Hi!
I feel that we need to choose our experts carefully, as most natural health experts are not macrobiotic, that is, if we are looking to heal ourselves, macrobiotically.
The following are two macrobiotic teacher/authors and what they have said about elimination and cleanses:
Michio Kushi in
The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health:A Complete Guide to Preventing and Relieving More Than 200 Chronic Conditions and Disorders Naturally http://69.94.78.222/Path-To-Health.php says in
Part 1: Balancing your Condition; Section 8 Digestive Problems: Constipation , that, "A healthy person has a regular bowelmovement, usually once a day. The stools are generally long, golden in color, floating, and pass without difficulty.."
Kristina Turner in her
The Self-Healing Cookbook: A Macrobiotic Primer for Healing Body, Mind and Moods With Whole Natural Foods http://69.94.78.222/Self-Healing-Cookbook.php says in
Chapter 10 Practical Guidelines: To Cleanse and Rebuild:
"Feeling low energy, overwhelmed, or irritable? Trying to cope by eating unhealthy snacks? Time to pause and take positive steps to renew yourself, before you get sick.
start by listening closely to recurring signals from your body and moods. These are nature's way of telling you when stressed internal organs need cleansing and rebuilding.
The cues listed below are just a few of thousands used by traditional Oriental healers to diagnose the internal imbalances that create illness.
Study this chart and check the body/mood cues you notice most often. Then read the next 5 pages to learn how to start a cleanse and choose foods most appropriate for your needs.
Organ Stress Checklist
ORGANS * v" MOOD SIGNALS v' BODY CUES
SPLEEN-PANCREAS/STOMACH v"feeling scattered, anxious, worried, overly sensitive, big mood swingsv'erratic energy levels, bingeing on sweets, belching, upset stomach, low resistance to infections
LUNGS/LARGE INTESTINES v"sad or depressed, nostalgic, stuck, wearyv'fatigue, stuffy sinuses, phlegm, pale complexion, gas, constipation, diarrhea
KIDNEYS/BLADDER v"overwhelmed, confused, afraid, insecurev'frequent, pale urine, or scant, dark urine, lower back ache, low sexual energy, bags under the eyes, often feel cold
LIVER/GALL BLADDER v"impatient, frustrated, angry, blocked creativityv'headaches,often overeat, eyes irritaed or bloodshot, oily or dry skin, restless from llPM to 2 AM
HEART/SMALL INTESTINES v" over-excitable, can't relax, chronic tension, workaholicv'chest aching or tense, backache between shoulders, high blood pressure, red complexion
* In Oriental medicine, each organ pair listed above has complementary, balancing functions (see Muramoto, Healing Ourselves {or
The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health http://69.94.78.222/Path-To-Health.php page 20, "Balancing Opposites"-Cool Dude}).
How To start A Cleanse
1]
Right Timing
First, sit quietly and ask yourself: "Is thi a good time to start a cleanse?" Don't try for a quick answer. Let images float to mind. Be alert for unusual body sensations.
You may, for example, get that same squeamish feeling you sometimes have when you find the garbage overflowing under the sink, or the unbalanced bank statements in your desk draweI If so, you know it's time to cleanse! But if, on the other hand, your shoulders sag at the weighty thought of tackling one more challengE better to wait. Get on with priority businesE Invite your body to let you know when it's ready to lighten up inside. And promise you'] listen. Cooperating with your inner sense of timing makes it much easier to start and folic through with the discipline of a cleanse.
2]
Start Simply
For 1-3 days, eat light, bland meals. Low in fat, sweet, salt, spices, and protein. Think clean tasting. Chew very well.
And keep menus easy:
Soup
COOked whole qrain (not bread or cereal) Steamed, boiled or raw veqqies
Sprinq ater and/or mild tea
":?"
Between meals, have steamed veggie snacks, optional local ruits, or occasional fresh juices (apple, vegetable or wheat grass).
Take a walk before and/or after your meals, to stimulate circulation and encourage. discharge of toxins.
Also, before and after eating, take time to relax. Listen to music. Be quiet in nature. Spend time with a nourishing friend. Stretch. Dance. Help your body let go.
3]
Take Care of Your Body
In the morning, to help circulate lymph and
expel toxins, dry skin brush your whole body
In the evening, scrub'your body with a hot, wet washcloth until the skin gets red (especially legs and feet). Dry vigorously.
4]
Exchange back or foot rubs with a friend.
After 3 Days
If you crave sweets, or your energy lags, add protein to your meals, with toasted seeds, aduki beans, lentils, tempeh, etc.
If you crave oily/salty foods, have Sesame Salt or Sunflower Sea Palm Crunch with your meal. Also, try veggies sauteed in a few drops of toasted sesame oil and soy sauce.
Be quiet with your body every day. Listen
,for changes. If you feel great, keep going! Trust your intuition to tell you when to ease back towards social eating.
5]
Be Kind To Yourself
Don't expect to do it perfect. Plan to indulge in a few treats, even in the midst of cleansing. Celebrate your humanness.
6]
Cleanse With The Seasons
Just like your car needs a regular oil change, your boqy needs regular cleansing to run smoothly.
Oriental healers know that in every season two inter-related organs get
stimulated to cleanse and rebuild. Your food choices can either block this natural cleansing cycle, or help it flow. See the preceding (in the book, full, sideways, horizontal, page-C.D.) chart,
(based on the 5 Element Theory
from traditional Chinese medicine)
to fine-tune your diet for specific organs and seasons."
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continued to next message-Cool Dude)