Let's talk about hunger

Let's talk about hunger relates to ensuring your future food-supplies from your own garden. It also means you will have the kinds of meals that satiate; and never have to worry about your waistline.

It’s not news that South Africans are hungry; and it is getting worse. The Covid social-relief grant ends soon and that is going to mean extreme hardship.

Hungry people are restless and history is littered with examples of governments that have fallen after massive internal unrest. The writing is clearly on the wall.

There have been many warning signs. It was only a few years ago that Dr Tshepo Motsepe, wife of President Ramaphosa in an anguished lecture spoke to the fact that over a quarter of South-African children aged five were permanently stunted; physically or mentally and usually both.

Permanently so no amount of excellent nutrition later can then undo the damage that has been done in their early formative-years. The repercussions for the workforce are massive; our people are no longer strong and many are mentally retarded. That makes them prone to chronic diseases.

That is in stark contrast to Our Green Home, an ordinary suburban garden we enjoy a mealie a day through the summer for at least four months if the vervets let up; they too are hungry. We are currently reaping 150 butternut and have legumes year-round. Plentiful greens and fresh fruit are seasonal; currently cherry guavas and gooseberries

Peppadews, lima and broad-beans add spice and protein to our food; the winter peas have just started.

Adding to that fresh-eggs and the odd young rooster, we can honestly say that our cup is full and our table overflows.

Add to that the best bread in the world, I’m not exaggerating at R6 per loaf and fresh-honey from the bees; we are truly satiated and greatly blessed. Our only purchases from the supermarkets are mainly dairy, olive oil and a little meat. We also enjoy bought dried chickpeas, a few seeds and spices to make very inexpensive hummus that has become a staple too.

• Healthy hummus recipe
  

Extreme hunger just over the hill and the loss of well-being that goes with it are in stark contrast with the extreme abundance from Our Green Home. The chief cost is the sweat off our brows; not rands and cents.

It has not taken a huge amount of money to supply this lavish table; it has in the main been simply hard work most days as we dig, plant and water. God gives the growth.

Like Rome our green home was not built in a day. It all started with learning about composting, planting a few rows of beans and lettuces; we collect the seed.

• Nine bean rows and a hive for the honeybee
  

Then a few beehives were added and the astonishing discovery that just one colony could produce 70 bottles of honey in a good year; that soon paid for an electric-extractor and more boxes. We now have a nice little income on the side.

• Beekeeping equipment
  

A chance meeting with a wheat farmer was a game-changer. We were introduced to "real" bread, made with 100% flour; all the nutrients are intact.

• What is artisan bread?
  

Here there were some real costs involved; a mill and a bread-machine, today retailing around R10,000. They have both been paid off many times over.

Seeing how the Dutch harvest and store the rain in underground reservoirs in the garden led to another relatively inexpensive project^[2]. Now we have ample pristine water for the home and vegetables year-round. It matters not a jot how corrupt the uMngeni Board is, or isn’t; or how many leaking pipes and broken pumps they have.

There are huge concerns today amongst scientists about toxic chemicals in water supplies from utilities; they cause serious conditions like the neurodegenerative diseases.

• Risk factors of Parkinson's Disease
  

Alongside all of this was a growing disgust of modern commercial foods. Cake-flour, maizemeal and store bread are long gone; sugary treats and colas too, with very occasional indulgences. Highly processed Cornflakes and All Bran for breakfast are history. These are a pale shadow of real nosh.

Few things make me more angry than do-gooders handing out parcels of food of very limited nutritional value.

My Zulu friend tells me that fewer people are working and there are ever less buses. Not generally a negative person, I fear for the future. A recession at least, and perhaps even another Great Depression lurks just around the corner; that means hunger and serious unrest.

We cannot look to government for a solution; they are preoccupied with other matters of lesser import. I believe it’s time now for all South Africans wherever we are to start digging out the lawn, planting seeds and growing real-food. In the winter it will mean carrying buckets from the shower to water the peas and broad beans; and the lettuce, carrots and kale too.

Turning off the TV and spending are less hours on social media is a major part of the deal; is it not time to start living instead of watching the celebs enjoying life? I sense that the hour-glass is running out and hardship lurks just around the corner for most South Africans; and it will be severe for many.

One massive benefit for those choosing this alternative lifestyle is that visits to doctors and the pharmacy become increasingly few and far between. There’s strong science confirming that the majority of our diseases are related to how much we exercise and the food we eat; and of course smoking.

Another is that this lifestyle is supremely satisfying; we are happy. Growing your own food is one version of what is known as forest bathing.

We are very happy. You could be too.

Putting it all together makes for an extremely satisfying meal; it may look like a dog's breakfast but I promise you that both the flavour and the nutrition are out of this world.

Legumes and 100% whole-grains provide what is known as the "subsequent meal effect." They satiate so that for the rest of the day your blood sugar is normalised and you don't constantly feel hungry.

Add to that an egg and some healthy fat and your day is made; no more constantly feeling famished and wanting to reach for a cola and a snack. Foods like this are the only sensible solution to obesity; as we all know only too well, diets simply don't work.

Ketogenic diets have some merit but even there I have serious doubts about the large amounts of meat and animal fat being advocated; and the ban on legumes and whole grains.

The modified Banting diet^[3] does tick most of the right boxes; an effective but sensible way to lose a significant amount of weight.

The only meal plan that I could ever come close to recommending is the longevity diet. It has much merit being designed by scientists who have come to grips with what keeps humans healthy; and that which makes them sick.

Let's talk about hunger

Let's talk about hunger concerns growing your own vegetables and even keeping your own hens for both eggs and meat. Just what does one do with those darling chicks when they grow up to be noisy roosters?

Community is at the heart of hunger

In a country where 10-million folk go hungry every day, great starts are being made by communities^[1].

In contrast on the half acre that we actively garden, we produce over R100,000 of food per annum. Much is given away and a small amount is sold at Reko Hilton.

Having reaped for months below is the final harvest from just two plants; enough to fill full the mouth of famine. Freezing broad beans is our current challenge so that we will have sufficient protein for a whole year. 

What is the definition of hunger?

What is perhaps strange is that obese people usually feel constantly hungry. They choose foods that do not provide satiety; which do not stimulate the glands in the stomach and small intestine that produce the "incretin hormones." There are serious deficiencies of fibre, minerals and vitamins; and many phytonutrients like beta-carotene for example.

Those experience this "fake hunger" frequently suffer from Fatty Pancreas, a serious debilitating disease that is often fatal.

• Foods for a healthy pancreas
• Why the Look AHEAD trial failed so miserably.
  

In sharp contrast true hunger is about a serious lack of food. Protein deficiency is common causing frank or borderline kwashiorkor. Essential fatty acids and many micronutrients are missing. Millions of small children die every year of the diseases associated with starvation.

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