I listened in on a very informed discussion between two of the leaders at my synagogue.. It was a civilized debate on whether consumption of certain foods are appropriate choices, based upon your place of origin. In this case, whether one of Ashkenazi origin should consume rice. Rice is native to Asia, while barley and wheat are related to Europe.
It raises an interesting point: Certainly, before modern freight made it possible to consume foods from around the globe, people ate what was indigenous to their immediate environment. This is the same principle that forms the basis of a macrobiotic diet.
However, modern times have changed things a bit. For example, oranges and bananas are among the most popular fruits. Question: can you grow these fruits in New Jersey? Not to my knowledge. They are of tropical origin and require that climate to prosper and grow. Same for kiwis, mangoes, pineapples. I don't think there will be a movement any time soon to question consumption of these phyto-nutrient and anti-oxidant rich delacacies.
In addition, there are exceptions allowed, religiously, for health contingencies. Scientfically, unpolished brown rice is one of the least allergenic of the whole grains. And when I prepared it in a pressure cooker, which is the optimal way to seal in nutrients, I had a sustained energy*,not unlike when one exercises lightly, or meditates. All of those feel-good brain chemicals, serotonin, ephenephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine, kicked in. For maintaining blood sugar levels, brown rice is king.
Summation: rational judgement, combined with a respect for the past, and the best of science, should guide us.
Good health,
@
It raises an interesting point: Certainly, before modern freight made it possible to consume foods from around the globe, people ate what was indigenous to their immediate environment. This is the same principle that forms the basis of a macrobiotic diet.
However, modern times have changed things a bit. For example, oranges and bananas are among the most popular fruits. Question: can you grow these fruits in New Jersey? Not to my knowledge. They are of tropical origin and require that climate to prosper and grow. Same for kiwis, mangoes, pineapples. I don't think there will be a movement any time soon to question consumption of these phyto-nutrient and anti-oxidant rich delacacies.
In addition, there are exceptions allowed, religiously, for health contingencies. Scientfically, unpolished brown rice is one of the least allergenic of the whole grains. And when I prepared it in a pressure cooker, which is the optimal way to seal in nutrients, I had a sustained energy*,not unlike when one exercises lightly, or meditates. All of those feel-good brain chemicals, serotonin, ephenephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine, kicked in. For maintaining blood sugar levels, brown rice is king.
Summation: rational judgement, combined with a respect for the past, and the best of science, should guide us.
Good health,
@
