In a message dated 98-03-05 18:16:25 EST, you write:

<<  As I recall, the boy made bread by just grinding and cooking the acorns.
>>

grinding and cooking.  That's processing.  The theory is  that we should only
be eating foods that are edible without processing, even though most of us eat
them in their processed forms.  But if it's inedible without the grinding and
cooking then it's not good for us, that's the theory.  And I can assure you
that the acorns from the live oaks and red oaks in my yard are highly inedible
in their raw state, whereas the pecans are wonderful raw.

Kathleen