http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blog.php CyberMacro, The Macrobiotics en Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:21:44 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blog.php http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/bruce-paine/35-does-nature-speak-japanese.html Tue, 27 May 2008 21:17:09 GMT After reading Gary's post at LittleTreeTalk, A Superhighway to Bliss
this weekend, I delved into my piles of stuff and found these articles that I copied from an old East West Journal back in 1997; then scanned and edited last night, so we can read them:

Does Nature Speak in Japanese?

Thank you, very much.

Be well, be your best, and be blessed!

Bruce Paine ]]> Bruce Paine http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/bruce-paine/35-does-nature-speak-japanese.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/dubai-positions/33-macrobiotic-chef-needed.html Mon, 05 May 2008 06:44:56 GMT Dear Macrobiotic chef,



I am currently recruiting for a Macrobiotic chef in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The position requires a very high level of skill, knowledge & a positive approach. If you feel that you have the correct skill set & experience and would be interested in a position in the Middle East then please reply with your CV at which point I will be more than happy to discuss the exact details.



Are you interested in being a private Macrobiotic chef cooking for the CEO of a top UAE company as her private chef. ]]> Dubai Positions http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/dubai-positions/33-macrobiotic-chef-needed.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/bruce-paine/32-whole-daikon-takuan-rice-bran-pickles-hip-bath-dried-daikon-leaves.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:42:06 GMT When I moved to Roy Steevensz's macrobiotic center in Los Angeles in the early 1980s, I was put to work making takuan (rice bran pickles) which are made by taking fresh large whole daikon roots that have their leaves still attached, rinsing them in cool pure water, separating the leaves in a clump from the top of the daikon root with a sharp knife (the clumped leaves are then hung on a tight clothesline in the shade, outside for a number of days until they become yellow-brown and brittle, and then are bagged to be used to make hip bath ["Used to warm the body and treat various disorders of the skin and female sex organs. Also helpful in drawing odors and excessive oils from the body." from Home Remedies/Macrobiotic Dietary Recommendations, by Michio and Aveline Kushi]).

Though the traditional way to dry daikon for takuan pickles is to hang the roots horizontally by a rope from under the long roof eaves in the cool fall and winter air, we did not have any long roof eaves, so we improvised by taking some six foot log two by fours and attaching a pair of galvanized nails a inch or two apart on the vertical leaning two by fours each pair running up or down these planks about six or more inches apart and then we would place the fresh daikon roots balanced on each pair of galvanized nails until we had 8 or more roots balancing on nails on each two by four plank and since we were using several containers of daikon radishes for each batch of takuan pickles, we would be using many planks to hang and dry the daikon radishes.

In a good number of days the radishes would become quite limp (as soft enough to bend into a circle) and then we would place the dried daikon side by side in containers of rice bran mash (made by roasting rice bran in the oven and mixing it with a liquid made with pure water, kombu, miso and sea salt) starting with a layer of mash on the bottom, followed by a number of the smallest dried roots, laid horizontally but not touching each other, then covered by more mash and another layer of roots, and then more mash and more roots until we have a tub almost completely filled to the top and with the top layer being that of mash, and then the tub lid being secured to keep most of the exterior air out, kept in a cool dark place and then waited a month or more before opening it!
We often produced several or more tubs in each batch and lots of bags of hip bath that always sold out! ]]> Bruce Paine http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/bruce-paine/32-whole-daikon-takuan-rice-bran-pickles-hip-bath-dried-daikon-leaves.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/caroline/31-macroblogink-prayer-fasting.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:23:06 GMT I just re-read George Ohsawa's chapter 'Prayer and Fasting" in his book *You Are All Sanpaku* and it enlightened me again. Here are the first few paragraphs:

"Four hundred years ago a small ship sailed through a tempest in the Indian Ocean, swirling like a leaf caught in a raging torrent. In that small craft, a young man alone, feverish unto death and suffering, cried out: 'Oh pain, send me more pain, oh, Lord.'

