Friday, February 24, 2012

Woody Harrelson's Extreme Eating Regime

Are you familiar with a magazine called The Week? A friend mentioned it at lunch a couple of months ago. It summarizes what various publications have said on a range of subjects and provides a fun and quick overview. I was flipping through last weeks “Week” and a blurb entitled “Harrelson’s fear of the modern world” caught my attention as anything food-related does. Call it food-ar. The Week referenced an Esquire interview with Harrelson.

Harrelson is a raw vegan. He lives on an organic farm in Maui and doesn’t consume sugar, flour or dairy. And he has other fears
the ever-present cleansers, which are a thousand times more toxic than anything they purport to be cleaning. He doesn't wear clothes made of synthetic materials or cleaned at conventional cleaners. "Even sleeping on sheets in hotels washed with all these detergents — I mean, I literally get nauseous. Not to mention the electromagnetic waves — he refuses to talk on a cell phone or even to hold it in his hand. He keeps it off when it's in his pocket "to protect the proverbials."

This all started when a stranger suggested Harrelson give up dairy to ease his congestion and acne. He did, his skin cleared and it started him thinking if it isn’t “milk does a body good” then how many other lies had he been told? Or to quote “I just started realizing: There are all these things we're brought up to believe that are just a total hoax, just bullshit advertising, you know?"

I am typing this in a sweater that was conventionally cleaned with my blackberry in my pocket near my proverbial. I know an organic farm isn’t in most of our futures but I think a certain amount of skepticism and questioning of our food and environment is good. With arsenic in apple juice and endocrine disruptors in water bottles, should we feel protected?

This past Monday, The New York Times reported that President Obama’s latest budget cut would eliminate the Microbiological Data Program. This “tiny program” as it was called tests fruits and vegetables for contamination. In a country where cantaloupe can kill and spinach can sicken you, is this ok? And did any of you hear about it? Oh don’t worry if the USDA doesn’t test produce the food industry will, Cheers.
Are you skeptical when it comes to your food supply? Anything you're nutty about? Had you heard about the elimination of the Microbiological Data Program? Do you find Harrelson's regime extreme or sensible? 

32 comments:

  1. I'll be honest, I Try really hard not to listen to everything I hear. I read/hear so many things, each and every day, that if I stored it all I would go CRAZY. As a dietitian there is a certain amount of distance I feel that I need to have from certain pieces of information (especially as a supermarket RD). So while I might personally believe in something, I have to be careful what I say to others. You know? It's REALLY hard. I hear something new every day, in fact I hear about 10 new things every day.....whether I believe it, like it, hate it, or not, I have to keep some opinions to myself and keep on being an RD, and listen to what "The Academy" says! It's tough being an RD something. I won't lie.

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  2. I hear you Gina. I just think part of being an RD is sorting out the new information and offering our opinions. If we are confused, imagine it for those without the background and training? We can listen to news stories or The Academy but then we filter the information and come to our own conclusions. Perhaps, the supermarket has restrictions on certain things having not worked in that arena formally I don't know.

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  3. I personally think Woody is not mental sound..not because of his food habits, but because of his well documented erratic behavior. I am definitely skeptical about food supply, but refuse to live in constant fear. Life is to short. I am glad that I have found someone who I trust (you) to do a lot of the sorting out of all the information out there and present it in a reasonable way. I am already overwhelmed by all the medical information out there. Seems it changes everyday.

    It takes a lot of work to become a good RD and to be able to sort through all the information out there. I feel the same way about medicine. However, I think it is funny, how many people are so willing to believe quacks like Dr. Mercola and "Dr" Jenny McCarty about vaccines and crazy supplements but don't want to hear about the well controlled studies showing vaccines to be safe and that most supplements useless.

    As for Woody feeling better after elimating dairy, that could be the placebo effect. I am not saying that his symptoms did not go away, but it may not have anything to do with dairy. Many studies have shown that if you tell a patient that something will make them feel better, no matter if it is saline or a powerful medication chances are it will. My sister has known celiac disease, I recently gave up gluten and do feel better. However, the other night I had dinner at her house. She made whole wheat pasta for her son and then simply rinsed the pot and made us quinoa pasta. She broke out into a rash and had stomach pains (because of the left over gluten in the pot)..I felt absolutely fine!

