I now have a chance and I am so grateful. I received my written recommendations from the MacroHero David Briscoe, who was healed of schizophrenia many moons ago. It's 28 pages long and I am giving a novena of surrender in order to follow through. I hope to document here the miracles I expect will manifest.
This is not at all easy for me but I have a mission here to blog on my healing journey. I do expect miracles because I was giving a novena for divine direction and felt moved to ask David... (1667 more chars)
I know all is well when I just can sit down here and write. Somehow, writing takes me out of myself enough to raise my spirits.
I have a lot for which to be thankful. I now have my new "marching orders" in the form of written recommendations for a new macro-regime. I am at once thrilled and petrified. How can I get it all accomplished?
In the coming days, I hope to be able to blog more often. It helps to keep me honest. I am battling a manic episode, so it is not easy to write and I could... (119 more chars)
Hereby, I renew my vow to be healed through macrobiotics of bipolar illness and whatever other way the Order of the Universe hath in store. I have hope and my hope is enfired now because I just received my written macrobiotic recommendations from my latest consult with David Briscoe, the long-term macrobiotic sage who was healed many, many years ago of schizophrenia through macrobiotics. It is an exciting time for me as I battle a manic episode currently--right now.
A macro consult is always... (751 more chars)
I just had a startling realization that my manic episodes are getting less severe, even if I am still experiencing them. My goal of healing manic-depression (or bipolar illness) through macrobiotics is working in the gradual way that macrobiotic practice is supposed to work! What an epiphany, indeed.
My last episode did not actually turn into a full-blown mania, just what is called a hypo-mania or mild mania. The episode before I did not have the awful paranoia that I often experience when m... (1622 more chars)
When all hope is seemingly lost, I remember the stories of macrobiotic healing miracles. I do believe they are miracles wrought through conforming to the health laws of the Order of the Universe. God is referred to sometimes in 12 Step programs as Good Orderly Direction (G.O.D.). That works for me in this context.
I actually *can* have Good Orderly Direction in all things, including in my macrobiotic practice. When I fast on brown rice each Friday, I regain any lost clarity in my eating habi... (1661 more chars)
June 5th is World Environment Day and so I celebrate it here by renewing my commitment to cleaning up my own act as a prelude to being of greater service to the planet. I began this blog as a leap of faith so that I could record my journey of healing from bipolar disorder. Manic depression, as bipolar illness used to be called, is considered incurable but treatable. In truth, conventional medicine does not even really control my symtoms. I still have severe depressions where all seems hopeless,... (2694 more chars)
Hope has reentered my life with the spring green of planting season. I haven't gardened in ages as I've lived in apartments, or now a condominium, but I recently have been offered a small plot to plant as part of a church community garden. I hesitated because of the chronic fatigue that has accompanied the manic depressive illness I battle. A macrobiotic counselor thought I may have adrenal exhaustion from the many years of adrenaline-supercharged manias I've cycled in and out of my entire... (1193 more chars)
Today is a very important day in Australia called ANZAC Day in which we remember ad honor soldiers who gave their lives in WW1.
I decided to go a bit veggie crazy for lunch in honor of this occasion(while most people are cookie pavlova and ANZAC cookies and throwing red meat on the BBQ, ugh)
I have made a pressure cooked vegetable medley in the bowl, on the plate some broiled shitake mushrooms, and freshly juiced carrot juice. Now off to eat!
It has now been a very sorrowful week since the horrible tragedy occured. I am still in shock, Virginia Tech is right where I used to live. My parents knew one of the proffesors who were killed and I know many students there. This is truly one of the worst tragedies of our time. My heart goes out to all the families and friends of the victims and to all the students.
the last few days I have had the worst time going to bed. It is not that I am not tired, there just seems to be something psychological preventing me. I know sleep is a very important part of a balanced lifestyle and hope this is just the result of nerves from going back to school. I would consider taking up chamomile tea again or eating differently, but I am currently very happy with my diet and don't think a change will help much. if it continues I will look into it nutritionally.
Didn't ... (77 more chars)
Boy, it feels like a while since I last blogged here. Things with school and life(i just got my first boyfriend, who respects my macrobiotics but who is rather carnivorous himself,more on that later) have kept me away but I am back and excited :) Really the only news with my diet is that I am pretty much 100% organic now. Well maybe not COMPLETELY organic but half the produce I have been buying is organic and besides that I have been living off of organic legumes, soy, wholegrain pasta and brow... (807 more chars)
I am attending a book study of Huston Smith's classic "The World's Religions" and am thoroughly enjoying it. I realize more than ever how eclectic George Ohsawa was--and how gifted.
The readings are grouped according to the world's major religions and we just finished the chapter on Taoism. To honor the Great Tao, I wore my necklace with the symbol yin/yang and also a sweater with the same on it, the symbol of the t'ai ch'i.
