Macrobiotics

Question: How to ease back into Macrobiotics? I was "diagnose" tentatively with Lupus three years ago. I went on kind of a crash Macro diet to clean out my system and booster my immunity. It worked very well and had no more symptoms or problems..but eventually I went back to my older diet which wasn't so hot. I ate pretty well when I was pregnant but since I had my baby in September I have gone downhill with no sleep, no time, etc...eaten a lot of what I shouldn't. I really would like to get back into it..I do nurse and I think the whole foods will be beneficial to my son as well. Advice? Websites with good recipes for a working mom? Thanks!

Answer: Recipes are the easy part. The first is to start gardening, even if it's in containers on the balcony of an appartment. Get some seed catalogues, order seeds, get some interesting things to eat. Read the book: The One Straw Revolution. There are so many websites and recipes; I don’t know where to start. Grab some macrobiotic books from the library along with some gardening ones too and get started. Our main kitchen tools we use are: purple clay inner pot automatic rice cooker (which can cook other grains too of course); Thermos Shuttle Chef cooking pot; wok; cast iron frying pan (for pancakes, flat breads, etc.); air popcorn popper; toaster oven.

Question: Has anyone ever tried macrobiotics? If so, are the health benefits much greater than veganism.

Answer: My ex-boyfriend is a macrobiotic and he is kind of sickly. Plus a little weird. I mean really, he wouldn't eat my apple pie because "fruit and starch digest in different parts of the body and will mess up your digestive system..." Oh, PUH-LEEZ!!!!

Question: Can macrobiotics replace or wean me out from thyroid hormone pills? If yes, how? I'm a thyroid cancer survivor and am searching for an alternative to not taking synthroid for life. I'm a thyroid cancer survivor (no longer have my thyroid glands) and searching for an alternative to not taking synthroid for life.

Answer: No, not at all. Macrobiotics is just another word for foods that you need more of (as opposed to the basic vitamins, which you need less of). You can find a lot of detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet about that. That being said, there are other Thyroid support products that you could discuss with a doctor. Namely L-Tyrosine, Coleus Forskohlii, and even a good B Complex can help with Thyroid health... but like I said, I would talk to a doctor to see if it's enough support to keep your Thyroid healthy. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: Personal thoughts on Vegan,RawFoods,&Macrobiotics? I wanna know what people think personally the farthest I am willing to go is vegetarian but I wanna incorporate all of the above occasionally into what i eat so I can atleast be openminded. I especially would like to hear from those who are vegans, into raw foods and macrobiotics !

Answer: All diets can be very healthy if done properly. The importance is in giving your bodies the nutrients it needs. Your body cares not about the source. As for whining about vegans calling items "fake beef" or whatever, who cares? If something like that bothers a person they're more than likely a chronic complainer.

Question: Does anyone know anything about Macrobiotics? Is this a safe diet?

Answer: Check out this webiste for info on macrobiotics. http://www.lifepositive.com/Body/holistic-recipes/recipes/macrobiotics.asp

Question: What do macrobiotics drink on a daily basis?

Answer: Are you referring to the dietary macrobiotics? If so, they would drink whatever they wanted that's not processed. There's a good article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet that points out that people eating a macrobiotic diet avoid eating overly processed foods. They could drink water, fresh juice, fresh milk, etc. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: to all homeopaths, naturopaths, macrobiotics, whats ur take on protein shakes/supplements? I'm not a believer in taking in extra protein and i understand that too much protein is not good for u, it causes acidity which is behind many diseases and health problems but what do u do if u workout and lift weights, how can u nourish the body and supplement it and be healthy at the same time?

Answer: Well, you're looking at two opposite sides of the same coin, there. If you do more workouts and lifting weights, your body is using more energy and requires more intake... protein is just one of many foods that can provide that energy. You can just as easily have a bunch of sugars, carbohydrates or fibers, but they are digested faster and the energy comes and goes faster. The reason Protein is more often suggested for workouts is BECAUSE it takes longer to digest. The energy that comes from the food is slower to come and lasts longer, which is the best way to get it for a good, long workout. As long as you're using everything from protein during your workout, it's perfectly safe and healthy. If you're worried about getting too much protein in a day, don't eat as much protein that day. Yes, too much of anything is bad, so make adjustments so you don't get too much of any one thing.

Question: Where is Macrobiotics most commonly practiced?

Answer: Japan

Question: anyone know the best way to fix sanpaku eyes?? i have this.. i need help.. i already know about macrobiotics? i know about macrobiotics , but is there anything else i can do? thanks

Answer: Find a Chinese herbalist who can do pulse diagnosis. If the herbalist says its energy related ask for a referral to a acupuncturist. The chines have been at this healing for thousands of years and their prices are much less. I've always heard it called Sad eyes. Like someone is depressed or drinks too much. In any case its about the liver. Consider asking about your liver when you get the diagnosis.

Question: What books would you recommend for someone wanting to learn and live a macrobiotic lifestyle? I am interested in the macrobiotic lifestyle and the spiritual and healthy benefits it has to offer. I am also interested in the "macrobiotic diet" so I am looking for cookbooks, as well as books that have general information on the lifestyle and maintaining the "great life." I would love some recommendations. Thanks.

Answer: go to amazon type in macrobiotic diet the books will have readers reviews the reviews will tell you what some good books are and why they are good i've bought over 100books on amazon and all of them had good reviews.

