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December 2008

I went to a yoga class a few weeks ago. There was a hard wood floor and I use only a thin yoga mat. Normally, I would have had to put extra padding between my back and the floor to be comfortable. This time, it didn’t hurt at all!!! I knew my spinal alignment was improving through Shiatsu Shin Tai, but this gave me confirmation above and beyond all the other benefits I have had from it.

September 2008

My overall diet has improved, but over the summer I had a lot of grilled cheese, French fries, Pinot Noir and scotch!!! The changes are that I find most baked goods too sweet, dairy only occasionally, reduced coffee, and commercial yeasted breads give me a tummy ache. Bagels are ok infrequently.

Since I’m going to be traveling between Newport and school in Pennsylvania for the next nine months every other weekend, I’m going back to food as medicine to help me keep my strength up. Not really macro, but sea veggies, greens, grains and miso really make a difference in stamina and just feeling good. There’s still room for tortellini with pesto, grilled cheese and fries, and a few chocolate chip cookies. What I learned is if I have dairy two days in a row, my left shoulder hurts like heck! We’re taking cooking classes at school with Marilyn Moser-Waxman. She’s teaching us how to use spices and make macro type food taste fabulous. And how to be organized so as not to spend hours cooking.

2007

I was recently re-introduced to Macrobiotics as a self-care program. Using the book The Self-Healing Cookbook, by Kristina Turner has turned into a blessing. I knew that I wasn’t eating right, and this book has provided a way for me to use Macrobiotics that is informative and attainable. I’m writing this to share my experience and hopefully introduce macrobiotics to your life too.

Week of July 23

I’m challenged by the thought of macrobiotics. I’m afraid of kale and collards. I don’t know them. I love dairy in the form of cheese and butter. But I knew I needed a change. Even though I love veggies, I had fallen into ruts of getting take out food and eating lots of fats. I was borderline high cholesterol in May of this year. Heart disease runs in my family, as well as cancer.  I was at  The International School of Shiatsu this week, and we cooked macrobiotic lunches  together. I had been drinking everyday at the end of the day, not a lot but still drinking as part of my daily routine. I bought the cookbook at the school and came home feeling as though I had a great tool to help me stay on a good regime at home.

August 1

I started a food log and made a list of a few things I’d like to try. I have decided that I need to buy organic foods.

August 3

I’m craving black beans, cabbage and radishes. I find recipes that include those items and make a shopping list. Going to the new Green Grocer was an intimidating thought for me, not sure why. I think I associate it with a group of people that are, well, perhaps better than me? More together? Anyway, I get there and buy some stuff. I’m sleeping better and look better than I have in a long time. My skin looks good and has good texture.

August 6

Do I always sneeze after sugar? I’m still having a large Chocolate Chip cookie everyday. I figured giving up dairy and alcohol, learning how to cook macro were enough initial changes to make. I’ll get rid of the cookie soon.

August 8

I love black bean soup. I made the black bean soup from the cookbook. I’ve never made black bean soup from scratch before. I added collard greens and wakami. It smells awful. I puree it and put it away, wondering how I’m going to eat it, and why didn’t I just make regular black bean soup? I also made Millet Loaf. I’m intrigued by the Sesame Gravy she recommends with it.

August 9

I have some of the soup with sprouted bread toast for breakfast. Wow. This is liquid gold. It feels good in my body and tastes great too! For dinner, I make the Sesame Gravy. Part of macrobiotics seems to be learning how much to cook when, so I can always have a lunch and stuff that’s easy for dinner in case I don’t feel like cooking. I decide to make one batch of gravy, thinking it will never be real gravy. It calls for Kuzu, something I’d never even heard of before. I brown sesame seeds and grind them in a hand food processor. It smells great. I put it together and start simmering it. The familiar sheen of fat glistens on the top, just like really gravy. It’s even the color of real gravy! This meal is a big hit.

August 11

As I showered this morning, I notice the water beads on my skin like a freshly waxed car. It’s beautiful  - I think it’s from eating the sea vegetables. I try Hijiki and carrot sauté as a side dish. That tastes good too!!

August 13

I made Rice Porridge for breakfast. Brown rice, diakon and kale for breakfast is fab!! The rice and barley miso make a cream that tastes like butter!! I enjoy how this breakfast feels in my body. Still not sure how much to eat. I used one cup of rice this morning, but from now on I’ll use two. I was hungry again by 10 AM. Had Mochi as a snack. I love Mochi.

August 15

My monthly cycles are better!! I went from a 23 day cycle that I’ve had for a few years now to a 26 day cycle, after only one month! And better quality too. This reminds me that although I wasn’t ’sick’, my body has been giving me many small signals that it needed help, and I was doing a good job of ignoring them. I haven't had wakami in a few days, and although I’ve been eating Hijiki salad, I feel that wakami, for my body, is very special. Maybe corn & wakami soup tonight? There’s a funny thing about buying bulk organic grains. You may find your kitchen full of moths a day or so after you put them away. Put the grains in the freezer overnight, and you won’t have any moths. A good reason to wash your grains before eating!! 

August 16

Last night I caved and bought a Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Chip muffin. I craved a sweet baked good, so comforting. I had to take some chips out b/c it was too sweet. Ten minutes after I ate it, I really wished I hadn't. A little later, my left shoulder and neck lymph nodes hurt like heck. And this morning my face was red and puffy. Yuck!!! Now, I just had two chocolate chip cookies, medium ones, and I don’t feel very well either. I guess I’ll learn sooner or later. It’s thought though, this was my comfort food, and it’s not comforting anymore.

August 25

I’m in love!! It’s baby Bok Choy. Lightly steamed. Sitting on top of my brown rice, with black bean spread and a handful of cherries. My lunch. My goal now with eating is to get on regular meals, instead of grazing through the day. Harder than it sounds. And the only way I’m going to understand how much I need to eat to maintain my body.

August 28

Squash butter and black bean spread are great. I’m getting more organized about my food, and fitting in the preparation better. My fridge is almost empty. Before, I would buy good food, and then never make it. Now I’m getting creative about food and food combinations, and need to shop every five days or so because it’s all gone! My liver is normal size again.

 

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