I feel a deep connection with the Order of the Universe in study... (1611 more chars)
The more I think about it, the more I believe that going to the Kushi Institute's Way to Health program in 2003 was a kind of intervention by my Higher Power. It was almost like being in treatment for addictions--in my case, food addictions, that bedeviled me for so long. My life has not been the same since then. It is far, far better.
By a week of abstaining from foods that cause me distress and learning the whys as well as the hows of macrobiotics, I learned to practice a whole new w... (179 more chars)
Though I cannot sit for too long right now, I am determined to record these macro-musings while yet in the throes of a mania. It is a side-effect of the medication that causes the physical restlessness--so much so that the state was induced in prisoners as a form of torture.
On a happier note, I have been reading Breaking the Food Seduction Dr. Neal Barnard, M.D. It is amazing to see how some foods act as drugs in the body. He focuses on four of the toughest to beat: sugar, chocolat... (1135 more chars)
I will take a chance here and write whilst in a manic state. Some people with bipolar illness (manic depression) function at their best when manic, but that is not the case with me. Some days I am just doing well to cook a reasonably decent meal and pace almost non-stop on the carpet in my place. House-cleaning is one way I channel my energy. John Kozinski, who has been a macro counselor for many years, told me at the Kushi Institute that when I am in a mania all the energy is stuck in my h... (973 more chars)
The weather has been rather odd round these parts lately. It seems to go between rather chilly and very hot each individual day. Since I have been seasonally adjusted with my diet for a while now, this has made the grocery shopping and cooking rather confusing and tricky. I have been mixing my yin and yang in different ways everyday and really dont mind eating that way, as it doesnt seem to have much of an impact on my body or behaviour, as it is still perfectly balanced and macrobiotic but ... (581 more chars)
It's been a challenging few months health-wise. One of my biggest problems in dealing with bipolar disorder is having the strength to cook complete macrobiotic meals. I tend towards sloth when in depression and that is most of the time. I have, however, found a source of greater strength. I ordered Barbara Jurecki-Humphrey's book on congee featured in a recent issue of Macrobiotics Today. Some of the recipes are printed in the magazine, but I felt I needed a greater understanding of what sh... (1451 more chars)
Friday nights since i got back into school have been so odd. I have either been incredibly depressed or euphoric, they are very unbalanced nights. I hate that no matter what my eating choices on friday nights reflect that, i always succumb to a "binge" of some sort and hate myself for it. Over the weekend i do so much work and cant help but snack probably too much, over the school week this usually isnt a problem. I really have to break out of this routine, my Fun Aquatics Day where my sch... (415 more chars)
All the time people ask me what is macrobiotics when I say it's my diet. i go into an explanation about how its a philosophy and diet involving yin and yang and balance,etc. but they just say "nevermind" or dont understand and ask me what i cant eat anymore. for them diet is all about WHAT, i explain to them the WHAT for me is like being vegan with organic foods and no caffeine and sugar but feel really wrong when i explain it that way, it is not what macro is about. people dont understand its ... (1034 more chars)
It feels so good to be on this site again! I am back at school, and this year is SENIOR YEAR! 4 hours of work every night is leaving me with only 2 hours free time to squeeze in cooking, eating, exercising, chores and getting ready for bed. No CyberMacro time practically at all! =( I have never been so strict in my health regime, in order to maintain a good weight(i have to be pretty slim for Drama this year, 21 BMI around) and have very strict meal plans now. For example, this morning I ate a ... (597 more chars)
Today was a blessing in that I spent much time in prayer and contemplation on the Order of the Universe that underlies a successful macrobiotic practice. A mentor recently queried me as to how serious I was about macrobiotics. It was surely not his intention, but I wondered if he had given up on me.
I have a strange reaction when I believe someone has written me off. My rebellion kicks in and I set out with renewed vigor to prove them wrong. I become very determined.
I remember how, many ... (1636 more chars)
This is a work in progress, to be sure, but I have more hope with each day that the worst of this bipolar illness is behind me.
In a group therapy session we were encouraged to share our memories of holidays past whether they were positive or negative. My worst holiday season was when I was hospitalized in the psych ward for Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas and the New Year. I was in the secure unit. Well, the one present I received for Christmas was from the blessed Salvation Army.
T... (1724 more chars)
I've found that cooking a complete macrobiotic meal is a very grounding experience for me. That means even before I've eaten it, I already get positive results. Most of the time I am also praying, chanting mantras or giving affirmations along with a CD playing as I cook. I find it energizes the food even more.
One of my favorite books is "Practicing the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. In it he talks of communing with God as he cooks in a monastery. He is a true mystic who has foun... (1246 more chars)
It is hard to sit down when I am in a manic episode, as I now am and have been for weeks. It is nearly over, thank goodness. Akathesia is the name for a side effect that manifests as physical restlessness. It feels like there are Mexican jumping beans inside of me.
