What about alcohol?

[Esme]

I really enjoy a glass of wine on fridays and saturdays. Not too much, but still enough to make a diffrence.
But...is it stupid to eat really healthy, and then "spoil" it by drinking alcohol?
So, what to drink when you eat macrobiotic food?
(I have heard something about sake?)

In Standard Macrobiotic practice, the word "occasional" is found to be used. This word is subject to interpretation. It varies from individual to individual. Why? Everyone has a different constitution: some strong, some not so much. And it varies from food to food. For those in good health, some foods may be taken quarterly as an occasional food, which I've found to be a pretty good rule. It's not too often or frequent to cause a possible "addiction" or a potential health problem, but not so far in between as to feel like you can never relax and enjoy an alternative "wide" food and feel like you can't live it up!

Alcohol: It's a VERY quick sugar. It goes straight into the blood stream. It's considered extreme yin. Interestingly, there is a difference between alcohols. Some are made with higher concentrations of alcohol, that is true. Keep that in mind. However, what is the base of the alcohol: fruit or grain? In relation to each other, which is more yin? Fruit is more yin, therefore alcohol made from fruit (in general) is more yin, more scattering, more extreme. This would be things like wine and port, for example. Grain-based alcohols, like some whiskeys, sake, and beer, have a different energy. But whiskey and sake have a much higher alcoholic content. So that leaves us with beer.

What I have observed is that, for those in good health, a quarterly beer or two is very much enjoyed. Again, it isn't so frequent as to cause an "addiction" or potential health problem, but is very much enjoyed on the occasional or infrequent basis in which it is imbibed.

The bigger issue: what is so yang during the week, that extreme yin is craved at the end of it?

Just a thought, and I'm not at all saying you are this, but in macro classes and from observation, the people with the serious alcohol cravings or addictions have as their root cause hypoglycemia. So a word to wise in all of us is: careful of yang -- baked flour products, salty foods, meats, barbecued items -- these cause a tightening of the pancreas, which wants to be released with extreme yin -- sugar, alcohol, dairy, sweets, spices, nightshades, aromatic teas, etc.

Try substituting a juice or see the macrobiotic tea page for some good selections. Get a juicer, experiment with some juices such as a collard, bok choy, mix a little tangerine in there, give it a dollop of apple juice and drink it up! You'll feel refreshed and not compromised.

I know this isn't a full answer because we don't know each other, and I feel as if there are underlying issues that may need to come up. May you discover what is the root cause and experiment with substitutes to see how you feel "fed" emotionally and physically. Good luck to you!

Warmly,

[Esme]

That was a good answer. You are right about the hypoglymica-thing.
I wonder, is sake made from rice ok?

Infrequent usage seems to be tolerated by those in good health. It's a higher alcoholic content than beer, so preferably it's not taken very often. Maybe on your birthday! (Not everyone else's birthday, too!) So, beer. Do you like beer? Can you drink it only occasionally or infrequently? I'm assuming you're in good health.

Hypoglycemia, according to Michio, affects about 80% of the U.S. population. Many of us macros have it, too! Have you ever heard of Sweet Vegetable Drink? This helps alleviate hypoglycemia, taken over time.

Sweet Veggie Drink
1/4 c. chopped green cabbage
1/4 c. chopped carrot
1/4 c. chopped non-red onion
1/4 c. chopped sweet squash
4 c. water

Place all veggies in pot, add water, bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and gently simmer 30 minutes. Strain, drink 1 c. hot about 1 hour after lunch (and, if really needed, 1 hour after breakfast or so). So take a thermos! You can make extra of this drink for 2 days' worth and re-heat.

This drink helps with feelings of irritability, indecision, sleepiness at those times mentioned above. It takes about a month or so for this drink to eventually kick in after taking about 4-5 times per week. But try to keep at it. It's worth it.

Then, reduce the offending foods, such as hard-baked flour products, salty foods, yang-type foods such as meat, shellfish, and yang-type behaviors such as overwork, going too far between meals, and tightening situations with relatives, friends, etc.

It's a lot to think about. But, hey, just take it one step at a time.

Try sweet veggie drink. Also, get a juicer and try some fresh veggies and fruit. Then, while drinking one of those, say, at work or school or during the day, think about what other things you can do to help. Ask yourself why tightening foods or behaviors are possibly being consumed or being done to see what is going on. THIS will help with the cravings for weekly vino. Then, hey, let's compare notes.

