New Member...

[sarrett1]

Hi, I just joined this forum. I have been a strict vegetarian for several years and have just started studying macro. I have always enjoyed whole grains so that's a big help.
One question I have is in regard to skin problems. I have had chronic eczema and psoriasis and the only thing that seems to get rid of it is cortisone based meds which I don't like. My endicro said that this is common with his Turner's Syndrome patients but doesn't offer any help. I'm hoping by taking my diet up another notch might help.

[Klara]

Welcome Sarrett1,

What's the notch you're upping to?? I"m sure it will be helpful.

How are you studying?

Besides diet, are you also aware of life style advice, particularly the daily body scrub (or rub??)?

Wishing you the very best in your healing.

Klara

[neon]

To the body scrub. How long does it usually take you to scrub the whole body? I was reading it's best to do it until the skin shines like red, but it took me 30 mins to complete it properly with whole body. I just wonder how fast are you done with this?

[sarrett1]

What I meant is I'm a strict vegetarian but in terms of heath macro goes a step beyond that by eliminating "white" carbs, balancing food (ie yin/yang, acid/basic), severely limiting processed foods (for example, I do eat veggie burgers that don't have eggs snuck in and vegan frozen stuff such as Amy's organics) and limiting niteshades, etc.

In terms of studying, I've been reading "The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics" and also have a copy of a cookbook by Aveline Kushi. I'm considering looking into David Briscoe's one month course (30 day makeover) or 30 day program with the Macro coach a co-worker of mine is working with and likes. However, neither is cheap (both around $300.)

So far I've read mostly about diet. I haven't done a body scrub and am not sure what that involves. I have occasionally purchased "salt scrubs" from Trader Joe's and they do seem to make the skin soft.

[Klara]

Neon,

I'm so glad to hear from someone in "the old country." I was born in Hungary and have a fascination for that whole area. Is there an active mb group where you live? - I know there is in Hungary.

Also are you familair with Mina (Milenka) Dobic - she's from Yugoslavia and has a wonderful healing story which she wrote up - "My Beautiful Life." But I'm sorry, I don't know if she ever goes back - I believe she's now in the San Diego (California) area.

I'm far from an expert on the body scrub - tho I have also read for body to be red - I don't believe that's the crucial point. I think just the massaging and moving energy around it what matters. I also heard that it isn't really a SCRUB, but should be more gentle, that's why I also wrote rub.

I was told the entire rub should take like 5 - 10 minutes - Sarrett1, yes Jessica Porter does talk about the body (s)rub, p. 176-7, she says body should be pink, also says 5 - 10 minutes. and gives more details. What I don't quite get, is the water I use doesn't stay that hot - I don't even know if that matters or not.

Sarrett1, you sound like you do have a good start - you do recognize what can be let go from your diet. That's great. If you do decide to spend the money it's a tough choice - David Briscoe is high on my list of amazing people - you can see some of his wisdom here on a chat that he lead - also if you can get some Macrobiotic Today magazines, I'm sure he's had quite a few articles there. otoh, I don't think anything substitutes for learning in person with someone, both from your point of view and also from the counselor's being able to read you. Tough choice. Just want you to know though that it's not the end of the road - learning goes on as long as you're serious about mb - not always with (formal) teachers but just because you become more conscious of everything and look at things in a new way. Also if you're not ready to spend $300 dollars, there may be other options - but personally jumping in for a 30-day deep end sounds wonderful. Sounds like it would have a strong effect.

Klara

[sarrett1]

OK....I'll have to look that up. I don't think I got to that page yet.

Yes...going either route would push me into the deep end. I also have to get advice on the social/eat out situation. Even as a strict vegetarian it's tough sometimes. I'm so used to going into a restaurant and finding 2-3 choices that when I do hit a veggie restaurant it's a treat...I mean I can eat off most of the menu! My co-worker is coming from a different place as if I recall she started from a more standard diet so trying to go macro is even more of a change for her.