Akathesia has been induced in political prisoners as a form of torture. I can attest to the fact that it cetainly feels like torture. I cope by pacing around my place for hours on end while praying.
Macrobiotic practice has gi... (759 more chars)
My favorite hike on a trail near the Yellowstone River is closed due to icy road conditions. That necessitates walking around town for me. I am gearing up to run, which does help my mood state quite markedly. Running helps me feel alive and the thrill of a runner's high beckons invitingly. I must make an hour's walk a habit for when the depression kicks in after the mania I am battling now. I run by my pulse rate in a system practiced by a psychiatrist in his book "Joy of Running."
One mig... (366 more chars)
Macro gatspacho
Before being macro i used to love the chilled tomato soup gastpacho. But since it is a nightshade, i have made a chilled Other-macro-approved-veggie soup i called MB gatspacho. It is summer stil here and i had a craving for soup, but i didnt want to cause imbalance with hot soup so i decided to experiment with a cool one i could eat. It wasnt my best creation, but not the worst either. I think if i make it another few times ill get the hang of it but for my first try at a m... (985 more chars)
What do former President Bill Clinton and I have in common? Could macrobiotics have saved him from open heart surgery?
To the first question, we both have rosacea, a skin condition that can manifest as redness in the nose. In macrobiotics, having a ruddy nose is said to indicate possible heart problems.
I do believe that macrobiotic practice could have negated Mr. Clinton's need for open heart surgery. For one thing, I know first-hand how being macrobiotic lowers cholesterol. I have never... (647 more chars)
This is like getting a leg up after a serious fall on horseback. Over the past few months, I had almost given up hope of healing. I spent most of my days lying flat on my back praying. It did work, though. Eventually I regained some strength and insight. So, here goes...
I am back in the saddle again. This macro horse does tend to take its own circuitous course. I rarely feel in charge, but I haven't given up macrobiotics, thank goodness. I cooked very simple meals during the past few month... (1408 more chars)
Happy new year everyone! While my parents toasted the year off with merlot and a touch of Baileys, i did so with organic apple juice mixed with sparkling water. Also, they chomped on those horrible water crackers with havarti cheese(practically 0 nutritional value) while i enjoyed some homemade hummus and wholewheat organic crackers. It was a nice way to bring the New Year in, even if that hummus was probably consumed too late at night and some Gaviscon and ume plums became neccesary before bed... (5 more chars)
A nice hot Sunday morning over here, ive decided to treat myself a bit. Its been a hard week, even for holidays. A frozen fruit fest with blueberries,rasberries and grapes plus some green onion and kidney bean stir-fry. Very relaxing, very yummy. A much healthier take on comfort food i think.
yesterday i got very heatsick and had to quit my fast. I read in a book about fasts that one shouldnt do them under 16 yrs anyway so i think it was for the best. I am still a bit sick today but much better.
why am in going crazy??? what is wrong with me? ive only gone through 9 hours of this fast and i already cant take it, how will i cope with 3 days? 3 days seemed like nothin at all, an easy task. but now i keep craving and craving. i wish i had thought of some Fasting Mantras before starting this....
im feeling sick too, today is very very hot. 105 farenheit, i feel tired and gross by it. My eyes are red and i feel flushed, if i feel this bad maybe i should stop. its just not good for me. i ... (147 more chars)
Just had some more brown rice and a cup of miso for lunch. I watered down the miso, just couldnt do it raw. I feel tired...this fast is sooooo much harder then i thought. I will make it three days though, even if its with great diffculty. Ive never had to exhibit such self restraint about eating before.....i always could stay dedicated to macrobiotics because there was such a selection. but this is totally different. Im sure it will be worth it in the end....
