(TXT) View source
# 2025-09-28 - Bare Feet And Good Things To Eat by Gypsy Boots
(IMG) Nature Boys
By chance i found this book on the Internet Archive. Wikipedia
describes it as a vegetarian guide, but i don't think it neatly
fits into one single genre. The book consists of memoires, cooking
recipes, health advice, and is peppered with humor, yoga techniques,
and Hollywood name dropping. I got some good laughs and recipes from
it, which is more than i get from many books.
I love the author's upbeat style... from a distance. Reading about
his courtship, i don't think i'd want to get too close to him. As a
result of his loud, obnoxious way of courting her, his fiancee lost
her apartment and her job. I guess she thought it was worth it, but
in her shoes i'd be running away.
(TXT) Gypsy Boots
What follows are quotes from the book, with my comments in square
brackets.
* * *
# Introduction by Steve Allen
I prefer to think of Gypsy [Boots] as an enthusiast. And I think
this tired world needs more enthusiasts than it has.
I shall never forget how on each of his many appearances he came
bounding out on stage with the energy of a dozen men, carrying loads
of organic fruits and vegetables or what-have-you, spouting poems with
random rhymes and evanescent metre, dancing like Jose Greco on a hot
griddle, flying about the stage with carefree disregard of the
ability of cameras and microphones to report his activities, and all
in all throwing our theatre into immediate uproar.
In what is at least advertised as an age of conformity Gypsy is
healthily out of step. Our society claims to revere the concept of
the True Individualist, although in reality if often treats
individualists poorly.
# Chapter 1: How It All Began
All I want in life is to be healthy and happy, and, if I am able, to
bring health and happiness to others. People laugh at me, but I
don't care. So long as they are laughing. Laughter is the
healthiest thing in life.
Selling newspapers on a street corner and marketing fruit on a
highway won't impress most people if they see it included in a formal
job resume. But the important thing is not what you do in life, it
is how you go about doing it.
I've always tried to throw myself into something with everything I
had. I can't say I've made much money, but I haven't had an unhappy
day. That is more valuable than all the money in the world to me.
# Chapter 2: California's Nature Boys
Some people when they think of southern Californians, think of nuts.
Not the kind that grow in trees, but the kind that /swing/ in
trees--the bearded, mop-haired, half-naked vegetarians who wander
around in the hills and occasionally roll into town like a pack of
wild men. It was quite a few years ago when I lived like this.
At times there were as many as 15 of us living together in the hills,
sleeping in caves and trees.
It was in the early 1940's that we formed our merry band, and it
happened quite accidentally. We came from different cities, even
from different countries. But we had a common desire to abandon
civilization and to live a natural, healthy life.
* * *
Along the way we [Gypsy Boots & Fred Bushnoff] spotted a deserted
wooden shack standing lopsided in the middle of a field so we stopped
for the night. To our pleasure and surprise we found inside that
shack an ancient piano. It was covered with dust and warped, but it
worked and since we both loved music we started singing and playing.
I play the piano about as well as I sing. But it didn't matter.
Fred had his harmonica and that helped considerably. Besides, we
wanted no more than to enjoy ourselves.
About a mile away lived an Italian farmer, who woke up when he heard
our "symphony." He came rushing over and looked at us, not believing
what he saw. Soon he was singing with us, though. Then he said,
"You don't look like angels, but you are to me. I've been in this
gosh-forsaken place for a long time and you two have given it the
first life it's seen for ten years."
* * *
Eden Ahbez and I lived together for over two years.
Eden was one of the original nature boys and I was with him when his
song of the same name was born.
Eden played his drums and his recorder and together we sang his new
song "Nature Boy."
> There was a boy;
> They say he wandered very far,
> Very far over land and sea.
> A little shy and sad of eye,
> But very wise was he.
> And then one day,
> A magic day, he passed my way
> And while we spoke of many things,
> Fools and kings,
> This he said to me:
> The greatest thing you'll ever learn--
> Is just to love and be loved in return.
> There just to love and be loved in return.
This song has meant a lot to me. What it says is important and true.
... Good advice whether or not you are a nature boy.
Two or three years later Nat "King" Cole recorded that song of Eden's
and shortly after that Eden Ahbez was a celebrity.
(TXT) Eden Ahbez
(HTM) Nature Boy performed by Nat King Cole
(HTM) Nature Boy performed by Bing Crosby
(HTM) Nature Boy (instrumental)
* * *
Another of my best friends was Maximilian Sikinger. It was with Max
that I first experimented with fasting and special diets, and also
learned much about yoga.
I guess we were a wild-looking bunch. Doing deep breathing on the
mountaintops, swimming in ice-cold streams, then in a pack entering
Palm Springs with baskets of dates and nuts to sell to the
vacationers.
No matter where any of the nature boys are I think they are doing the
same, whether they are still in the hills or not. They are living in
peace, enjoying a life of love and laughter.