"He lived to preach in Nagasaki months later--St. Francis Xavier, the very first Christian to set foot in Japan. After thirty years of preaching, he died there.

It is his spirit, his absolute confidence, that delivers us from illness and catastrophe. Some call it faith. I call it comprehension of the Unique Principle, the loving acceptance of the Order of the Universe."

On this, the day before Resurrection is celebrated and Spring is just upon us in this part of the world, I pray that that spirit and absolute confidence deliver all afflicted in body or soul, including myself. I am grateful that for now, at least, a Spirit moved me to write and resurrect this blog again.

With a Macro-Spring Into Life,
Caroline V. Ritter ]]> Caroline http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/caroline/31-macroblogink-prayer-fasting.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/caroline/30-macroblogink-macro-good-friday.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:13:35 GMT Since I seem to so rarely post a blog, I just realized I usually only blog here when in a mild mania--before the severe aspects of manic depressive illness and delusions hit. I also do not tend to write here when depressed--mostly because I limit having contact with others when in a down state so as not to burden them with my negative energy. It often takes a whole lot of prayers for me to emerge from the depths of dark depression. I truly desire to have this blog be a positive affirmation of the healing power of macrobiotic practice.

Even though I have lived most of my adult life in a depressed state (with periods of mania breaking up the doldrums) I still do have hope. This being Good Friday, I have to be grateful I did have a macro-good Friday myself. Yes, even though I am Jewish, I still celebrate this day, as I believe Jesus is the Messiah.

What does that have to do with macrobiotic practice for me? It means I had a brown rice fast today and that I heed Jesus' words about the mental illness afflicting one soul: "this kind can only go out by prayer and fasting."

I've also started running again and this is the end of a 33 day "novena" of running each day. The change is remarkable. I have much more energy (even when not manic) and my mood is brighter.

I don't run fast--it's more of a crawling jog. I go by my heart rate. It's been many years since my Higher Self gave me a dream wherein he appeared in the likeness of Michelangelo's King David and bid me to run. This Higher Self is a kind of Chief Guardian Angel to me and I believe he is an inner macrobiotic counselor, as well.

Perhaps I need running to make me more yang, as I am sure with all the medications over the years, I struggle with yinness. Even though running is not usually encouraged, it seems, by macrobiotic counselors, it works for me better than walking or any other form of exercise. I do yoga, too, but it is no substitute for running for me.

My inner macro-counselor is bidding me to do more varied macro-cooking. Now that I do have more energy, I have no excuse. I have a daily "prayer quota" and that is mostly my focus each day. I know I can give many of those prayers whilst cooking, so again I have no excuse. What I stopping me?

My resistance stems from a deep-seated lack of self-worth: that I do not even deserve to be healed. Even so, I have a Higher Power who loves me and wants me whole and so I continue to pursue a macro-miracle through adherence to alignment with the Order of the Universe through macrobiotics.

MacroPeace,

Caroline V. Ritter ]]> Caroline http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/caroline/30-macroblogink-macro-good-friday.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/28-happilly-enjoying-my-dorm-good-food-they-serve.html Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:11:06 GMT I am back in Australia, this is orientation week for UWA! My dorm serves the most gorgeous variety of veggies,pasta and fruit- plus they often have beans of some sort(and ONCE tofu!! YAY!) at lunch and/or dinner. :D

I have gotten SO fit and have lost like 10 pounds already! :D I am doing 4 hours of exercise a day and have started a jogging club at my dorm!
It's great here, I am in love with this amazing campus where I feel so in sync with nature and life. Plus everyone is especially friendly to me since I am the "baby" here haha. Sweet sixteen in 3 months!!!!!!!! Mom is gonna make me MB cookies, maybe peanut butter ones! Yum! :D ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/28-happilly-enjoying-my-dorm-good-food-they-serve.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/27-living-right-place.html Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:53:17 GMT I know I have discussed earlier how great it is to be back in America, where I have a lot more oppurtunity to live Macrobiotically than I did in Perth.
But I would like to return to the this subject.
Dad and I have been to Massachusetts and California (where I had the most delish grain soy drink at an Ethiopian Vegan restuarant we came across!!! ) the last two weekends visiting colleges.
And a huge issue has been the dining halls and the selection of food they offer someone with my dietary needs.
So it got me thinking- as someone who wants to live a life leading non-profit human and animal rights organisations, will I be moving around a lot? To places that I can keep my my balanced eating/living?
I can't imagine how hard it must be for MAcrobitiotics to live in even smaller places than Perth- but then i think, maybe country towns also have advantages. No fancy schmancy health food stores, but perhaps more oppurtunity to grow your own organic produce.

