The choice not to offer or consume these three can be a big adjustment, especially since they can be found in most staples of the modern western diet. It's not a matter of renouncing them completely, rather replacing them with alternatives that promote health and balanced nutrition. Ancient grains, unrefined sweeteners, and eventually, milk products that come from the cows we protect; all are a part of the lifestyle here.
Let's address them one by one:
Wheat, specifically hybridized, highly glutenous wheat has many advantages for the food industry, and disadvantages for the human body. Everyone's system responds differently, and some can tolerate the changes made to this staple grain. What we are aiming to avoid is glyphosate, the toxic pesticide that is used throughout the growing and drying process. These chemicals have permeated the biology of the plant itself, as well as the soil and the water cycle. There is no escape, but we can choose not to indulge in what will destroy us. We enjoy exploring ancient grains like spelt, kamut, barley, rye, and millets. Chapatis and baked goods still have a place at the table.
Sugar, specifically refined white sugar, is essentially a drug which is highly addictive and devoid of nutritive properties. It is also not vegetarian, as the bleaching process is done with bone char often derived from cows. We choose to sweeten our offerings with jaggery, coconut or cane sugar, and honey. As we become more self-reliant, honey and whatever we can boil down, like beets or sorghum cane, will be our source of sugar, and of course, the abundance fruits that grow around us!
Dairy, specifically commercial dairy, is not ahimsa. Milk which is forcibly derived from cows is poisonous to the body and results in innumerable incurable diseases. Therefore it is a form of violence against our own bodies to consume these products. The goal of a cow centered community is to render service to cows, and a byproduct of that is the milk that gomata lovingly provides. We will have dairy as a staple food once we are able to provide for cows. In the meantime, we can produce oils from pumpkin seed, hemp seed, hazelnuts, and sunflower seed.
Removing these three allergens from one's diet allows for deep healing of the digestive system and the subtle body. Ugra karma, or ferocious activity is not required to meet the needs of the body. In fact, it inhibits the body's full functioning potential. Protecting our bodies from harm gives us the energy required to complete the works that sustain us, like growing food, protecting cows, cooking, sheltering, and serving others.