I'll check in from time to time and see what's happening. Take care!

[Klara]

Those were wonderful answers, covering so many bases.

I don't know if this is pressure (yang) but it feels funny to address "unregistered" and would love to know who you are. Can I assume it's just a technical thing (which I've experienced often) or maybe I"m being too nosy and you do want to remain unidentified?? then forgive my intrusion.

I often recommended the sweet vegetable drink but myself didn't realize it needed to be consumed regularly and for quite a while to have its healing effect. I thank you for the encouragement to be more diligent on it. I was also taught that the finer one chops the vegetables, the sweeter the drink is.

I've asked before about late night eating - as well as eating foods not at all recommended (no pattern that I can see, just whatever's around - I don't live in a mb household, so there's usually something not so healthy around) - a couple people have responded yet I don't seem to have found my own solution - I would still love more help in my search.

Thanks
Klara

[Esme]

Let us know who you are.
I am from Norway. Really a polar country. Brrr.
But right now we have summer. jippi.
Hug

[soysycophant]

I find that any substance that can set you off balance physiologically and/or psychologically does not qualify as MB. I plan never to drink alcohol myself because I feel that it will only leave me chemically and emotionally imbalanced.
Of course, there is some wonderful information presented here and I am aware of the many health benefits of red wine in moderation(i say red wine because it really is the only alcohol with any nutritional value).
Good stuff!

[Klara]

sorry to disappoint you, but EVERYTHING qualifies as mb - mb is the dance of yin and yang to be constantly played with - yes, there are extremes, and some people need to be more careful, especially those suffering serious illness. The goal of balance is much easier if we play in the middle, but as mentioned, for someone in good health, if so inclined (for sure not a necessity) once in a while can be part of the playfulness. I think this acceptance comes with much experience. soysycophant, never say never. Mb is also about constant change!!!

Klara

[soysycophant]

i wasnt so much saying it wasnt MB as it seems,lookign at its effects, very far away from the middle.

[Manymoons]

Klara etal

Everything is indeed MB in that everything has a yin/yang nature. Judgement is knowing what it is that is wanted. The spirit of MB is to grow and be as full as possible. I have yet to see any constructive effect come from consuming alcohol.

Alcohol is extremely yin. When consumed, it displaces (cancells) one's inherent yin, which inturn eliminates yang due to the absence then of the required justifying yin. A centrifugal spiral is started that tends to perpetuate itself into further yinnization. Body and spirit suffer deficiency.

The opposite is equally true. Consuming extreme yang, displaces inherent yang.

Woman are more yang on the inside then men are, so the price a woman pays for taking alcohol is greater than for a man. In either case the price is not worth it.

There is a misleading notion that taking extreme yin with extreme yang (in apparent balance) is going to function to substantiate ones own fuller balance. This will serve only to cancell inherent yin and yang and function to depleat rather than fortify.

MB food is much more yin/yang neutral than typical food extremes. This allows one's own yin/yang to flourish. Happiness and health are a matter of containing one's own yin/yang. Why do we seem have a need to undermine it?
Perhaps gratitude for our selves is lacking. Gratitude is probably the one thing that one can not have too much of, even in the extreme.

Manymoons

Manymoons

[Klara]

Manymoons,

As with so much that you write, I will indeed have to re-read it very carefully.

I was privy to advice given to a friend (also a mb teacher/counselor) by both Michio and another excellent teacher that she needed to soften up, and was advised to drink wine (don't remember if told which or how much) - she was shocked by that idea and asked if sake would do, and told yes.

And indeed, last time she hosted a mb dinner, it was quite festive, with both sake and wine at the table.

I certainly can't judge its effect and whether your words or Michio's are The Truth - I truly don't know.

But getting back to the original question, seems to me every week is a bit much.

As for gratitude, totally in agreement there!!!!!!!!

Klara

[Manymoons]

Klara

Balance is a razor-sharp fine-lined thing. I do not generally favor any extreme or sudden moves when changing dietary patterns. For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. Time is needed to spiritually adjust to and encompass new feelings. What may feel uncomfortable may in fact be a new condition of well being that by virtue of previous experience, seems alien. From a perspective of imbalance, balance may not be easily recognized. Familiarization takes time and attention to really know and understand the nature and implications of a new state of being. It is most comfortable to remain with what we are accustomed to, even if imbalance.