Question: How can one adapt the macrobiotic diet to be reasonable and practical ? I accidently winged it with a diet I made up and lost weight. I later found out it was similar to the macrobiotic diet. The problem is with out rules or structure I couldn't stay on the diet. But found the macrobiotic rules to strict and I am not ready to start buying asian foods I can't eat with my family. Any advice? By the I am aware of the exercise more, eat less diet.

Answer: Women's Health Magazine wrote about the macrobiotic diet a few months back. They called it one of the healthiest things you could do for yourself. They also called it one of the most complicated diets to follow. LOL. There is a website that lays it out as a little more simplistic. Look @ http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/Macrobiotic.htm for some suggetions. Macrobiotic is about balancing the type of foods you eat for maximum nutirent absorption. Once you learn the balances, you will be on your way. Also, if you take note of TYPE of foods eaten, you could easily substitute a non-Asian food your family will eat, so long as you keep the type of food the same. If your family won't touch a miso soup, for example, try another light soup that is protein packed, or make your own with beans, veggie broth and a blender. Good luck!!

Question: How is eggplant bad for you in a macrobiotic diet? ok i have ALWAYS wondered about this. i love eggplant. once when i was little a well meaning aunt of mine told me that eggplant is not part of a macrobiotic diet and that it can throw your balance off and make you feel bad and it is basically bad for your health. this is because it is supposed to be toxic or something. this really has ruined it for me every time i eat eggplant. i think about how it is bad for me. has anyone heard of this eggplant macrobiotic thing? is eggplant really bad for you? thanks.

Answer: I remember being on a macrobiotic diet (or one influenced by it) at one point in my life. I talked to the guy who taught me about it and told him I had eggplant and he did groan. I guess it is a "yin" vegetable. If you check out their website at: http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/foodlist.htm#sparinglyoravoid You'll see that eggplant is indeed listed as a "sparingly / avoid". So if you are practicing a macrobiotic diet, you probably should treat it as such (it's a "yin" vegetable). In a traditional diet, however, eggplant, is not bad for you. It is low in calories and contains plenty of fiber (http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/item/11209.html) Up to you on what you believe in, but I found the macrobiotic diet too restrictive and not very useful for me. Good luck.

Question: Whats the difference between veganism and a Macrobiotic diet? And is a macrobiotic diet healthy?

Answer: Basically, a macrobiotic diet is a traditional diet. That is, you grow and eat locally and with the seasons. It's the way the everyone used to eat. Eating food that is grown out of season, i.e. grown in green houses or imported from other countries is throwing your body out of whack because you are, for example, eating summer foods in the winter and causing an imbalance in your body as a result. I don't think that a macrobiotic diet excludes animal meat, but mainly it focuses on seafood, since it is following the traditional ways of the Japanese diet, but you are not supposed to eat the Japanese way per se, but the way of where you live... that is, local fruits and vegetables, and as many native plants etc. as possible.

Question: Is it true that the father of macrobiotics and his wife died of cancer? and how did that affect macrobiotics?

Answer: In 1978 macrobiotic entrepreneurs Michio and Aveline Kushi established an institute for the prevention and relief of disease through a marcobiotic diet. Aveline Kushi published books on diet and healthy eating. Both Aveline Kushi and her daughter died from cancer. Always ironic isn't it that the people who advocate the most for these types of 'cancer cures' seem to die from the disease. Seems the marcobiotic diet didn't help them at all. AvelineTomoko Kushi http://www.nvvm.org/teksten/aveline.htm As for how two members of the Kushi family died from cancer and how it affect macrobiotics . . . it will come as no surprise that supporters do not like to talk about it. Reminds me of nutritionist Maureen Kennedy Salaman and her advocacy for laetrile and nutrition and all the books she wrote about nutrition being the 'cancer answer'. She died from pancreatic cancer in August 2006. Isn't it ironic.

Question: how is eggplant bad for you in a macrobiotic diet? ok i have ALWAYS wondered about this. i love eggplant. once when i was little a well meaning aunt of mine told me that eggplant is not part of a macrobiotic diet and that it can throw your balance off and make you feel bad and it is basically bad for your health. this is because it is supposed to be toxic or something. this really has ruined it for me every time i eat eggplant. i think about how it is bad for me. has anyone heard of this eggplant macrobiotic thing? is eggplant really bad for you? thanks.

Answer: Yes, your aunt was right. Macrobiotic diets philosophy is based on oriental principles: yin and yang. Yin- passive,silent,cold and dark. Yang-active,hot and healthy. In this diet tomatoes and eggplants must be avoided, as they are extremely yin. I know that leaves of eggplants is toxic and that you don't feed birds like parrots with eggplants because for them is toxic. For some insects eggplants is toxic too.

Question: What is it about the Macrobiotic Diet that almost killed Fishstick? Fishstick =Gwenthy Paltrow Macrobiotics, from the Greek "macro" (large, long) and "bios" (life), is a dietary regimen which involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other local foodstuffs such as vegetables and beans, and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods. Macrobiotics also addresses the manner of eating by recommending against overeating and requiring that food be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

Answer: I havent heard that her macro diet was the reason for her hospitalization. And I've never heard of it "almost" killing someone. I'm guessing she has other medical issues. A macro diet can be healthy, if done right.