I didnt think it would be so hard, but it is. I woke up, took my iron pill, drank 600mls of water, then settled down to a tuppaware of organic brown race pressure cooked the day before, with 2 raw spoonfuls of brown rice miso. I ate a suprising amount, although i paced myself and chewed incredibly well. The raw miso was strong, im thinking about changing my rule and diluting it with water. I just thought itd be more pure that way. I thought the fast would be easy, thought i could make it a week... (207 more chars)
Starting tomorrow I will going on a brown rice fast for 3 days. This is my first fast ever so i didnt want to do it for too long at first. Ill hopefully build myself up to a week in no time though! Today i ate a bit more then usual, trying for a large range of food. The comditions for my Christmas fast are:
-Only organic, pressure cooked brown rice and raw organic brown rice miso for 3 days
-Extra special attention towards my chewing, and no actual big meal but small bowls of it throughou... (620 more chars)
I returned today from a mini-vacation to a cabin by a lake. The only food available there was a mini-convenient store filled with chips, candy, and soda. Not exactly my fancy. Luckily my health food store sells plenty of non-perishable items and my cabin came with a gas stove and ktichenette. I had fun cooking after canoeing on the lake and hiking. I brought cans of organic beans (chickpeas, kidneys and lentils), sourdough bread, organic peanut butter, a package of organic cous cous, some brown... (532 more chars)
Today is my first day of summer break! No more exams, which means no more boring exam food. Last few weeks ive been living off of crackers, "hand-fruit" like apples and pears, carrot sticks, and nuts. Now i can make some wonderfully elaborate salads and desserts. I'm still trying to decide what to start out this lovely cookfest with. Maybe a crunchy cabbage salad followed by some strawberry kanten? Decisions, decisions.....All i know is that fresh fruit is a must. Its getting so delicious, plus... (56 more chars)
my exams ended friday. i was so tired i spent yesterday wrapped in a blanket with a cup of miso soup....even though its summer and 90 farenheit out. but today im better and im going on a long hike. i started the day off with some fresh watermelon and steamed tofu so its a good, healthy morning. a bit yin but im going for some fish and seaweed for lunch to balance out a bit. if wasnt so busy and strressed wth exams the past few weeks i would have loved to make some tofurkey and sweet potatos... (386 more chars)
SUMMER IS FINNALLY HERE IN PERTH!! and i am certainly getting seasonally adjusted and stocking my kitchen with fresh veggies and fruit. just today i made a delicious pasta salad with pine nuts, sprouts, broccoli, organic wholemeal pasta,ume plums, and other delish, fresh ingredients. i ended it with some slices of orange. really delicious meal, heres a pic of the salad.
i made this in the pressure cooker, the black and green things are sunflower sprouts, the lighting just made them look strange. this has chickpeas, brown rice, sunflower sprouts, various nuts and seeds, and some olive oil. yummy stuff....plus veeeeery easy to make.
i think i learn much more and have much more fun from throwing together whatevers in my kitchen and having a bit of rushed, spontaneous cooking. i mean, planned out MB recipes can be fun and end up being really delicious, but being forced to prepare a huge meal in a short period of time with limited ingredients and strict healthy balance standards is just a wonderful experience like no other. tonight my dad came home excited because he, as a saturaday nighr suprise for all my studying, got movi... (1756 more chars)
just heard an MB potluck is gonna be held soon, im rather excited. the last one i went to i made oatmeal sultana cookies and had so much fun! i remember i was particulary impressed, as i was still quite a newbie then, with the more difficult recipes like apple pie. but now i think itll be an entirely new, worthwhile experience! ill use the knowledge i gained since the last one(which was maybe 6 months ago) and now ill make my plate more seasonally adjusted to the summer here and also more prop... (586 more chars)
lately, as the end of the year approaches, i have been getting a lot of tests. im finding that some "brain food" in the morning is really quite helpful. ive been making a small bowl of wholewheat ramen, and also a plate of either basa, perch or cod fish with some veggies. This protein kick gets my mind active, and i actually enjoy having fish for breakfast rather then dinner. although the smell of it cooking in the morning drives my mom insane, shes sensitive to the odor of seafood. i guess im ... (384 more chars)
now that im off spring break and back to school i have such little time for exercise. its driving me crazy, i did at least 2 hours of hiking everyday over the holiday and now i can barely squeeze in 20min walking the dog. i feel so active in the morning, but school and hw makes me so tired. even when i get a rare break from schoolwork i jsut prefer to read or relax during that free time because i feel so worn out. i gain weighjt easily too,but i dont care much about that. im still keeping very ... (1412 more chars)
ive been thinking a lot lately about how ones feelings influence food choices. i mean, we all hear and see on TVand stuff about ppl wbho suffered a break up or w/e turning to Ben and Jerrys or raw cookie dough, but is it the sugar rush from the carbs as weve been told? or is it more? is it that we have extreme yin/yang emotions and turning to the other extrme in foods balances us? or is at least an attempt at balance. is the appeal of chocolate really just the release of endorphins? are certain... (124 more chars)
im very proud ,last night for dinner i made quite a salad for everyone. I thought it was very nutritionally complete. It contained iceburg lettuce, olives, sunflower seeds, nori, chickpeas, snow peas, corn, cabbage, puffed millet, sea salt, pieces of orange, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts,mung bean sprouts and walnuts. took me a while but it was delicious. i should really start taking pics of my food....but its always so tempting to eat that i dont give myself time.
i think ill end my blogs fro... (268 more chars)
im on spring break and i couldnt feel better. ive taken a break from studying, im contacting my US friends, and am doing TONS of exercise. my Yin cravings are gone and i feel truly balanced and sane and happy. i learn more and more what an impact lifestyle has on eating....
