Adopting a natural diet does not mean a return to savagery. Cracked and flaked grains can be made into delicious dishes with very little labor and time, and are far more nutritious than cooked cereals. Sun cooked foods are rich in vital magnetism, of which artificially cooked foods have been deprived. They also diminish the desire for tea, coffee, spices and other artificial stimulants. However, the change should be made gradually. The best time to begin is in the spring by partaking of some raw cereal in the form of a gruel or mush each day. The most unsuitable time is when tired or overworked. During a vacation is a favorable time to begin. People who have lived on excess of cooked and starchy foods for a long time cannot expect to like the raw foods immediately, it may take several months, or even a year, to educate the cells of the stomach to act upon them. Dried sweet fruits (which have been soaked separately) and sweet cream make good additions if grains cannot be relished any other way.
On the following pages are a number of menus consisting largely of uncooked foods. Try them. Lay aside your prejudices against nature, and stop making new and complex recipes which ruin your health. Simplicity and knowledge are great helps for a low purse.
Each person should learn by experience to select the kinds of food which yield him nourishment and avoid those which disagree.
The most perfect foods, such as apples, tomatoes, wheat, oats, rye, legumes and nuts seldom disagree with a healthy individual, provided they are used wisely.
SAMPLE MENUS SUITABLE FOR ANY MEAL.
(Each line represents a complete meal.)
Cereal salad of rye with bananas or carrots, milk, green leaves.
Raw or cooked lima beans with tomatoes or carrots, leaf salad.
Apple and lettuce salad, fruit cake or fruit pie, Swiss cheese.
Plain cake, gelatine, cream or green salad, milk or lemonade.