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Hi Merideth. Thank you for your questions. Macrobiotics is a way of life that centers on moderation of lifestyle through the application of yin/yang thinking to make adjustments in balance in order to flow harmoniously with the natural environment you live in.
Local grown, organic foods play a hugh role in this lifestyle. It can be either an enjoyable, learning experience or a lonely, daily grind. It all depend on you and how you want to play the game!
If you are quite healthy to begin with then entering on the path of macrobiotics is fairly simple. You just need a short transition period so your body can adjust to the different foods and styles of cooking -- add something new here (miso, whole grains, seaweeds, etc.) -- take away something that doesn't belong (dairy, meats, sugars, etc.) Pretty soon you take a few macro cooking classes, read a few books and there you have it.
It is not an Oriental diet but there are a few Oriental terms and some foods that are used that come from the Orient. Most of the products however, should be produced from the natural environment you live in. Usually a 500 mile radius is considered LOCAL by the way, but don't worry too much about this until later on. Adjustments to proportions, quantities and types of foods eaten, as well as cooking styles change with the season and foods available.
When you first start you can pretty much get away with murder! Take a year or so to make a slow transition into macrobiotics. Eat the widest variety possible and don't get yourself nuts over what you should eat. If you can get one cup of cooked whole grain into you daily and some fresh cooked veggies and a little msio soup then you are own your way. You can supplement this with pretty mcuh whatever you want (at first, as you said). Therefore if you like Oriental food you should have no problem eating out but over time you will want to make adjustments and eat more of your own cooking. My wife usually takes her own food in a tupperware or stainless steel food bin (with compartments) and she brings a thermos of tea. I work closer to home and just eat something simple or whatever leftovers.
Some macrobiotic people spend hours and hours cooking the life out of the food they eat and hardly ever go out. Please don't let this happen to you and become a kitchen slave. If you are healthy you can eat ANYTHING in moderation so doo not every worry about this. If you are very ill you of course need to restrict your diet until you are well.
For myself I have always loved food cooked the macrobiotic style. Even from the first day when a lovely lady took me to eat in a macrobiotic restaurant in NYC. It was only brown rice with a little vegetable sauce on it with a side of hiziki seaweed and pressed salad. Afterwards we had a cup of hot bancha tea and walked arm in arm up 1st avenue. It was like being in a dream.
That dream has now lasted 34 years!
The macro desserts are quite good too. Just make sure you do the adjustment thing and don't try to freak out your body cells and taste buds with too much new stuff all at once. Go slow, you will be alright. I hope this helps.
In peace, Roy
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