The rawness of my saccharine platter jolts open my eyes
This white coolness of this food seems to hypnotize
Every bite triggers my energy, my soul soars in the sky
But only a few hours later does it fatigue me until I feel as if I’m going to die
My teeth rip into a hunk of rough meat
I am weighed down and feel my center shift to my feet
This salty demise squeezes my energy all into me
Tossed one side to the other
From this culinary pris... (585 more chars)
for the last week i have been feeling very strange, ive been very resistant to exercise, which is very unlike me, and craving many yin things. not extreme yin or anything, just light stuff like soy ,oranges, and raw veggies. i havent been doing anything to alter my lfiestyle or eating at all, the only change is that ive been put under a lot of emotional strain lately. so i can see how that causes me to seek sugary things like fruit, but i cant explain the exercise. i usually do 4-5 hours a wee... (320 more chars)
(Thursday, 28 September 2006) Written by Gary Miller
I prepared this dinner a few days ago using mostly recipes from ilanit Tof's Seasonal Variation: Wholesummer Meals which is available from us, and I was very pleased with the ease it was to prepare them and how terrific they all turned out. I heavily admire this cookbook for the uniqueness of the recipes and the boundless variations for each one. I made Sweet Carrot Marinade in Minutes, Cooling Cucumber Condiment, and Mellow Medley of summer Vegetables with Tempting Tofu. I also pre... (69 more chars)
Hi,
I know one should not be to hung up on charts, but I find my 13.5 months old daughter on the light side, and her weight did not increase in the past 2.5 weeks.
She eats oatmeal porridge (with grated mochi and bonsoy) as breakfast, brown rice, veg. and beans (with kombu) for lunch and diner. and then her snacks (ricecakes, muffins, cookies, some (cooked) fruit, dried fruit etc.) and breastmilk. ALso with her snacks as well as her normal food, she stops when she is done. I give her pl... (175 more chars)
ok, for some reason my email is being strange and i havent been able to contact some ppl on cybermacro who have questions, so hopefully the follwoing that i tried emailing b4 will do that. \
oh, ive been exploring books and the web like crazy for mb recipes and information. i have been to 1 mb potluck here, hosted by a mb teacher, but most people werent really macrobiotic but just experimenting with it. and they are all much older and although i'm comfortable with conversing with adults on a... (1090 more chars)
well, unlike some of the beautiful dinner pictures posted recently, my meal doesnt have a picture. But im more then happy to give a description! i made a brown rice salad with beetroot, iceberg lettuce, green onion, red pepper, and ume vinegar, a kanten with apple juice and rasberries, and on the side some black bean soup. it looks and tastes very good, and was a very big job for me. i normally dont cook so much and for the whole family, usually that's just 2 or 3 times a month. it's normaaly a... (354 more chars)
(Thursday, 21 September 2006) Written by Gary Miller
Here's what I prepared.
Pearl Barley Soup, Sweet Rice with Chestnuts and walnuts, Pressed salad of red cabbage and grated carrot seasoned with lemon and ume, squash and cauliflower nishime, lentil loaf, and greens
I am hoping that some of you will join in and talk about what you are eating too. I in no way eat this elaborately every day, some days what I eat is very very basic, but when I have the time and inspiration to do it, I truly enjoy cooking and then eating what I p... (15 more chars)
(Tuesday, 19 September 2006) Written by Gary Miller
Thanks to Susan Marque for coming up with this wonderful idea of a cereal made from brown teff flour which we sell here. It really to me tastes just like chocolate pudding.
Basically you take one cup of teff flour, roast it in a fry pan, then soak it over night with enough water so the flour seems mixed adequately. The next morning add some sea salt and mix in rice milk and begin cooking. I cooked the mixture 5 minutes and kept adding just enough rice milk to get the consistency ... (739 more chars)
(Tuesday, 19 September 2006) Written by Gary Miller
I was in an inspired cooking mood yesterday, and today likewise inspired to blog about it, thanks Mira for helping with that from all your recent entries.
Here is what I prepared.
The soup was a corn chowder seasoned with Dandelion Leek Miso that for a large part comes from Alex and Gale Jack's Amber Waves of Grain cookbook. Cooking the co... (1554 more chars)
ok, whenever i'm on xanga or myspace or one of those teenager fad sites with my friends, a really trendy, popular thing to do is post surveys filled out by yourself for other people to read and fill themselves. so, i decided to make a macrobiotic one, and i hope it will catch on. please feel free to edit and make your own! they're quite fun =D How long have u been MB?
Around 7 or 8 months
Why did you get into MB?