    I find Woody wacky no matter what he eats, but don't think he is doing or promoting anything dangerous.

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  4. Agreed that Woody's unusual but I sort of appreciate it. I like radical and feel that planting the seeds can then leave the rest of us to sort it out. As for how to garner information, I don't think controlled studies are the only way to go. Unfortunately the big industries have money to push studies and there are way to many things that will never be studied because of the financial repercussions. Many people do feel better eliminating dairy and others do not. We don't know if this is placebo or if this is just sorting out what works and doesn't for each of us. A lot of this is subclinical. Agree on the wackiness but also think there is some wisdom there. I do.

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  5. I do think we have lots to worry about when it comes to our food. I try really hard to know where our food comes from, and most of our produce comes from a local CSA and farmers from the Farmers' Market I trust. But still, even then I didn't grow it myself... And unfortunately, I only have space for a couple big containers to plant tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, etc. Certainly a lot less than I wish I had room for...

    I also think that there are way too many chemicals around us and trying to be mindful and using natural cleaners, etc. important.

    I do eat some dairy and some wheat, but I don't eat a lot of it. It works for me.

    I have to say that I am a person who tends to worry a lot, and I sometimes do try to stay away from too much new info not to overwhelm myself too much...

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    1. Andrea, I am so with you. We have to think about it and I feel that can allay our fears. It sounds as though you are doing a great job. As for new information I personally like to have the info and then decide how to communicate it to others and how to apply it to my family life.

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  6. I read that article with Woody and loved it! (He has a friend who made his CAR into a giant bong...what?) He's quirky and interesting, can't say that about many people. And if I could live on a farm in Maui, I think I could become a raw vegan. Will I take advice from him, probably not. I do get freaked out by hotel sheets, though. I've been known to call ahead at a hotel and ask for new sheets or all-cotton sheets. Perhaps I've brought my own sheets to a hotel at least once...

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    1. I chuckled at the car bong too and Woody is funny in that he only has 'vaporized" pot ha. I don't know if it's taking advice from him or taking the general sentiment. Have you really called ahead for new sheets? Wow you're a freak too. I say that with love and "peace" ha.

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    2. I've totally called ahead for new sheets. I have sensitive skin and hotel sheets really irritate me. And I'm a high-maintenance princess. I always bring my own sheets and pillows when I stay in college dorms because, ew. Many potheads of a certain age use only vaporizers. Much easier on the lungs. I've heard.

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  7. I do understand his fears! There are so many reasons to be concerned about our food supply and cleaners. But because I can't afford an organic farm in Maui I have to let some stuff go or else (like Gina said) I would go crazy!!
    Never heard of the Microbiological Data Program. I would hope that the program also tests levels of pesticides/herbicides on our food in addition to foodborne pathogens.

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    1. I guess my question is do we let it go or just do what we can do? The issue with the program moving from USDA to FDA is that there may be a gap with testing questionable. That's an uh oh.

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  8. I'm skeptical of everything anymore. There's so much I could say that I keep typing and then deleting. It's a frustrating topic. When I tell people something such as when they brag about how long they've had a loaf of bread (for instance) and I say, "There's a reason it isn't moldy, you know" they think I'm crazy. It isn't that I never eat bread - I simply want to know what I'm eating and using on my body. Then I can decide for myself rather than allow the relevant industry to shape my decisions.

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    1. don't delete Caron, you're safe here, ha. Yes, bread should go bad and things lasting forever isn't good. Let's spread the word.

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    2. I don't eat anything that won't rot on it's own, just as I won't wear fabrics that melt instead of burn.

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  9. I am definitely skeptical of food. Not that I completely stay away from foods at the same time. It is definitely sad and frustrating to me. Although we have discovered some of what is in our food, we have no idea.
    On a lot of levels, I agree with Woody, but at the same time, it is so hard to just shut yourself out from everything.

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  10. Kristin, I hear you we can't all run away and life where it's 100% safe. However I also think many people subscribe to "it's too hard" or "it's too confusing" so I think as Rds we can help pave the path. If we can't inspire others through action, who can?