[Klara]

It's so much fun getting an answer almost immediately - like a chat :>)

(Those were wonderful, Gary - thanks again for the experience)

Sarrett1, is eating out an important part of your life?? Is social eating?? Are there no macrobiotic kind of activities where you live?? Potlucks?? Dinners in mb teacher's home??

Your friend from SAD eating jumped into the 30-day learning?? How far along has she come?? I also came from a vegetarian background and still for me to give up stuff like nightshades I remember was quite a shock. And even now eating out is still a challenge I do give in to old ways when I go out, and often have regrets, but fortunately nothing major. I might have eaten food which is overly salty and am thirsty all day long. But more seriously, I find I am not attracted to eating out, and that does create a crimp in one's life. But on the other end, I am lucky as every now and then I can find others who eat mb food and can share food.

As with everything in mb, you have to find what works for you - which depends alot on your condition - and to try to come as close as you can to a balance - I have found in social affairs, I can (finally) not be attracted to the food and still socialize. Going out to eat with family doesn't work as easily for me. If the chronic eczema and psoriasis requires that you be on a strict healing diet for a while, I would consider not eating out in a regular restaurant as part of the strictness. You may be quite fortunate and heal quickly, and then you can go wider with the diet. otoh, if this condition has been with you for a long time, the healing may also be quite a while, so try to accept that not eating out will be part of the lifestyle change you need to go through.

Skip some of Jessica's book and turn to the body scrub and see if that doesn't help - then go back and read the whole book - she's great!!!!!

It's really fun chatting again. If you do decide to go on either of the 30-day learning, I'd love to hear how it goes.

Klara

[sarrett1]

Well, I don't do it all the time but that's one major way my Friends and I socialize. For example, my Friend was supposed to come by to pick up my crock pot for a party tomorrow and since they're driving over here anyway suggested we (she, her Husband and 2 1/2 year old) do dinner. The biggest challenge is when I see my Folks. We eat out practically every meal! I've learned what I can eat at the restaurants I go to. For example tonight we're going Mexican...I'll get veggie fajitas. There are two veg restaurants that I know of but neither is convenient. (We did make a special trip up to one of them.)

I'm not sure...she's making an effort but her Husband sometimes brings stuff home she rather he not. I think between having another person involved and coming from are more traditional diet makes it a lot tougher.

Yes, I would need a few weeks when I have nothing big planned socially to go for the healing diet. I know some people go on a rice only diet for a bit.

Yes, Jessica's book is great...my co-worker was the one who gave me the pointer. One thing I like about her is she doesn't claim to be "perfect." There are circumstances she'll bend a bit. I'll try that scrub, especially on my feet.

Yes, there forums are a great opportunity to chat and learn. I'll let you know if I take the plunge.

[Klara]

Further along maybe you'll love mb so much, you'll just invite people over for meals. Meanwhile, you can get brave and start asking restaurants questions or requests - do they use msg? what kind of oil? any tomatoes, potatoes, etc.? spicy? any milk (or meat) in the food? Problem is no matter how many questions I ask, there's always one I forget to, and that's the one that I should have. Also requests, any whole wheat? can you bring with sauce separate? Again, problem with either of above, has to be comfortable for others you're with - my husband used to hate my asking so many questions - sometimes I even went privately to the kitchen to ask so he wouldn't see - but even with vegetarian restaurants I had difficulties - you'll see, nothing beats having your own home cooked meal, especially if you get good at it :>)

All in good time.

Klara

[neon]

Hello Klara, I really can see how much you love it here from your nice words

Unfortunately I am not aware about any active group of mb people getting together regularly here in Czech. Sure, here are some interesting macrobiotic cooking courses where the people can meet, but as I can see from the discussions at my website, people are not aware about other macrobiotics in their locality. That's why I launched my website.

I don't know about Mina Dobic too much. I googled and read some informations and the book seems very interesting. Thanks for telling me about her.

