Re: What to drink
OUch. I'm not that good with computers but I wish I could draw. I liked that first icon on the bottom row, someone please tell me how to use icons.
My dear DPSinPA, I'm thinking you haven't been mb very long - please please do find classes or a good book and throw away all diet drinks that come near you. Fast!!!!
My favorite and easiest drink is I often drink whatever broth is left in whatever I'm cooking. Be it bean juice, or vegetable juice. For the beans (adzuki or humous or anything), if it doesn't have enough flavor for you, add some (a little to start!!! don't oversalt!!!!) shoyu (soy sauce) and cook for a few more minutes. Ginger juice (grated ginger and squeezed) also does wonders. Please be careful not to put too much.
Other drinks do take a conscious effort - again from the easiest and can be bought, tho advisable to warm them up first, are apple juice and carrot juice. To make them even healthier and more exciting, dissolve a teaspoon of kuzu into a cup of cold juice, when fully dissolved (be very careful not to leave lumps or it won't cook up at all) bring to a boil, then simmer a few minutes, stirring gently all the time. You can add ginger to create warmth (good for this winter now) or lemon when you want to cool off (during the summer time).
Another favorite of mine is sweet vegetable drink - I'm sure I must have posted on it already, but here it is again. This takes a little work, but it will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, just warm up before drinking. Take 1/4 cup finely chopped each of the following sweet vegetables: onion, carrots, winter squash (whatever is available by you) and cabbage. Add 4 cups of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 1/2 hour. For those more advanced and willing to work more, add the vegetables one at a time, first the onions til they become wilted, then from yang to yin, carrots, squash then the cabbage. At the end drain the vegetables well and drink only the liquid. DO NOT ADD SALT. This is a yin drink which has a wonderful effect to bring energy, lighten you up and help with sugar addictions.
The last drink I highly encourage when not feeling well is an ume/kudzu drink - again as above 1 tsp kudzu to 1 cup of water, following instructions above - then add, again slowly til your taste buds are happy, a small amount of umeboshi (pit is more valuable - 1/2 to start - but paste will also do) and a little shoyu. As you progress on the macrobiotic way, your need for salt will decrease (I hope) but at the beginning do make it palatable, so you won't be turned off.
And most important, as you get more into macrobiotics, you will find less and less need for drinks - your foods will satisfy your thirst needs. Really.
Good luck.
Klara
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