fruit

[deus]

apols if this has been asked before, but why is fruit restricted in macrobiotics?
I understand there may be an issue with the sugar content, and the idea of eating things that are local, or at least of a similar climate, but would have thought that they are as natural and wholesome as vegetables.
Also, if I was born in England, so have the body-type, conditioning of someone living in that kind of climate, but now live in South East China, should I be concentrating on eating in balance with my nationality and conditioning or my temporary place of residence?

lots of Qs from me recently, but that's what this place is here for!

[Bruce Paine]

deus,

Why the restricted fruit regimen is a punishment for sins committed in a past life!

Actually, fruit in a temperate climate could be the balance for fish, for someone eating a diet centered mostly on whole grain cereals, temperate climate vegetables, sea vegetables, legumes, and so on.

Temperate climate fruits are considered yin while the tropical fruits are considered very yin.

Is your diet, your activity, your condition, your weather or any other contributing factor so yang that you feel like eating much fruit?

Healthy persons eating a balanced macrobiotic diet in a temperate climate might find that ocassionally having a cooked temperate climate fruit in a dessert might be a welcome change, but could find that often eating a raw fruit to be too much to handle.

So, again, it all depends on various things.

Southeast China is which city?

What's your average temperature, now?

I find it funny that you refer to yourself as a English type.

From what I hear and read, England nowdays, is such a diverse country that I imagine that one could have any type of body, skin color, and diet.

And, yes, when when you live for an extended time in a new climate, you need to make adjustments for that change.

Also, eating a lot of fruit on a macrobiotic diet could precipitate unhealthy conditions such as colds, influenza, even pneumonia.

Are you near the SARS outbreak?

Be careful and be well.

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[deus]

Hey Bruce, cheers for the reply... I've just always liked fruit, and it is a nice thing to have as snacks when on the move. I've read some things saying fruit a few times a week, whereas I would prefer to eat it a couple or a few times a day. too much? if so, why?

I'm in Shanghai, teaching English, often at a couple of locations in the same day.
I've recently read a book on macrobiotics, but would ideally like a proper consultation - anyone know anything about macrobiotics in Shanghai?

"Is your diet, your activity, your condition, your weather or any other contributing factor so yang that you feel like eating much fruit?"

can't pretend I know enough to say... I generally eat brown rice, steamed vegetables, oats, fruit (apples, pears, occasional kiwi or banana). It's quite cold here at the moment, highs of about 5 or 6 degrees celsius, and my job is quite busy right now, but this fruit thing may be more a lifelong habit.

"I find it funny that you refer to yourself as a English type."

I understand what you mean. I guess I meant more that if diet is supposed to be in harmony with living climate, does the fact that I lived in England's climate for 23 years mean I should live more appropriate to that rather than my temporary situation in Shanghai.

"Are you near the SARS outbreak?"

not that we've been told, anyway! thanks for your concern.

[Bruce Paine]

deus,

Are you getting any naturally pickled or fermented foods in your diet?

Pickles after a meat can help alleviate the desire for desserts which when eaten often can contribute to an expanded and acidic condition.

If you are eating fruit during the wintertime it is smarted to eat it cooked with a pinch of sea salt.

Bananas and other tropical fruit have more potassium and/or sugars and/or acidity, and doesn't make a good balance for a more standard macrobiotic diet in a temperate climate.

If you have tremendous transmutation power and can (and continue to) have a good condition after eating these fruits, then more power to you.

Perhaps you have a lot of residual yang, from your past diet, or you have a more yang environment or activity, I don't know but if you can avoid suffering from various maladies and conditions while continuing to include these fruits with your macrobiotic diet, then so be it!

Oh, by the way, are you eating any fish, eggs, dairy, or meat?

And what is your consumption of salt?

Which macrobiotic cookbooks have you read/used?


Can you leave town or have you effectively been Shanghaied? :-)


I may be unavailable for a few days as we are moving andmay have a temporary lack of Internet service.

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[Susanna]

Hey deus,
I'm a macrobiotic cook traveling to Shanghai next March, since you live in there time ago, please, tell me where you get organic macrobiotic food and if you are finally in contact with some macro people in there.

Thanks

Susanna