[Klara]

Lob,

All the power to you for everything you do that's on the right path!!!!

Let me start by saying everyone learns mb at different rates - I'm sure your work situation has a strong effect, but also there are other influences, like good teachers close by that can constantly guide you, your motivation, other things that you've tried, etc.

My answer to you may be just a drop in the bucket, and you may or may not be ready for it. Transitions are different for everyone!!!!

As far as the food for work - rice with an umeboshi pit in it can keep, so you can eat as is at room temperature, you don't have to worry about warming it up, or make into sushi or rice balls - but having said that, still be careful not to eat what smells spoiled. Is it hot where you are? I took some rice balls to the desert the other day and it didn't work for more than a few hours - by night time they were off. It was very hard for me to throw away such good (well, was good) food - so I also am learning to cook smaller amounts so that I don't get tempted to eat old food, which I will do if it's around.

Ideally, vegetables should be eaten as close to be cooked as possible, and preferably to have fresh each day (realistically, different for everyone - I've been "practicing" (which is what it's all about) mb for over 11 years and just recently have gotten to the stage where I hardly ever eat my vegetables from a previous day, but that's still not 100%). Grains can last a little longer, two days is ok, three maybe but just realize you are losing alot of food energy as the food gets older. Beans also can be two to three days. Be careful if either the beans or the rice have vegetables in them, that can affect their lasting power.

Miso soup preferably only cook enough to eat at that sitting (also just in the last few years I've actually measured my soup, cooking only one to one and a half cups of water, rather than filling up a pot and eating the soup all day long!)

Some goals take a longer time to get to so do NOT be discouraged, take it with baby steps - unless of course you have a serious condition, in which case get some support any way you can!!!!! to make the road easier and quicker.

Any way you can work less? if it makes keeping this way of life difficult

otoh, as you do it (cook macrobiotically) more, you'll get more and more efficient and it will become easier.

the best of luck to you

Klara