thanks, you really clarified things for me with your first paragraph. Good to be reminded of what's going on. I feel I'm always trying to keep the dichotomies clear
in my thinking...
I do take lots of lemon juice in water (though as I recall, a naturopth told me not to take more than one lemon a day, but to make sure to take that one.)
I also do the other things you mention as well as mineral vinegars,
except I haven't taken the HCL. hmmm.
I was aware of that about GERD... but I'm glad you mentioned it. It really is NOT usually as it appears on the surface of things, despite what most allopaths ( and even the alternatives) would tell you.