my 10 day rice fast

Well I did it! I got through the 10 day fast... I'm quite chuffed that I had the will power to still cook healthy tasty foods for the family but not indulge in them while on my fast. So that I am happy about, I proved to myself that I can control my appetite and desire for certain foods.

The down side to my fast is that my skin broke out quite badly 3 days into it and hasn't really cleared up even though in my Macro books it says "you will have radiant soft skin that will be clear of acne from the akaline fast". Hasn't happened to me, it made my skin break out the worst I've ever seen it in my life.

The other thing I wanted to express is that I just don't feel this "euphoric" enlightenment that all these Macro books say you will feel while doing this fast, especially that book by jessica porter, she goes on and on about being "rice girl"... and well good for her but I can't really relate to that in my experience.

I feel over all lighter but I certainly haven't achieved euphoric monk status. I also didn't lose as much as I thought I would have according to what the books report.
I lost a few pounds but nothing outstanding. So overall, I can't say really how I feel about my fast experience, I went into it with a lot of positivity and kept positive throughout the fast and kept strong. I'm happy to have detoxed a bit - but I've honestly felt and looked better while doing a 3 day juice fast.

Don't really know what to make of it all. I intend to still eat a predominately Macro diet of course and exercise daily and do beneficial things for my mind, body and my family, but where's this "amazing" experience that everyone says they have from a rice fast?

Certainly everyone is different, but these Macro authors tend to be a wee bit misleading, no?

sounds like you achieved a lot! feeling lighter, losing weight etc?! How does it get any better than that.
The thing is - it isn't about 10 days - it is about a sustainable do-able balanced lifestyle for you. Not for today, not just for christmas - hence Lifestyle!

did your rice "eating plan" include only grains? or was it a broader (and what I would recommend) macro meal plan?

some of the euphoria tends to come when people only eat grain and mostly brown rice and chew it very very very well. I feel most of the euphoria is related to that - it triggers certain hormones and brain chemicals.

however balanced macro meals balance your brain chemistry over time in a more realistic manner and don't cause the possible pendulum swinging the other way which can happen when one consumes too austere a diet.

and how many people are searching for that - balance.

sounds like you are well on your way. Don't live your life by what books tell you - blaze your own trail. Use them for guidance. Discover you own path!
keep us all posted of your discoveries and joy!

ilanit

[Kismetwolf]

Thanks Ilanit, that was very sweet of you to write that. I agree with what you have said, and I know deep down I was just feeling a bit "blue" about not having similar experiences to what the macro author's had on their rice fasts.
I am feeling much better about doing the rice fast now that I have put it all into perspective, and not relying on what the books say as much, and as you say "blazing my own trails", I have been and it feels great, I know what I like in macrobiotics and what I will pass on so it feels good to be in control again, and I am also back on regular macrobiotic foods again, so I feel quite "high".
Just started yoga 2 weeks ago and it's great, really challenging, I didn't realize how stiff I had become these past 2 years of being quite sedentary so it's great to challenge myself and push myself a little farther each time.
:-)
I think I may do a juice fast in a month's time as I know my body and how it responds positively to a 3 day juice fast.

That's all from me for now, have a fabulous day everyone.

[Manymoons]

Kismetwolf

I am happy to hear that you survived your fast!

Ilanit T's recommendation to not live by the book (which would be mechanical) and to blaze your own path (which would be exciting and fun), is completely in concurrence with my own sentiments. Hooray!!!!

The element that makes Macrobiotics unique is the attention given to the yin/yang nature of things, especially food. Food is not a separate issue however, and all things must be considered in order to arrive at a truly integrated state. Balance is, after all, the integration of yin and yang functioning together in a kind of cosmic "Tango". What can be expressed, with what degree of passion, I have yet to find the limit.

Do not look to this food to give you your yin and yang. This food will however allow you to find your own and help substantiate what you earn. This food is therefore a great tool to use in the process of living one's life, but will never serve as a substitute---as meat and sugar can be used.

Proceed with caution and and take each step carefully and mindfully. With experience and practice your will be dancing more and more. If you try to dance too fast too soon , you could fall and injure yourself. At that point the music becomes irrelevant!

