Contents
XNUMXth century healthy eating rules that still work
Plus 10 must-have foods to add to your diet.
Many people today are thinking about optimizing their lifestyle to improve health, balance mind and body, and be happy. They seek out new methods and techniques. Everything can be done much easier – to go back in time, where everything has already been found. The magic key – ancient methods of the XNUMXth century nun Hildegard of Bingen.
She was born in Germany in 1098 and lived for almost 80 years. She was a nun, abbess-teacher, healer, scholar and composer of sacred music. They knew about her far beyond the borders of the country, and pilgrims from all over the world came to see her “miracles”. Recently, the French writer Melanie Schmidt-Ullmann wrote a book where she collected the rules for the life of this saintly woman. The philosophy of Hildegard de Bingen is based on just 4 basic principles, but they allow you to balance the mind and body and enjoy a happy life.
The basis of a healthy diet – spelled
According to Hildegard, 70 percent of our health depends on what we eat. The other 30 are related to the environment and our emotions. She promoted the idea of preventing disease through healthy eating. It is based on spelled (a grain that should be on the table at every meal), vegetables and fruits (avoid strawberries, plums and peaches).
To provide her body with the necessary amount of energy, the abbess balanced the consumption of acidic and alkaline compounds. Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, grain, alcohol are sour foods. And fruits, nuts, legumes and vegetables are alkaline. In addition, it is best to eat unprocessed food, and if cooked, then steam and never fry.
Do you agree that it sounds very modern?
Fast and fast
Hildegard believed that fasting would benefit everyone, especially healthy people. She did not give up food completely, but built her diet on several healthy foods that she could safely rely on – spelled and vegetables. Fasting could be performed from one day a week to three or even longer. The best day is Sunday to recharge on the eve of the work week.
On the day of fasting, Hildegard drank herbal tea without sugar for breakfast and ate two homemade gingerbread cookies. For lunch – a plate of soup, for dinner – a plate of clear vegetable broth.
There are several important things to consider when fasting. First, drink plenty of fluids. Second, don’t jump straight into a three-day fast, start small. Thirdly, to be confident in your abilities, not to quit. If you have a chronic medical condition or are currently undergoing treatment, be sure to consult your doctor. In addition, fasting is not recommended for thin people or those with eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia), children, pregnant and breastfeeding women – like any fasting.
Pray or meditate
Hildegard encouraged people to pay attention to when a person needs rest in order to pray or meditate. Finding the time to do this is the most important step. It should be quiet during these moments to ask yourself the right questions and explore new perspectives. She advised starting the day with a good breakfast and breathing exercises, as well as a few minutes of meditation to give the day a purpose and direction. According to her philosophy, lack of direction leads to anxiety and depression.
Harness the power of minerals
Hildegard strongly believed in lithotherapy (stone healing) and used crystals to heal the body. Minerals are said to resonate with the human body, which also contains minerals. One of the most effective ways to use the crystal is to hold it in your hand for 15 minutes every day, or sleep with it in your pillowcase. The larger the stone, the more effective it will be. Amber, for example, warms the body and heart, aquamarine helps the respiratory system and in the treatment of sore throats.
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10 foods from Hildegard to add to your diet
1. Polba – An ancient wheat variety that is richer in minerals than modern wheat. Contains magnesium, zinc, phosphorus. Rich in protein, vitamins A, B and E.
2. Oats – prized for its high fiber content. Helps prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
3. Chickpeas (chickpeas) – sweetens food, is rich in vegetable protein, provides the body with 8 amino acids.
4. Dried beans (not canned) – rich in protein, fiber, carbohydrates. They also contain starch, which stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria. The abbess recommended eating them 4-5 times a week.
5. Chestnuts – rich in carbohydrates and mainly composed of starch, which is beneficial for gut health.
6. Fennel – is rich in potassium and was used by Hildegard as a cure for all diseases. It helps to lower blood pressure, cope with diseases of the urinary system. Rich in fiber and water, fennel is especially good for detoxification.
7. Plantain seeds – they form a protective gel on the intestinal walls that fights constipation. One of the best natural laxatives.
8. Nutmeg – has medicinal properties that help with indigestion. Hildegard was also convinced that nutmeg “opens the heart” and lifts the mood.
9. Galangal (a close relative of ginger, only sharper and with a citrus aroma) – helps the digestive system. It can be used to treat abdominal pain, stomach acid, hiccups.
10. Drinks without dairy products – vegetable milk is also excluded. Hildegard believed that dairy products should be consumed only in small doses and completely forgotten about them in the summer.