Nutrition Base

Question
Greetings Evelyn,

It is an honor to be introduced to you!

I am seeking certain foundational understanding on nutrition from individuals who have an Anthroposophical perspective.

At: http://www.anthromedia.com/articles/agriculture/nutrition/
is the phrase "anthroposophical extended nutrition". Rather than speculate about what this means I decided I would ask others. Nevertheless I do have a beginner's perspective on this and to begin with I see two parts in this phrase that consist of "nutrition" and "Anthroposophical extended". My first emphasis in this inquiry is on the "nutrition" part of this phrase. I would like to get a brief overview of the extent of the "nutrition" part before "crossing the threshold" into the "Anthroposophical extended" part. How does that sound?

For instance in speaking of nutrition (in context of the above phrase) would that be the same idea of nutrition as presented by the American Dietetic Association? If it is then I can immediately understand the need for "extending" that (or rather transcending that). If the ADA is not the nutrition base then what would the base be?

In Gratitude!

Chef Jem

Answer
Dear Chef,

Who then might have introduced us, I do so wonder. But lovely to find your inquiry, anyway. It sounds delightful.
Seriously, it tickles me pink. Because the "extended" part is ALL Anthroposophical nutritional perspectives are about. Not so much base as in (vit) ABC...

I would love to introduce you to the ins and outs, all the more so if you are a chef! A dream come true to inspire chefs to go bio-dynamic. I even believe there to be money in it. Because it will simply taste great and have a fabulous vibe about it. You see, we don't need stuffy old fashioned Anthroposophics in pinnafores cooking up some grits in this modern day and age, but hip young things (or wise ol'e souls) with a genuine taste for adventure, sincerity, and a drive to put out honest healthy, inspired cooking. This is what extends eating into nourishing the soul.
This is when diet becomes enjoying life. This is what justifies growing food at the expense of natural resources. This is the way forward to happiness (i.e. balance).

The base then is a life-philosophy. A rather complex one at that. A highly esoteric and metaphysical one (with genuine high philosophy roots, to boot). None of it directly opposes the ADA - simply because it does not relate to it in any way. It comes from an entirely different (and very German traditional) premise, and then it travelled some and grew into something anybody, anywhere can get a grip on.

It translates in modern terms to the fact we all are picking up on: we do not eat to live, let alone live to eat,  but live and therefore eat, as a celebration of our higher, sophisticated (indeed, spiritual) selves. No more or less so than we "must"  breathe, walk, talk, dance, write poetry... etc. People will need to embrace this "metaphysical" or existential truth as a society if we are to prevent death, disease and destruction from the mere act of eating.

So, I can answer your question in this vague way: Anthroposophic nutrition is based on spiritual and cosmic principles. I would be very happy to extend this, but then we are soon going to stray onto a very vast terrain, since it is a very holistic and therefore comprehensive approach. I don't know if it will help you to relate Anthroposophical nutrition more to Aryuvedic (Macrobiotic) or Five Element Taoist (Chinese) cuisine? But some themes do convene.

Maybe it would have helped me more if I had known with what research purpose you posed this question? Feel free to contribute more information if you have been provoked into asking a follow up question. For your own sanity, I advise you to ask precise questions, with as much detailed context as possible. I tend to elaborate as I pick up on what you are looking for.

And, oh, if we are talking transcendence - now you mentioned the word - Anthroposophy will never claim that you can "eat yourself to heaven". Only that a nutritious meal is more than a plateful of molecules and numerical values. Lighting a candle and putting on a Mozart String Quartet comes somewhere in to play when we are talking happy meals.

You are most welcome, any time.
Evelyn.

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