A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a diet sick people use - cancer patients especially - in order to heal. While it is true that a macrobiotic approach has helped a great many people get well, macrobiotics is much more than a mere diet, and it is for everyone. Whether you're recovering from illness or simply interested in having greater vitality, macrobiotics is a wholistic, natural system for good health and long life.
"Let food by thy medicine, and medicine thy food," is a saying from the ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who also coined the term "macrobiotics." In Greek, "makro" means long or large, and "bio" means life. A macrobiotic approach to good health begins with food and cooking, extending to include lifestyle and exercise. Daily walks, a grateful state of mind, and meditation for centering oneself are among the practices of the system. Its purpose is to create a state of health that supports rather than prevents a full and vibrant life.
Since Hippocrates coined the term, we know that the principles of macrobiotics have been around a long time. They're the same concepts that you'll find in any modern day nutrition or fitness class: high fiber, low fat, plenty of vegetables and grains, limited meat. Going beyond these basics, macrobiotics also includes healing foods such as sea vegetables and ginger root.
To bring balance to one's physical and emotional condition through utilizing food is the macrobiotic focus. Foods that have nutritional and energetic balance - yin and yang - are used: legumes, beans, whole grains, and vegetables dominate. Red meat, dairy, refined sugar, and coffee are examples of foods without balance and they are eliminated. For flavor, variety, and seasonal virtue, some oils, nuts, and fruits are used in small amounts. The variety adds interest and also increases the nutrient range. The end result is food both wholesome and delicious.
It is critically important that the food tastes good because food is sensual, and if it doesn't appeal to our senses, we won't eat it in the long run. It might take a bit of time to develop the taste for macrobiotic cuisine because it is light and elegant in its simplicity. Here is an example of typically combined macrobiotic ingredients for an easy and tasty meal.
*Nutty Rice with Vegetables*
Cook 2 cups short or long grain brown rice in sea-salted water (2 and 1/2 cups water with 2 pinches sea salt). Cover the pot tightly for 30-40 minutes on very low heat.
Parboil these vegetables separately for two minutes or less: 1/4 cup diced carrot, and 1/4 cup diced red onion, and 2 cups florets of broccoli. Allow to cool.
In a dry frying pan toast 1/2 cup walnuts over medium heat for five minutes. Puree the toasted walnuts with one teaspoon barley miso dissolved in some water.
Mix together the vegetables, rice, and puree. Then add the grated peel of a lemon. Serve this dish warm or cool, rather than hot or cold. Enjoy!
Grace M. Navarro's articles on topics related to diet are published in alta diet news the leading resource on-line for information about diets. Visit the complete archive of articles here: alta diet news
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
All of my life I believed the best way to... Read More
AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More
For some people it is really hard to give up... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
Copyright ? 2004 priya shah Glutathione, the body's... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
When it comes to planning a healthy diet, fat is... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
A lot of people I've talked with about health supplements... Read More
ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams,... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing... Read More
When we think about the benefits of being ensuring a... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
In parts 1-4 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
Nutrition |