To help my deppression and improve overall lifestyle
What was... (456 more chars)
I just made a wonderful chocolate cake for my dad's birthday!
the recipe for this on a thread is linked here http://cybermacro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1709 it was utterly delicious in the end, but i made a few mistakes along the line and found the icing especialy difficult. i made the icing a bit too watery and had to stick it in the freezer while on the cake, so that saved it a bit, and had the cake in a bit too long. but otherwise it turned out a bit crumbly but really nice to eat, ... (567 more chars)
a while ago i came across this wonderful , reasonably priced brand of macrobiotic treats, http://www.gomacro.com/ , called, u guessed it....macrotreats. after viewing their mouth watering products i was enthused beyond words at this delicious discovery. unfortunately, after emailing the company and looking at all kinds of loopholes, i discovered it was pretty much impossible to get a macrotreat while i'm here in australia. if i had them shipped it would cost a fortune, even the staff from the ... (1303 more chars)
i just made some organic whole oats and mixed them with a little organic rice syrup and peanut butter. it's fantastic! im really starting t like getting creative with breakfast, maybe i'll make an interesting chickpea dish for lunch. something with udon noodles and broccoli.
just made a great breakfast smoothie for my parents
- organic home made soymilk
- rasberries
-organic apple juice
-rice syrup
-strawberries
a bit of a yin treat. they loved it though.
wow, theres just so much to say! i guess i'll start with a bit of my macro history.
Ive been a strict (and i mean no cheating at all) macrobiotic for about 7 months now and have slowly transitioned on it for a year and a half. i did the usual thing and started cutting out red meat and poultry, then dairy and egg, then sugar, and last but not least my diet soda. and in the last 4 months or so ive been working on balancing out my diet. but im completely organic now (except for produce... (5378 more chars)
I love this site! But I also like to meet up with like minded people in person. Does anyone know if there is a community in Brisbane - Australia, where I can get cooking classes etc.?
I am sorry if I mis-used the 'blog' but after moving to brisbane allmost 2 years ago from the Netherlands, and not finding anything on Macrobiotcs, I am getting a bit desparate!
Thank you very much!
It seems that the down-cycle has hit me with a vengeance. It is hard to write when this depressed and yet it is not reality for me to only write when I am buoyed up in a decent mood. I want to to be at least honest in my quest for healing this manic depressive disorder through macrobiotics and a Higher Power. I would be terribly dishonest if I did not acknowledge the great help of mental health professionals. I have had to swallow my pride and seek the help of the psychiatric profession in or... (4746 more chars)
This is not so much a part of my macro-journey, but rather where I became bogged down (now I am just blogged down). When freelancing for an incredible editor and publisher, I convinced myself I was no good at being a reporter--even though others did not see it that way at all and I received praise for my work. Well, the story I was working on when I quit is in part the following. It is information that needs to get out and so I print it here in this blog. Everyone should have good miso and sea v... (3301 more chars)
I have done a whole lot of walking in the past week or so. I've been sedentary for so long it is amazing I can do anything. I am battling a manic episode right--the tail end of it, I hope and pray. A mania can be so horrendous that I have to take it very seriously. It is part of being on this journey: to write about both the highs and the lows. My story is not the same as others'--of that I am sure. I wish I could somehow be made whole instantly, but evidently that is not the way for me. I oft... (1573 more chars)
It is soon to be Good Friday and then Easter. I am hoping I can be raised up from the dead myself. My Higher Power has been working on just that miracle for me. It is a very simple quote but also quite profound: "for an honest, balanced view of myself, I take a few moments in which I free my mind of everything except God's love for me." (from "Voices of Recovery," p. 33)
It is one of the very few things that work to get me out of the negative state of mind; this meditation is "simple, but n... (1777 more chars)
What seems impossible may be the most possible of all because then we are brought to our knees, pleading for help. I know *I* have pleaded and I am not alone. In the past few weeks others have said they found hope in my story of recovery. I do not believe I have in any sense "arrived" but I am very grateful to be on this journey we call life.My psychiatrist even said a couple of weeks ago that he thought that the way I am eating is helping me with my mood disorder In this case it is a macro-li... (661 more chars)
If absence make the heart grow fonder, I should surely have a fond heart here. My desire has been to record my macro-journey of healing bipolar disorder (otherwise known as manic depression). Alas sometimes the illness itself makes it quite difficult to function. For awhile I was doing exceedingly well if I could get myself to cook a balanced meal. Often it was just soba noodles with peas and broccoli and some tahini with ume vinegar. I know it was not the ideal thing to eat but it was far be... (1709 more chars)
Just a brief thought to ponder as you try to chew each bite 50 times or more...Paramahansa Yogananda, author of "Autobiograhpy of a Yogi," wrote: "Live each present moment completely, and the future will take care of itself. Fully enjoy the wonder and beauty of each instant. Practice the presence of peace. The more you do that, the more you will feel the presence of that power in your life." I love that quote and have it next to my computer, but I really ought to put it on my dining room table,... (249 more chars)
The giving of thanks is essential to my path of healing through macrobiotic principles. If I cannot be grateful for each grain of brown rice, for the chance to "work out my salvation with fear and trembling," I shall not reach my goal. I know that for sure. Macrobiotic philosophy teaches that each illness manifests itself for a reason. Part of my healing is to find out what that reason is, especially since I have a disease of the psyche. I have often said that modern psychiatry takes the "psy... (707 more chars)
I was watching a piece on CNN about the world's longest living people. It was fascinating, as it's an interest of mine. I read and wrote an article about the findings of the book,"The Okinawa Program" a few years back and was struck by the fact that Okinawans are essentially macrobiotic. They are the world's longest-lived people, according to research. In the CNN spot tonight they also featured the Seventh-Day Aventists, who also have marked longevity. I studied the teachings of Ellen White w... (870 more chars)
I wish I hadn't stopped blogging for awhile. In truth, my perfectionism says I've failed and should just quit trying to blog or write. Bipolar illness is really good for leveling one's pride because it can cause one to do such humiliating things. Also, it is humbling to realize that I have an illness that can make me lose my mind. Fortunately, I am not at that point right now. I am very grateful to be typing in these words, just because I'm putting my foot in the stirrup and swinging my leg o... (3156 more chars)
(Saturday, 05 November 2005) Written by Dorcas Gerace
Information about the Ginger Compress can be found
on www.alchemycalpages.com . I have
added to what Dr. Bursell presents along with my input from my own experience.
