[Klara]

oh boy - ideal expectations and then guilt for not meeting them - I think it's the best kept secret, nobody admits, and probably EVERYONE does it - and it's so sad, because if everyone knew when getting into mb, that nobody probably does it ideally, we could all just let go of the guilt and get on with business. I am so glad you were brave enough to be honest - when I first started I admitted to a mb group that pizza is my weakness and from their response I felt like crawling through the floor - that is NOT at all productive - I'm not a counselor, not even a teacher, but I'll bet a GOOD counselor has seen it all, and must know from experience that the ones who just jump in and do it all right must be very few.

I'm glad your father does not do multitasking - I am just learning now to finally stop trying to do that. To really focus by only concentrating on one thing and being fully with that one thing.

As far as becoming a chef, I'll bet he can, after much much experience - that's the only thing that makes a good cook. I think he's worried like most of us at the beginning of not doing it right. Pity. But I don't know if there is any right road - it's all experiencing, and each of us come at it with different backgrounds.

I only "know" Warren Kramer from what he's written in Macrobiotics Today - you at least have past a hurdle that many others haven't, you like and respect your counselor. That's a good start!!!! I hope he responds to your e-mail and you get a good on-going working relationship, where you both try to figure things out - not just one sided.

Wow, your Dad starts work very early!!!!!! Now I'm the one feeling guilty trying to put more on him. But maybe just ONE thing he can do, maybe get up just 15 minutes earlier to do only one thing - something EASY - then he will have one less thing to do in the evening. But on rethinking, I wouldn't push it.

You wrote so many details - and so much - so forgive me for being maybe too nosey, but do you have a special keyboard to make it easier for you?? What I'm trying to get to is I wonder if there is anything you can possibly do in bed as far as the food preparation - you have time on your side - if vegetables are put next to you, do you have the ability to slowly cut them??

What you posted re the food you need to eat was indeed a very long and exhaustive list - I'm thinking I should also study it to make my practice better. But this is what I do (not saying it's ideal or anyone else should do it, but it's my lazy woman's way of coping) - I make sure I have a grain, preferably a whole grain - if I'm super lazy and want fancy, I add an amazing chutney that I bought here on this site (look at the store, fantastic items), or if I feel like I need to be healthier, I add another condiment (check them out, lots of good ones that can add variety to the foods), either one of seaweed, or with ume sprinkle. If I'm really being good, I will have on hand gomasio that I was wise enough to prepare (usually I don't get to preparing it, and when I do, I'm so proud and happy to be putting it on my food). Now if I'm being organized and doing things in a more timely fashion, I may add some vegetables to my grain.

the next thing, vegetables I also need to be organized - if I'm not, then I make a quick vegetable, usually greens - if a little more organized, I'll make some boiled vegetables, cut large if no time, smaller if more time. If really really organized, I'll make a sauce for it (love pumpkins in any sauce - also feel good when I make kuzu sauce) but if running short on time, totally happy with vegetables being plain - again if feel like more, go back to the condiments to save me. And only when I'm really really really organized, and have time set aside, I'll make a vegetable dish from a recipe.

But I find I"m totally satisfied with vegetables being simple - either water sauteed or quicky boiled. just try to vary which vegetables you cook.

macrobiotics doesn't have to be complicated to be good and good for you.

I hope I'm not messing things up - I keep going back to the list you posted and realize it's much more extensive - maybe ask Warren about how to actually incorporate it all.

the long cooked vegetables, i believe, can be used for more than one meal - verify that with him - that's what I've been told, also by an excellent counselor.

Leftovers can be put over noodles - can add water and some fresh vegetables (greens are always great) to create a soup - for freshening for beans and rice, again I look to see what quick vegetables I can add. Are you allowed oil? (I see he has tehini so I guess oil is ok) You can mash up whatever leftovers there are, add flour (if you're allowed) or maybe add mashed-up tofu - I see you're allowed bread, so maybe bread crumbs, maybe cornmeal - and sautee patties - I always make sure I add some parsley or green onions to perk them up.

As for weekends when there's more time, I would make a nice batch of pickles and condiments (like gomasio, or wakame with shoyu), and definitely make the sweet vegetable drink - my understanding is that svd can last 3 days - again, I'm sure fresher is better, but I don't think you need to do it every day. If Warren agrees, then making it twice a week should be enough.
And the pickles and gomasio for sure will be for the whole week.


Ah, and weekends should be for desserts!!!!! I didn't see that on your list - are you allowed?? Couscous cake? Rice Pudding? Pumpkin mouse, pie?? Kanten??
I think I should go to bed before I make myself too tempted to go back to the kitchen and scrounge for something to eat!!!!!

Just wanted to add there's alot of great reading on this site, also. Go to the chat section - all of them full of great info - for acid/alkaline, look at David Briscoe's chat - he also has an on-line course available you can sign up for at this site for more extensive study.

also once you start searching, you can find lots of articles here - Gary's done a great job with this site.

Then also there are other sites - actually can get quite overwhelming - I prefer slow and steady, but that's me. I'm discovering that alot of counselors have opened their own sites and again alot of info is available.

Give your Dad a big hug for me - he's doing great. I realize the situation with your Mom is unpleasant, but I expect changes will also bring with it some stress. Keep up with the sweet vegetable drink and the creamy sweet vegetable soup, to help lighten you up. I do hope your Dad sits down with you and shares this wonderful food - good for him, also. And he will be even a better cook when his own condition improves with the food - tell him!!!!

so no jokes, huh?? that's ok, I'm not really good with them

how come no sun comes into your room?????

Klara