So find balance and health everywhere you go, adapt and live in harmony with different environments, sometimes we don't have a choice when it comes to where we live.

Mira out. ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/27-living-right-place.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/26-hooray.html Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:22:44 GMT Today my macrotreats arrived! I waited so long to come back to the US to consume them, I ordered them from California and now they are here!
They are absolutely delicious and healthy, and it is such a relief to be able to eat a baked MB good I didn't have to make myself or go to one of Sahaja's potlucks for.
I took photos! Photos make my blog so much more appealing and fun, it's my CyberMacro New Years resolution to take a lot more.





Oh, and on another note, I found ORGANIC VEGAN/MB-SAFE FROZEN MEALS!!
I believe I have already gone on a mini-rant about how happy I am to be here with all this amazing Mira-safe food! The range and availability is incredible compared to Perth.
Anyway, here is some pad thai- organic noodles, organic tofu, organic non-nightshade veggies(the red stuff isnt actually tomato but just sauce).

Now,of course, I mainly cook for myself so these are just rare indulgences when I am tired or something. But it's just a relief to know that they exist and are attainable. ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/26-hooray.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/25-ooooo-cookies.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:54:22 GMT They were actually kinda mediocre, still good, but a little bland. I think it's because I haven't baked for what seems like ages, I must be out of practice.
When I made a baked good every week, they got to be really exceptional. Cooking has a lot to do with practice.
I guess now that I have free time before going into university, I can cook a lot more! And blog more,for sure.

They look good though, no?

My hand looks terrible in this! I guess it's hard to take a photo and do a thumbs up simultaneously.

Oh, I looove cookie batter. Licking out the bowl every time is the best part of being an only child.

Right outta the oven.

Only an hour and 6 minutes till 2008! ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/25-ooooo-cookies.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/24-2007-year-diet-review.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:32:19 GMT Having just made macrobiotic choco chip cookies with Mom, I am spending my last 2 hours of this year pondering over a glass of soymilk and crumbs. This has certainly been a memorable year, for many reasons. 2006 was my most signifigant in going through a violent dietary ebb and flow, to finally reach where I am now. But this has been a year of stability in my diet, a consistently macrobiotic experience. Hopefully there will be even more balanced, healthy years to come. Happy New Year Cybermacro! Having just made macrobiotic choco chip cookies with Mom, I am spending my last 2 hours of this year pondering over a glass of soymilk and crumbs.
This has certainly been a memorable year, for many reasons. 2006 was my most signifigant in going through a violent dietary ebb and flow, to finally reach where I am now. But this has been a year of stability in my diet, a consistently macrobiotic experience.
Hopefully there will be even more balanced, healthy years to come.
Happy New Year Cybermacro! ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/24-2007-year-diet-review.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/23-xmas-photos.html Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:15:15 GMT tofurkey and veggies/squash with pecans and raisins Image: http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p231/dramasnot6/IMG_1299.jpg Image: http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p231/dramasnot6/IMG_1297.jpg tofurkey and veggies/squash with pecans and raisins

]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/23-xmas-photos.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/22-christmas-macro-meal.html Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:41:06 GMT Now that I am on my break before university, I have offered my busy parents to take on the responsibility of cooking today's Christmas dinner. This also assures we are completely "mira-safe" in our food selection.
I have found a delicious organic tofurkey and am baking it with mixed vegetables, ending the meal with baked apples topped with cinnamon. I am writing this while my tofurkey is in the oven, dripping with my olive oil and soy sauce baste and patiently awaiting it's consumption :)
I shall inform my blog of the success of the meal and stick in a photo of my tofurkey(I was considering standing in...but I intend on being in my pajamas all day as a Christmas luxury :P) when the meal is complete.
Wishing everyone a healthy,safe and happy holidays! ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/22-christmas-macro-meal.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/21-home-last.html Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:19:29 GMT Alas the chaos of graduation, exams and my gigantic move has ended-I am finally back home in good ol' Northern VA. And let me say, it feels bloody terrific to be back.

