Macro Discharge

[brooklyngal]

I have been on a macro diet for about two weeks now, following simple recipes in the "changing seasons" cookbook by Aveline Kushi. Since I am still learning the recipes and foods, most of what I am eating so far is brown rice, millet, boiled or steamed green vegetables, bancha tea, organic brown rice cakes and grain coffee. I have read in many places about the discharge process and the many different forms it can take. I am a little concerned b/c I do not think I have experienced any discharges and I know that is a sign that things are going well, detoxifying, etc. I have been feeling extremely crappy and tired, for lack of better words - but that is about it. Am I doing something wrong? Also, is there anything specific I can eat to solve my energy / exhaustion problem?

I have believed for a long time that any one starting macrobiotics should seek the advice of an experienced counselor and taking some programs. Reading the books is a good start, but we are not capable, in most cases, of judging our own conditions.

[brooklyngal]

I am sure that getting a macro counselor is ideal, but it's not necessarily affordable or convenient for everyone.

I have been gaining a tremendous amount of info self-educating using books, online info and recorded teachings, online forums like this one.

Nonetheless, I do think using a counselor would be beneficial, especially in the initial stages. What is the best way to go about finding one? I looked in the online yellow pages and nothing comes up. I wonder what heading it would be under??

Hi Brooklyngal-
I've been feeling like crap too! Is this the detoxifying? I'd like to know. I haven't had my skin break out or anything, i've just felt lethargic as hell chasing after my toddler. When do you "turn the corner"? or does this indicate i need to do some more serious cleansing or fasting? I have no idea where to even start looking for a macro counselor. I'm in Maine. Anyone with experience have any advice for us?

Heya exhausted macro-newbies, here's my 2 cents on how you're feeling. The first month is really early still in your macro adventure, I actually didn't start seeing discharge reactions until the second month, each person is different...and mine was only a localized rash on my throat and like 2 zits. Your discharge comes from how you ate before, and reacts to how you're sleeping, working, all sorts of stuff.

If finding a councelor is just out of the question, i'd suggest making sure you're getting all of your vitamins and iron, especially as girls we can go anemic easily and exhaustion is a key symptom. Strengthening foods are japanese pumpkin with aduki beans and sweet brown rice, i also add some ume plum vinegar to taste. stick close to your nutrient-rich dark and leafy and try to sleep well. How did you eat before your macro switch? Have you changed your activities at all? It was my experience that my body looked for the foods I used to eat and foods i never ate in slowly diminishing degrees for literally 6 months before I could say I was in control of my cravings and eating macro. For a while all I ever wanted was pizza and chocolate, having never eaten like that before!

The most important thing is to listen to your body, that's what macrobiotics really teaches us, is not "eat this, not that" but it gives us a really strong compass for "i feel blegh when i eat like this" and "i feel fantastic when i eat like that!"

[Cool Dude]

Macro chicks and dudes!

Yes, macrobiotics is hard when we are doing it without anyone's assistance!

Two helpers who don't charge very much for their assistance are Jessica Porter whon covers the experience of discharges ("desludging!") in her book The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics: A Philosophy for Achieving a Radiant Mind and a Fabulous Body http://www.simply-natural.biz/hipchicks.php and Kristina Turner who shows us what foods affect us in what way and how seasonal energy can inluence the way we feel and behave in her book The Self-Healing Cookbook: A Macrobiotic Primer for Healing Body, Mind and Moods With Whole Natural Foods http://www.simply-natural.biz/Self-Healing-Cookbook.php and also how we can eat to change how those seasons affect us.

Be well and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cool Dude