are 20 amino acids. Eleven of those
our bodies make on their own, but the other
9 we have to get from daily food. These
are called essential amino acids. Foods that
contain all 9 essential amino acids are called
complete proteins.
CAN ONE OBTAIN COMPLETE PROTEIN
FROM PLANTS ALONE?
According to author and macrobiotic authority
Michelle Williams, “Yes, you can get
complete protein from plants alone. There’s
debate on whether some plant foods have
enough of all essential amino acids to be
considered ‘complete’, but all foods have
some protein, including plants. You don’t
need to eat complete proteins in every bite
at every meal. If you eat enough variety of
whole plant foods throughout the day, vegetarians
can definitely eat enough essential
amino ac-ids for vibrant health. Keep in
mind that everyone‘s protein requirements
are different depend-ing on many different
factors.”
WHAT FOOD WILL GIVE YOU ALL
THAT YOUR BODY NEEDS?
According to Michelle Williams, “Here are
a few plant sources of complete proteins:
spirulina, chia seeds, hemp seeds, seitan,
amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, barley and
soy foods including soybeans, natto, tofu,
tempeh and edamame.”
Author Dr. James Adams points out that
quinoa, buckwheat, hempseed, blue green
algae and soybeans all contain all 9 essential
amino acids.
Enrique Villasenor has long pointed out
in his lectures that acorn, widely used in
Native Ameri-can traditional diet, contains
all 9 amino acids, though in low
volumes.
Another favorite food that Villasenor promotes
as beneficial to the immune system is
the prickly pear cactus, which contains 8 of
the essential amino acids. He refers to both
of these as “super-foods.” He adds, “While
some Opuntia species do not contain tryptophan,
most contain phenylalanine. Phenylalanine
and tryptophan are both "aromatic
amino acids." They are similar in chem-ical
composition. Aromatic amino acids are precursors
for serotonin.”
Author/ teacher Prudence Boczarski-Daniel
suggests that everyone reads “Diet for
A Small Planet,” by Lappe. This popular
primer on how to be a vegetarian was first
published in 1971. Lappe promotes “complementary”
foods because some foods that
are low in certain essential amino acids can
be combined with others that happen to be
high in the essential amino acid that the other
food is missing.
WHAT ARE SOME IDEAL FOOD
COMBINATIONS?
“Diet for a Small Planet” explains that all
grass grains (wheat, rice, corn, etc.) complement
all legumes (peas, beans, garbanzo, soy,
etc.). That is a very simplified version of getting
a complete plant protein by combining
(or complementing) grasses and legumes.
Some of the traditional food combinations
that give you a complete protein are corn tortillas
and beans from Mexico, bulgar wheat
with garbanzos from the Middle East, and
soy products with rice from Asian countries.
REFERENCES FOR THOSE WHO WISH
TO BE VEGETARIAN?
One of the top references that is consistently
mentioned is “Diet for a Small Planet” by
Lappe. This book, in print since 1971 and
sold over 3 million copies, and now revised,
gives you the basic science of plant food combinations
which make complete proteins.
Another good reference is “The Balanced
Diet for You and the Planet” by Dr. James
Adams, available from Amazon.
This is a very simplified explanation, and
someone going from a carnivorous diet to
wholly vege-tarian can also expect some
bodily changes.
Pet of the Week
Boba Fetch is a 4-year-old husky mix who is
handsome, friendly, and most importantly such
a good boy! He weighs just shy of 60 pounds, and
a good portion of that is his gorgeous fluffy coat.
Boba is energetic like most huskies- he enjoys
going on walks and runs in the park. He loves
playing with toys and bouncing around. He also
has a very affectionate side- he loves a good belly
rub or a cuddle. He seems to get along well with
other dogs, large and small, and he is also very
comfortable with small children. He’s currently in a
foster home with a toddler and is very gentle! Boba
is also learning basic commands and appears to be
housetrained.This lovable fluffball is ready for his
forever family!The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All
dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip,
and age-appropriate vaccines.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-
and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with
information about how to care for your pet.
Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer,
adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online.
View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by
phone calls or email.
HOT TEMPERATURES CAN MAKE CONCRETE AND ASPHALT
TOO HOT FOR YOUR DOG’S PAWS.
Asphalt and concrete temperatures can usually be 20-40 degrees hotter
than the ambient temperature. If the back of your hand can’t stand the
heat on the concrete or asphalt for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for a walk.
When it's above 90 degrees outside, bring dogs and cats indoors.
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com
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