Thanks for all the information about body scrub. I felt a little guilty when the srub was fast and took me only 5 minutes. But that's my nature. I always want to do things as perfect as possible and when I am not able, I rather not do them at all. It's a bad habit. I still underrate the importantance of the scrubbing on my health and do it very sporadically.

[Klara]

Neon,

That's great - I hadn't realized that the site you have listed at the bottom was one you initiated - being that I can't read the language It's from sites that people can sometimes connect up with each other. It's a start. Another way is putting up notices on health food stores.

Being an initiator takes work - and difficult work - but not impossible. I guess teachers are very busy just teaching, so it's up to someone else to try to organize get-togethers - tho there are teachers that also organize dinners.

Post on your site and see if there's an interest. But do be warned, most people are followers, and very few leaders.

One of the things that does upset me is some ideal that we feel we should be - forget it - I also do body rubs only sporadically - I am a slow learner, but well, slow and steady won the race for the tortoise, right?? and we don't even always do steady - yin and yang, up and down, forward and backward - as long as we just keep at it, we do get better at everything. OK, some people may learn fast, but some don't - so???? But that's one other reason why it's good to get together with others, to get inspired and spurred on.

Klara

btw, I forgot to mention, Jessica Porter also did a chat and you can read the transcriptions here - push on chat above -

[sarrett1]

Well, actually I've done that since not all restaurants have vegan stuff on the menu. (Although not to the detail you describe.) I agree...cooking at home is the easiest and no more work than cooking the SAD. I think it's a matter of getting a set recipes that you can quickly whip up for dinner. For example, one of my standard dinners is an Italian ragu although that use tomatoes.
I tried cooking some tempeh the other day...boiled with shyru and then browned. Not bad at all although tempeh is an acquired taste. I'm trying to replace things like veggie burgers with more non-processed stuff.

[Klara]

I had a most amazing tempeh dish last night at a gournet dinner that Ginat & Sheldon Rice made at their home. (Ginat also has several chats on this site) But realize it was GOURMET, translated heavenly but more work. She grated the tempeh and then simmered it (I can't remember if there was anything in the simmering water, don't think so) then mixed it with toasted almonds and tofu mayonnaise, on a bed of fresh lettuce.

Our favorite is also not easy - tempeh (in triangles or cubes) is marinated in sweet and salty (can't find recipe right now, so will try to get back with exact instructions), then a kind of shake and bake, kuzu ground with basil, in which the marinated tempeh is covered, then browned in little oil, then brocolli and bean sprouts are sauteed - all cooked together in a little sauce (vinegar, water, soy sauce- very very little, like in spoonfuls).

another dish - tempeh is also in same kind of marinade - but no shake and bake - again brown the tempeh (take out from marinade) - sautee thinly sliced onions til transluscent, add match stick cut (well, maybe for winter it's better bigger cuts??) squash and tempeh and enough marinade so doesn't burn - til soft, add peas at end and cook a little. Could also add ginger juice, tangerine or orange juice, beansprouts. Also well loved in our home.

Yes tempeh is an acquired taste, but once it's acquired. watch out!!!

btw, are you also familair with the carrot/beet/onion sauce that can be replaced for tomato sauce??? Also delicious. Try out some of the recipes in your books and also there are recipes on this site. Variety is the spice of life and will also keep you more interested in staying with mb.

Klara

[sarrett1]

Thanks for you tips!
They sound good!! That recipe that you make sounds excellent. I did a dish where I boiled it in shyru and then browned. Not bad at all!

No...I'm not familiar with the carrot/beet/onion sauce...I'll have to look that one up...it sounds good since I use a lot of diced tomatoes in my cooking which I need to cut down/eliminate since I'm trying to counter an acidic condition.

Thanks again for you tips!
Wendy

[Ilanit]

here is the recipe for a simple nomato sauce that will fool everyone! Actually it is better than tomato! and very versatile. you can use a pressure cooker or boil if you dont have one yet.

http://www.energizedeating.com/blog/...omato/#more-50

there are also other recipes and recipe tutorials.