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  11. From "White Men Can't Jump" to organic eating? Interesting turn of events.

    For a while I was totally on board with this way of living. I threw out my Colgate and bought Uncle Tom's. But seriously? I was obsessing about everything to the point where I was making myself nuts.

    We have to do the best we can and with what we have to work with. If Woody can do this then all power to him. Others aren't as lucky to be as fortunate - with time or money.

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    1. Love Toms of Maine, there's definitely a comfort zone for everyone. Where is that place where change is manageable and calms us vrs making us crazed? I think many people can do more than they are without saying "it's too hard."

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  12. PS: I will say that eliminating dairy and sugar really improved my skin! Not a placebo effect in my opinion.

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    1. Agree, we all have to test things out with food and personal care products and see what changes we feel are sustainable and beneficial. Still laughing about the banana in your fridge.

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  13. I first heard of Woody Harrelson's food philosophy when it was reported that he had vegan Twinkies (not sure if they were raw?) specially made for him to eat in the movie Zombieland; his character is obsessed w/ finding the last Twinkies on earth heehee! Even though his lifestyle may be extreme, I agree with your point that employing some skepticism with regard to our food and environment is needed!

    It's becoming more and more clear that our government cannot be trusted to employ the necessary resources and attention to important food safety issues, especially in light of Pres. Obama's proposal to cut the Microbiological Data Program in light of all the food poisoning outbreaks and cover-ups reported in the past year.
    If nothing else, perhaps this change may highlight the importance of personally taking steps to purchase selectively and support small local farmers when possible.

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    1. Amen Sylvia. I would take extreme and health conscious over oblivious and dangerous any day.

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  14. I do think that we need to be skeptical - just not to the point of intertia. I think there are major, major problems in the food supply chain.

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    1. Still not sure why skepticism is associated with anything extreme. I think the "you can drive yourself crazy" argument is used to do nothing. Of course, as Ameena said you can also if you have the personality drive yourself crazy too.

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  15. I am very skeptical of our food supply. The other day I was uptown and popped in a health food store and saw they had organic tomatoes, so I bought one. I left thinking, how do I know that they are really organic? There was no sticker. I just blindly trust the store owners. I feel like the more I know, the less I feel safe eating. But I agree with Ameena, you can only do your best or else you will go insane. I think it's important to stay informed and to pick your battles. I avoid BPAs and choose organic as often as I can. I avoid processed food. I try and steer clear of sugar. I don't eat wheat. I avoid dairy. To most people my behavior seems nutty. For me, it works. Woody cracks me up. He is a little much but I think it's great at the same time. I hope Obama's administration finds a new home for the Microbiological Data Program! That's not something I want to see cut for good.

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    1. Seriously, we can debate dry cleaning but not having an agency testing our food? That should scare everyone. And we should follow this story.

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  16. i only use a vaporizer. :-) kidding. sort of. they are big here where i live. xoxo your SAS roomie.

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    1. D is back. Why not extend consciousness to leisure activities, right?

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  17. Never heard of the Microbiological Data Program or Woodys extreme living program. I am absolutely concerned about our food supply and choose to buy organic, non-GMO food. As an RD, I try really hard not to "preach" to my friends about what to eat, but I do promote choosing organic, etc whenever someone will listen to me. Woody regimine is too extreme for me, but I support questioning what is good for our health!

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  18. I'm not a fan of peachiness but feel people almost like the info.

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  19. Wow, I hadn't realized Woody Harrelson had such phobias. I definitely understands what he's saying though - we've all grown up with certain perceptions of things only to find out later in life that they're wrong. I've been struggling with this for the past few years as I've tried to follow a healthier lifestyle. I try my best to weed through what I hear/read and use common sense. With that said, I don't think everything we have/use in a modern society is harmful.

    Thanks for the tip on The Week; I'm definitely going to check out that pub!

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  20. His approach to eating is sensible. Period. It's practical, reasonable, rational and implementable/executable. It's within his -- and all of our -- power to choose what he consumes. (Lucky are we afforded this luxury.) He's putting his beliefs into active practice. I applaud him. Putting his money where his morals are. Bravo!

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