[Nancy]

Hi Ladies,

Answers to Questions:

Maple Syrup: Actually, maple syrup is not a staple of the macrobiotic diet, but rather, suggested for "infrequent use" only. As Grade A, Maple Syrup is an all natural, delicious sweetener (remember, in moderation) -- it is a wonderful food, and not prohibited for those in good health, in fact, --nothing is prohibted for those in good health.

If eating the macro way, your taste buds will soon become sensitive to the more natural, subtle flavors of pure, organic foods. At first, brown rice syrup may taste too mild, that is because most persons are used to unnecessary jolts of flavor from highly spiced foods, etc. When brown rice syrup tastes absolutely delicious, your taste buds will have become refined.

Meat: The macrobiotic diet does not include poultry or red meat as a regular part of the diet or staple food. Balanced macrobiotic meals are centered around various Whole Grains as the staple food. Thus 3-5 oz. of meat is not the center of the dinner plate, but rather 50% Brown Rice, or other Whole Grain. Thus, no doubt, few here have expertise regarding cooking meat.

Sprouting Seeds: You can sprout most any seed that is willing.

Polenta: For your polenta, try some macrobiotic condiments: scallions, shoyu, ginger, gomashio, freshly ground pepper, red pepper, roasted sesame seeds, miso, umeboshi, toasted sesame oil, good quality sea salt, etc.

Barley Miso: Barley miso, aged over 2 years, is the very best miso for health benefits, and usually the one recommened for daily use. Good for the circulatory system and digestive organs. It is high in protein and Vitamin B12. For daily use, make sure you have a traditionally fermented miso, unpasterized, and organic. Click on the top of this page, Catalog, for an online mail order catalog with several wonderful brands of miso varieties.

Rice: In Northern Temperate Climates, such as the USA and Canada, organic short-grain brown rice is the most nutritious staple grain. If you avoid the use of brown rice, you will be missing out on a wonderfully nutty whole grain, that is a complete whole food and highly nutritious. Brown rice contains an ideal balance of minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. Basmati rice is sold as organic, but it is a white rice, it is not whole, and it is polished. Short and long grain has to do with the yin or yang qualities of the rice. Short being more yang, long being more yin. In summer, long grain rice can be boiled for a lighter rice. In winter, short grain rice can be pressure cooked or baked to provide a more yang quality and heat for the body during cold weather.

Lentils: Organic green or brown lentils are considered a staple of the macrobiotic diet, and also one of the three "healing" beans or pulses. Organic red lentils are also fine, but recommended for occassional use rather than regular use.

Beans: Canned food is highly processed, made in factories, under hot steam pressure, and heavily salted for preserving. Any canned food with additives is not recommended. If in transition, from SAD (Standard American Diet) to the macrobiotic diet, it is up to the individual whether they would/would not want canned foods on hand.

The three healing beans, which contain less fat, are lentils, aduki, and garbonzos. All three types and many more varieties can be easily found in grocery market plastic bags as dried products. Beans provide a high quality vegetable protein that builds our bodies. Beans along with rice make up a complete protein equal and better to the quality of meat.

Look into the many available macrobiotic cookbooks for new and tasty ways to cook beans you will like and that will build a healthy body, life, and outlook.

Hope this helps,

Nancy