# Chapter 4: Anyone For A Weed Sandwich?
Back when I was living in the mountains with the "nature boys" and
when I was guiding those two girls back to health, much of what we
ate was what we found in nature. And as we ate we learned.
One of the first things we learned was that weeds are good for you.
There is, in fact, more health-giving energy in some of the so-called
weeds in our backyards, in the fields and woods, and in the streams,
than in most of what we can get at the neighborhood grocery or
restaurant.
Some "weeds" are good for you. Some are not.
# Chapter 5: Going Hungry, On Purpose
I believe [fasts] are good for you if--and that's a big "if"--you
prepare for them in the right way, you conduct yourself in the right
manner during the fast, and you don't do it too often.
Why fast at all? The simplest answer is that the body often demands
it. The body needs to "clean house," to get rid of all the poisons
in it. Have you ever noticed how little you eat when you are sick?
There are a number of reasons for this, but one is that the body is
throwing off poisons, partially through fasting.
How do you prepare for a fast? First, you must decide when you are
going to fast. I suggest either on a weekend or during your vacation
because when on a fast it is best not to be doing your daily work and
living under the pressures that go with the normal work-week. You
should also pick a natural and peaceful environment.
For 1 or 2 days before starting, load up on all the spring water and
ripe oranges and orange juice you can hold. The natural sugar in the
oranges will build up extra energy that will help you through the
fast.
You must also think positively. The last two days, think: "I'll be a
new person. I'll have new thoughts and greater peace of mind."
I believe, then, in exercising during a fast. Swimming and walking
are good. So are light sitting up exercises. But be careful. Don't
overdo it. Just enough to keep moderately active.
Another important thing is to drink plenty of pure water. The body
can get along without food, but not without water. Drink as much as
you like.
Lastly--and I say this again--think positively. I cannot emphasize
this enough. It is good to think this way always, but it is
especially important during a fast. You will be hungry and a little
weak, and if your family and friends are around, you may be inclined
to be a little abrupt. By thinking positively, you will be easier to
live with and much happier yourself.
It is also important to get enough sleep. Some people require less
sleep when fasting, but most require a little more. Go to bed early.
And do what you've been wanting to do for a long time: Sleep as late
as you want in the morning.
How long should you fast? Three or four days is a good length of
time. A weekend is good, too. But you definitely should try to go
longer than one day. The body really needs longer than that to throw
off all the poisons that have been building up in it.
After the fast, what? Wait until about mid-day before eating. Start
the day with deep breathing, a cold shower, and resting in the sun.
Then at noon you can have your first meal.
It is important that you don't break your fast with any cooked foods
or any starchy foods. The body is weak and to consume such food
would be a mistake. The best meal would consist of some fresh
coconut meat and fresh beets. If you want more, eat a healthy salad
or some cottage cheese with a piece of toasted whole wheat bread.
The first day your diet should consist largely of salads, cottage
cheese, vegetable juices, and fruit. The following day you can
return to your normal diet.
... if you decide [never to fast], there is also a next best thing.
This is going on [either] a cleansing or elimination diet consisting
largely of fruits and liquids.
# Chapter 23: Standing On My Head
I am not known for my teaching yoga. I am better qualified to talk
about food... But I have studied with some of the best yoga teachers
around, and I make it a part of my daily life...
One of my early teachers was Max Sikinger, who was one of the early
California nature boys.
What he taught me were the secrets of scientific breathing, probably
the most important part of yoga technique.
First, he said I had to adopt the proper attitude and get into the
proper environment, where it is quiet and I could be sure I wouldn't
be disturbed.
I have talked about "relaxing" while practicing yoga, while getting
ready for my breathing.
First, you must understand the three kinds of relaxation. There is
physical relaxation--when the muscles aren't doing anything... Just
as important is mental relaxation, when we forget all our problems,
when our mind is at rest, not thinking. And third, there is
"yoga relaxation." In yoga, relaxation goes beyond the mental and
physical. It goes into the spiritual world.
I think this world would be better off if everyone thought about
nothing more often, if everyone began to relax.
# Chapter 24: Parting Shots, Aimed At Understanding
Either way, learning should not stop just because we are out of
school. Really, we never are "out of school." There is much to be
learned throughout life, and many of the best teachers, I believe,
are those who have something to say about health.
* * *
That's all I ask of you. Watch what you eat. Exercise. Relax.
Take care of yourself. And be able to laugh. Laugh at life and
enjoy it, remembering always to be tolerant of your fellow [human],
regardless of [their] beliefs or ideas.
author: Bootzin, Robert, 1915-2004
(TXT) detail: gopher://gopherpedia.com/0/Gypsy_Boots
(HTM) source: https://archive.org/details/BareFeetAndGoodThingsToEat1965GypsyBoots
tags: biography,ebook,fasting,health,song,yoga
title: Bare Feet And Good Things To Eat
# Tags
(DIR) biography
(DIR) ebook
(DIR) fasting
(DIR) health
(DIR) song
(DIR) yoga