4 weeks into Macrobiotics & Smiling

[Macro Girl]

Hello, I would like to introduce myself. By a stroke of random luck, I invited an aquaintance to a girl party I decided to host. It was random, and done to encourage new insight. She was macro. She began to tell her story, and immediately a light switch turned on. I called her coach the very next day, and am now 4 weeks into the lifestyle. I am absolutely floored at the changes, and very excited to see where this new journey is going to take me.

1) gums no longer bleed, teeth are whiter.
2) BM's do not smell anymore. I actually go to the washroom now!
3) Sleeping like I have never slept before.
4) Extreme mental clarity.
5) Mood eating, and binging has completely stopped. (well still a bit moody sometimes)
6) No desire to get bombed on red wine.
7) Extreme cravings for peace and tranquility.
9) White finger nails that are growing strong and sturdy.
10) Soft skin.
11) No desire for dairy, or meat. Period! Its gone, and there is no mental coaching going on. The thought of it gags me.
12) 15 + years of yoyo weight gain/loss and for 4 weeks I have actually stabilized my weight. It has never happened before.

What do I notice that I never noticed before? My joints are tight, and I have no flexibility. I am craving home time, and want to stay home, and try new recipes. The world of processed plastic food, and instant gratification is not on my agenda and I feel an adversion to it.

The yoyo/binging and extreme lifestyle: I know it has taken its tole on me, and I have to work to celebrate that I have succeeded for 4 weeks in this lifestyle, and be patient.

Financial Benefits: I am saving tons of money. I gave up coffee. $ 25.00 in home grains alone per week. Starbucks average $ 15.00 per week. Atleast $ 40.00 per week in wine. Eating out atleast $ 75.00 per week. It is insane!

Realization: I made some very huge mistakes in my past. I was a victim of "instant gratification mentality" and I participated in a diet craze that certainly paid off. I lost over 120lbs , but gained 1/2 back 3 times. Now, I am 60 lbs heavier than my smallest weight, but thankfully not back to the maximum weight and praying that macro is going to align me like I need to be aligned.

[Kitty]

Hey!
Good for you! I love hearing stories from people like you enjoying this amazing way of life!
I too am new...a couple of weeks now. Not seeing huge changes though. Christmas set me back. I have only read one book and my cooking classes haven't started yet.
I am however, determined! You are very fortunate to have someone you know into this and able to "coach" you. I am gathering information from every source possible...and this forum has really helaped too.
Tell me though...do you work full time? How do you bring your meals to work and keep them warm? My rice is like mush by the time it is time to eat! I am here for lunch and dinner.
I notice you are from Almonte Ontario...I am from Whitby (work in Richmond Hill)
Have you taken any cooking classes?
Anyways, look forward to talk ing to you again and hearing about your amazing progress!
Take care.
Kitty

[Macro Girl]

Richmond Toronto? I assume....

I am very spoiled because I own my own company so I have very flexible lifestyle. I do have to admit, I have locked myself down in the home for the past 4 weeks. I cook non stop. Pots are always dirty! BUT....I make my food in advance, and store left overs. I have read that reheated is not the best way to go....but I rather reheat than eat plastic! --like I used to.

I have been pressure cooking my rice, and I store it in a wooden salad bowl with a ceramic plate on top. Not sure if this is my creation or something I have read. I keep it on the counter and scoop it out, so its not cold, just room temperature. To date, it has been nice, not mushy, and I love the crusty stuff at the bottom.

I read Hip Chick's Guide, Macrobiotic Cooking (Aveline Kushi) and The Macrobiotic Way. Plus I surfed, surfed, surfed, !!!!! I just found this forum yesterday, and already have read numberous feeds.

I made something delicious that was great cold, butternut squash (baked) with apples, (steamed till soft) mixed together with brown rice syrup, put it in caserole dish, mixed together whole wheat flour, whole oats, stone cut oats, (all dry) a bit of cooked kushi, and bit of sesame oil, mixed together just to make crumbs, and put on top....baked 30 minutes in oven. Delicious hot or cold. This is my mix up recipe. Unless I read it somewhere and then just re created it in my mind!!! Who knows!

I wonder why you have not seen big results? Wayne Diotte www.macrobiotics.ca is here in Almonte-Yes I am lucky! Maybe my results were prominent because of what he recommended. My first food order came directly from them so I now know what I should be looking for, thus trips to health food stores are not so overwhelming..... The entire consult, plus food cost around $500.00 Its been a month, and my cupboards are still full...minus sesame oil, tahini, shoyo and brown rice.

I have lost 5 lbs since I started, and I have to admit, xmas caused me some bodily harm too. I was amazed what food can do so quickly to your system...one day and I was a mess. ....... thank goodness, holidays are over, minus my birthday Jan 7th...I have a reputation and many are going to wonder about my wine/eating habit change.

I truely am shocked at how the switch seemed to click, and I find this so easy!

I really appreciate your response and hope to keep in touch as we proceed....

[Kitty]

Hey Macro Girl! Just wondering how your progress was coming along?
Are you still cooking up a storm?! Any good balanced meals you have come up with that one could take to work??? Have you lost any more weight?

[Macro Girl]

Doing well! Hatu Mugi is my new best friend. Its a large barley. Yum.

Recipe is: 1/4 c Hatu Mugi with 1 1/4 c water cover and bring to boil and lower for 3o minutes

Corn, onions in fry pan with a bit of oil. Brown rice syrup (1tsp) little shoyu and fry on low to carmelize for about 20 minutes. When its carmelized, add to already cooked Hatu Mugi....YUM!!!!!!!! I have eaten it for two days. Its great for complexion and cleaning fat from blood? something like that!

Turned 40 Jan 7th.... thus white cake with cream entered my mouth. Got a huge pimple on my neck from it! The price of sugar!

Feeling good, stable, and loving my life! how about you?

[Kitty]

Happy Belated Birthday! I hear ya with the cake! It'll getcha!!
Thanks for that recipe - I'll try it.
I've been doing okay...still aquiring ingrediants and tools as I go. Started my first of 3, 4 hour cooking classes. Loved it! What a huge help! The lady I am taking them with is brilliant, I pick her brain endlessly! She has cured numerous people with all kinds of illnesses through macrobiotics. Very interesting lady, I'm lucky to have met her.
I still haven't gone whole hog yet. I don't want to rush into it and end up feeling as though I have failed, ya know?
I am experiencing however A LOT of bloating. Did you? I also haven't lost any weight.
Have you?

[Macro Girl]

I am floating around the 5 lb lost mark. I am surprised you feel bloated. I am actually noticing today that I am losing that look. I do not mean this in a harsh way, but I feel I am not looking rolly pudgy. Just rounded!

Good going to take classes. I need to order some food. I am loving this, and I might do the Hatu Mugi recipe again. I love even saying it Hatu Mugi!

Must feed my cranky daughter...talk soon,

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by Macro Girl

Must feed my cranky daughter...talk soon,

And we're feeding her what? : )~

Good going & pace yourself.

[Macro Girl]

OH! Good one! She is a sushi fan, and I am slowing introducing her to different ideas of food so as to not turn her off completely!

Thanks !!!