Feta Cheese

[jpanuthos]

Hi
I am very new to MB. I have just read "Making the ransition to a Macrobotic Diet". I have read a few things on this website and I have ordered the book Hip Chick's guide to MB".
Today at luch I had Feta cheese and wondered if that was allowed and if not what would be a good subsitute?

[neon]

Milk products are not recommended in the macrobiotic.

Read this article for more info and try the recipe there:
Dairy, the Wonder Food? - Macrobiotics

[jpanuthos]

What about soy milk or the product "Silk" ?

[cakefiend]

I think silk would work as a substitute for milk.

[layla17]

Great to meet you both! I didn't realize dairy products were frowned upon. I guess I better run to the store and grab some Silk too.

[jpanuthos]

Nice to meet you too! I am a newbie, just trying to learn. The thing about the feta cheese is that it is fron goats not cows, but I guess it is still an animal byproduct. There is so much to learn.

[Bruce Paine]

Eating or not eating foods can depend on a number of factors including hunger, what your dietary lifestyle is and how strictly you follow it.

Forget macrobiotics and vegan rules for a while and tell why you do or don't want to eat feta cheese or any other dairy foods.

If you are sick or allergic to dairy, that might be a good reason to avoid it but what if you are well or can eat what you want?

Have very good reasons based on you to be why or why not you eat certain foods.

My life changed radically when I stopped eating dairy, 34 years ago.

What is your story?

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[jpanuthos]

Bruce, my history is quite extensive. To start out, I am 65. I have had cancer, I only have half my thyroid, I am diabetic on insulin. I have three forms of arthritis, and degenerative and bulging disk. I have a lot of sinus pain and I am overweight.
My husband is 70 and has Parkinsons and slight dementia and I need to be able to take care of him. I am in Aqua thearpy now and I am trying to learn Tai Chi.
I am trying with everything I can do to improve my health.

Thanks

[Bruce Paine]

In that case, my guess is that you must be more care about what you eat!

I recommend that you and your husband find yourselves a good counselor, a professional macrobiotic, if you wish:

Macrobiotic Teachers/Counselors List brought to you by Macrobiotics in Cleveland

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[jpanuthos]

Bruce
The closest thing I have found is this:
korrin quinn
link attached

[Bruce Paine]

jpanuthos,

You made a very excellent selection, as Warren is a very good cooking teacher (I attended his classes for about a year, here in Boston)!:

April 11-12 2008 A Special Weekend:
Macrobiotic Seminar
Fri. April 11 Lecture 7:00-9:00p.m.
What is Macrobiotics? The macrobiotic approach to
Healing.
For many people macrobiotics is about miso soup, brown
rice and
steamed kale. While these are great foods, macrobiotics is
far more
than that. Warren will give a clear picture of what
macrobiotics is
all about and how it can powerfully impact all aspects of
life.
Tea and dessert will be served.
Register early as space is limited.
Fee: $20.00
Sat. April 12 Cooking Class 10:00-1:00p.m.
Cooking for a Healthy, Dynamic Life
Cooking is the highest art form, it is creating life itself. In
this
exciting class Warren will demonstrate numerous styles of
cooking and
discuss their unique benefits. The energetics of food
and cooking will be emphasized in relation to creating
vibrant
health.
A full meal will be served and recipes given out.
Fee: $50.00

Please say a big hello for me!

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[ChristinLee]

hi,
here's some things i've learned in my macrobiotic studies/lifestyle. Of course, dairy is not recommended on the macrobiotic diet, feta cheese included. However, unless you are on a healing diet, it is alright to OCCASIONALLY indulge in such non-recommended foods for various reasons. Whether this be traditional foods that are important to certain holidays, religious ceremonies, etc, or just wanting to be able to eat out with old friends in a restaurant where a vegetarian item that includes dairy is your best bet. I know quite a few macrobiotic counselors personally who (in good health) eat out in restaurants like "normal people" and even eat those foods you see in the "avoid list" in so much macro literature.

A note about silk and other soy milks, soy cheeses, dairy substitutes: Soy milk and cheese is one of the WORST things you can eat for any type of thyroid issues (and also for many cancers). Soy milk/cheese/ice cream is one of the furthest things from a soy bean. It is made from the oil they skim off the top of the compressed soybeans used in making tofu. Homemade soymilk is one thing, Silk, and other store-bought types is a whole other animal. On top of the fattiness of it, tons of salt is added to preserve it (notice the lengthy shelf-life). It is really all around not good stuff. If you must have such a dairy subsititute, rice based products are a bit better.

Never forget, macrobiotics is about freedom. About making your own choices to create that freedom. Chances are the feta will make you feel lousy (the longer your macro practice, the more apparent this will be). But understanding the energies of food and what it does to you is the most important thing. Anyone who has a long standing macrobiotic practice occasionally eats foods that are off the diet, whether they admit to it or not. It's the world we live in. I know for me, I'd rather have a good practice I can stick to, where I may occasionally have coffee and non-macro dessert with my nana, than be strict with my diet and lose that opportunity for the customs and traditions so closely associated with food in our culture. Just as you ate dairy in a restaurant, chances are you were out socially, having an experience you may not have had if you said, "No, I can't eat here, I'm going home." I'm not saying to go off the deep end, but you have to be able to enjoy yourself, or like so many others, your macrobiotic practice will be very strict, and very short-lived.

Check out a book called "The Enegetics of Food" by Steve Gagne. And also, the Hip Chick's guide you mentioned is a great book too.

Hope this insight helps with your decisions.

[ChristinLee]

Also, if you are in Massachusetts, there is a great teacher in the New Bedford/Dartmouth area named Carol Louro. She is very worth contacting for cooking classes, meal pick up, she has lectures and counseltations at her center. She is not online yet unfortunately, but can be contacted my phone at 508-993-8785. Her center has been named The East West Center for Macrobiotics, New Bedford by Michio Kushi. Please tell her Christin sent you! Good luck!

[ChristinLee]

Oops, I just realized you aren't in MA but in FL! Disregard the note about Carol in New Bedford. When I saw the name Warren Kramer and Boston, I assumed you were in his area. I'm sure there are plenty of great teachers/counselors in your area. I'll read more closely next time!