You might find it useful to log onto his site and read what he wrote to compare
with what I am presenting, if you would like...Dorcas Gerace, AZ
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
GINGER COMPRESS If we established beyond reasonable dou... (33044 more chars)
This is named the Daikon Hip Bath
because some of us looking for this subject re the Macrobiotic
reference will be more familiar with this title. It is a hip bath,
where dried diakon leaves are usually the recommended item to use...But
because it is not always easy to dry them oneself, or find them to buy,
there are alternatives to the daikon leaves that will work just as
well. This site, Cybermacro.com offers the leaves for sale. Please
check with Gary Mill at support@cybermacro.com ... (32996 more chars)
Baking Soda Follow Up responses to comments posted in Sept.'05
Dear Blog visitor, the following is in response to Guests' comments to the site in the Baking Soda Follow Up Articles' section under Cybermacro category. It is posted here also for readers who might not have checked out that section but might be useful for our blog visitors too... If you have comments, we would welcome your posting them here or at the Baking Soda Follow Up article. Thanks, Dorcas Guests of 9-3, 9-9, ... (11586 more chars)
As I come to this macro-space and consider just how fortunate I am, I remember those who are having such a horrendous time at this Opportunity called life. Macrobiotic does literally mean "Great Life." Where do all those suffering fit into this scheme of things? I know not and *that* is for sure.
I just pray for peace and nourishment to those in Niger, Darfur, as well as our many fellow brothers and sisters from the U.S. Gulf Coast. I will leave a few spaces blank so whomever reads this ... (207 more chars)
I am fond of the saying that yesterday is the past, tomorrow is unknown but today is the present because it is gift--truly a present. Normally on days like was today for me, I would not have come to the computer to write. Today, however, I am here and even if I make a huge mistake, at least I tried. It is tough dealing with the side effects of one of my medications (which I use only during manic episodes). Akathisia is symptom that makes me feel like I have Mexican jumping beans inside me. It... (497 more chars)
When I started to blog here, my desire was to give regular updates on my attempts to heal from bipolar disorder (manic depression) through macrobiotics. Some days are better than others, and that is of course true for everyone--sane or insane, healthy or ill. My role model is the macrobiotic counselor David Briscoe who healed himself of schizophrenia. What a story! I want to have such a happy ending in my life-saga, too. While some may try to disregard David's macro-success because he is just... (1082 more chars)
It *is* a challenge--yes--and a glorious golden Opportunity to sing the praises of the riches of macrobiotics! I have hope in my life even as I battle yet another mania. It is sometimes difficult to write at all when in a manic episode. My mind becomes confused and is in overdrive but at least I have more than abundant energy to cook healthy, complete macro meals.
I pledge here to write more and to never forget how much peace and serenity I feel after I've dined on a complete, home-cooke... (532 more chars)
Graphology:
You might find some usefulness by resourcing the Art of Graphology as a means for making some life changes.
Because the written word represents a brain imprint flowing through the hand to the paper, it also says to those who would read the signs of how the brain has responded to life circumstances, how one is prone to emote and act out.
By changing a few simple loops and slants, you can learn to retrain your brain to respond in more workable ways to make your life more ... (884 more chars)
Another useful method for self help is Stephen Levine's Soft Belly Meditation. He and Ondrea sell a single tape for this meditation from: Warm Rock Tapes POB 100 Chamisal, NM 87521 for $l0. There has not been a telephone number available on their order form.