I consider alcohol as poison---plainly stated! It may be a crude balance for char broiled steak, but that is some where I do not wish to go. It is extremely--I repeat--extremely yin. If one is in need of yin, to lighten up, there are any number of yins that are of better quality and more managable in the process of establishing a new and better balance. It is my own practice to take yin on the outside rather than on the inside in the form of consummed food. Every mourning for example, I take a cold shower (gradually from warm toward cold) followed by a very light application of a body oil (sesame,peanut,olive and sented with some myhhr or other fragrence) as a form of taking yin. Yin on the outside fortifies yang on the inside, were it is supposed to be. Conversely yin on the inside fortifies yang on the outside. Ever notice the male traits that woman who take lots of alcohol develope over time? An accident(?)---I think not!

The history of taking alcohol is long. Has it really expanded peoples spirit? I fail to see where.

Some people need more yin, others need more yang. Getting one's need can be done without resorting to indulging in extremes, Keep the yin on the outside and the yang on the inside.

Manymoons

[Bruce Paine]

Hi everyone!

I see alcohol as a wonderful but very yin substance to be taken in moderation if at all.

As an almost vegan macrobiotic my motto has been "one beer (or glass of wine) a year!"

I do love non-alcoholic fermented beverages such as amasake and NA (non-alcoholic) beer at the end of a hard day's work, when it's hot or during long periods of time while writing on the computer.

When I am eating lots of fish or denser flesh, I naturally gravitate toward stronger yin including wine or beer but not before driving and not usually in public because I tend to have more expansive expressions when imbibed or intoxicated.

I live in a society where everyone eats more animal foods than I do, and they drink and smoke a lot and their behavior is often quite loud and noisy (last Friday and Saturday [from midnight to 3 am in the morning] the patrons of several bars while outside to have a smoke were quite loud and rowdy, making it difficult for people like me to get to sleep)!

While I would not choose to live in a society where there is no personal freedom, I would like to see my fellow citizens exhibit more self-control and maybe an educational process would be desireable, maybe along with a permit to consume intoxicants (like a driver's license).

By the way, alcohol is many different things, besides being poisonous to some, it is a medicine, a food, and a tool for many different activities.

Some things misused by some, can be used wisely by others.

Be well, be your best, and be blessed.

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[Manymoons]

Originally Posted by Bruce Paine;6

By the way, alcohol is many different things, besides being poisonous to some, it is a medicine, a food, and a tool for many different activities.

Some things misused by some, can be used wisely by others.

Be well, be your best, and be blessed.

Thank you, very much.
[URL="http://brucesaysbalancezine.typepad.com/brucesmbbookreview/"

Bruce Paine[/url]

Bruce

I'll drink to that! Wink,wink, I'm grinning!

Developing the wisdom can be challenging. Our society is really expanded in the yang (big buildings, houses, cars etc.). The yin (spirit-understanding) is not on par however. With so much external yang there is created a pressure to expand on the inside. It is no wonder alcohol is so pervasive in our society. This pattern is a yinnizing spiral, and maintaining one's own inner yang (could be read as indentity) is under enormous assault. The amplitude of this current can be overpowering, especially to persons just starting the journey with this food.

Resistance may get one flattened. Finding that illusive posture that allows going with the flow but still maintaining one's "own" reqiures great vigilance and judgement. Alcohol being as extreme yin as it is, may not be the easiest substance to use while finding one's place (balance) in the torrent. Drawing yin from other souces such as music, color, friendships, dancing etc. is not as demanding on one's body, as transmuting alcohol in one's system. I see no need to create more difficultly in the face of already challenging circumstances.

Alcohol in a contempory context is part of a balance that sudstitutes war for understanding and a perspective of seeing enemies all around. There is a significant lack of yin/yang integration. All are part of one energy, but until one's own yin/yang is integrated, one will likely not recognize one's own place in it. The jugement to use alcohol wisely is probably beyond most people, especially persons that are atracked to this food. They are searching for something that normal culture is not offering. The first wisdom then would be to avoid an element such as alcohol, which is a major contributor to the ambiant imbalance.

Beware the illusion of freedom---Beware the freedom of illusion!
Life is wonderful as long as one does not weaken!

Manymoons