American Consequences - December 2019

Dr. David Eifrig comment: Thanks, Tim. I’ve written for years about the benefits of taking probiotics, but the absolute best way to get healthy gut bugs into our system is through fermented foods. I love adding sauerkraut to my plate, as well as some spicy kimchi. And I enjoy some plain (non-sweetened) yogurt in the morning. Add a handful of blueberries to the yogurt and you’ve got a great way to promote a healthy gut! Re: Christmas: Inside Out As a former DJ, I always played the songs you mentioned, as opposed to the “traditional” tunes. One of my favorites is Stan Freberg’s Green Chri$tma$. Perhaps you have heard it; if not, given your sense of wry humor, I suggest you search it out. Merry Chri$tma$. – Carl N. Steven Longenecker comment: I hadn’t heard it before Carl – but thanks for suggesting it. Just listened to it now and it’s fantastic. I found it on YouTube here. Just wanted to say thank you for this essay on Christmas and why commercialization cannot ruin it. I just appreciate some of the history you brought out and also because it helps me see that expressing joy is a good thing. As Christians we don’t have to be horrified at the merriment etc but see the good wherever and whenever we can. Christmas can bring out the good if we look for it. – Madelyn H. P.J. O’Rourke comment: Joy to the world, Madelyn! We at American Consequences love that essay by Andy Ferguson. I’ll answer your letter for Andy because he’s out spending a

And that will happen... but when it does, it won’t be thanks to the government picking winners and losers. The U.S. government has spent hundreds of billions over the past 50 years on a graveyard of failed energy projects. And almost always, the money flowed to the best- connected... the benefits were less significant and transformative than hoped... and there were practically always unintended negative consequences. What makes you think this time and this crisis is any different? Just a note for your information. As we age one of the things seems to be susceptibility to inflammation-caused diseases. However, although we have mapped the Genome, we have yet to map the Biome, which is the other 97% of our body that consists of bacteria, yeasts, and SCOBYS (cooperative associations of bacteria and yeasts). As we age, many people get less and less external beneficial bacteria and yeasts resulting in lower colonies inside us... So what to do? Most people take pre, or probiotics, and that’s fine as far as it goes. However for a real boost, we need to reintroduce Ferments into our diets. One teaspoon of homemade raw sauerkraut for instance contains as much beneficial bacteria as a handful of those expensive freeze dried capsules. So, perhaps a bit of my favorite spiced carrot, cabbage & ginger Ferment during your meal, and while you are snacking on your leftovers just may tip the balance in your favor this holiday season. – Tim M. Re: Read This Before Reheating Your Turkey

American Consequences

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