|
Publisher: Crossing Press, (September 1, 1997) Format: Paperback 126 pages
Carl Ferre´ has been studying, practicing, and teaching macrobiotic thinking and lifestyle for twenty-two years. As general manager of the George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation, Carl has counseled thousands of people on how macrobiotic living can benefit their lives. He lives in Paradise, California with his wife, Julia, and their four healthy boys—all macrobiotic since before birth.
From The Back Cover
Here are a few benefits of a Macrobiotics regimen:
• Less fatigue
• Relief from pains and illness
• Renewed enjoyment of food
• More fulfilling sex life
• Better sleep
• Improved memory and clearer thinking
• Freedom from anger and fear
• Greater control over your own destiny
Table of Contents of Pocket Guide To Macrobiotics
Preface ..................................... .5
What is Macrobiotics? ..........................7
Beginning Stage ................................. .9
Intermediate Stage .............................. .11
Advanced Stage ..................................12
Benefits of Macrobiotics .......................... .12
Macrobiotic Approach to Diet .................. .14
A Beginning Macrobiotic Diet ..................... .14
Macrobiotic Eating for Families .................... .31
Nutrients ...................................... .35
Acid and Alkaline ................................ .48
Macrobiotic Yin and Yang ...................... .53
The Twelve Principles of Yin and Yang ............... .55
Yin and Yang of Food ............................ .58
Yin and Yang of the Body ......................... .62
Macrobiotic Healing ......................... .68
Stages of Sickness ............................... .70
Macrobiotic Centering Diet and Diagnosis ............ .85
The Process of Macrobiotic Healing ................. .94
Natural Home Remedies .......................... .97
Other Factors in Health ......................... .106
Appendix .................................. .113
Toward Macrobiotic Living ........................113
Exercises in Distinguishing Yin and Yang .............118
Recommended Reading ....................... .122
Macrobiotic Resources ....................... .126
Sample Material
What Is Macrobiotics?
Macrobiotics is the practical application of the natural laws of change. The term comes from the Greek; "macro" means great, and "bios" means life. It is a tool that allows one to learn to live within the natural order of life, the constantly changing nature of all things. Macrobiotics as it is known today is the result of the tireless work and vision of George Ohsawa (1893-1966). Ohsawa developed tuberculosis at the age of fifteen. By the time he was eighteen, his mother, younger brother, and younger sister had all died of the same disease. His own illness had progressed to the point that the doctors had given up all hope for him. Determined to overcome his condition, Ohsawa began searching for alternative theories of health. He based his theory and practice of macrobiotics on Sagen Ishizuka's (1850-1910) theory of balancing mineral salts, the early heaven's sequence of the I-Ching, yin and yang, and other ancient Eastern concepts. He lived to the age of 73, devoting his life to teaching macrobiotic theory and writing on science, ethics, religion, and philosophy from a macrobiotic point of view. While macrobiotic principles can be applied to all areas of life, this book emphasizes their application to diet and health. The macrobiotic approach to diet emphasizes whole grains and fresh vegetables. For the most part it avoids meat, dairy foods, and processed foods. The goal is to provide the body with essential nutrients so that it can function Without loading it with toxins or excesses that be eliminated or stored. And since the body is always adjusting to changes in the environment and in its own aging process, its needs will always change as well. The idea is to balance the effects of foods eaten with other influences on the body, largely through diet, and to adjust to changes in a controlled and peaceful manner. A basic tenet of macrobiotic thinking is that all things—our bodies, foods, and everything else—are composed of yin and yang energies. Yin energies are outward moving, yang energies are inward. Every thing has both yin and yang energies, but with either yin or yang in excess. Most of the foods that make up the standard American diet have very strong yin or yang characters and also tend to be acid-forming. In contrast, macrobiotic practice emphasizes the two food groups—grains and vegetables—that have the least pronounced yin and yang qualities, making it easier to achieve a more balanced condition within the natural order of life. Living within the natural order means eating only what is necessary for one's condition and desires, and learning to adjust in a peaceful way to life's changes. Learning the effects of different foods allows one to consciously counteract other influences and maintain a dynamically balanced state. The resulting freedom from fear and the new sense of control are two of the most important benefits of a macrobiotic practice. A macrobiotic practice encourages the body's natural ability to heal itself. If the body is not burdened by toxins and excesses, it can function better and thus heal any illness that does occur. Anybody who begins a macrobiotic diet goes through a period of healing, beginning with the elimination of accumulated toxins and excesses. Those who are already following a macrobiotic diet may also have periodic health problems, and can adjust their diets accordingly. Of course, there are factors other than diet that affect health; true macrobiotic practice emphasizes balancing extremes in all areas. Finally, the goal of macrobiotics is not to avoid death, which is part of the cycle of life. Rather, it seeks to ensure that each person's life is long, healthy, and enjoyable. The conventional nutritional approach holds that each individual needs certain amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals each day, based on a statistical average of everybody's needs. This makes the recommended daily allowances easy to comprehend, but does not allow for the uniqueness of each individual's changing needs. It eventually leads to stagnant thinking. The macrobiotic approach maintains that what works for one person will not necessarily work for another, and that what works one day may not work the next. Therefore, using macrobiotic principles means to determine the foods best suited to us based on our current condition and what we want to become. In other words, a macrobiotic approach requires a change in thinking from a static view of life to a dynamic and flexible one. This leads to real freedom. The first and most important step is to change from a diet based on meat and sugar to one based on grains and vegetables. Very few people can make such a radical shift overnight. Instead, most people learn macrobiotics in stages. BEGINNING STAGE
In my experience, the easiest way for relatively healthy people to start a macrobiotic practice is to follow a basic diet that emphasizes whole grains and fresh vegetables. The food we eat affects the way we feel, think, and act. Learning to use macrobiotic principles is much easier after a transitional time of using a basic macrobiotic dietary approach. The main benefit of a standard macrobiotic diet is that the body becomes cleaner as toxins and old excesses are discharged. This alone can sometimes relieve minor aches and pains. As our bodies are cleansed, our minds become more clear and our natural good judgment begins to return. People who are in relatively good health may begin a macrobiotic diet after consulting books or relatives or friends who are more familiar with macrobiotic practice. The first section of this book provides all the information that is needed, but a good macrobiotic cookbook is also invaluable.
People with a serious illness should consult a health care advisor or a macrobiotic counselor who is familiar with the effects of dietary change before making big dietary changes. Most people need help learning to use macrobiotic principles effectively to remedy serious illness. A standard macrobiotic diet must be tailored to the individual's condition. Even two people with the same illness need different dietary adjustments. Many people who are beginning a macrobiotic diet, or are considering doing so, are taken aback by the number of Japanese foods in a standard macrobiotic diet. Japanese foods are often emphasized simply because Ohsawa was Japanese. The expression of macrobiotics is becoming less Japanese as more Americans write and teach about macrobiotics.
A second source of confusion is that there are three primary expressions of macrobiotics: that of George and Lima Ohsawa, and those of Ohsawa's students Michio and Aveline Kushi, and Herman and Cornellia Aihara. Please purchase Pocket Guide To Macrobiotics to continue reading from this excellent macrobiotic primer by Carl Ferre´ !
|
This item ships for Free, Lower 48 States Only.
