TCs & the FOOD REVOLUTION Naya Arbiter Amity Foundation USA EFTC 14TH CONFERENCE PRAGUE • Historically TC’s have been Teaching Communities representing a revolution of inclusion dedicated to whole person education for: • Marginalized populations affected by racism, ageism, sexism, classism, poverty, criminality • Marginalized Issues: prostitution, sexual abuse, sex trade, trauma, gangs, effects of prison, violence, We do not become enlightened by imagining images of light -Rather by making the darkness conscious C.J. JUNG • What is the “diet” in our Community? • • • • • • • • • media diet spiritual diet intellectual diet emotional diet physical/ kinesthetic diet musical diet authenticity diet artistic expressive diet cultural diet • What do we provide for our students to ingest? • • • • • • • • 5% worlds population 50% of prescription pills 99% of all vicodan produced 63% Americans overweight or obese 20% children obese by 2008 Last 25 years tripled number of adults with diabetes 33% increase of diabetes increase in children 79 million Americans are pre-diabetic 40% of every dollar spent on food is food prepared outside home • Average child spends 7.5 hours per day watching media • 1913 - 40 pounds of sugar • 1999 - 197 pounds of sugar • • • • • 1909 - 294 pounds of dairy products 2006 - 605 pounds of dairy products Early 1900’s - 120 pounds of meat 2007 - 222 pounds of meat • A partnership with Oxford, Cornell University and Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine study included • 6,500 people, • 367 variables, • 65 counties in China • more than 8,000 statistically significant associations between lifestyle diet and disease variables • Eat Plants for health• More animal protein=more disease • More plant-based food=healthier people • Animal Protein promotes growth of cancer– yes all of it, meat, fish, poultry, dairy…. • Heart disease can be reversed through nutrition • Carbs are not the enemy • PLANTS DO IT BETTER • 2 million antibiotic resistant infections per year in humans • 23 thousand human deaths from these diseases • 70% of all antibiotics purchased in U.S. fed to animals on factory farms so animals do not contract disease • Much of antibiotic use in animals is inappropriate making humans unsafe/ 50% of U.S. human ingestion of antibiotics inappropriate • U.S. citizens who eat factory farm raised animals are ingesting antibiotics • CRE ( more resistant to antibiotics than MRSA) accounts for 600 deaths but has been identified in health care facilities in 44 states. A GMO plant or animal that has been genetically altered by scientists to improve its ability to grow in non-native environments, resist pests, tolerate extreme weather conditions, produce more food (like milk in cows), or show other desired traits. techniques. Scientists have used GE technology to create plants, animals, and bacteria with biological characteristics that would never occur in the natural world—such as a tomato with an antifreeze fish gene designed to resist cold temperatures, or corn plants with a bacterial gene that tolerates increased herbicide use. • No Truth in Labeling in the United States • 18 States infused with millions from large corporations lost “truth in labeling” initiatives in elections • • • • • Autism Allergies Leaky gut syndrome in adults and children Liver problems Reproductive problems • 250.000 farmer suicides in India – some by drinking ROUND-UP And more and more and more and more • • • • • • • • • • • Southern Australia Japan New Zealand Germany Ireland Austria Hungary Greece Bulgaria Luxembourg France – approved then banned • Milk doesn’t reduce fractures. Contrary to popular belief, eating dairy products has never been shown to reduce fracture risk. In fact, according to the Nurses’ Health Study dairy may increase risk of fractures by 50 percent! • Less dairy, better bones. Countries with lowest rates of dairy and calcium consumption (like those in Africa and Asia) have the lowest rates of osteoporosis. • Calcium isn’t as bone-protective as we thought. Studies of calcium supplementation have shown no benefit in reducing fracture risk. Vitamin D appears to be much more important than calcium in preventing fractures. • Calcium may raise cancer risk. Research shows that higher intakes of both calcium and dairy products may increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer by 30 to 50 percent. Plus, dairy consumption increases the body’s level of insulin-like growth factor-1insulin-like (IGF-1) — a known cancer promoter. • Calcium has benefits that dairy doesn’t. Calcium supplements, but not dairy products, may reduce the risk of colon cancer. • Not everyone can stomach dairy. About 75 percent of the world’s population is genetically unable to properly digest milk and other dairy products — a problem called lactose intolerance. one liter (a little over a quart) of Californian milk contained 298 million pus cells in 2003, 11 million more pus cells than it contained in 2002. So What Can You Drink Besides Milk? How about fresh carrot juice. Freshly pressed carrot juice from organic carrots contains adequate protein, minerals and necessary nutrients to nourish the body better than milk was ever able to do. At the same time it builds up the immune system and helps the kids to avoid colds and flu. Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot, if you can cure the patient with food Hippocrates • • • • • • • Hepatitis C HIV/AIDS Diabetes Sexually Transmitted disease Cancer MRSA ( methicillin- resistant staphylococcus aureus) CRE (carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae) note: MRSA and CRE resistant to antibiotics prevalent in health care facilities, prisons, nursing homes etc. • What we said “No” to: • Soda’s or junk food on the campus • All mixed sugared drinks • GMO’s in food • Pre-packaged food ( sliced cheese, pre-made burrito’s etc.) • • • • • • • • • • Industrial juicers in every kitchen Fresh vegetable or fruit juice at each meal Gardens at each residential site Education of food suppliers with movies – truck drivers to sales people Pressure food companies for non-GMO food ( they did) One day per week with “0” animal protein Monthly Seminars on Sugar with physical demonstrations Bulletin Boards: “ Sanitas Per Escam “ Morsel Moments: Morning Gatherings Food Movie Night Weekly • • • • All faculty information on China Study Faculty tested on China Study All faculty received cookbooks for plant based meals Children MUY THAI class fresh juice beginning- juice popsicles at end- healthy snacks • Corporate Chef gets pictures from kitchens of plates served daily • Weekly classes with Culinary Arts Department- movies current information regarding GMO’ Aspartame, etc. • BUILDING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM • I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice. • I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art. • I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work. • Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.