Very interesting article:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1074778113932_24?s_name=&no_ads=

This really makes sence to me! If your harnessing horses (plus taking care of them as well) and walking behind a plow over 50 acres, you will stay thin. But when I lived in SW Michigan, near the Indiana line, I saw a lot of overweight Amish women.

Susie in MN

I've only seen Amish people in movies, but I'm really interested in their lifestyle. I think I'd love to live like that....for the first week! Then I'd want my hairdryer back!! :)
The diet is interesting. More like the old NZ pioneer diet and there didn't seem to be many overweight people back then in those old photos I've seen. Way to busy with all the hard work breaking in a new country, I guess.

We live in an area where there are many Amish familes. I have learned so much from them and their ways. We tend to overcomplicate things so much and rush around to get nowhere! Their work is very hard and yet they seem so content with their lives.

I agree, I do like my some of my modern conveniences and would have a real hard time giving them up.

I truely think that we are ALL capable of living an Amish life, it's just that most of us are too stubborn to understand that money in itself is absolutely worthless. Personally, I believe the "economy" is all BS, but I won't get into that unless someone else wants an argument. You're only as rich as the work you do with your two hands. :clover:

I truely think that we are ALL capable of living an Amish life, it's just that most of us are too stubborn to understand that money in itself is absolutely worthless. Personally, I believe the "economy" is all BS, but I won't get into that unless someone else wants an argument. You're only as rich as the work you do with your two hands. :clover:

I like how you think!

I have been reading another book on diet and exercise recently, so this article caught my eye. The author in the other book says that God did not design us, as humans, to do aerobic type exercises, but to work. So, when you stop to think about it, the Amish diet and exercise program makes sense. Also, it is cheap. No machines, books, or gadgets to buy. No confusing dialogue about sugars, fats, carbohydrates. Just eat and work. Sounds fine to me. :clap:

The author in the other book says that God did not design us, as humans, to do aerobic type exercises, but to work.

Yes, in fact, the amish think it's folly - foolishness - that most people spend their "hard-earned" money on conviences (appliances, cars, etc) that purposely minimize the work they do, and then lay down even MORE money to a gym so they can stay in shape...how about not buying the conviences in the first place, and saving your money twice? ;)

I have been reading another book on diet and exercise recently, so this article caught my eye. The author in the other book says that God did not design us, as humans, to do aerobic type exercises, but to work. So, when you stop to think about it, the Amish diet and exercise program makes sense. Also, it is cheap. No machines, books, or gadgets to buy. No confusing dialogue about sugars, fats, carbohydrates. Just eat and work. Sounds fine to me. :clap:

I think I have the same book. :)

Puritan Mama, I think the Amish have it right.

I know that's true but did you know that the main cause of death among the Amish is heart disease.
Go figure that one?????????????

I don't live near Amish but a large group of Mennonites (over 400 families). I've seen a increase of larger Mennonite women but it seems like it is among the more modern ones.

Billy

Probably due to the fact that they (the more modern Mennonites) use more modern labour saving devices.

You are probaly correct about that, it could be the leading reason.

Billy

Without age statistics, the "main cause of death is heart disease" is kind of a non-fact. If I can live to be 99, then die of heart disease, I win!

Hello, my brothers & sisters in Christ! It is winter currently where I live (USA). May I have your help? I would like to learn how to cook using my wood burning stove. It's more of an emergency survival type of request. No one has ever taught me how to cook with a wood burning stove. I think it would be fun to learn how. Any suggestions & recipes? What type of cookware do I need? Cast iron, what? I'm like a fish out of water, but I'd love to learn. I live far from you though. Suggestions?

Sincerely,
A child of Light
Eagle

I forgot to mention about Diet. I can help you with that. I am working on my certification as a Nutritional Specialist. I have 10 years of research & personal experience in Nutrition. So despite the fact that I don't have my certification yet, I still have the experience.
Have any of you heard of the Alkaline-Acid Balance Diet? Probably not. Not many people do. The AMA & APA are controlled by the FDA. So the talk of Nutrition is not mentioned too often. What happens is this, when people eat more acidic foods than alkaline foods. Their blood turns acidic which the blood becomes an excellent place for diseases, yeasts, molds, fungus, illnesses, viruses, & multiple chronic conditions to flourish such as glaucoma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer etc. (the list goes on & on). People need 70% Alkaline foods & 30% acidic foods daily. There is an excellent chart on the internet you can look up that gives you a list of all the foods that are acidic & full of alkalinity. Not only that but people need to learn how to balance the alkaline-acidic food diet with the Food Guide Pyramid. That is where I will come into play upon completion of my certification!
I can't stand to stand by while my friends are suffering from some kind of illness. I am pushing the envelope here working hard studying to graduate early so I can legally help my friends get healthy. Here drugs are pushed on people by doctors. Doctors don't know any better because of their training. Here (USA) doctors will not check the acidity level in the blood of their patients unless they are really sick meaning on the point of death.
You & I know that these people do not need drugs. They need God for their emotional end & they need whole foods so their bodies heal. Foods that are really good & alkaline is Sweet Potatoes/Yams, Nectarines, Raspberries, Watermelon, Tangerines, Canteloupe, Honeydew, Wakame, Sea Vegetables, Hijiki, Curry, Burdock & Lotus found in detox teas, hydrogenated oil, umeboshi plums, baking soda, sea salt, pumpkin, Lentils, Nori/Kombu, Onion, Daikon, Grain beverage like soy milk or rice milk, molasses, soy sauce, poppy seed, almonds, chestnuts, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, kohlrabi, parsnips, garlic, kale/parsley, endives, mustard greens, taro, broccoli, citrus, olives, dewberry, loganberry, mango, ginseng, mu tea, sake, rice syrup, green tea, apple cider, primrose oil, sprouts, sesame seeds, cod liver oil, potato, bell pepper, mushrooms/fungi, cauliflower, rutabega, salsify, eggplant, collard greens, pears, pineapple, apple, blackberry, cherry, peach, papaya, avocado, brown rice, lettuce, bananas, etc.
So you really need to learn the food effects on body chemistry. I would recommend anyone to look up the Alkaline-acid balance diet food chart & the food guide pyramid. Make a copy of both for yourself. May God bless you, and keep you, and strengthen you in your path. Love always. Your sister in Christ, Eagle

I really enjoyed that article.
It proves that exercise is the real key to health.
I am a very healthy eater and my cholesterol levels are too high.
I am not happy to say that I do not get enough physical exercise.
I thought because I am not over weight and eat well that I was doing well.
Not so.
I liked what someone here said about God not intending for us to do aerobics and the like, but hard work instead.
I believe this is true.
None of us would even have time for planned exercise if we kept busy with all that really needs done.
And if we did it right we wouldn't need it!
Look at the Amish diet,
They live on all the foods God provided and the extras too, such as gravies and cakes. And yet they have less obesity, heart disease and cancer.
This says alot!