Advice For a Beginning Practice of Macrobiotics

[Lisa]

Hi-I'm, only recently looking into macrobiotics,and need some guidance as to reading materials and on-line resources.

I feed my dog a natural diet,and since I've quit smoking(and beefed up-NOT in a good way),I figured I should start taking better care of myself.

Any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated!!

[Roy Collins]

Hi Lisa. I think the best thing to do at this time is to call toll free the George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation at 1-800-232-2372
and ask them to send up an up-dated book catalog.

I would recommend the following for beginners:

1. Pocket Guide to Macrobiotics by Carl Ferre -- 6.95
2. Making the Transition to a Macrobioitc Diet by Carolyn Heidenry -- 6.95 ( I just found out about this one!)
3. The Macrobiotic Way by Michio Kushi -- 9.95
4. Zen Macrobiotics by George Ohsawa -- 9.95
5. Basic Macrobiotic Cooking by Julia Ferre -- 12.95
6. The First Macrobiotic Cookbook (no author)-- 9.95
7. Practically Macrobiotic by Keith Michell -- 24.95
8. Macrobiotic Cooking for Everyone - E & W. Esko -- 14.50
9. The Book of Macrobiotics by Michio Kushi -- 11.95
10. Natural Healing From Head to Toe by H & C. Aihara -- 14.95

You can also buy a subscription to Macrobiotics Today (magazine).

Beside the books and annual summer camp I really don't know what else GOMF offers in the way of on-line stuff, lectures, etc.
You may want to get in touch with the Kushi Institute for more class offerings and up-dated resource guide. You can find infor about the KI by searching the internet using the key words Kushi Institute. David Briscoe offers an on-line course (at a fee) on macrobiotics. You need to search the web for this too as I don't have his email handy; try Macrobiotics + America or macroamerica.com. Maybe someone else here can provide more info on these for you.

My book Fire Over Heaven traces the history and use of yin and yang concept and the I Ching. You can order from me or Xlibris.com but a little heavy for the novice.

There are perhaps some other websites that host some forums for macrobiotic discussion. These tend to be very noisy and quite surface at times. You will have to do a search on the internet for these but I recommend that as a novice you do not join up until a later date as you will more than likely get too much conflicting information from their myriad subscribers, some of which are not dedicated macrobiotics but pretend to be. Wait until you're a bit more seasoned for this level.

Try hooking up with a good macrobiotic cooking teacher from your area. This will be the most beneficail experience you will get from macrobiotics. It is worth every penny of the course and you will most likely meet others with the same experiences that you have there. Ask around at health food stores if they know of any macrobiotic cooking classes in your area. I hope this helps.

In peace, Roy

[Lisa]

Thankyou for the list of reading materials!My book stores don't appear to carry any of them,so it looks like I'll be ordering online.

I've begun changing my diet by phasing out refined flours,red meats,and fatty foods.Giving up coffee(extra large-three creams,three sugars)will be the tough one,but I have cut back a bit.

I'm also eating as much organic grains,fruits and veggies as possible and am taking supplements to help ensure I'm getting everything I need.

My energy level has improved greatly in just one week!!Hopefully the books will help me improve my diet,get healthy and shed those post-smoking pounds!!

Thanks again!(any other suggestions will,of course be greatly appreciated )

[Roy Collins]

Lisa, You are doing a GREAT job! Just keep flowing with it at the pace you are at and soon you will taking over my job as moderator here. You can never rush into macrobiotics -- the faster you go into it the faster you are out. Body cells need adjustment -- mind/heart need adjustment. You will hav a chance to fine tune the practice as you move forward in time/space. Be happy, love yourself, the world. Sign up for the
free on-line macrobiotic course that will be statrting here this coming Sunday. More details will follow in a day or so. You can ask more questions there later on....

In peace, Roy

[jhlp]

Are you planning an online course? If so when? How?etc, etc!!!
Thanks