Yesterday I went to Whole Foods and fell in love. THEY HAVE A MACROBIOTIC SECTION! I almost had a heart attack.

I have settled into such a pleasant, calm state of being. The only thing stressing me these days is college applications, but hey, it's all good. I feel nice and balanced, and now that I am with my childhood friends again in my hometown, I am happy.
I also have some free time, so I will catch up on my blogging gradually. Hope all is everyone for my fellow MB's here on CyberMacro!
:broccoli:broccoli:broccoli ]]> soysycophant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/soysycophant/21-home-last.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/caroline/20-macroblogink-macromania.html Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:11:40 GMT Many macro-moons have passed since I blogged here. Those moons found me often in varying states of lunacy, of course. It's a challenge to surf the tidal flows of bipolar disorder (manic depression) but I started blogging at cybermacro to record the progress of my healing of this mood disorder that sorely vexes me.

Some days are better than others. That's true for everyone, I know. I can be truly loony, though--and that does not mean Canadian currency. I am battling the beginnings of a mania due to obsessive thinking. In macrobiotics, an extreme imbalance in the heart energy can result in being "excessively passionate." It's an addiction for me. Truly it is. Perhaps it is best to channel that passion into a will to be whole, to be healed through living in accordance with the Order of the Universe that is spoken of by macro-sages.

Yes, eating whole grains and chewing them well really does bring me into a peaceful state. It is true. I still must also use varying doses of psychotropic medications, such as Zyprexa, but that is alright. No macrobiotic counselor has ever recommended I go off medications except under a physician's care when they are no longer needed.

I have to remember that when I attended the Kushi Institutes's "Way to Health" program in February 2003, I was taking a the anti-psychotic Zyprexa daily. Now I only take it as needed for mania. That is a very big deal, indeed.

I do not hesitate to use it if I must and now is one of those times. Most of all, though, I strive to cook and eat macrobiotically, which focuses on whole grains, vegetables, and beans, as well as other fare, and which helps balance the extremes of a polarizing mood disorder.

I've become quite fond of barley and I make a sort of stew with barley, vegetables and beans. It is a kind of peasant fare, I suppose, but I often crave it now. That would have never happened before. On my spiritual path, I have been taught my mentor Elizabeth Clare Prophet that barley helps prevent "imperil," which is defined as a sort of chronic irritability that is quite dangerous spiritually. At any rate, I have found the grain quite grounding and delicious.

Sometimes I think I've made barely any progress, but now I can see I've made progress through barley...

MacroPeace,
Caroline V. Ritter ]]> Caroline http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/caroline/20-macroblogink-macromania.html http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/billzant/15-moved-blog.html Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:34:36 GMT To enable me to provide links etc. I have moved this blog to my website at http://zarendhara.net/naturehealth.htm The purpose of the blog is to provide a record of how I was able to live macrobiotic in Thailand. Initially when the doctor said diet, I thought where I live in Thailand would be the worlds worst place but now I am beginning to think the exact opposite. Come to my macrobiotic blog and see why. To enable me to provide links etc. I have moved this blog to my website at

http://zarendhara.net/naturehealth.htm

The purpose of the blog is to provide a record of how I was able to live macrobiotic in Thailand. Initially when the doctor said diet, I thought where I live in Thailand would be the worlds worst place but now I am beginning to think the exact opposite.

Come to my macrobiotic blog and see why. ]]> billzant http://www.cybermacro.com/forum/blogs/billzant/15-moved-blog.html