eat dirt!

[scottobear]

In many societies all around the world it is considered not only
normal but actually beneficial to consume certain kinds of earth. In
Africa and other places, pregnant women regularly eat special kinds
of earth, and in some cultures clay is mixed with bread or other
foods as an extender.

The practice of earth-eating, also called geophagy [jee-OFF-uh-jee]
has been alive for millennia. There are three main reasons for it.
First, certain kinds of clay can provide mineral nutrients not easily
available elsewhere (which is why it is often eaten by pregnant
women). Second, some types of mineral earth are able to absorb
toxins that would otherwise poison us. Third, soft mineral clay is a
harmless, bulky filler that can extend bread and other staple foods
during times of famine.

Comments

Re: dirt

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

really? what sorts of stuff? how did affect your intestinal critters? Did it take a long time for it to 'work it's way out'?

gross out poo poo talk

[eebomb.livejournal.com]

Fasting in general makes for weird pooping. Some people talk about having lots of mucus come out. Mucus braids is the terminology I've heard. I had a little bit of that but mostly just a much denser, darker, ooky kind of poo. It looked as if it had been clinging to my intestines walls for years. It takes a couple days to start coming out. It's kind of amazing how much stuff can keep coming out even when you're not eating. Same the other way, when poop doesn't come out for a long time even though you keep eating lots.
I haven't heard about fasting getting rid of bacteria from the gut. I think those guys are able to hang on.

Re: gross out poo poo talk

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

very interesting... I know they say red meat hangs out in the intestine for upwards of 7 years. Not sure what that's based on, or who they are.... but I've heard it. how long of a fast was it? Do you still fast regularly, or only when certian hubbub occurs?

Re: gross out poo poo talk

[eebomb.livejournal.com]

I've heard people talk about fruit eaten with other food, instead of by itself, also hanging out in the gut and forming a rotten fermenting mess. Who knows what's really happening in there but there does seem to be stuff that gets stuck in there and just needs a break and a little coaxing to come out. It makes sense that you may absorb nutrients better if you have less gunk coating your gut.
Anyways, I haven't fasted in a long time. I did it a few times about 10 years ago. I had a bit of a buffer with my weight then and it felt good to do it. I am a little on the thin side now and don't feel like I have much of a reserve to rely on. Once every couple years I'll do a few days of just eating raw foods and not too many of those along with drinking lots of tea and water as kind of a miny fast.
As with most things in my life, I do it when it feels right to do it. It usually has been in winter when there is a subdude vibe here in the cold north.

Re: gross out poo poo talk

[eebomb.livejournal.com]

I forgot to say how long. From 4 to 7 days.