1,2,3,4,5,6-------
Manymoons

congrats on finishing your fast. i read your post and had to reply because i went through the same sort of facial reaction that you are speaking about in your post. i went on a very strict macro cleanse that my counselor set up for me. i was relatively new to macro and need help for certain "female" issues from which i still suffer. i stayed on the diet and did everything perfectly, and within 2 months i was 20 lbs lighter. needless to say, i didn't need to lose the weight and i was severly underweight for my height. i broke out worse than ever, i felt terrible, and it hurt to even sit in the tub because my butt was so bony. my counselor told me that this was good and my period soon would come. hah! how can a woman get her period when she is 20 lbs underweight and malnourished?! mind you, she is a top counselor here in CA, not just a woman i found next door. anyway, the point of my story is, 8 months later, my skin still looks terrible and i suffer from breakouts constantly, and i still don't have my period. i believe i was set back terribly. i love the macrobiotic lifestyle and macro food, but i believe wholeheartedly that you have to find out what is best for you. i don't believe we were all meant to be macrobiotic. listen to your body, your intuition, and you will be led in the right direction. best of luck.

[Kismetwolf]

Gosh that is awful, take it slowly and you will surely heal and come back to your center in good time.
I don't think your specialist should have put you on such a strict diet of just macrobiotic foods as it takes time for the body to get use to these detoxifying changes - that can in some cases be quite a violent body reaction as what you have unfortunately experienced.
You are completely correct in saying that you should do what works for you, I have learned from my experience and I am doing what works for me and not following book advice as gospel, and yes I think you are correct in saying that not all people are meant to live a strict macrobiotic lifestyle, but eating healthful and organically is always the best alternative so it's best to find your own balance.
I have found that including more vegetables and fruits into my whole grain recipes (60% veg, 40% rice) works much better for me, and cutting out meat and dairy all together makes me feel healthier and "cleaner"
It is unfortunate to have had such a reaction, but have faith that eating fresh natural whole foods are beneficial for your health and you will find your balance of what works for you.
Regarding skin breakouts, I would suggest filling a clean spritzer bottle with spring water and a few drops of the following essential oils: tea tree, rose, bergamot, and a dash of sea salt. After washing your face with warm water, close your eyes and spritz, (or you can apply topically with a cotton ball after cleansing, or soak a few strips of cotton in warm water ring out excess water, spritz the cloth and lay it on your face like a compress).
I have also been taking supplements of evening primrose+borage+fish oil, vitamin e, and multivitamins and my skin has improved in just a few short weeks. I also threw out all my old "cosmetic" brand moisturizers (like L'oreal, Clarins, MAC), and replaced them with a simple aloe and vitamin enriched moisturizer called Aloe99 that I got from the health food store, it smells good enough to eat and feels really nice on my skin.

Good luck to you, good health and vitality to you and please let us know how you get on.

[Manymoons]

To all

The statement that Macrobiotics is not for everyone needs to be clarified so as not to be discouraging or dismissive. We all live in a yin/yang universe and therefore subject to the inherent limitations and potentials thereof. All people experience the actions of the yin/yang dynamic but are unconscious of what is happening. Macrobiotics addresses this and therefore is a conscious way of dealing with yin/yang.

Not all people have the same balance of yin/yang. Not all people can run a 26 mile marathon. Effort and practice are required in order to become accomplished at running, which is true also regarding eating to integrate and substantiate one's balance (Macrobiotically).

To make this food work on your behalf. one must acquire an understanding of the nature of what one is eating, (as well of the spirit of the way it is eaten) and the balance of one's self. Putting water or gasoline on a fire have separate and distinct reactions. Forcing the body to suddenly transmute yin/yang from foods that one is not accustomed to, will certainly be a shock that can stress and injure. Each of us transmute yin/yang differently and to varying degrees. Some people's energy can substantiate yin and/or yang while others may reject or undermine.

Care and gratitude are 2 elements that one can not have to much of. Both will serve to help find the way to one's own balance and integration of yin/yang.

In respectful gratitude for all reflection

Manymoons

[Kismetwolf]

Hi Manymoons. I don't think that anyone was being discouraging or dismissive to the "Macro lifestyle", least of all me.

