*urgent* question - regimen #6

[hans89]

Hello again everybody,

sorry to start another thread, but the question is kind of 'urgent,' as I'll be leaving regimen #7 on Saturday to go on #6. In Ohsawa's "You are all Sanpaku" (I think it's the same as Zen Macrobiotics? not sure though) it says that I should eat 90% rice and 10% refined vegetables.

Now my problem is, what are refined vegetables
I know refined salt and refined sugar, but not refined vegetables...
I'm wondering whether it matters at all, but since I'm at a 'critical' stage I think it might.

Thank you so much....

Hans

[Klara]

Hello Hans,

looking briefly at some of your other posts, I see that you're in Germany - so you can't order from the shop here, but you can read what's written on the description of this book:

"#7 Diet, An Accompaniment to Ohsawa’s Zen Macrobiotics"

and perhaps find the book in your area.

And there are some on this forum who have experience with the rice diet, so hope they can help.

I also have no idea what refined vegetables could possibly mean, but I do know it was posted here to go off the rice diet slowly, perhaps adding just a few foods at a time.

How are you feeling???

Klara

[hans89]

Thanks again, Klara.

I'm feeling alright, basically, I just want to do the transition from #7 to #6 and the lower regimens correctly, so I'm wondering what Ohsawa meant by writing that the vegetables in regimen #6 should be 'refined' while those in the other regimes should not be.

So if anyone knows what's behind that...

Otherwise I'll just take them regularly cooked.

All the best

-Hans

[Dottie Roseboom]

Hi Hans,

Glad that you mentioned these 2 books, as it has been a while since I've read them. They are not exactly the same books, although some of the info is covered in both, as Carl Ferre edited "Zen Macrobiotics", while William Dufty edited "You are all Sanpaku". Do you mind telling me what chapter he mentions "refined" veggies? I'll look at my copy, and see if I can decipher. I'm guessing that he's talking about cooking veggies that are easy to digest.

Are you working with a macro counselor? Some of Ohsawa's suggestions do not apply as well today as they did years ago. Remember that few people were jumping on planes, hopping into cars, or even typing away on computers :-) when he wrote.

He was also trying to reach world-wide populations, so many suggestions are general, rather than specific for individuals.

When I finished Diet 7, I started back with pureed veggie soups.
Since we're into colder weather, your body is probably calling for warmer foods.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Dottie Roseboom

[hans89]

Dear Dottie,

thanks a lot for your reply. I didn't know the books are different, I might want to get the other one as well then. The information is in the chapter "the cure," there is a chart with the regimens from -3 to 7, and at the percentage given for vegetables in #6, there is an asterisk. Below there is a footnote that says "Refined vegetables. In other regimens, vegetables are not refined."

Regarding your question, no, I'm not working with a counselor. I don't know if there is one anywhere near me, and frankly I don't think I could afford consulting one since I'm still a university student.

When you ate the soups after #7, in what ratio did you eat them to the brown rice? Or did you not have any rice for a while?

Which warmer foods would you recommend, ginger, as Klara suggested?

All the best

-Hans

[Dottie Roseboom]

Hi Hans, Oh, this is quite a mystery about the refined veggies :-) I had never noticed that asterisk before. Too bad that "refined" is not explained. "Zen Macrobiotics" (4th edition) was published in 1995. It does NOT include the asterisk. Until we find out otherwise, your intuition will have to suffice. Other fasting regimes usually recommend pureed veggies for the first meal.

As far as purchasing "Zen Macrobiotics" goes, I wonder if a macro cookbook might not be a more useful, as much of the info in "You Are All Sanpaku" is repeated. Being able to cook well & understanding how to correct your condition by different cooking methods is invaluable. Since no one cookbook can possibly contain everything, I have many.
If you wish, you can email me off-line with your address & a list of your current macro books. I have a few extra copies of various books that I would be glad to give to you.

Peace,
Dottie

[hans89]

Dear Dottie,

that's interesting that the asterisk is left out in your version. My book is printed in 2002 by Kensington Publishing. Maybe the remark wasn't all that important...

I think the pureed vegetable soup is recommended in other fasting regimes to slowly reintroduce fiber into the diet, so I think this may not be necessary after the rice fast?

Thank you for your generous offer, but I think shipping cost to Germany would be quite excessively high... However I'll send you an email with my list, and I'd be glad if you could give me some recommendations on what there might be missing.

All the best

-Hans

[Dottie Roseboom]

Hi Hans,

You have a great start on the classical Macrobiotic books. I love to read, and never pass up a chance at purchasing macro books. To keep from going bankrupt, I always check-out used book stores whenever we travel.

A few of my favorite finds are "The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health" by Michio Kushi, which has 500+ pages describing various diseases & how to treat them. Recipes & remedies are included.

Denny Waxman's "The Great Life Diet" explains in great detail the 7 steps to health, happiness, and personal fulfillment. It also includes a few recipes & remedies.

Aveline Kushi's "Complete Guide to Macrobiotic Cooking"
is 400 pages of wisdom, health advice, stories, and of course recipes.

Probably one of the most helpful cookbooks is Julia Ferre's "Basic Macrobiotic Cooking", which teaches concepts of cooking. Each basic recipe includes many different ingredients that can be substituted, allowing one to see the endless variety in macrobiotic cooking.

I also like the recipes & wise tidbits in "Amber Waves of Grain" by Alex & Gale Jack.

Warren Wepman has a small, but great book called "A Man in the Kitchen". My husband has loved all the dishes made
from his recipes.

And of course, Melanie Waxman's cookbook is great too. Her new book for busy people & students should be out soon.

Best of Everything.
Dottie

[hans89]

Hello Dottie,

thank you for the recommendations! "Basic Macrobiotic Cooking" sounds best to me, I hate reading recipes and having to worry if I can really find the ingredients, spend a lot of time shopping etc., I'd rather use what I have in the house / what's in season & readily available.

Right now I'm eating vegetables again and feeling better... I sauté them in oil as recommended, also made some ginger tea, started jogging again, and the cold feeling has actually improved a lot.

All the best

-Hans

[Dottie Roseboom]

It's great that you are feeling better now. Feeling cold is certainly no fun. Have a great day.

Dottie