Through Soundstrue.com you can buy some of Stephen's other tapes. They sell a relationship set, (6 tapes) that has on one of them a lengthy Soft Belly Meditation also as well as others you might enjoy. Stephen sells that same se... (1023 more chars)
This process is for more awareness of your body when you are feeling traumatized by a flashback, a new stressor that kicked in a reaction again that feels very familiar. It probably is familiar and the reason the stress found a home in you so quickly is because the "table is already set" from previous incidents. You have reacted to some kind of stress in the past and though it may not be the same that might have just occurred, nonetheless, your nervous system is prepared for fight, flight, or f... (3669 more chars)
You can engage your sensations in your body as a means of connecting to yourself when you feel yourself being pulled away from your own integrity with incidents that trigger your mind that send you searching for relief in this case, for soothing from the orange box that has powers over you.
There are what are called Endpoints of the Body. They are natural communicators to us. They have the highest density of sensory nerve endings. They are: The face; the hands, the top of the head and th... (2521 more chars)
In the articles' section where you can read about Baking Soda and Baking Soda addiction under the titles, A Rising Health Risk; and Baking Soda Addiction Followup, there are some entries from the readership about their own addictions to Baking Soda. The following information is self help resource materials and comments that the readers can find here in the Blog section only. When they visit the Articles' titles re the Baking Soda and the Baking Soda Follow Up, they will find a request to link o... (7158 more chars)
(Wednesday, 10 August 2005) Written by Dorcas Gerace
If your beautiful cookware is looking grubby on the bottom from black spots or burned on food, it is easy to let it pass by and pile up when you are tired, and washing the pots inside is all you can handle giving the usual promise you'll do it later...unless you have a wonderful kitchen helper who is doing the job.
Whether it is your trusty kitchen help or your own resourceful self doing the job, if you find this tip helpful, it might energize you to take some cleanser to the bottom of t... (232 more chars)
(Wednesday, 10 August 2005) Written by Dorcas Gerace
Usually when I am preparing celery and I am cleaning the strings, I take a snippet at the top and pull the strings off that will come off. And, in addition to this step, I use a potato peeler to peel the stalk very lightly.
I am wondering if this tip might be useful to you?
Best, Dorcas Gerace
(Wednesday, 10 August 2005) Written by Dorcas Gerace
A number of years ago I put it together that if beans took so long to cook/prepare and nuts were needing so much time to shell, that there is a good reason for eating smaller quantities other than the percentage we are told is best on the Macro plate recommendations.
The conclusion I came up with is that too large a serving of beans are hard on the kidneys and can put them into a negative mineral balance by using them in excess; and as for the nuts, it would have to do with the load on the ... (363 more chars)
When you are rolling along with your chopping with your special knife, you will find the blade integrity be more available to you if you will use the back of the knife to move your cut up veggies out of the space you will be needing to cut more or move them off the board.
When you use the cutting side, scraping it along the board you will find you need to sharpen more often.
I am wondering if I am being helpful?
Dorcas Gerace
My precious husband gifted me with his rubber mallet from his own workshop when he saw me struggling years ago with cutting open those winter squashes and ends of ears of corn. When I use mine, I am reminded that perhaps a reader on Gary's site might find this tip handy.
You only need a small rubber mallet to do the job. Your investment will be about $3 and will be invaluable in your kitchen tools.
Take your knife and stabilize it into your squash so it won't slip then place a soft to... (791 more chars)
I have used the Hara Meditation for a dozen years. How I began with this routine was to practice it at least 2x a day for half hour or more for several years. Now because I have used it for so many years and it is ingrained in my consciousness, I use this a connecting tool for myself during the "whenevers" of the day and with the "whomevers". My focus is on my Hara during all my daily encounters...ie the guy in front of me who doesn't move as fast as I would like when the light signals it... (2768 more chars)
From my studies I learned this weakness can occur from a weak blueprint from our parents, iatrogenic diseases, the influx of pesticides in our food and the effects on the delicate energies of the organ function, environmental influences to intimate places like our homes, fouled air and water; poor education regarding eating/evacuating/exercise and living in general from stewards of us when were younger who didn't know how to either, and the general success of sales/advertising to convince us t... (2714 more chars)
"Sotai" is a movement exercise that Cornelia Aihara taught at the Vega Institute as well at the Health Classic sponsored by Mr. Larry Cooper. Cornelia Aihara studied with Mr. Hashimoto. He was a brillant fellow who through his experience put together this book that has been most useful to people who have had injuries or skeletal/system pathologies. The book is translated by Herman Airhara and has illustrations for various movements for various issues.This book is for sale through the Geo... (1980 more chars)
A stock clerk was sent to clean up a storeroom in Maui, Hawaii. When he got back, he was complaining that the storeroom was really filthy and that he had noticed dried mouse or rat droppings in some areas. A couple of days later, he started to feel like he was coming down with a stomach flu, complained of sore joints and headaches, and began to vomit. He went to bed and never really got up again. Within two days he was severely ill and weak. His blood sugar count was down to 66, an... (1937 more chars)
Sometimes, some days I actually feel in sync with the Order of the Universe. Today was just such a day. It was filled with grace and my Higher Power was with me so near