I do however agree, speaking from a naturopathic nutrition perspective, that if someone has violent allergic tendencies towards certain foods, (which the anonymous poster had experienced) from a dramatic diet change, consisting primarily of; wheat (gluten), whole grains, nuts, that they should certainly continue to eat a healthful balanced diet, but one that works for their personal dietary needs, perhaps incorporate some macro aspects but not all.

As Macrobiotics (from my understanding) seems to be heavy on the whole-grain side, this wouldn't be the best option for an allergy sufferer of those types of foods, hence the statement that the anonymous poster made that "Macrobiotics isn't for everyone". She clearly had a bad experience + poor coaching and should be welcomed to share her experiences so that others may understand and take what they can from them, be it a positive or a negative experience, it is relevant and it happened to her. It's more "dismissive" to sweep someone's bad experience under the magic Macro carpet and not discuss it, not offer assistance or helpful nutritional guidance, that would be "discouraging" to the person who had a bad experience.

As I said in my initial post, several of the Macro books I have read barely delve into the difficulties of changing one's diet to a Macro one and seem to overtly embellish the experiences a bit flamboyantly to "sell a lifestyle in a book", so having said that, I think it's very interesting and healthier to hear an honest interpretation of one's experiences be it good or bad, not every individual is going to have the same positive earth shattering orgasmic cosmic zen experience that most of these Macro authors write about.

I personally prefer to hear a more "balanced" opinion of people's personal Macro experiences, the good with the bad. No diet/lifestyle is 100% perfect and 100% for everyone, and for anyone to assume so could come off as a bit naive, if not patronising.

The best thing about a whole foods diet and positive lifestyle for me is that now that I am feeling and looking great again it's a constant reminder for me to want to eat a healthy balanced diet (as I am fortunate to not suffer from any grain or whole food allergies), and because I feel fantastic all the time, have tons of energy and clear headed thinking, it's been enormously great for me these past 2 months getting back to that healthful lifestyle I once had, but obviously if I had nutritional reactions as violent as the anonymous poster did, this would be an entirely different post from an entirely different perspective and that would be okay too because it would be real!

[Manymoons]

Kismetwolf

Your points are well taken! I stand reflected!

The bull most be extra cautious in the china shop.

I have, regretfully done "unregistered" a disservice.

Mannymoons

[Kismetwolf]

Originally Posted by Manymoons

Kismetwolf

Your points are well taken! I stand reflected!

The bull most be extra cautious in the china shop.

I have, regretfully done "unregistered" a disservice.

Mannymoons

Not at all. Your advice has been invaluable for so many especially for helping me through my rice diet and coming to terms with "yin and yang" foods which still sounds a wee bit "hokey" on the surface but I heartily know it is genuine and beneficial to have such balance in one's life and diet! ;o)

[Manymoons]

kismetwolf

You are very kind. There were points in your post that struck a cord with me , as refection, that perhaps you did not intend but my own vigilance and sencitivity recognized.

Yin/yang are terms which I would prefer to replace as they conjure associations of mysticism. I personally reject all forms of "super-natural". All things that exist, have a yin/yang aspects--having yang gives them identity and understadablility. There is nothing that is pure yin only (or yang)--yin and yang are always paired. The minerals that function in our bodies are always matched--sodiun/potassium as example--most both be present for nerves to function properly or to transfer nutrition through the cell walls. Electricity is positive and negative (yin/yang). We as people are the product of mother and father (yin/yang). A person is a combination of both body and spirit (yin/yang).

A zen cosmic orgasm-----now that sounds "hokey", but intriguing. I don't think I could survive such an experience, being a fallible human being. The enlightenment or " satori" that is accepted as the goal may be very disappointing and allusive because people are expecting brass bands and all sort of fanfare when in fact if is probably very quit non-ego reenforced, non-stimulating and apparently very boring and hence overlooked or simply missed. When yin/yang unite as one, mathematically that would add up to "O".
Does that mean "nothing" or a whole new potential?

This may not be a good breakfast menu but certainly something to chew on.

Manymoons